Elton John announces 50th anniversary edition reissue of ‘Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy’

The Rocket Man himself, sensational pop icon Elton John, will release a 50th anniversary edition reissue of his 1975 autobiographical album, which became an instant commercial success.

On Thursday, Sept. 4, the music legend announced his seminal album, seminal album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, will receive a 50th anniversary edition reissue, out on Oct. 24, via UMe.

According to a release, the special reissue will be available across multiple formats, including 2LP, 2CD and 1LP, Live At Midsummer Music, Wembley Stadium 1975, which was the album’s live debut. The release will also include a booklet containing never-before-seen entries from John’s personal diary.

Pre-save Captain Fantastic (50th Anniversary Edition) here.

John had notable success in the 1970s, with the album breaking new ground. Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy served as a concept album created alongside John’s lyricist and longtime collaborator, Bernie Taupin, and their early musical careers in London, specifically detailing their struggles to break into the music industry. Ultimately, the album became “one of the biggest-selling cult albums of all time,” per a release.

About the album, John says:

“Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy was the first album I’d ever made that was autobiographical, and it was the first time we’d gone into the studio with all the songs already written. We rehearsed it as a band, then went in and cut it more or less live. The band were at their absolute peak and you can hear it on the record. I think it’s the best thing we ever did. The songs were strong, Bernie’s lyrics were brilliant, and the atmosphere at Caribou was perfect. Seeing it go to Number One faster than anything I’d ever released felt like vindication, like the culmination of everything Bernie and I had fought for back in those bedsits in London.”

Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (50th Anniversary Edition) Tracklists:

2LP

LP1:

Side A

1. Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy
2. Tower of Babel
3. Bitter Fingers
4. Tell Me When the Whistle Blows
5. Someone Saved My Life Tonight

Side B

1. (Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket
2. Better Off Dead
3. Writing
4. We All Fall In Love Sometimes
5. Curtains

LP2:

Side A

1. Tell Me When The Whistle Blows (Session Demo)
2. Captain Fantastic Take 1 (Session Demo)
3. Writing (Session Demo)
4. We All Fall In Love Sometimes (Session Demo)
5. Captain Fantastic Take 2 (Session Demo)
6. Bitter Fingers (Session Demo)

Side B

1. Someone Saved My Life Tonight (Captain Fantastic Live / 2005)
2. (Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket (Captain Fantastic Live / 2005)
3. Better Off Dead (Captain Fantastic Live/ 2005)
4. We All Fall In Love Sometimes /Curtains (Captain Fantastic Live / 2005)

2CD

CD1:

1. Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy
2. Tower Of Babe
3. Bitter Fingers
4. Tell Me When The Whistle Blows
5. Someone Saved My Life Tonight
6. (Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket
7. Better Off Dead
8. Writing
9. We All Fall In Love Sometimes
10. Curtains
11. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
12. One Day At A Time
13. Philadelphia Freedom
14. House Of Cards

CD2:

1. Tell Me When The Whistle Blows (Session Demo)
2. Captain Fantastic Take 1 (Session Demo)
3. Writing (Session Demo)
4. We All Fall In Love Sometimes (Session Demo)
5. Captain Fantastic Take 2 (Session Demo)
6. Bitter Fingers (Session Demo)
7. Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy (Captain Fantastic Live / 2005)
8. Bitter Fingers (Captain Fantastic Live /2005)
9. Tell Me When The Whistle Blows (Captain Fantastic Live / 2005)
10. Someone Saved My Life Tonight (Captain Fantastic Live / 2005)
11. (Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket (Captain Fantastic Live / 2005)
12. Better Off Dead (Captain Fantastic Live /2005)
13. We All Fall In Love Sometimes / Curtains (Captain Fantastic Live / 2005)

1LP: Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy – Live At Midsummer Music, Wembley Stadium 1975

Side A

1. Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy (Live At Midsummer Music / 1975)
2. Tower Of Babel (Live At Midsummer Music/ 1975)
3. Bitter Fingers (Live At Midsummer Music/ 1975)
4. Tell Me When The Whistle Blows (Live At Midsummer Music / 1975)
5. Someone Saved My Life Tonight (Live At Midsummer Music / 1975)

Side B

1. (Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket (Live At Midsummer Music / 1975)
2. Better Off Dead (Live At Midsummer Music/ 1975)
3. Writing (Live At Midsummer Music /1975)
4. We All Fall In Love Sometimes (Live At Midsummer Music / 1975)
5. Curtains (Live At Midsummer Music /1975)

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