Elton John - Live in Barcelona (June 9th, 1984)

Elton John
Live in Palacio de los Deportes de Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain
June 9th, 1984
Audience Recording
Sound Quality: B
Attendance: 8,000

Photo cortesy of ‪@EltonStuff‬,credits to him
Audio cortesy of ‪@GregsynthWizard‬, credits to him

After completing a series of performances in France as part of the European Express Tour, Elton John returned to Spanish soil for the second time in his career—his last visit being in 1979, five years prior. This concert stands out as one of the strongest appearances of the tour, both vocally and musically. Elton delivers a remarkably consistent vocal performance, occasionally pushing his voice with impressive control, while the band brings a tight, fiery energy to the stage. It's likely that during the transition from France to Spain, Elton made the decision to remove Song for Guy from the setlist, opting instead to close the show with Crocodile Rock.

The night kicks off with Tiny Dancer, where Elton starts a bit hoarse, as has often been the case during this tour, and stumbles slightly with the lyrics in the final chorus. However, Hercules follows with a more solid vocal presence, sounding more warmed up and musically locked-in. Rocket Man is a centerpiece of the show—Elton sustains falsettos throughout with confidence, handling the extended improvisational section with flair. Daniel comes across powerfully, while Restless maintains a sharp edge with aggressive phrasing and well-executed vocal details. Candle in the Wind features a beautifully embellished ending, showcasing Elton’s attention to nuance. The Bitch Is Back is delivered with grit and enthusiasm, and Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me stands out with a rawer vocal approach, marked by a grittier tone compared to other performances from the tour. Sad Songs (Say So Much) is firm and assertive, with a strong vocal projection. Bennie and the Jets becomes another standout moment—Elton opens with playful piano flourishes and brings a bold vocal performance to the table, adding inventive phrasing and an energized falsetto.

Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word is rendered with precision and vocal finesse, particularly in the falsetto. Philadelphia Freedom is punchy, marked by consistent vocal power throughout. Blue Eyes holds up well with a tender yet focused vocal delivery, while I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues features Elton delivering a well-controlled performance that stays faithful to the studio version’s spirit. Kiss the Bride is delivered with intensity, with Elton sounding particularly confident. One More Arrow shows strength in tone, although a lyrical slip occurs during the final chorus. Too Low for Zero is a tight performance, complemented by Elton’s stylish piano additions. I’m Still Standing is executed with precision, featuring phrasing reminiscent of the studio track. Before launching into Your Song, Elton thanks the audience with, “Fantastic Barcelona, gracias,” and offers a dynamic rendition of the classic. His vocals intensify in the final verse. Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting brings high energy, a flawless vocal attack, and interactive moments with the crowd. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road shines with strong falsetto work, while Fred Mandel enhances the track with his signature synth touches. Notably, Elton revives a long-dormant joke, swapping the “vodka and tonics” lyric with “salad or sausages.” The show closes with Crocodile Rock, where Elton leans into his falsettos once more, closing the show.

1. Tiny Dancer - 0:00
2. Hercules - 7:30
3. Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time) - 12:50
4. Daniel - 22:39
5. Restless - 26:15
6. Candle In The Wind - 30:49
7. The Bitch Is Back - 34:40
8. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me - 38:58
9. Sad Songs (Say So Much) - 44:41
10. Bennie And The Jets - 48:28
11. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word - 59:45
12. Philadelphia Freedom - 1:03:30
13. Blue Eyes - 1:08:34
14. I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues - 1:11:31
15. Kiss The Bride - 1:15:01
16. One More Arrow - 1:19:27
17. Too Low For Zero - 1:23:26
18. I'm Still Standing - 1:29:19
19. Your Song - 1:34:31
20. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting) - 1:38:21
21. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - 1:45:42
22. Crocodile Rock - 1:48:36