Elton John - Live in Leeds (June 19th, 1984)

Elton John
Live in Queen's Hall
Leeds, England
June 19th, 1984
Audience Recording
Sound Quality: B
Attendance: 5,000

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

After performing at the RDS in Dublin, Elton John continued his 1984 tour in England with two nights at Queen’s Hall in Leeds. This particular recording captures the second evening, a show of special significance since it took place just one day after the official release of his new studio album Breaking Hearts on June 18, 1984. From this moment on, the audience could finally access the studio versions of the fresh material that Elton was already incorporated into his live repertoire. Vocally, Elton John was in exceptional shape during this performance. His voice moved seamlessly between styles—at times clean and relaxed, at others forceful and deliberately overdriven—giving the show a striking dynamic range.

The set opened with “Tiny Dancer,” delivered with a pristine vocal line and a flawless start that set the tone for the evening. Elton’s interpretation carried both warmth and power, a balance that made the performance shine. “Hercules” followed with experimentation in vocal phrasing during its first half, before Elton leaned into a more commanding tone in the second, demonstrating his versatility and control. “Rocket Man” stood as one of the highlights of the tour, showcasing some of his best vocals of the year. His clean Bb4s, combined with inventive vocal improvisation, revealed both precision and spontaneity. “Daniel” was among the standout renditions of the concert, carrying emotional weight and refined vocal delivery. “Restless” featured Elton adopting a strikingly aggressive style, his voice powerful and commanding throughout. “Candle in the Wind” was given a particularly expressive interpretation, with Elton gliding between notes more often than in other performances and embellishing the ending with elegance. “The Bitch Is Back” came across as robust and fiery, marked by sharp, aggressive vocal work that fit the song’s energy perfectly. “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” was another memorable moment, Elton’s voice sounding both clear and powerful, filling the hall with remarkable resonance. “Sad Songs (Say So Much),” one of the newest tracks from Breaking Hearts, was delivered smoothly and confidently, proving the fresh material fit seamlessly into his set. “Bennie and the Jets” carried its usual playful charm, with Elton injecting humorous twists into his phrasing and lyrics, giving the crowd an added sense of spontaneity. “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” was sung with clean precision, highlighted by delicately executed falsettos. “Philadelphia Freedom” emerged as one of the concert’s strongest numbers, Elton’s vocals powerful and soaring, easily ranking among the finest versions of the tour.

“Blue Eyes” provided a moment of intimacy, with a polished vocal that contrasted well with the higher-energy numbers. “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” featured overmodulation in Elton’s delivery, capped with flourishes that gave the song a distinctive touch. “Kiss the Bride” brought raw energy and a confident presence, while “One More Arrow” stood as a centerpiece of the show—one of the most compelling of the tour. Elton delivered it with outstanding control, including a falsetto executed with precision. “Too Low for Zero” also ranked among the evening’s finest, marked by piano passages that showcased Elton’s instrumental brilliance. “I’m Still Standing” captured the song’s defiance, with Elton attacking it with such aggression that he occasionally pushed his voice beyond its limits, creating slight roughness in the choruses that reinforced its raw energy. “Your Song,” by contrast, returned to a lyrical atmosphere, Elton singing it with strength and reaching a ringing C5 in the finale. “Saturday Night’s Alright (for Fighting)” was exuberant and playful, backed by strong vocals. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” followed with elegant falsetto work and a finely executed interpretation. Finally, “Crocodile Rock” brought the show to a rousing conclusion.

1. Tiny Dancer - 0:00
2. Hercules - 6:15
3. Rocket Man (I Think It's Going to Be a Long, Long Time) - 11:31
4. Daniel - 21:01
5. Restless - 24:50
6. Candle In The Wind - 29:21
7. The Bitch Is Back - 33:17
8. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me - 37:33
9. Sad Songs (Say So Much) - 43:11
10. Bennie And The Jets - 46:50
11. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word - 57:48
12. Philadelphia Freedom - 1:01:22
13. Blue Eyes - 1:06:16
14. I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues - 1:09:10
15. Kiss The Bride - 1:12:37
16. One More Arrow - 1:16:57
17. Too Low For Zero - 1:21:09
18. I'm Still Standing - 1:26:37
19. Your Song - 1:33:01
20. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting) - 1:36:49
21. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - 1:44:58
22. Crocodile Rock - 1:47:46