The Big Picture | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 22 September 1997 | |||
Recorded | November 1996 – May 1997 | |||
Studio | ||||
Genre | Pop rock[1] | |||
Length | 52:08 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer | Chris Thomas | |||
Elton John chronology | ||||
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Singles from The Big Picture | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [1] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [2] |
Entertainment Weekly | C[3] |
Los Angeles Times | [4] |
Rolling Stone | Positive[5] |
Uncut | [6] |
The Big Picture is the twenty-fifth studio album by English musician Elton John. It was released on September 22, 1997 through The Rocket Record Company and Mercury Records. The album was recorded at Townhouse Studios in London and is John's last release to date to be produced by Chris Thomas.
Upon its release, The Big Picture was a commercial success, reaching the top 5 in the UK and the top 10 in the United States and numerous other countries. Three songs—"Something About the Way You Look Tonight", "Recover Your Soul", and "If the River Can Bend"—were released as singles to promote the album, with the former being the most successful, particularly upon its re-release as a double A-side with "Candle in the Wind 1997", which became the best-selling single in Billboard history. Critical reception to the album was positive with praise being directed at its songwriting, though its production has been criticised and lyricist Bernie Taupin has declared it to be his least favorite album he and John have released. The album would go on to be certified Platinum by the RIAA on August 19, 1998 for US sales in excess of 1,000,000 copies.