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Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me#1991 version

{{short description|1974 single by Elton John}}

{{distinguish|I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me}}

{{Use British English|date=June 2022}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}

{{Infobox song

| name = Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me

| image = Dont let the sun go down on me elton john US single variant A.png

| alt = side-A label

| caption = One of side-A labels of the US single

| type = single

| artist = Elton John

| album = Caribou

| B-side = Sick City

| released = 24 May 1974{{cite web|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1974/Music-Week-1974-05-25.pdf|title=Music Week|page=33}}

| recorded = January 1974

| studio = Caribou Ranch (Nederland, Colorado)

| genre = Orchestral pop{{cite web|first= Tom |last= Breihan |title= The Number Ones: George Michael & Elton John's "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me|website= Stereogum |date= January 3, 2022|url= https://www.stereogum.com/2171665/the-number-ones-george-michael-elton-johns-dont-let-the-sun-go-down-on-me/columns/the-number-ones/|accessdate= July 6, 2024|quote=...John wrote a vast orchestral pop song around those lyrics.}}

| length = 5:35

| label = * MCA

| writer = * Elton John

| producer = Gus Dudgeon

| prev_title = Candle in the Wind

| prev_year = 1974

| next_title = The Bitch Is Back

| next_year = 1974

| misc =

}}

"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" is a song with music written by English musician Elton John and lyrics by songwriter Bernie Taupin. It was originally recorded by John for his eighth studio album, Caribou (1974), and was released as a single that peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and reached number 16 on the UK Singles Chart.

A version of the song recorded live as a duet between John and George Michael reached number one in the UK in 1991 and in the US in 1992. The pair had performed the song together for the first time at Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in July 1985.

During his headlining appearance at the Glastonbury Festival on 25 June 2023, John dedicated the song to Michael, who died in 2016.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/glastonbury-2023-live-fans-gather-30319250|title=Elton John pays tribute to late friend George Michael on Glastonbury stage|first1=Tom|last1=Bryant|first2=Zoe|last2=Delaney|date=25 June 2023|newspaper=Daily Mirror|access-date=16 April 2024}}

Elton John version

File:Elton John US Television Special 1974.JPG

=Background=

"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" was co-written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin during a ten-day period in January 1974 along with the other songs for John's Caribou album. The song was released as the first single from the album on 24 May 1974 in the United Kingdom, and on 10 June 1974 in the United States.

The chorus of the song features backing vocals by Brian Wilson, Carl Wilson and Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys with Billy Hinsche and Toni Tennille. A horn arrangement by Del Newman augments and reflects Johnston's chorale lines, with trumpets echoing Carl Wilson's high notes. The original backing vocalists were Johnston, Cat Stevens, Danny Hutton, Gerry Beckley, Dusty Springfield, and Brian Wilson but according to Johnston, who handled the vocal arrangements, "everyone was afraid of one another and I couldn't get a performance out of anyone".{{cite book|last=Elliott|first=Brad|title=Surf's Up ! The Beach Boys On Record 1961–1981|page=287|year=1982|publisher=Pierian Press|location=Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA}} Also on the song are percussion accents provided by Ray Cooper and a mellotron played by Dave Hentschel. Davey Johnstone's electric guitar stylings provide a counterpoint to the melody, the signal routed through a Leslie speaker, but his acoustic guitar part was not used in the final mix. His electric guitar string harmonics are heard ringing out between vocal lines.

=Reception=

Cash Box called it "a gradually building track with pretty lyrics that is as brilliant in performance as it is in production"{{cite news|title=CashBox Record Reviews|date=15 June 1974|page=16|accessdate=2021-12-11|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/70s/1974/CB-1974-06-15.pdf|newspaper=Cashbox}} Record World said that "More poetic than anything he's released since 'Daniel', this expansive ballad begins simply and builds into a bonanza of bright harmonies."{{cite magazine|magazine=Record World|date=June 22, 1974|accessdate=2023-03-16|title=Hits of the Week|page=1|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/70s/74/RW-1974-06-22.pdf}}

