Rich Fever – “Seasons” (1971): A Rare Recording from Elton John and Bernie Taupin

 Rich Fever – “Seasons” (1971): A Rare Recording from Elton John and Bernie Taupin

Released in 1971 by Parlophone Records, “Seasons” is a little-known composition by the celebrated duo Elton John and Bernie Taupin, performed by the obscure British group Rich Fever. The band, largely undocumented, released three singles in the early 1970s, but left virtually no biographical trace. “Seasons” stands out as their only recording written by already established songwriters.

The track features rich, emotive orchestral arrangements conducted by Andrew Pryce Jackman, renowned for his work with acts like Yes. The production leans toward a dramatic and melancholic style, reminiscent of the introspective ballads of the era. The lyrics reflect the emotional tension of balancing romantic relationships with the demands of a creative life—a theme rarely explored in mainstream pop at the time.

Despite its musical ambition, the single failed to chart and marked the quiet end of Rich Fever’s brief presence in the recording industry. Over the years, “Seasons” has become a collector’s item, appreciated not only for its rarity but also as a forgotten link in the songwriting legacy of Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

Today, the recording is being rediscovered by music researchers and fans of early seventies British pop, recognized as an example of how remarkable songs could emerge from the peripheries of the music industry.

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