"Nobody Wins" by Elton John

Song#:  0596
Date:  05/09/1981
Debut:  71
Peak:  21
Weeks:  13
Genre:  Pop



Pop Bits:  After ending the 70s with a pair of dud albums (and still only partially working with Bernie Taupin), John got a little of his mojo back with the LP "21 at 33," which featured the Top 10 hit "Little Jeannie." He was probably hoping the resurgence would continue with his new disc "The Fox," since a good chunk of the album featured songs recorded during the previous album's sessions. But the disc didn't do as well and even failed to reach gold status. This first single slumped up against the Top 20 and kind of fell flat.

ReduxReview:  Not sure why, but the opening of this song reminds me of a TV newscast theme. It's kind of a dark and mournful tune and I'm not sure folks jumped on board with that. John kind of moans his way through it as well. It does have a European feel (see below) and not one that US audiences typically like. The tune is okay, but certainly wouldn't belong on a list of John's best singles.

ReduxRating:  5/10

Trivia:  This is one of the rare songs that John did not write. It was written by Jean-Paul Dreau as the French song "J'Veux de la Tendresse" and originally done by Janic Prevost in 1980. One of John's co-writers at the time, Gary Osborne, wrote the English lyrics and it became "Nobody Wins." John also recorded the original French version for release in France.

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