Writers: Elton John (music) and Bernie Taupin (lyrics)
Producer: Gus Dudgeon
Recorded: August 9th, 1971, at Trident Studios, London, England
Released: February 1972 (single)
| Players: | Elton John–vocals, piano Caleb Quaye–electric guitar B.J. Cole–steel guitar Davey Johnstone–acoustic guitar David Glover–bass Roger Pope–drums Leslie Duncan, Sue & Sunny, Barry St. John, Liza Strike, Roger Cook, Tony Burrows, Terry Steel, Dee Murray, Nigel Olsson–backing vocals |
| Album: | Madman Across The Water (Uni, 1971) |
“Tiny Dancer” is dedicated to Maxine Feibelman Taupin, lyricist Bernie Taupin's first wife.
The record's six-minute length kept it from being a big chart hit — it was never released as a single in the U.K., and it didn't even crack the top 40 in the U.S.
The string arrangements were by Paul Buckmaster, who has collaborated intermittently with Elton John over the years.
At the time, John was touring with two side musicians, but their playing isn't featured on the song. Still, bassist Dee Murray and drummer Nigel Olsson sang backup for “Tiny Dancer.”