Ice on Fire is the nineteenth studio album by English musician Elton John, released in 1985. It was recorded at Sol Studios and his first album since Blue Moves produced by his original long-time producer, Gus Dudgeon. David Paton and Charlie Morgan appear for the first time on bass and drums respectively, replacing original band members Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson. Fred Mandel, who had played with John during the Breaking Hearts tour, also contributed guitar and keyboards.
Ice on Fire | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 4 November 1985 | |||
Recorded | January – June 1985 | |||
Studio | Sol Studios (Cookham, Berkshire, UK) and CTS Studios (Wembley, London, UK). | |||
Genre | Pop, pop rock | |||
Length | 45:41 | |||
Label | Geffen (US), Rocket (UK) | |||
Producer | Gus Dudgeon | |||
Elton John chronology | ||||
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Singles from Ice on Fire | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Rolling Stone | (not rated)[3] |
The album was met with little praise and only reached #48 on the US charts, although it reached #3 in the UK. "Nikita" and "Wrap Her Up" became top 20 hits. The latter reached #20 in the US, and the former reached #7 in the US and #3 in the UK. In the US, the album was certified gold in June 1986 by the RIAA.
Background
editThe title of the album contains a line from the lyrics of "Nikita".
"With eyes that looked like ice on fire"
Guests on the recording include Nik Kershaw; Sister Sledge; Pino Palladino; Mel Gaynor and Millie Jackson, who duetted with John on "Act of War"; George Michael, then of Wham!, who appears on "Nikita" and "Wrap Her Up"; and Roger Taylor and John Deacon of Queen who play drums and bass guitar on "Too Young".
According to Elizabeth Rosenthal in her book, His Songs: The Musical Journey of Elton John (p. 260; First edition), the LP's closing track, "Shoot Down the Moon", was considered for the James Bond film A View to a Kill, but the producers instead decided to go with the title track as performed by Duran Duran.[4]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, except where noted
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "This Town" | 3:56 |
2. | "Cry to Heaven" | 4:16 |
3. | "Soul Glove" | 3:31 |
4. | "Nikita" | 5:43 |
5. | "Too Young" | 5:12 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Wrap Her Up" (John, Taupin, Davey Johnstone, Fred Mandel, Charlie Morgan, Paul Westwood) | 6:21 |
2. | "Satellite" (4:37 in length on CD reissue) | 3:57 |
3. | "Tell Me What the Papers Say" | 3:40 |
4. | "Candy by the Pound" | 3:56 |
5. | "Shoot Down the Moon" | 5:09 |
Total length: | 45:41 |
- Sides one and two were combined as tracks 1–10 on CD reissues.
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
11. | "Act of War" (Duet with Millie Jackson) | 4:43 |
Total length: | 50:24 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
11. | "The Man Who Never Died" (John) | 5:12 |
12. | "Restless" (Live 1984) | 4:25 |
13. | "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" (Live 1977 (Erroneously listed as "Live 1984")) | 3:23 |
14. | "I'm Still Standing" (Live 1984) | 4:52 |
Total length: | 64:13 |
Notes
- The remastered 1999 version did not include "Act of War"; the 1999 remaster had a longer intro to "Satellite" than the LP and the 1985 CD issue, and has a slightly different vocal mix. The live version of "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" is not the version found on the 12" single of "Nikita", but is an unreleased version from 1977 (Live at Rainbow Rock in May). It is unknown why the switch occurred. The other two live tracks were recorded at Wembley Stadium during the tour for the album Breaking Hearts.
- "The Man Who Never Died" is a song written about John Lennon, in addition to "Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)", from Elton John's album Jump Up!
Personnel
editTrack numbering refers to CD and digital releases of the album.
