Caribou (album)

Caribou
Caribou
Studio album by Elton John
Released	24 June 1974
Recorded	January 1974
Studio	Caribou Ranch, Nederland, Colorado; Brother, Santa Monica, California; Trident, London;
Genre	Rock; glam rock; pop;
Length	45:15
Label	MCA (US), DJM (UK)
Producer	Gus Dudgeon
Elton John chronology
Singles from Caribou
	"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"; Released: 24 May 1974; "The Bitch Is Back"; Released: 30 August 1974;

Caribou is the eighth studio album by English musician Elton John, released on 24 June 1974 by MCA Records in the US^[2] and on 28 June by DJM Records in the UK.^[3] It was his fourth chart-topping album in the United States and his third in the United Kingdom. The album contains the singles "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me", which reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart and number two in the US, and "The Bitch Is Back", which reached number 15 in the UK and number four in the US. Both singles reached number one in Canada on the RPM 100 national Top Singles Chart, as did the album itself.^[4]^[5]

The album was met with indifferent reviews on its release and legacy reviews do not consider the record to be among John's best work from his early 1970s peak period. However, the album was a commercial success and has been certified double-platinum in the US as well as receiving a gold certification in the UK. The album was nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year at the 17th Annual Grammy Awards.

Background

In the liner notes to the 1995 CD re-release, Elton John described the album as being recorded quickly in January 1974, with only about nine days to get everything recorded, because he and the band "were under enormous pressure" to finish the album and immediately embark on a Japanese tour. Producer Gus Dudgeon added additional backing vocals, horns and other overdubs after John and the band had finished their work. Dudgeon later called the album "a piece of crap ... the sound is the worst, the songs are nowhere, the sleeve came out wrong, the lyrics weren't that good, the singing wasn't all there, the playing wasn't great and the production is just plain lousy".^[6]

The album was named after the Caribou Ranch recording studio in Nederland, Colorado, where part of the album was recorded.^[7]

"Ticking" tells the story of a man suffering from a repressed childhood who kills 14 people in a mass shooting at a bar in New York City. Despite being described by Rolling Stone critic Tom Nolan as "the centerpiece fiasco" of the album in his 1974 review of Caribou,^[8] in 2015, Rolling Stone readers voted the song their second-favourite "deep cut" of lesser-known Elton John songs.^[9]

In addition to the singles, John has over the years played several other songs from the album at concerts, including "Grimsby", "You're So Static", "Ticking" and "Dixie Lily". The 1995 CD reissue contains four songs from the general period in and around the release of Caribou, though only two of them, the B-sides "Sick City" and "Cold Highway", were recorded during the album sessions. "Step into Christmas" was recorded during a previous one-off single session, and "Pinball Wizard" was recorded at The Who's Ramport Studios in England during the sessions for the movie score and soundtrack album of Tommy.^[10]

In February 2024, it was announced Mercury Records would reissue the album as 2-LP set on April 20 as part of Record Store Day to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the album's original release in summer 1974. Pressed on blue sky colored vinyl, LP 1 contains the original album. The second LP includes the b-sides "Sick City" and "Cold Highway," John's version of "Pinball Wizard," a new "radio mix" of "The Bitch Is Back" featuring an alternate saxophone solo, a new extended version of the album track "Stinker," the outtake "Ducktail Jiver," which was recorded during the Caribou sessions, and John's demo version of "Snookeroo," later recorded by Ringo Starr for his album Goodnight Vienna.^[11]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[12]
Christgau's Record Guide	B+^[13]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	^[14]
Tom Hull – on the Web	B^[15]

Tom Nolan of Rolling Stone described the album as "dispiriting" and said, "Nearly every song on Caribou suffers from a blithe lack of focus, an almost arrogant disregard of the need to establish context or purpose ... Shifting from sentimental to heavy to mocking, [John and Bernie Taupin] not only fail to touch all bases but undercut what credence they might possibly have achieved." Criticising the album's production and the superficiality of the songs, he concluded that Caribou is "a startlingly empty experience".^[8]

Stephen Thomas Erlewine's retrospective review for AllMusic called Caribou "a disappointment" and that aside from the two singles, "the album tracks tend to be ridiculous filler on the order of 'Solar Prestige a Gammon' or competent genre exercises like 'You're So Static'".^[12]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, except where noted.

