Jump Up! (1982)
Jump Up! marks a much larger rise in quality than his last handful of records. It’s still not perfect by any means, but Elton seems to be getting better at figuring out who he is here instead of trying to be what he isn’t. We see growth, exploration, and enjoyment from Elton on this one.
Dear John kicks things off with infectious 80s pop-rock energy, singable and bright, making it a strong opener. Spiteful Child digs deeper into the 80s pop/rock style with crisp musicianship and catchy synthesizer riffs, all while Elton’s evolving, deepening vocals take center stage. Ball & Chain stays catchy but lands middle of the road for Elton, not standing out among the stronger tracks. By no means a flop, though.
Legal Boys aims for a big dramatic feel but falls slightly short. It holds onto its foot-tapping qualities and it’s totally listenable, but you’re left wanting more from it. I Am Your Robot faces tough criticism online, but I appreciate its unique, fun qualities. Is the robot iconography a bit cliché for the 80s? Sure, but this is an 80s album, so who cares? The song is spacey, gritty, and unlike anything Elton’s done before. He really flexes his vocal prowess on this one too.
Blue Eyes offers much more of a down-tempo, jazz-lounge feeling. With deep, rich vocals, it feels like an Elvis Presley song that Elton rearranged and spun into his own style. Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny) stands out as a poignant tribute to John Lennon, a fantastic piece both musically and lyrically. Stylistically it could absolutely fit on Captain Fantastic. It’s strong and emotive on every end of the spectrum, and I believe it goes down as one of Elton’s most essential tracks of the 80s, if not his career.
Princess captures beautiful chord progressions and a stellar vocal performance. It creates a hopeful, romantic atmosphere, and it’s a potential wedding must-have for me. If my future wife is reading this, get ready to hear this one at our reception.
Where Have All the Good Times Gone carries residual disco-pop energy from Elton’s late-70s transitional phase. It’s just as strong as any of the disco-pop from 21 at 33 and The Fox. All Quiet on the Western Front is an unconventional Christmas song, an anti-war WWI Christmas track Elton once jokingly dubbed “the worst-selling single in Phonogram’s history.” It may fall slightly below the mark musically, but lyrically it’s as strong as any historical song Elton and Bernie have written together.
Jump Up! keeps Elton John riding the roller coaster of quality with catchy melodies, evolving vocals, and emotional depth. From the vibrant energy of Dear John to the heartfelt tribute in Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny), this record captures Elton’s 80s fine-tuning and tees him up for something real strong.
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Highlight Songs:
• Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)
• Princess
• Dear John
• Spiteful Child
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Own it, Stream it, Forget about it?
I firmly believe this is Elton’s strongest record since Rock of the Westies. It’s not quite a No Skip Album, but it’s universally much easier to get through than anything since A Single Man. I say own it. Stream it until you find a copy, then give it sweet, sweet kisses.
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Overall Rating:
4 Stars
