Elton John - A Single Man [Japan SHM-CD] (2010)

A Single Man is the first of John's albums to not feature long-time collaborators Bernie Taupin (lyricist) and Gus Dudgeon (producer). The only returning members of his band are percussionist Ray Cooper and guitarist Davey Johnstone; the latter only played on one song on the album. Paul Buckmaster would not appear on another Elton John album until Made in England. Unlike previous compositions in which lyrics came first, John began writing melodies at a piano and an album unintentionally became of it. This was John's first in which he started singing in a lower register. "Song for Guy" was written as a tribute to Guy Burchett, a young Rocket messenger who was killed in a motorcycle accident.

The album was recorded in Autumn 1977, and then from January to September 1978, at The Mill, Cookham, Berks.