Too Low for Zero

Too Low for Zero est le dix-septième album studio d'Elton John, sorti en 1983. 

Cet album célèbre le retour de Bernie Taupin pour l'écriture de toutes les paroles, collaboration interrompue après Blue Moves (1976). Elton John marque également son retour après une période difficile et peu productive, répondant aux critiques avec la chanson I'm Still Standing. Très marqué par le son prédominant des claviers, Too Low For Zero renferme quatre singles : I'm Still Standing, I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues, Kiss the Bride ainsi que le titre éponyme. En France, l'album s'est vendu à 318 600 exemplaires. 

Musiciens

Track numbering refers to CD and digital releases of the album.

• Elton John – piano (tracks 1-5, 8, 10), Fender Rhodes (Track 1), synthesizer (Tracks 1-7, 9) clavinet (Track 9), lead vocals, backing vocals
• Davey Johnstone – acoustic guitar (Tracks 1, 4, 5, 6, 9), electric guitar (Tracks 2-10) backing vocals
• Dee Murray – bass guitar, backing vocals
• Nigel Olsson – drums, tambourine on "Whipping Boy", backing vocals
• Ray Cooper – percussion on "Cold as Christmas (In the Middle of the Year)"
• Skaila Kanga – harp on "Cold as Christmas (In the Middle of the Year)"
• Kiki Dee – backing vocals on "Cold as Christmas (In the Middle of the Year)"
• Stevie Wonder – harmonica on "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues"
• James Newton Howard – string arrangement on "One More Arrow"

On bonus tracks

• Produced by Elton John and Clive Franks
• Elton John – piano on "Earn While You Learn" and "The Retreat", Hammond organ on "Earn While You Learn" and "Dreamboat", Fender Rhodes on "Dreamboat", mellotron on "Earn While You Learn", vocals on "Dreamboat and "The Retreat"
• Tim Renwick – guitar on "Earn While You Learn" and "Dreamboat"
• Steve Holley – drums on "Earn While You Learn" and "Dreamboat"
• Clive Franks – bass guitar on "Earn While You Learn" and "Dreamboat"
• Ray Cooper – tambourine on "Earn While You Learn" and "Dreamboat", triangle on "Earn While You Learn"
• Paul Buckmaster – orchestra arrangement on "Dreamboat"
• Steve Lukather – guitar on "The Retreat"
• Reggie McBride – bass guitar on "The Retreat"
• Alvin Taylor – drums on "The Retreat"
• David Paich – Hammond organ on "The Retreat"
• James Newton-Howard – synthesizer on "The Retreat"

Credits

• Produced by Chris Thomas
• Recorded and Mixed by Bill Price
• Mixed at AIR Studios London
• Mastered by Chris Thomas (UK) and Greg Fulginiti (US).
• Management: John Reid
• Art Direction: Rod Dyer
• Design: Clive Piercy

Titres

Toutes les chansons sont composées (musique) par Elton John et écrites par Bernie Taupin sauf indication contraire.

Face 1

• Cold as Christmas (In the Middle of the Year) – 4:19
• I'm Still Standing – 3:02
• Too Low for Zero – 5:46
• Religion – 4:05
• I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues (Elton John, Bernie Taupin, Davey Johnstone) – 4:41

Face 2

• Crystal – 5:05
• Kiss the Bride – 4:22
• Whipping Boy – 3:43
• Saint – 5:17
• One More Arrow – 3:34

Fiche Technique

• Titre : Too Low for Zero
• Album de Elton John 
• Sortie : 23 mai 1983
• Enregistré : septembre 1982
• Durée : 44:06
• Genre : Pop, rock
• Producteur : Chris Thomas
• Label : Geffen (États-Unis), Rocket (Royaume-Uni)