On this day August 29 1989, Sleeping with the Past by Elton John was released. As his twenty second studio album, it became one of the most successful records of his late 1980s output and marked a creative tribute to the soul and R and B music that had inspired him and lyricist Bernie Taupin in their youth.
The album featured the hit singles Healing Hands, Club at the End of the Street, and the standout Sacrifice, which later became his first solo number one in the UK. With a smooth production style and emotional songwriting, the album leaned heavily into melody and reflection while paying subtle homage to the sounds of the 1960s.
Sleeping with the Past topped the UK Albums Chart and earned praise for its consistency and heartfelt delivery. It was seen as a return to form and brought Elton John renewed commercial strength heading into the 1990s.
80s insight: Although it took time to climb the charts, Sleeping with the Past became Elton John’s biggest selling studio album in the UK and helped reestablish his chart presence going into the next decade.
The album featured the hit singles Healing Hands, Club at the End of the Street, and the standout Sacrifice, which later became his first solo number one in the UK. With a smooth production style and emotional songwriting, the album leaned heavily into melody and reflection while paying subtle homage to the sounds of the 1960s.
Sleeping with the Past topped the UK Albums Chart and earned praise for its consistency and heartfelt delivery. It was seen as a return to form and brought Elton John renewed commercial strength heading into the 1990s.
80s insight: Although it took time to climb the charts, Sleeping with the Past became Elton John’s biggest selling studio album in the UK and helped reestablish his chart presence going into the next decade.