Side one
No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Bitch Is Back"	3:44
2.	"Pinky"	3:54
3.	"Grimsby"	3:46
4.	"Dixie Lily"	2:55
5.	"Solar Prestige a Gammon"	2:52
6.	"You're So Static"	4:53

Side two
No.	Title	Length
7.	"I've Seen the Saucers"	4:48
8.	"Stinker"	5:20
9.	"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"	5:36
10.	"Ticking"	7:34
Total length:		45:15

Bonus tracks (1995 Mercury and 2001 Rocket reissue)
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
11.	"Pinball Wizard"	Pete Townshend	5:09
12.	"Sick City"		5:23
13.	"Cold Highway"		3:25
14.	"Step into Christmas"		4:32
Total length:			63:44

Note

Track numbers refer to CD and digital releases of the album.
On the 1995 CD reissue, "You're So Static" is spelled incorrectly as "Your're So Static".

Personnel

Musicians

Elton John – lead vocals, acoustic piano, Hammond organ (9)
David Hentschel – ARP synthesizer (2, 5, 10), mellotron (9)
Chester D. Thompson – Hammond organ (8)
Davey Johnstone – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, backing vocals
Dee Murray – bass guitar, backing vocals
Nigel Olsson – drums, backing vocals
Ray Cooper – tambourine, congas, whistle, vibraphone, snare, castanets, tubular bells, maracas, water gong
Lenny Pickett – tenor saxophone solo (1), soprano saxophone solo (4, 5), clarinet (5)
Tower of Power – horn section (1, 6, 8, 9)
- Emilio Castillo – tenor saxophone
- Steve Kupka – baritone saxophone
- Lenny Pickett – tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, clarinet
- Mic Gillette – trombone, trumpet
- Greg Adams – trumpet, horn arrangements (1, 6, 8)
Del Newman – horn arrangements (9)
Clydie King – backing vocals (1, 6)
Sherlie Matthews – backing vocals (1)
Jessie Mae Smith – backing vocals (1)
Dusty Springfield – backing vocals (1)
Billy Hinsche – backing vocals (9)
Bruce Johnston – backing vocals (9)
Toni Tennille – backing vocals (9)
Carl Wilson – backing vocals (9), vocal arrangements (9)
Daryl Dragon – vocal arrangements (9)

Production

Producer – Gus Dudgeon
Engineer – Clive Franks
Remixing – David Hentschel
Assistant engineer – Peter Kelsey
Album coordinator – Steve Brown
Liner notes – John Tobler
Art direction and sleeve design – David Larkham and Michael Ross
Photography – Ed Caraeff and Chris Denny
Recorded at Caribou Ranch
Remixed at Trident Studios (London, UK)

Accolades

Grammy Awards


Year	Nominee / work	Award	Result
1975	Caribou	Album of the Year^[16]	Nominated

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1974–1975)	Peak position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)^[17]	1
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)^[18]	1
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)^[19]	1
Finnish Albums (The Official Finnish Charts)^[20]	21
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)^[21]	30
Italian Albums (Musica e Dischi)^[22]	8
Japanese Albums (Oricon)^[23]	2
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)^[24]	20
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)^[25]	6
Spanish Albums-(AFYVE )^[26]	4
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)^[27]	3
UK Albums (OCC)^[28]	1
US Billboard 200^[29]	1
Yugoslav Albums Chart^[30]	5

Year-end charts

Chart (1974)	Position
Australian Albums (Kent Music Report)^[31]	4
Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)^[32]	7
UK Albums (OCC)^[33]	15
US Billboard Year-End^[34]	65

Chart (1975)	Position
US Billboard Year-End^[35]	71

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)^[36]	2× Platinum	100,000^{^}
Canada (Music Canada)^[37]	Platinum	100,000^{^}
United Kingdom (BPI)^[38]	Gold	100,000^{^}
United States (RIAA)^[39]	2× Platinum	2,000,000^{^}
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

