Dear God (Elton John song)

"Dear God" is a song by English musician Elton John with lyrics by Gary Osborne. It's the sixth track on his 1980 album, 21 at 33. It is the shortest track on the album, and when released as a single, it failed to break any major charts. It did, however, reach No. 82 on the Australian singles chart.^[1]

"Dear God"
Single by Elton John
from the album 21 at 33
B-side	"Tactics" "Steal Away Child" "Love So Cold"
Released	14 November 1980
Recorded	August 1979
Genre	Christian rock
Length	3:45
Label	Rocket
Songwriter(s)	Elton John, Gary Osborne
Producer(s)	Elton John, Clive Franks
Elton John singles chronology
"Sartorial Eloquence (Don't Ya Wanna Play This Game No More?)" (1980) "Dear God" (1980) "Les Aveux / Donner Pour Donner" (1981)

It was originally intended to be released with only the one B-side, "Tactics",^[2] but the actual release came as a double-disc set, with the other disc being "Steal Away Child" and "Love So Cold". Two tracks were later used as b-sides for the Too Low for Zero and Breaking Hearts albums, and did not surface on a CD until the release of the 2020 box set Jewel Box where all three B-side tracks were included.

Charts

Chart (1980)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[3]	82

Personnel

• Elton John – lead vocals, backing vocals, acoustic piano, overdubbed piano
• James Newton Howard – Fender Rhodes
• David Paich – organ
• Steve Lukather – electric guitars
• Reggie McBride – bass
• Alvin Taylor – drums
• Clive Franks – tambourine
• Venette Gloud – backing vocals
• Stephanie Spruill – backing vocals
• Carmen Twillie – backing vocals

Choir

• Curt Becher
• Joe Chemay
• Bruce Johnston (also arrangements)
• Jon Joyce
• Peter Noone
• Toni Tennille

References

1. Spignesi, Stephen; Lewis, Michael (2019). Elton John: Fifty Years On: The Complete Guide to the Musical Genius of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Post Hill Press. ISBN 978-1-64293-327-7. Retrieved 16 February 2022.
2. "Elton John – Dear God (releases)". Discogs. 1980. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
3. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, NSW: Australian Chart Book. pp. 158–159. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.