“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” (Elton John & Kiki Dee)

Today’s classic song of the day is “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” a duet between Elton John and Kiki Dee. This single was release in late June of 1976 and was a number-one hit worldwide, peaking at the top of the charts in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Rhodesia, South Africa, the UK, and, in the U.S., on the Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts.

Believe it or not, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” was Elton John’s first number-one hit in the UK. It was his sixth #1 in the U.S, following “Crocodile Rock” (1972), “Bennie and the Jets” (1974), “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” (1974), “Philadelphia Freedom” (1975), and “Island Girl” (1975). He had later #1s in 1983 with “I’m Still Standing” and in 1985 with the collaborative single, “That’s What Friends Are For.” He also had a #1 in 1991 duetting with George Michael on “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.”

“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” was written by Mr. John and his partner Bernie Taupin under the pseudonyms of “Ann Orson” and “Carte Blanche.” They said it was intended as an homage to the Motown duets by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. Elton originally wanted to record the song with his old pal Dusty Springfield, but she apparently wasn’t up to the task. Instead, they chose Kiki Dee.

Ms. Dee (real name: Pauline Matthews) was the first female British singer to sign with Motown’s Tamla Records. She’d had a previous UK hit in 1973 with “Amoureuse” and a bigger worldwide hit in 1974 with “I’ve Got the Music In Me.” She’s continued performing and recording since then but with no major hits in the U.S. (If you like her vocals on “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” just wait for tomorrow’s classic song of the day…)

And here’s your daily bonus video of the day, Elton John singing “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” with Miss Piggy on The Muppet Show in early 1978. “Eat your heart out Kiki!”