Elton John Sweetheart on Parade

 “Sweetheart on Parade” – Elton John / Gary Osborne

The song “Sweetheart on Parade” was written by Elton John and Gary Osborne in the 1980s. Originally intended to be sung by Kiki Dee, it was never recorded by her or by Elton John, remaining largely unknown until later interpretations by other artists.

Known Versions:

1980 – Elton John (demo)
Recorded as a demo by Elton John, never officially released.

1982 – Albert Hammond – “Hero on Parade”
The first known male version, released on the album Somewhere in America.

1983 – Donatella Rettore – “Sweetheart on Parade”
The first official female recording, released on the album Far West in Italy.

1984 – Frank Noël – “Sweetheart on Parade”
A male version released on the album Quelques mots essentiels, offering a distinct interpretation.

1984 – Judy Collins – “Sweetheart on Parade”
Another official female version, released on the album Home Again, highlighting Collins’ emotional performance.

About the video montage

In the video I created with these five versions, the order is:

Albert Hammond

Frank Noël

Elton John (demo)

Judy Collins

Donatella Rettore

I chose not to place Elton John at the beginning or end, but in the middle among the other four performers, balancing male and female interpretations. The sequence reflects my personal preference: the first two male performers in order of preference, followed by the two female performers in my order of preference.

This song is a fascinating example of how a composition that remained obscure can find new life through different artists.

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