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- Artist: Elton John
- Rating:
- Release Date: 1980 05
- Total Time: 42:53
- Type: Lyrics are included with the album
- Genre: Rock
Review
Elton John entered the second decade of his pop music career releasing his 21st long-player during the 33rd year of his life, hence the album's title. It also marked the tentative return of former writing partner Bernie Taupin after a four-year sabbatical. Although the reunion yielded a trio of tunes, "Chasing the Crown," "Two Rooms at the End of the World," and "White Lady White Powder," unfortunately they all suffer from the same nauseating disco vibe that made John's previous effort, 1979's Victim of Love, so thoroughly dismissible. However, the following year's 21 at 33 is far from a complete washout. Building on the strength of his relationship with Gary Osborne -- with whom John had created A Single Man (1978) -- the pair wrote the standouts "Dear God" and "Take Me Back" as well as the hit single "Little Jeannie." "Sartorial Eloquence" harks back to the classic "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," thanks to the all-star backing vocals from Eagles Glenn Frey and Don Henley as well as Toni Tennille, Bruce Johnston, and Peter Noone (from Herman's Hermits). Interestingly, John briefly reassembled his 1970s core band of Davey Johnstone (guitar), Dee Murray (bass), and Nigel Olsson (drums), although their contributions sound more like an afterthought when compared to those of studio stalwarts Richie Zito (guitar), Steve Lukather (guitar), Lenny Castro (percussion), and an all-star horn section of Chuck Findley (trumpet), Jim Horn (sax), and Jerry Hey (trumpet). The scattered nature and lack of cohesion on 21 at 33 would translate onto John's next few albums such as The Fox (1981) and Jump Up! (1982). Not until the full-fledged reunion with Taupin and backing quartet on Too Low for Zero (1983) would John begin to reestablish himself as a central pop music figure. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music GuideTracks
| Track Title | Composers | Performers | Time |
| Chasing the Crown (Lyrics) | Elton John, Bernie Taupin | Elton John | (5:35) |
| Little Jeannie (Lyrics) | Elton John, |
Elton John | (5:13) |
| Sartorial Eloquence (Lyrics) | Tom Robinson, Elton John | Elton John | (4:44) |
| Two Rooms at the End of the World (Lyrics) | Bernie Taupin, Elton John | Elton John | (5:39) |
| White Lady White Powder (Lyrics) | Elton John, Bernie Taupin | Elton John | (4:33) |
| Dear God (Lyrics) | Elton John | (3:46) | |
| Never Gonna Fall in Love Again (Lyrics) | Tom Robinson, Elton John | Elton John | (4:08) |
| Take Me Back (Lyrics) | Elton John, |
Elton John | (3:52) |
| Give Me the Love (Lyrics) | Elton John, Judie Tzuke | Elton John | (5:30) |
