Friends (soundtrack)
Encyclopedia
Friends is a project Elton John
and Bernie Taupin
took on before their breakout success in the United States
. Recorded as the soundtrack
to the film Friends
, it was certified gold on its release on April 6, 1971 in the U.S. by the RIAA
, becoming Elton's third gold record
in as many months in that market (following the albums Elton John
in February and Tumbleweed Connection
in March). The title track was a minor hit in the U.S. (#34 on the pop chart
) despite the poor performance of the movie.
The rights to the soundtrack are now with Universal Music Group
, which shares ownership of Elton John's music with him, and which also owns the Paramount Records catalogue.
The Friends soundtrack is also available on the Rare Masters
(1992) CD, tracks 10–19 albeit with the tracks are in a different order to the original LP.
In the early 70s, Elton performed the songs "Friends" and "Can I Put You On" in concert, with the latter appearing on the next release, the live recording 17-11-70
(entitled 11-17-70 in North America). The most recent performance of "Friends" was in 1999.
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
and Bernie Taupin
Bernie Taupin
Bernard John "Bernie" Taupin is an English lyricist, poet, and singer, best known for his long-term collaboration with Elton John, writing the lyrics for the majority of the star's songs, making his lyrics some of the best known in pop-rock's history.In 1967, Taupin answered an advertisement in...
took on before their breakout success in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Recorded as the soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
to the film Friends
Friends (1971 film)
Friends is a 1971 film directed by Lewis Gilbert and written by Gilbert, Vernon Harris and Jack Russell. The soundtrack by Elton John and Bernie Taupin was released as the Friends album. The film was nominated for Golden Globe Award for Best English-Language Foreign Film at the 1972 Golden Globe...
, it was certified gold on its release on April 6, 1971 in the U.S. by the RIAA
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
, becoming Elton's third gold record
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
in as many months in that market (following the albums Elton John
Elton John (album)
Elton John is the eponymous second album by English singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1970. It was his first album, however, released in America, thus commonly assumed by many as his debut, as Empty Sky would not be released in the U.S. until 1975...
in February and Tumbleweed Connection
Tumbleweed Connection
Tumbleweed Connection is the third album by English international recording artist Elton John. It is a concept album based on the Country and Western/Americana themes. All songs are written by Bernie Taupin and Elton John with the exception of "Love Song" by Lesley Duncan. It was recorded at...
in March). The title track was a minor hit in the U.S. (#34 on the pop chart
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
) despite the poor performance of the movie.
The rights to the soundtrack are now with Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
, which shares ownership of Elton John's music with him, and which also owns the Paramount Records catalogue.
The Friends soundtrack is also available on the Rare Masters
Rare Masters
Rare Masters is an album by Elton John that was released in 1992. This compilation album featuring B-sides and outtakes recorded between 1968 and 1975, it is the only place where one can find the soundtrack to the 1971 movie Friends on CD....
(1992) CD, tracks 10–19 albeit with the tracks are in a different order to the original LP.
In the early 70s, Elton performed the songs "Friends" and "Can I Put You On" in concert, with the latter appearing on the next release, the live recording 17-11-70
17-11-70
17-11-70 is a live album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1971. The recording was taken from a live radio broadcast on 17 November 1970, hence the album's title. The US release was renamed 11-17-70 in keeping with the standard US format of listing the month before the day in...
(entitled 11-17-70 in North America). The most recent performance of "Friends" was in 1999.
Side one
- "Friends" – 2:20
- "Honey Roll" – 3:00
- "Variations on 'Friends'" – 1:45
- "Theme (The First Kiss)"/"Seasons" – 3:52
- "Variations on Michelle's Song (A Day in the Country)" – 2:44
- "Can I Put You On" – 5:52
Side two
- "Michelle's Song" – 4:16
- "I Meant to Do My Work Today (After All a Day in the Country)" – 1:33
- "Four Moods" – 10:56 (Paul Buckmaster)
- "Seasons Reprise" – 1:33
Personnel
- Elton JohnElton JohnSir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
: piano, vocals; - Caleb QuayeCaleb QuayeCaleb Quaye , is an English Afro-European rock guitarist and studio musician best known for his work in the 1960s and 1970s with Elton John, Mick Jagger, Pete Townshend, Paul McCartney and Hall & Oates...
: guitars; - Dee MurrayDee MurrayDee Murray was an English bassist, best known as a member of Elton John's original rock band.-Biography:Murray was born David Murray Oates in Southgate, London in 1946...
: bass guitar, vocals; - Nigel OlssonNigel OlssonNigel Olsson is an English rock drummer, who is best known for his work with Elton John. Olsson helped establish the Elton John sound as one of the first members of John's band, on drums, percussion and backing vocals. When not working with Elton, Olsson has taken up the role of a session musician...
: drums, vocals; - Paul BuckmasterPaul BuckmasterPaul John Buckmaster is a Grammy Award-winning English artist, arranger and composer.He began learning the cello at the age of 4 and graduated from the Royal College of Music at age 16....
: orchestral arrangement - Rex Morris: saxophone;
- Madeline BellMadeline BellMadeline Bell is an American soul singer, who became famous as a performer in the United Kingdom during the 1960s, having arrived from the US in the gospel show Black Nativity in 1962, with vocal group The Bradford Singers.-Career:She worked as a session singer, most notably backing for Dusty...
, Lesley DuncanLesley DuncanLesley Duncan was an English singer-songwriter, best known for her work during the 1970s. She received a lot of airplay on British radio stations such as BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2, but never achieved great commercial success.Duncan was born in Stockton-on-Tees...
, Kay Garner: backing vocals.