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Duets

by Elton John and various artists

Released: November 22, 1993

Rock, pop

musicOnOff editorial

Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Chart Success.

The Album

"Duets" is the first collaboration studio album by English musician Elton John, released in 1993. Initially conceived as a Christmas project for John, Duets eventually became a full-length album, separate from the Christmas-themed Elton John's Christmas Party. The album was released as a single CD, a single cassette, and a double vinyl LP in the UK, with the latter having a slightly different track listing.

Stories and details

Interesting Facts

Duets is one of only three albums released…

Duets is one of only three albums released by Elton John between 1983 and 2016 that did not feature his regular guitar player, Davey Johnstone.

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Essential Tracks

True Love

Three singles were released from the album in the UK: "True Love" with Kiki Dee (which reached No. 2), "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" with RuPaul (which reached No. 7), and "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" with Marcella Detroit (which reached No. 24).

Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing

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Elton John and various artists - Duets

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Reception

One of the notable tracks on the album is the live version of "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," recorded with George Michael, which had already topped the UK and US charts as a single in 1991. The album debuted at No. 7 in the UK and peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard 200 chart in the US. It was certified platinum by the RIAA in January 1994.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"Duets" is the first collaboration studio album by English musician Elton John, released in 1993. The album debuted at No. 7 in the UK and peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard 200 chart in the US. It was certified platinum by the RIAA in January 1994.

Initially conceived as a Christmas project for John, Duets eventually became a full-length album, separate from the Christmas-themed Elton John's Christmas Party. The album was released as a single CD, a single cassette, and a double vinyl LP in the UK, with the latter having a slightly different track listing. One of the notable tracks on the album is the live version of "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," recorded with George Michael, which had already topped the UK and US charts as a single in 1991.

Duets is one of only three albums released by Elton John between 1983 and 2016 that did not feature his regular guitar player, Davey Johnstone. Three singles were released from the album in the UK: "True Love" with Kiki Dee (which reached No. 2), "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" with RuPaul (which reached No. 7), and "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" with Marcella Detroit (which reached No. 24).