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I’ve always found it fascinating that, before recording the duet with Kiki Dee, Elton John recorded a demo singing both parts of the song by himself. He sent this recording to Kiki, who was inspired hearing Elton perform her part and found the right tone for the duet.
Inspired by this story, I decided to edit the original video to show Elton singing both parts. The result is like having two Elton Johns in musical conversation, offering a unique glimpse into the creative process behind the 1976 hit.
The video, titled “Elton John and Elton John – Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”, gives fans an unprecedented experience: hearing Elton John perform two voices at the same time, even before Kiki Dee joined in.
In 1974, the Kiki Dee Band released “Hard Luck Story”, a striking single that showcased Kiki Dee’s powerful vocals and her creative connection with Elton John and Bernie Taupin, the songwriters behind the track (using their pseudonyms Ann Orson and Carte Blanche).
Released on The Rocket Record Company label, the song quickly gained radio play and was highlighted in TV performances, such as the popular Dutch show TopPop. With its pop-rock edge and lyrics reflecting the struggles of everyday life and relationships, “Hard Luck Story” became an essential record of Kiki Dee’s 1970s era.
The production was handled by Clive Franks, with support from Elton John, reflecting the close artistic partnership between them. An interesting detail is that the Kiki Dee Band recording in 1974 preceded Elton John’s own version, which was only released in 1975 on his album Rock of the Westies. This means Kiki Dee was the first to bring the song to life before Elton adopted it into his own repertoire.
Today, “Hard Luck Story” remains available on digital platforms in remastered versions and stands as an important piece in understanding not only the trajectory of the Kiki Dee Band but also the richness of the 1970s pop-rock scene.
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In 1975 and 1976, Kiki Dee recorded a set of tracks intended for a new album under the Rocket Record Company. Among these recordings was her version of “Cage the Songbird”, written by Bernie Taupin and Elton John as a tribute to French singer Édith Piaf. Although produced around the same period as Elton John’s Blue Moves (1976), Kiki Dee’s interpretation was not released at the time.
A Completed Project That Was Shelved
The album was conceived as the follow-up to her successful I’ve Got the Music in Me. With a defined repertoire, ongoing production, and a stable working band, the project appeared ready to move forward. However, due to internal decisions within the record company—including shifts in priorities and release strategies—the album was withdrawn before reaching commercial stages.
These recordings remained unreleased for more than thirty years. They resurfaced only during the restoration of the Rocket Records archive, which led to their official appearance in 2008 under the title Cage the Songbird (catalog number 00946 3 63125 2 1), issued by EMI. This release presented the album as originally recorded in the mid-1970s.
Kiki Dee’s Band During the Recording Period
Throughout this period, Kiki Dee performed and recorded with a consistent ensemble often referred to as the Kiki Dee Band, active both in studio and on tour. The core lineup included:
Bias Boshell – keyboards, guitar, vocals
Jo Partridge – lead guitar
Phil Curtis – bass
Pete Clarke – drums
This group provided the primary instrumental foundation for the 1975/76 sessions, giving the material its unified musical identity.
The Recording of “Cage the Songbird”
Kiki Dee’s version of “Cage the Songbird” was completed during the shelved album sessions. Although fully recorded, it remained unavailable to the public until the 2008 release. The track represents a contemporaneous reading of the composition, paralleling the work being done on Elton John’s Blue Moves, and adds an additional perspective to the creative environment of Rocket Records at the time.
Tracks Included in the 2008 Release
The Cage the Songbird edition brought together the following tracks—previously unreleased recordings from the 1975/76 project:
1. Cage the Songbird (4:18)
2. Uphill Piece of Mind (5:23)
3. Prince of Fools (3:12)
4. Once a Fool – 2008 Digital Remaster (3:43)
5. Bright Medallion (4:25)
6. Chicago (Original Version) (≈3:11)
7. Man After My Own Heart (3:25)
8. Rock ’N’ Roll Me Baby (3:29)
9. First Thing in the Morning (Original Version) (3:54)
10. Cry Like a Baby (3:07)
11. A Change Is Gonna Come (3:49)
Together, these tracks outline the full scope of the original, unreleased album.
The 2008 issue of Cage the Songbird provided documentation of an important and previously inaccessible period in Kiki Dee’s career. It clarifies her artistic activity between 1975 and 1976, highlighting her work with her regular band and her participation in the broader creative framework of Rocket Records.
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This page is part of the project “The Illustrated Elton John Timeline”, an illustrated timeline dedicated to documenting, in chronological and detailed form, the life and career of Elton John, with a strong focus on historical research, preservation, and rare material.
All articles on this blog may contain research or information errors. If you notice any, please email robsonvianna2025@gmail.com , indicating the error, the correct reference, and the post in question. The correction will be made with credit to the contributor. Thank you in advance for your collaboration, which is essential for clarifying doubts and enriching the content about Sir Elton John's career. - Robson Vianna
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