Elton John & Kiki Dee - Don't Go Breaking My Heart (1976) with Duet Lyrics

A #1 Hit Single all over the world. This was actually Elton's first #1 in the UK, though he had scored several in the USA. Songwriting credit is given to Ann Orson/Carte Blanche, aliases for Elton John & Bernie Taupin. The names are a wordplay on "horse and cart" and "carte blanche," referring to the way Taupin has always given Elton complete freedom in completing the songs from his lyrics. In fact, contrary to their usual writing technique, Elton composed the melody first, and hummed it over the phone to Taupin, who was vacationing in Barbados. Elton wrote the title, and Taupin came up with lyrics to fit. Elton recorded it with Kiki Dee, whose original name was Pauline Matthews. They recorded the song together in London, but then Elton redid his vocal during the "Blue Moves" sessions in Canada. Released only as a single, it was also included on Greatest Hits Volume II.

The disco-pop orchestral arrangement was done by Elton's keyboardist at the time James Newton Howard. The other musicans are the same lineup as the "Rock of the Westies" and "Blue Moves" albums.
James Newton Howard, electric piano
Davey Johnstone, guitars
Caleb Quaye, guitars
Kenny Passarelli, bass
Roger Pope, drums
Ray Cooper, percussion
Words & Music by Ann Orson - Carte Blanche
©1976 Big Pig Music Limited