Elton John has been confirmed by the Official Charts Company as the first artist in UK chart history to have a Top 10 single in each of six different decades.
His current hit with Dua Lipa, “Cold Heart (Pnau Remix),” is his 33rd Top 10 single on the OCC’s Official Singles Chart. It stands at No.2 and is vying for top spot when the new chart is unveiled on Friday (15). Elton now jumps ahead of five artists who have each scored at least one top tenner in five different decades, Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard, Cher, Michael Jackson, and David Bowie.
Elton’s first Top 10 single in his home country was with his first chart entry, “Your Song,” which climbed to No.7 in February 1971. It was the first of ten such hits during the 1970s, followed by seven in the 80s, eight in the 90s, six in the 2000s, one in the 2010s (with a reissue of “Step Into Christmas”) and now one in the 2020s.
That list includes seven No.1 singles so far, starting with his 1976 duet with Kiki Dee, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.” His biggest chart-topper is also the UK’s bestselling single of all time, “Candle In The Wind 1997”/”Something About The Way You Look Tonight.” This now has “pure” sales of 4.94 million.
Elton John’s Top 10 singles by decade, with their peak positions:
1970s
Your Song (4), Rocket Man (2), Crocodile Rock (5), Daniel (4), Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting (7), Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (6), Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (10), Pinball Wizard (7), Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (1), Song For A Guy (4),
1980s
Blue Eyes (8), I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues (5), I’m Still Standing (4), Sad Songs (Say So Much) (7), Passengers (5), Nikita (3), Candle In The Wind (Live) (5)
1990s
Sacrifice/Healing Hands (1), Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me (1), The One (10), True Love (2), Don’t Go Breaking My Heart ft. RuPaul (7), Live Like Horses ft. Luciano Pavarotti (9), Candle In The Wind 97/Something About The Way You Look Tonight (1), Written In The Stars ft. Leanne Rimes (10).
2000s
I Want Love (9), Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word ft. Blue (1), Are You Ready For Love (3) Ghetto Gospel ft. 2Pac (1), Electricity (4), Tiny Dancer (Hold Me Closer) ft. Ironik, Chipmunk (3)
2010s
Step Into Christmas (8)
2020s
Cold Heat (Pnau Remix) ft. Dua Lipa (2)
Pre-order Elton John’s The Lockdown Sessions album, which is released on October 22.