"Little Jeannie" (spelled "Little Jeanie" on the cover of certain single releases) is a song written by British musician Elton John along with the lyricist Gary Osborne, recorded by John and released as a single in 1980 from his fourteenth studio album 21 at 33.
Composition Composed in the key of B flat, which allowed its notable saxophone solo to ring out, the song can be described as an uptempo ballad similar in feel, with its electric piano, to his earlier 1973 hit, "Daniel".
Release "Little Jeannie" reached No.3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, becoming the singer's biggest US hit since 1976's "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (a duet with singer Kiki Dee), and his highest-charting solo hit since 1975's "Island Girl". In the US, it would be John's highest-charting single co-written with Osborne, while in the UK, where the song only reached No.33, "Blue Eyes" would eventually hold that honour.
"Little Jeannie" became John's fifth No.1 on the US Adult Contemporary,The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 6th Edition, 1996 and was certified Gold by the RIAA. It peaked at No.3 in the Cash Box chart. In Canada, it hit No.1 on the RPM 100 national singles chart.Library and Archives Canada. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.7835a&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=1fetjl5dimcjovbnngneubjrg4
Despite its impressive performance in the US charts, John has rarely performed "Little Jeannie" live, doing so only on his 1980 tour and during 2000's One Night Only concerts.
Critical reception Billboard's reviewer noted that "this melodic midtempo ballad recalls the consummate commercial craftsmanship which characterized John's output around the time of Caribou in 1974" and "some brassy horn fills constitute the only real update on John's traditional sound." Cash Box said that "the Latin-flavored percussives and brass add a new exciting dimension to the mid-tempo beat." Record World said that it shows the "stylistic genius that brought us 'Your Song' and other pop ballad hits."
Personnel Elton John – lead vocals, backing vocals James Newton Howard – Fender Rhodes, Yamaha CS-80 Richie Zito – acoustic guitar Reggie McBride – bass guitar Nigel Olsson – drums Jim Horn – brass arrangements, piccolo flute, alto saxophone Chuck Findley – trombone, trumpet Jerry Hey – flugelhorn Bill Champlin – backing vocals Max Gronenthal – backing vocals Dee Murray – backing vocals
Charts Weekly charts Chart (1980–1981)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)9Belgium (Ultratop) Singles Chart20Canada RPM Adult Contemporary2German Singles Chart23Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)15New Zealand Singles Chart (RIANZ)5South African Singles Chart8Switzerland Singles Chart4UK Singles Chart 33US Billboard Hot 1003US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)1
Year end charts Year-end chart (1980) PositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)80Brazil (Crowley) 18US Top Pop Singles (Billboard)16
Certifications
See also List of number-one adult contemporary singles of 1980 (U.S.)
References