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Made in England (Elton John album)

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(Redirected from Blessed (Elton John song))
For the title track, see Made in England (song).

Made in England
Studio album by
Elton John
Released20 March 1995[1]
RecordedFebruary–April 1994
StudioAIR Lyndhurst Hall (London, UK)
GenrePop rock
Length52:34
LabelRocket (UK)
Island (US)
ProducerGreg Penny, Elton John
Elton John chronology
The Lion King (soundtrack)
(1994) 		Made in England
(1995) 		Love Songs
(1996)
Singles from Made in England
  1. "Believe"
    Released: 20 February 1995
  2. "Made in England"
    Released: 8 May 1995
  3. "Blessed"
    Released: 18 December 1995
  4. "Please"
    Released: 22 January 1996 (UK)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
The Baltimore Sun(favorable)[3]
Chicago Tribune[4]
Deseret News(favorable)[5]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[6]
Entertainment Weekly(favorable)[7]
Los Angeles Times[8]
Music & Media(favorable)[9]
NME4/10[10]
Rolling Stone[11]

Made in England is the twenty-fourth studio album by English musician Elton John, released in 1995. It was produced by John and Greg Penny, his first album since Leather Jackets without producer Chris Thomas. The album was dedicated to John's boyfriend and future husband David Furnish. It was also dedicated to the memory of Denis Gauthier and Peter Williams. It was the last album to feature regular percussionist Ray Cooper until 2016's Wonderful Crazy Night. Bob Birch became John's full-time recording and touring bass player until his death in 2012.

The song "Please" was covered by bluegrass singer Rhonda Vincent and country singer Dolly Parton for the 2018 tribute album Restoration: Reimagining the Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

Background

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While promoting his work for The Lion King soundtrack in September 1994, Elton debuted "Believe" (five months before its release as a single) during the opening night of a concert tour with Ray Cooper in Phoenix, AZ. "Believe" reached No. 15 in the UK and No. 13 in the US, and was the only American hit from the album to reach the top 20. During November, John toured Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Switzerland, Poland, France, Italy, the UK, Japan, and other countries two months later. Several songs from the album made it to the tour's playlist, including "Believe," "Made in England," "House," "Blessed," "Lies," and "Pain".[citation needed]

On "Belfast," the song originally ended simply with John singing the last line, "Belfast." In an interview with fan magazine East End Lights some time later, arranger Paul Buckmaster (in his first project with John since 1978's A Single Man) said he thought the song needed a more uplifting end, and added the outro, making it sound as if it were being played in an Irish pub somewhere up the road. John reportedly was initially wary of the idea, but Buckmaster said he changed his mind upon hearing it and approved the new coda for the final version. George Martin, who owned AIR Studios London where the album was recorded, wrote the horn and string arrangement on "Latitude." John and Guy Babylon are credited as arrangers on "Man," which also includes organ by Squeeze and Mike + The Mechanics frontman Paul Carrack.[citation needed]

Singles

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UK release date Single Notes Peak positions
20 February 1995 "Believe" Worldwide release #1 CAN, No. 15 UK, No. 13 US
8 May 1995 "Made in England" Worldwide release #5 CAN, No. 18 UK, No. 52 US
18 December 1995 "Blessed" Not released in the UK as a single #3 CAN, No. 34 US
22 January 1996 "Please" Released in the UK #33 UK

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin

No.TitleLength
1."Believe"4:55
2."Made in England"5:09
3."House"4:27
4."Cold"5:37
5."Pain"3:49
6."Belfast"6:29
7."Latitude"3:34
8."Please"3:52
9."Man"5:16
10."Lies"4:25
11."Blessed"5:01
Total length:52:34

Outtakes

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There are many outtakes from Made in England. These songs include "Building a Bird", "Leaves", "Hell", "Skin", "Tick-Tock", "Undone", "Red", "Live Like Horses", an alternate version of "Belfast", and an alternate version of "Believe". "Red" was later released on the French compilation Sol En Si and a version of "Live Like Horses" was later released on The Big Picture. "Building a Bird" was recorded by Nigel Olsson for his 2001 Move the Universe CD, released only in Japan. "Hell" and the original cut of "Live Like Horses" have circulated on YouTube. The remaining outtakes have yet to circulate.[12]

Personnel

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Musicians

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Production

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  • Elton John – producer
  • Greg Penny – producer, mixing
  • Jon Ingoldsby – recording, mixing
  • Andy Strange – assistant engineer
  • Chris Bellman – mastering at Bernie Grundman Mastering (Hollywood, California)
  • Adrian Collee – studio coordination
  • Steve Brown – album coordination
  • Pete Mills – drum and guitar technician
  • Bill Harrison – percussion technician
  • Greg Gorman – photography
  • Wherefore Art? – design

Accolades

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Grammy Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
1996 "Believe" Best Pop Vocal Performance – Male[13] Nominated

American Music Awards

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Year Nominee / work Award Result
1996 Elton John (performer) Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist[14] Nominated