- Elton John – lead vocals, acoustic piano (1–3, 5, 8, 10, 11), Yamaha GS1 piano (4, 5), synthesizer (4, 7, 9, 11), backing vocals (4)
- Fred Mandel – synthesizers (1, 4, 5, 10, 11), keyboards (2, 3, 6–9), sequencer (6), electric guitar (7, 11), finger snaps (7), arrangements (10)
- Davey Johnstone – electric guitar (1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11), Spanish guitar (2), synth guitar (2, 7), backing vocals (3, 5, 6–9)
- Nik Kershaw – electric guitar (4, 7, 11), backing vocals (4)
- Paul Westwood – bass (1, 2, 6)
- Deon Estus – bass (3, 7, 11)
- David Paton – bass (4, 8, 9)
- John Deacon – bass (5)
- Pino Palladino – bass (10)
- Charlie Morgan – drums (1, 2, 6)
- Mel Gaynor – drums (3, 7, 11)
- Dave Mattacks – drums (4, 8, 9), military snare (5)
- Roger Taylor – drums (5)
- Frank Ricotti – percussion (3, 5), vibraphone (9)
- James Newton Howard – string arrangements (3, 6)
- Gus Dudgeon – horn arrangements (3, 6), Simmons drums (5, 11), arrangements (10)
- David Bitelli – horn arrangements (1, 3, 6, 9), baritone saxophone (1, 6, 9), tenor saxophone (3, 6)
- Bob Sydor – tenor saxophone (3)
- Phil Todd – alto saxophone (6)
- Nick Pentelow – tenor saxophone (9)
- Pete Thomas – tenor saxophone (9)
- Rick Taylor – trombone (1, 3, 6, 9), horn arrangements (9)
- Chris Pyne – trombone (9)
- Raul D'Oliveira – trumpet (1, 3, 6, 9)
- Paul Spong – trumpet (1, 3, 6, 9)
- Sister Sledge – backing vocals (1)
- Alan Carvell – backing vocals (3, 5, 7–9)
- Kiki Dee – backing vocals (3, 5, 6, 8, 9)
- Katie Kissoon – backing vocals (3, 5, 6, 8, 9)
- Pete Wingfield – backing vocals (3, 5, 6–9)
- George Michael – backing vocals (4), featured vocals (6)
- Millie Jackson – lead and backing vocals (11)
Production
edit- Produced by Gus Dudgeon
- All lyrics by Bernie Taupin
- Recorded by Stuart Epps
- Mixed and Edited by Graham Dickson and Gus Dudgeon
- Additional Mixing and Editing by Tom Pearce
- Mastered by Gordon Vicary at The Townhouse (London, UK).
- Design – David Larkham
- Photography – Terry O'Neill
Charts
edit
Weekly chartsedit
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Year-end chartsedit
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Certifications and sales
editRegion | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Austria (IFPI Austria)[25] | Gold | 25,000* |
Belgium (BEA)[26] | Gold | 25,000* |
France (SNEP)[27] | Gold | 100,000* |
Germany (BVMI)[28] | Gold | 250,000^ |
Netherlands (NVPI)[30] | Gold | 80,000[29] |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[31] | Platinum | 15,000^ |
Spain | — | 48,500[29] |
Sweden (GLF)[32] | Platinum | 100,000^ |
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[33] | 2× Platinum | 100,000^ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[34] | Platinum | 300,000^ |
United States (RIAA)[35] | Gold | 500,000^ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
References
edit- ^ "Great rock discography". p. 439.
- ^ Ice on Fire at AllMusic
- ^ [1] Archived 2 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Rosenthal, Elizabeth J. (2001). His Song: The Musical Journey of Elton John. New York City: Watson-Guptill. p. 260. ISBN 0-8230-8893-6.
- ^ a b Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Elton John – Ice on Fire" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 0657". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Elton John – Ice on Fire" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Elton John – Ice on Fire" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
- ^ "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 20 July 2024. Set "Tipo" on "Album". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Elton John".
- ^ "Charts.nz – Elton John – Ice on Fire". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Elton John – Ice on Fire". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
- ^ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Elton John – Ice on Fire". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Elton John – Ice on Fire". Hung Medien. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
- ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 March 2023[dead link].
- ^ "Elton John Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2024.
- ^ "Complete UK Year-End Album Charts". Archived from the original on 19 May 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Jahreshitparade 1986" (in German). Hung Medien. Archived from the original (ASP) on 12 October 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
- ^ "Top RPM Albums: Issue 8824". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "Les Albums (CD) de 1986 par InfoDisc" (in French). infodisc.fr. Archived from the original (PHP) on 9 February 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2012.
- ^ "Hitparade.ch – Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1986". Swiss Music Charts (in Swedish). Hung Medien. Archived from the original (ASP) on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
- ^ "Billboard.BIZ – Year-end Charts – Billboard 200 – 1986". Billboard. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
- ^ "The European Best Sellers of 1987 – Gold & Platinum Awards 1987" (PDF). Music and Media. worldradiohistory.com. 26 December 1987. p. 44. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "European Gold & Platinum Awards 1986" (PDF). Music and Media. worldradiohistory.com. 27 December 1986. p. 33. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "French album certifications – Elton John – Ice on Fire" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved 21 April 2021. Select ELTON JOHN and click OK.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Elton John; 'Ice on Fire')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ a b White, Chris (22 December 1990). "Elton John – Record Man Across The Water" (PDF). Music and Media. worldradiohistory.com. pp. 17–19. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "Dutch album certifications – Elton John – Ice on Fire" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 21 April 2021. Enter Ice on Fire in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1986 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
- ^ "New Zealand album certifications – Elton John – Ice on Fire". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Ice on Fire')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "British album certifications – Elton John – Ice on Fire". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "American album certifications – Elton John – Ice on Fire". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
External links
edit- Ice on Fire at Discogs (list of releases)