Elton John's lost 1968 debut, shelved for decades and released in 2022. A Sgt. Pepper-flavored psych-pop curio from before the fame.

Elton John's official 1969 debut, raw and searching, home to Skyline Pigeon. Where the Elton and Bernie Taupin partnership begins.

Elton John's breakthrough self-titled LP, built on Your Song and lush orchestral strings. The record that turned him into a star.

Elton John's Americana-soaked concept record, no big single but deeply cohesive. An early critical favorite built on Burn Down the Mission.

Elton John's string-drenched 1971 record, home to Tiny Dancer and Levon. A dense, ambitious early peak of the Taupin partnership.

Elton John's first US #1, powered by Rocket Man and Honky Cat. The loose, band-driven record that launched his imperial phase.

Elton John at his poppiest, loaded with Crocodile Rock and Daniel. A bright, breezy, chart-topping crowd-pleaser.

Elton John's double-album masterpiece: Bennie and the Jets, Candle in the Wind, Saturday Night's Alright. The defining peak of his catalog.

Elton John's famously rushed 1974 record, carried by The Bitch Is Back and Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me. Slightly uneven, but the hits deliver.

Elton and Bernie Taupin's autobiographical concept record, anchored by Someone Saved My Life Tonight. A career-peak song cycle.

Elton John's harder, funkier 1975 record with a revamped band, led by Island Girl. A looser, rockier close to the imperial years.

Elton John's sprawling, melancholy double LP, home to Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word. An ambitious, divisive end to the golden years.

Elton John's first record without Bernie Taupin, quieter and more subdued, led by the instrumental Song for Guy. A transitional late-70s turn.

Elton John's all-in disco experiment, cut fast and widely panned. A short, divisive late-70s detour that most fans skip.

Elton John steadying himself into the 80s, with Bernie Taupin partly back and the hit Little Jeannie. Uneven, but a step back up.

Elton John's early-80s patchwork, stitched from multiple sessions and collaborators. Scattered, but with a few real rewards.

Elton John's 1982 record, anchored by the John Lennon tribute Empty Garden and the ballad Blue Eyes. Uneven, but those two land.

Elton John's real 80s comeback, Bernie Taupin back full-time, packed with I'm Still Standing and I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues.

Elton John riding his comeback momentum, led by Sad Songs (Say So Much). A solid, radio-friendly follow-up to Too Low for Zero.

Elton John's glossy mid-80s reunion with producer Gus Dudgeon, led by Nikita and Wrap Her Up. Polished, but uneven.