Charts

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Certifications and sales

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[44] Platinum 50,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[45] 2× Platinum 200,000^
France (SNEP)[46] 2× Gold 200,000*
Germany (BVMI)[47] Gold 250,000^
Japan (RIAJ)[49] Gold 101,130[48]
New Zealand (RMNZ)[50] Gold 7,500^
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[51] Platinum 100,000^
Sweden (GLF)[52] Gold 50,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[53] Platinum 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[54] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[55] Platinum 1,000,000^
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)[56] Platinum 1,000,000*
Worldwide — 3,400,000[57]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ "BPI".
  2. ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Elton John: Made in England > Review at AllMusic. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  3. ^ Considine, J.D. (12 May 1995). "Books & Music: Album Reviews". The Baltimore Sun. p. MW2. Retrieved 7 January 2023 – via Bangor Daily News.
  4. ^ Caro, Mark (30 March 1995). "Review: Elton John: Made in England". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  5. ^ Rayburn, Jim (7 April 1995). "'MADE IN ENGLAND' EVOKES OTHER SONGS THAT FANS KNOW AND LOVE". Deseret News. Deseret News. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Tucker, Ken (31 March 1995). "Made in England Review". ew.com. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  8. ^ Hilburn, Robert (19 March 1995). "Record Rack: John-Taupin Teach the Lessons of Loss". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2 January 2022.
  9. ^ "New Releases: Albums" (PDF). Music & Media. 1 April 1995. p. 9. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  10. ^ Moody, Paul (25 March 1995). "Long Play". NME. p. 41. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  11. ^ Galvin, Peter (2 February 1998). "Elton John: Made in England". Rolling Stone. ISSN 0035-791X. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  12. ^ Rocket Man: Elton John from A–Z (ISBN 9780275956981)
  13. ^ "THE 38TH ANNUAL GRAMMY NOMINATIONS : The Complete List of Nominees". Los Angeles Times. 5 January 1996. Retrieved 24 September 2011.
  14. ^ "10th American Music Awards". Retrieved 1 February 2012.
  15. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Elton John – Made in England". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  16. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Elton John – Made in England" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Ultratop.be – Elton John – Made in England" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  18. ^ "Ultratop.be – Elton John – Made in England" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  19. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 9161". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  20. ^ "Hits of the World". Billboard. 22 April 1995. p. 67.
  21. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Elton John – Made in England" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  22. ^ a b "Hits of the world". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. 15 April 1995. p. 41.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ "Le Détail des Albums de chaque Artiste – J". Infodisc.fr (in French). Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 9 June 2012. Select Elton John from the menu, then press OK.
  25. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Elton John – Made in England" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  26. ^ "Album Top 40 slágerlista – 1995. 20. hét" (in Hungarian). MAHASZ. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  27. ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 20 July 2024. Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Elton John".
  28. ^ "Highest position and charting weeks of The One by Elton John". oricon.co.jp (in Japanese). Oricon Style. Retrieved 21 February 2012.
  29. ^ "Charts.nz – Elton John – Made in England". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  30. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Elton John – Made in England". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  31. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  32. ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  33. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Elton John – Made in England". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  34. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Elton John – Made in England". Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  35. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  36. ^ "Elton John Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  37. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Jahreshitparade 1995" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 30 May 2010.
  38. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1995" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  39. ^ "Rapports annuels 1995" (in French). Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  40. ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 2839". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  41. ^ "Les Albums (CD) de 1995 par InfoDisc" (in French). infodisc.fr. Archived from the original on 9 February 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  42. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  43. ^ "Hitparade.ch – Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1995". Swiss Music Charts (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  44. ^ "Austrian album certifications – Elton John – Made in England" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  45. ^ "Canadian album certifications – Elton John – Made in England". Music Canada.
  46. ^ "French album certifications – Elton John – Made in England" (in French). InfoDisc. Select ELTON JOHN and click OK. 
  47. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Elton John; 'Made in England')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  48. ^ Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970–2005. Roppongi, Tokyo: Oricon Entertainment. 2006. ISBN 4-87131-077-9.
  49. ^ "Japanese certifications – エルトン・ジョン – メイド・イン・イングランド" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 21 July 2022. Select 1995年5月 on the drop-down menu
  50. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Elton John – Made in England". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 1 June 2019.
  51. ^ Solo Exitos 1959–2002 Ano A Ano: Certificados 1991–1995. Solo Exitos 1959–2002 Ano A Ano. 2005. ISBN 8480486392.
  52. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011.
  53. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Made in England')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  54. ^ "British album certifications – Elton John – Made in England". British Phonographic Industry.
  55. ^ "American album certifications – Elton John – Made in England". Recording Industry Association of America.
  56. ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 1996". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.
  57. ^ Jeffrey, Don (5 August 1995). "Pop Hits Fuel Gains; Stock Reaches All-Time High". Billboard. Vol. 107, no. 31. p. 3. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
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