Elton John - Live in Munich (May 22nd, 1984)

Elton John
Live in Olympiahalle
Munich, Germany
May 22nd, 1984
Audience Recording
Sound Quality: B
Attendance: 14,000

Audio cortesy of ‪@GregsynthWizard‬, credits to him

After several shows across Germany, Elton John played a performance in Munich on May 22nd, Vocally, Elton continued to push himself—his voice sounding more powerful and naturally overdriven, full of sharp phrasing and rich vocal embellishments. The band delivered a particularly tight and energetic performance, with Davey Johnstone standing out throughout the night with fierce guitar work and dynamic solos.

A special guest was in attendance backstage—none other than Freddie Mercury, accompanied by his assistant Peter Freestone. Freddie, recovering from a knee injury sustained months earlier, watched the show from the side of the stage. During “I’m Still Standing,” Elton cheekily dedicated the song to him, saying, “This one’s for old Melina, the poor cow,” prompting a playfully annoyed Mercury to mutter, “I’m gonna kill him.”

The audio recording of this show is nearly complete, with only a few minor fades and cuts.

The show kicks off with “Tiny Dancer,” which, despite Elton sounding slightly raspy, features emotionally charged phrasing. “Hercules” comes with a faster tempo and a more aggressive vocal attack. “Rocket Man” stands out as one of the strongest moments—highlighted by impressive falsetto parts during both the intro and extended improvisation. “Daniel” is delivered with solid vocals, while “Restless” sees Elton stumble on the first verse lyrics, though vocally he remains steady. Fred Mandel contributes a great deal to the texture of the show with his keyboard work, especially evident on this track. “Candle in the Wind” is performed confidently, although Elton alters the phrasing toward the end, giving it a harsher edge. “The Bitch Is Back” is raw and high-energy, with Elton leaning into the aggressiveness. “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” is one of the vocal highlights of the night—filled with powerful embellishments and emotional depth. Although “Sad Songs (Say So Much)” is slightly cutted in the recording, what remains is strong. “Bennie and the Jets” features playful, almost whimsical phrasing in the early verses and chorus.

“Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” is solid, with delicate falsetto and a well-controlled delivery. “Philadelphia Freedom” finds Elton vocally forceful again, pushing his voice in a commanding way. “Blue Eyes” and “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” are both reliably sung, with the latter standing out in its energy and vocal strength. “Kiss the Bride” maintains that momentum, coming off as one of the more musically exciting numbers of the set. “One More Arrow” is sincere but slightly loose compared to earlier tour versions. "Too Low for Zero” feels unique; Elton performs it with raw vocal strength but opts for a more stripped-back delivery, avoiding excessive flourishes—although he forgets some lyrics near the end. “I’m Still Standing,” dedicated to “Melina” (Mercury), is forceful and well-executed. “Your Song” showcases Elton reaching up to a high C near the end, a vocal feat rarely heard during this era. “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)” is delivered with rapid pace and strong grit in Elton’s voice, with Davey Johnstone shining brilliantly on guitar. The encore begins with a solid version of “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” where Elton’s falsetto parts are spot-on. “Crocodile Rock” follows with explosive energy, driven by an enthusiastic crowd and well-handled falsetto lines. The evening concludes with “Song for Guy.”

1. Tiny Dancer - 0:00
2. Hercules - 6:31
3. Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time) - 11:45
4. Daniel - 21:40
5. Restless - 25:32
6. Candle In The Wind - 30:06
7. The Bitch Is Back - 33:51
8. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me - 38:03
9. Sad Songs (Say So Much) - 43:45
10. Bennie And The Jets - 46:27
11. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word - 57:50
12. Philadelphia Freedom - 1:01:33
13. Blue Eyes - 1:06:39
14. I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues - 1:09:33
15. Kiss The Bride - 1:13:16
16. One More Arrow - 1:17:54
17. Too Low For Zero - 1:22:12
18. I'm Still Standing - 1:28:18
19. Your Song - 1:32:57
20. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting) - 1:36:44
21. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - 1:44:22
22. Crocodile Rock - 1:47:19
23. Song For Guy - 1:51:44