Part-Time Love
Encyclopedia
"Part-Time Love" is a song written by Elton John
with lyrics by Gary Osborne
. It is the sixth track off his 1978 album, A Single Man. It is also the opening track of side two. It proved to be one of the most popular singles the couple wrote, along with 1982's "Blue Eyes
". It was banned in the Soviet release of the album along with another song, "Big Dipper
". The single reached #15 in the UK
and peaked just outside the Top 20 in the U.S.
at #21.
. The song features strings in such a way that it could easily be referred to as a disco anthem. Ray Cooper
also appears on percussion that flows together with the drums and bass. The bridge in the song is very messy, fitting in with the lyric.
: "You've been seen running around...Don't tell me what to do when you've been doing it too."
Due to the disco craze at the time, the song wasn't popular, and John only played it in his live sets of 1978 and 1979. It did however appear on his compilation The Very Best of Elton John
in 1990. Interestingly, while the A-side was written by Gary Osborne, the B-side, "I Cry at Night
" was written by Bernie Taupin
. It is one of the few singles John released with different lyricists on each side.
Elton John
Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
with lyrics by Gary Osborne
Gary Osborne
Gary Osborne is an English singer and songwriter from the United Kingdom.-Career:Osborne was born in London, educated in Switzerland, and followed his father into the music industry at the age of fifteen....
. It is the sixth track off his 1978 album, A Single Man. It is also the opening track of side two. It proved to be one of the most popular singles the couple wrote, along with 1982's "Blue Eyes
Blue Eyes (song)
"Weight of the World" is a hit song from British pop-rock performer Elton John's 2004 album Peachtree Road. The song talks about his being happier currently during his days practically without any worries....
". It was banned in the Soviet release of the album along with another song, "Big Dipper
Big Dipper (Elton John song)
"Big Dipper" is a song by Elton John with lyrics by Gary Osborne. It is the fourth track off his 1978 album, A Single Man. It gained notice for not being included on the Russian release of the album due to the meaning of the song.-Musical structure:...
". The single reached #15 in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and peaked just outside the Top 20 in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
at #21.
Musical structure
The song opens with a jaunty piano, and then goes into the main riff, an uptempo disco-flavoured party song. The lead guitar played here is by John's long-time bandmate Davey JohnstoneDavey Johnstone
Davey Johnstone , is a Scottish rock guitarist and vocalist, best known for his work with Elton John.-Career:...
. The song features strings in such a way that it could easily be referred to as a disco anthem. Ray Cooper
Ray Cooper
Ray Cooper is an English musician. He is a session and road-tour percussionist, and occasional actor, who has worked with several musically diverse bands and artists including George Harrison, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, and Elton John. Cooper is commonly regarded by music fans, critics and fellow...
also appears on percussion that flows together with the drums and bass. The bridge in the song is very messy, fitting in with the lyric.
Lyrical meaning
In the September 29, 1979 edition of the Ann Landers advice column, one writer going by the title "Want A Better Environment For Our Youth" alleged that these lyrics of this song dealt with adulteryAdultery
Adultery is sexual infidelity to one's spouse, and is a form of extramarital sex. It originally referred only to sex between a woman who was married and a person other than her spouse. Even in cases of separation from one's spouse, an extramarital affair is still considered adultery.Adultery is...
: "You've been seen running around...Don't tell me what to do when you've been doing it too."
Due to the disco craze at the time, the song wasn't popular, and John only played it in his live sets of 1978 and 1979. It did however appear on his compilation The Very Best of Elton John
The Very Best of Elton John
CD 2N.B. : Please note that Track N°25 is different on European version of Elton John's very best of. "Whispers" from ""Sleeping with the Past" takes "Passengers" place.-Side one:# "Your Song" – 4:02...
in 1990. Interestingly, while the A-side was written by Gary Osborne, the B-side, "I Cry at Night
I Cry at Night
"I Cry at Night" is a song by Elton John with lyrics written by Bernie Taupin. It appeared as the B-side to his 1978 single, "Part-Time Love".-Musical structure:...
" was written by 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...
. It is one of the few singles John released with different lyricists on each side.
Personnel
- Elton John - pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, vocals - Tim Renwick - guitarsElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
- Clive Franks - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Steve Holly - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Ray Cooper - percussion
- Vicki BrownVicki Brown (singer)Vicki Brown was an English pop, rock and contemporary classical singer. She is best known for her membership of both The Vernons Girls and The Breakaways, and as one of the UK's most enduring backing vocalists...
- backing vocals - Joanne Stone - backing vocals
- Stevie Lange - backing vocals
- Gary Osborne - backing vocals
- Chris Thompson - backing vocals
- Davey JohnstoneDavey JohnstoneDavey Johnstone , is a Scottish rock guitarist and vocalist, best known for his work with Elton John.-Career:...
- backing vocals, lead guitar - Paul Buckmaster - orchestral arrangement