Elton John & Kiki Dee, Don’t Go Breaking My Heart | Throwback Vibez

In the 84th edition of Throwback Vibez (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” by Elton John and Kiki Dee.   

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez ! Throwback Vibez is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils ! All genres of music are welcome. In the 84^th edition of Throwback Vibez ️ (2025), we recollect and reflect on “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” performed by Elton John and Kiki Dee.

“Don’t go breaking my heart,” Elton John (1947 – ) sings in the first verse of his classic, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”. His duet partner, Kiki Dee (1947 – ), responds, “You take the weight off of me.” Word.  Once more, both talented singers trade lines: “Oh, honey, when you knocked on my door / Ooh, I gave you my key.” “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” is the 10^th and final cut on John’s 1975, platinum-certified album, Rock Of The Westies. One of his biggest hits, it spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.  The single was certified double platinum by the RIAA in December 2024. The Recording Academy acknowledged it, as it was nominated for the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus at the 19th Annual Grammy Awards (1976) (Chicago won for their classic, “If You Leave Me Now”). Elton John composed the music, while his longtime partner in crime, Bernie Taupin (1950 – ) composed the lyrics. Gus Dudgeon produced it.

To reiterate, both Elton John and Kiki Dee ‘bring it’ in the vocal department.  They sing superbly separately, and ‘strike gold’ when they sing together.  The chemistry is chemistry-ing! Beyond the playful verses, the two sections that shine brightest are the pre-chorus and the chorus. “Ooh, nobody knows it / When I was down, I was your clown,” they sing, respectively, continuing, “Ooh, nobody knows it (Nobody knows it) / Right from the start, I gave you my heart / Oh, I gave you my heart.” Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus, in all its catchy, titular glory!

“Don’t go breaking my heart

I won’t go breaking your heart

Don’t go breaking my heart.”

Beyond the singing and songwriting, the music is ear-catching.  The orchestration, particularly the strings, is lovely.  The production is well-rounded.  The tightness of the rhythm section is a selling point (drums, percussion, bass, and guitar).  Ultimately, Elton John and Kiki Dee made a duet for the ages with “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”. Its excellence speaks for itself!

Elton John // Rock Of The Westies // Mercury // 1975

Elton John & Kiki Dee, Don’t Go Breaking My Heart: Throwback Vibez ️ No. 84 (2025) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Mercury; AcatXlo, OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]