^ "We Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Elton's Album "Caribou"". eltonjohn.com. Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
^ "American album certifications – Elton John – Caribou". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
^ "British album certifications – Elton John – Caribou". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 6 February 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
^ "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2012.
^ Rosenthal, Elizabeth J. (2001). His song : the musical journey of Elton John (1. publ. ed.). New York: Billboard Books. ISBN 978-0-8230-8893-5.
^ Bernardin, Claude (1996). Rocket Man: Elton John from A-Z. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 124. ISBN 978-0275956981. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
^ ^a ^b Nolan, Tom (15 August 1974). "Elton John – Caribou". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
^ Greene, Andy (2 September 2015). "Readers' Poll: The 10 Best Elton John Deep Cuts". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
^ "'Pinball Wizard': Elton John Sure Played a Mean Cover of the Who". 20 March 2024.
^ "RSD '24 Special Release: Elton John - Caribou (50th Anniversary Edition)".
^ ^a ^b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Elton John – Caribou". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: J". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved 27 February 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
^ Larkin, Colin (2011). "John, Elton". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). London: Omnibus Press. p. 2,003. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.
^ Hull, Tom (22 June 2021). "Music Week". Tom Hull – on the Web. Retrieved 24 June 2021.
^ "GRAMMYs' Best Albums 1970–1979". grammy.org. Retrieved 1 November 2011.
^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 5071a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
^ Billboard – 3 August 1974. 3 August 1974. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
^ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Elton John – Caribou" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 25 March 2024. Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Elton John".
^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
^ "Charts.nz – Elton John – Caribou". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Elton John – Caribou". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
^ Billboard – 10 August 1974. 10 August 1974. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
^ "Elton Johnrefname=Billboard 200 Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
^ Billboard – 28 September 1974. 28 September 1974. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 3891". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
^ "Complete UK Year-End Album Charts". Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
^ "Top Pop Albums of 1974". billboard.biz. Retrieved 24 February 2012.
^ "Top Pop Albums of 1975". billboard.biz. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
^ "Elton John Australian Award". 20 February 2023.
^ "A record award presented to songwriter Bernie Taupin to commemorate outstanding sales in Canada of the 1974 Elton John album Caribou". Retrieved 12 March 2023.
^ "British album certifications – Elton John – Caribou". British Phonographic Industry.
^ "American album certifications – Elton John – Caribou". Recording Industry Association of America.

External links

Caribou at Discogs (list of releases)

[1] "We Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Elton's Album "Caribou"". eltonjohn.com. Archived from the original on 13 August 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2017.

[2] "American album certifications – Elton John – Caribou". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 28 June 2022.

[3] "British album certifications – Elton John – Caribou". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 28 June 2022.

[4] "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 6 February 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2012.

[5] "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2012.

[6] Rosenthal, Elizabeth J. (2001). His song : the musical journey of Elton John (1. publ. ed.). New York: Billboard Books. ISBN 978-0-8230-8893-5.

[Rocket_Man-7] Bernardin, Claude (1996). Rocket Man: Elton John from A-Z. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 124. ISBN 978-0275956981. Retrieved 12 November 2012.

[RSreview-8] Nolan, Tom (15 August 1974). "Elton John – Caribou". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 31 January 2020.

[9] Greene, Andy (2 September 2015). "Readers' Poll: The 10 Best Elton John Deep Cuts". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 31 January 2020.

[10] "'Pinball Wizard': Elton John Sure Played a Mean Cover of the Who". 20 March 2024.

[11] "RSD '24 Special Release: Elton John - Caribou (50th Anniversary Edition)".

[AllMusic-12] Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Elton John – Caribou". AllMusic. Retrieved 31 January 2020.

[13] Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: J". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved 27 February 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.

[14] Larkin, Colin (2011). "John, Elton". The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (5th concise ed.). London: Omnibus Press. p. 2,003. ISBN 978-0-85712-595-8.

[15] Hull, Tom (22 June 2021). "Music Week". Tom Hull – on the Web. Retrieved 24 June 2021.

[1970saoty-16] "GRAMMYs' Best Albums 1970–1979". grammy.org. Retrieved 1 November 2011.

[aus-17] Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

[CAN1-18] "Top RPM Albums: Issue 5071a". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 25 March 2024.

[bb740803-19] Billboard – 3 August 1974. 3 August 1974. Retrieved 25 March 2024.

[FINI-20] Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.

[ac_Germany_Elton_John-21] "Offiziellecharts.de – Elton John – Caribou" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 25 March 2024.

[22] "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 25 March 2024. Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Elton John".

[JPN-23] Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005 (in Japanese). Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.

[ac_New_Zealand_Elton_John-24] "Charts.nz – Elton John – Caribou". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 March 2024.

[ac_Norway_Elton_John-25] "Norwegiancharts.com – Elton John – Caribou". Hung Medien. Retrieved 25 March 2024.

[26] Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.

[bb740810-27] Billboard – 10 August 1974. 10 August 1974. Retrieved 12 February 2012.

[UK_albums-28] "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 March 2024.

[ac_Billboard200_Elton_Johnrefname=Billboard_200-29] "Elton Johnrefname=Billboard 200 Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 25 March 2024.

[bb740928-30] Billboard – 28 September 1974. 28 September 1974. Retrieved 12 February 2012.

[auchart-31] Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.

[CAN2-32] "Top RPM Albums: Issue 3891". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 25 March 2024.

