Songs from the West Coast

Infobox Album |
Name = Songs from the West Coast
Type = Album
Artist = Elton John


Released = October 1, 2001 (UK)
October 2, 2001 (U.S.)
Recorded = September 18, 2000 - April 30 2001
Genre = Rock, pop, piano rock
Length = 54:06
Label = Universal Records (US) Rocket Records Mercury Records
Producer = Patrick Leonard
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|4|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hcfoxqq0ldde link] |
Last album = "Elton John's One Night Only - The Greatest Hits"
(2000)
This album = "Songs From The West Coast"
(2001)
Next album = "Peachtree Road"
(2004)

"Songs from the West Coast" is the twenty-seventh studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released worldwide on October 1 2001. Many critics have said that this album brought John back to his piano-based musical roots. He once again collaborated with long-time lyricist Bernie Taupin. John also brought back former band members including drummer Nigel Olsson. This album marks the first time Elton John and collaborator Bernie Taupin wrote together in person. From the album, "I Want Love" was a single and a Grammy nominated song, and "Original Sin" and "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore" also became hits.

Rufus Wainwright sings backing vocals on the track "American Triangle," which is about Matthew Shepard, a college student who was murdered.

The restaurant shown on the album's cover is Rae's Restaurant, which is frequently used as a location for many Los Angeles-based film shoots, including 1993's "True Romance" and 2005's "Lords of Dogtown". John's partner David Furnish and his Director of Operations Bob Halley appear on the album cover: Furnish as a cowboy at the bar and Halley as the man getting handcuffed.

Elton has claimed that the inspiration for the songs on this album came from when he listened to "Heartbreaker" by Ryan Adams.

In an interview with Jon Wiederhorn in 2001, Elton revealed that the album was recorded using analogue tape as he believes "the voice and instruments sound warmer".

The album was dedicated to Matthew Shepard and Oliver Johnstone, Davey Johnstone's late son.

Track listing

All songs by John/Taupin.
# "The Emperor's New Clothes" – 4:28
# "Dark Diamond" – 4:26
# "Look Ma, No Hands" – 4:22
# "American Triangle" – 4:49
# "Original Sin" – 4:49
# "Birds" – 3:51
# "I Want Love" – 4:35
# "The Wasteland" – 4:21
# "Ballad of the Boy in the Red Shoes" – 4:52
# "Love Her Like Me" – 3:58
# "Mansfield" – 4:56
# "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore" – 4:39

B-sides

Music videos

The music video for the song "I Want Love" featured and only had Robert Downey Jr. in it lip-synching.

The music video for the song "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore" featured Justin Timberlake portraying a young Elton.

The music video for the song "Original Sin" featured Elizabeth Taylor and Mandy Moore. It also featured John playing the father of Moore's character and the husband of Taylor's character. Moore was the centre of the video, who plays a huge Elton John fan from the 1970s who is transported by a dream (a la Cinderella) to one of his concerts. Then at the end she wakes up and Elton's character asks, "Who is this Elton John, anyway?" It also has more of an upbeat dance mix to the music.