Sad Songs (Say So Much)

"Sad Songs (Say So Much)" is a song by Elton John and is the closing track on the 1984 album Breaking Hearts. It reached #7 on the UK chart and #5 on the U.S. chart. The lyrics describe how it sometimes helps for someone who is feeling sad, or who has lost a partner, to listen to old radio blues classics. In the years since its issue, radio airplay has been modest compared with some of John's other 1980s singles.

The music video, directed by Russell Mulcahy and shot on a street in Rushcutters Bay, Sydney, featured John without his familiar trademark glasses in some scenes. The single sleeve likewise featured John with no glasses.

John performed the song on One Night Only: The Greatest Hits Live at Madison Square Garden with Canadian rock star Bryan Adams. In 2013, John was joined by Rod Stewart in a special performance of the song at the London Palladium after being presented with first Brits Icon award in recognition of his "lasting impact" on UK culture.

The song and the music video were both utilized in an early 1980s TV advertisement for Sasson Designer Jeans, altering the lyrics to "Sasson says so much."

Personnel

 * Elton John: piano, keyboards, vocals
 * Davey Johnstone: acoustic guitar, backing vocals
 * Dee Murray: bass, backing vocals
 * Nigel Olsson: drums, backing vocals