[UKYearend-33] "Complete UK Year-End Album Charts". Archived from the original on 11 January 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2011.

[USYearend74-34] "Top Pop Albums of 1974". billboard.biz. Retrieved 24 February 2012.

[USYearend-35] "Top Pop Albums of 1975". billboard.biz. Retrieved 11 February 2012.

[36] "Elton John Australian Award". 20 February 2023.

[37] "A record award presented to songwriter Bernie Taupin to commemorate outstanding sales in Canada of the 1974 Elton John album Caribou". Retrieved 12 March 2023.

[United_KingdomElton_JohnCariboualbumCertRef-38] "British album certifications – Elton John – Caribou". British Phonographic Industry.

[United_StatesElton_JohnCariboualbumCertRef-39] "American album certifications – Elton John – Caribou". Recording Industry Association of America.

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v t e Elton John
Songs Albums Singles Concerts Videos Awards
Studio albums	Empty Sky Elton John Tumbleweed Connection Madman Across the Water Honky Château Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Caribou Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy Rock of the Westies Blue Moves A Single Man Victim of Love 21 at 33 The Fox Jump Up! Too Low for Zero Breaking Hearts Ice on Fire Leather Jackets Reg Strikes Back Sleeping with the Past The One Duets Made in England The Big Picture Songs from the West Coast Peachtree Road The Captain & the Kid The Diving Board Wonderful Crazy Night Regimental Sgt. Zippo The Lockdown Sessions
Live albums	17-11-70 Here and There Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Elton John One Night Only – The Greatest Hits Elton 60 – Live at Madison Square Garden Live from Moscow 1979 Live from the Rainbow Theatre
Soundtrack albums	Friends The Lion King (1994) Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida The Muse The Road to El Dorado Gnomeo & Juliet (soundtrack) Rocketman The Lion King (2019)
Compilation albums	Greatest Hits Greatest Hits Volume II Lady Samantha Greatest Hits Vol. 3 The Complete Thom Bell Sessions To Be Continued The Very Best of Elton John Rare Masters Greatest Hits 1976–1986 Chartbusters Go Pop Classic Elton John Love Songs Greatest Hits 1970–2002 Elton John's Christmas Party Rocket Man: The Definitive Hits Diamonds Elton: Jewel Box
Extended plays	"I've Been Loving You" The Thom Bell Sessions Remixed
Other albums	Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin The Union Good Morning to the Night Revamp & Restoration Who Believes in Angels?
Video albums	Night and Day Concert Live in Australia The Very Best of Elton John Live in Barcelona Love Songs Elton John One Night Only – The Greatest Hits Dream Ticket Elton 60 – Live at Madison Square Garden The Red Piano
Concert tours	1970 World Tour Rock of the Westies Tour Louder Than Concorde Tour 1979 tour of the Soviet Union 1980 World Tour Jump Up Tour Too Low for Zero Tour European Express Tour Breaking Hearts Tour Ice on Fire Tour Tour De Force Sleeping with the Past Tour The One Tour Face to Face 1994 Face to Face 1995 Made in England Tour Face to Face 1998 An Evening with Elton John Medusa Tour Stately Home Tour Face to Face 2001 Songs from the West Coast Tour Face to Face 2002 A Journey Through Time 2003 Tour Face to Face 2003 2004 Tour Peachtree Road Tour 2006 European Tour The Captain and the Kid Tour Rocket Man: Greatest Hits Live Face to Face 2009 Face to Face 2010 2010 European Tour Greatest Hits Tour 40th Anniversary of the Rocket Man The Diving Board Tour Follow the Yellow Brick Road Tour All the Hits Tour The Final Curtain Tour Wonderful Crazy Night Tour Farewell Yellow Brick Road
Concert residencies	The Red Piano The Million Dollar Piano
Miscellaneous performances	List of Elton John and Ray Cooper concert tours The Union Tour
Musicals	The Lion King 1994 film 2019 film 1997 musical The Road to El Dorado Aida Billy Elliot the Musical Lestat The Devil Wears Prada Tammy Faye
Documentaries	Elton John: Tantrums & Tiaras Elton John: Me, Myself & I The Union Elton John: Never Too Late
Related articles	Bernie Taupin Elton John Band Gus Dudgeon Paul Buckmaster John Reid Ray Williams Dick James DJM Records David Furnish Kiki Dee Elton John AIDS Foundation Watford F.C. Bluesology Hookfoot Woodside, Old Windsor Rocket Pictures Elton John: The Classic Years Rocketman (film) Me
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