About the song
“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” a charming duet from 1976, stands as a timeless testament to the collaborative brilliance of Elton John and Kiki Dee. Released on June 25, 1976, by The Rocket Record Company, the song emerged as a delightful pastiche of the Motown era, crafted with affectionate nods to the duets of Marvin Gaye and his iconic partners like Tammi Terrell and Kim Weston. Written by John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin under the pseudonyms “Ann Orson” and “Carte Blanche,” the track was envisioned as a playful homage to the Motown style, a genre that John and Taupin admired deeply.
Initially, John and Taupin had planned to record the song with the renowned Dusty Springfield. However, due to Springfield’s illness at the time, the opportunity shifted to Kiki Dee, whose vibrant vocal performance beautifully complemented John’s dynamic style. The song was recorded during the sessions for John’s album *Blue Moves*, but it was never included on an original album release.
The reception of “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” varied across the board. While UK critics like Phil McNeill of NME and Jonh Ingham of Sounds expressed a degree of skepticism, noting the song’s lack of memorability compared to John’s previous work, American critics were more favorable. Cash Box praised the song’s harmonies and chemistry between the singers, while Record World celebrated its simplicity and charm.
Chart-wise, the single made a significant impact, reaching the No. 1 spot on both the UK and US charts. In the UK, it became John and Dee’s first No. 1 hit, reigning supreme for six weeks. In the US, it enjoyed a four-week stint at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and was ranked as the No. 2 song of 1976 by Billboard. This success was cemented by the song’s platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The track’s influence extended well beyond its initial release. In 1994, John revisited the song, recording a version with American drag queen RuPaul, which achieved notable success on dance charts. The song also found a place in popular culture through various performances, including memorable appearances on *The Muppet Show*, Live Aid, and a tribute to John on his ITV special.
“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” continues to be a celebrated piece of musical history, having sold over a million copies in the UK by 2013 and remaining a beloved classic in Elton John’s extensive discography. The B-side of the single, “Snow Queen,” inspired by Cher, remains a collector’s item and was reissued in various collections in recent years, further reflecting the song’s enduring appeal.
Video
Lyrics
Don’t go breaking my heart
I couldn’t if I tried
Honey if I get restless
Baby you’re not that kind
Don’t go breaking my heart
You take the weight off of me
Honey when you knock on my door
Ooh, I gave you my key
Woo hoo
Nobody knows it
When I was down
I was your clown
Woo hoo
Nobody knows it
(Nobody knows… it)
Right from the start
I gave you my heart
Oh-oh I give you my heart
So don’t go breaking my heart
I won’t go breaking your heart
Don’t go breaking my heart
Nobody told us
‘Cause nobody showed us
Now it’s up to us babe
Whoa I think we can make it
So don’t misunderstand me
You put the light in my life
Oh, you put the spark to the flame
I got your heart in my sight
Woo hoo
Nobody knows it
But when I was down
I was your clown
Woo hoo
Nobody knows it
(Nobody knows… it)
Right from the start
I gave you my heart
Oh-oh
I give you my heart
Don’t go breaking my heart
I won’t go breaking your heart
Don’t go breaking my heart
Woo hoo
Nobody knows it
(Woo hoo) When I was down
(Woo hoo) I was your clown
(Woo hoo) Right from the start
(Woo hoo) I gave you my heart
Oh-oh I give you my heart
Don’t go breaking my heart
I won’t go breaking your heart
(Don’t go breaking my)
(Don’t go breaking my)
Don’t go breaking my heart
I won’t (aaah) go breaking your heart
Don’t go breaking my heart
(Don’t go breaking my)
I won’t (aaah) go breaking your heart
Don’t go breaking my heart
(Don’t go breaking my)
I won’t (aaah) go breaking your heart
Don’t go breaking my heart
(Don’t go breaking my)
I won’t (aaah) go breaking your heart
Don’t go breaking my heart
(Don’t go breaking my)
I won’t (aaah) go breaking your heart
Don’t go breaking my heart
(Don’t go breaking my)
I won’t (aaah) go breaking your heart
Don’t go breaking my heart
(Don’t go breaking my)
I won’t (aaah) go breaking your heart
Don’t go breaking my heart