"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" charted on 1 June 1974 in the UK, reaching number 16 on the UK Singles Chart. The song reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart after four weeks, peaking at number two for two weeks from 27 July behind John Denver's "Annie's Song". In the US, the single was certified Gold on 6 September 1974 by the RIAA. In Canada, it reached number one, becoming his fifth chart topper in that country.{{cite web |url=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.5072a&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=0uff435171gkfba8j57ii6mhl5 |title=Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada |publisher=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |access-date=2014-03-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318153156/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.5072a&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=0uff435171gkfba8j57ii6mhl5 |archive-date=18 March 2014 |url-status=dead }}

=Track listings=

  • May 1974 US and UK 7" vinyl single
  1. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"
  2. "Sick City"
  • February 1991 UK 7" vinyl single and cassette
  1. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"
  2. "Song for Guy"
  • February 1991 UK 12" vinyl and CD single
  1. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"
  2. "Song for Guy"
  3. "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word"

=Personnel=

=Accolades=

==Grammy Awards==

{{Awards table}}

|-

| rowspan="2"| 1975

| rowspan="2"| "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"

| Record of the Year

| {{nom}}

|-

| Best Pop Vocal Performance – Male{{cite web|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/grammy/popsolo.htm|title=Grammy Awards: Best Pop Vocal Performance – Male|publisher=rockonthenet.com|access-date=13 July 2015}}

| {{nom}}

|-

{{end}}

=Charts=

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

==Weekly charts==

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"| Chart (1974)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

scope="row"| Australia (Kent Music Report)

| 13

scope="row"| Canada Top Singles (RPM)

| 1

scope="row"| Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM){{cite web|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.5091&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.5091.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.5091|title=Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada |website=Collectionscanada.gc.ca |date=17 August 1974 |access-date=2019-02-23}}

| 2

{{single chart|Dutch100|30|song=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me|artist=Elton John|rowheader=true|access-date=15 January 2009}}
{{single chart|Ireland2|17|song=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me|artist=Elton John|rowheader=true|access-date=15 January 2009}}
{{single chart|UK|16|song=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me|artist=Elton John|date=19740609|rowheader=true|access-date=15 January 2009}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|2|artist=Elton John|rowheader=true|access-date=15 January 2009}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|3|artist=Elton John|rowheader=true|access-date=15 January 2009}}

{{col-2}}

==Year-end charts==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"| Chart (1974)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| Canada{{cite web|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.3893a&URLjpg=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f4/nlc008388.3893a.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.3893a|title=Image : RPM Weekly|website=Bac-lac.gc.ca|date=17 July 2013}}

| 22

scope="row"| US Billboard Hot 100{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1974.htm|title=Top 100 Hits of 1974/Top 100 Songs of 1974|website=Musicoutfitters.com|access-date=23 April 2021}}

| 78

{{col-end}}

=Certifications=

{{certification Table Top}}

{{certification Table Entry |title=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me |type=single |artist=Elton John |relyear=2007 |certyear=2024 |region=United Kingdom |award=Silver |id=1898-733-1}}

{{certification Table Entry |title=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me |type=single |artist=Elton John |relyear=1974 |certyear=1974 |region=United States |award=Gold}}

{{certification Table Bottom |nosales=yes}}

=1986–1987 live version=

Elton John recorded a live version on 14 December 1986 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre that appears on the Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra album. In his 2019 autobiography, Me, John claimed that this performance is special because he thought it was the last time he was ever going to sing as he was having a dangerous throat surgery a few days later. An edited version of this same recording was released as a single in 1987 and also appears in the To Be Continued... box set.

=1990 ''MTV Unplugged''=

On 17 May 1990, Elton John recorded a performance on MTV Unplugged at the Chelsea Studios in New York City.{{YouTube|2NkG-EKmS_U|Elton John – Don't Let The Sun Go Down on Me (MTV Unplugged 1990) }} An acoustic version of the song was included as a track on The Unplugged Collection, Volume One.{{cite magazine |last1=Sinclair |first1=Tom |title=The Unplugged Collection, Volume One |url=https://ew.com/article/1994/12/16/unplugged-collection-volume-one |access-date=2015-11-06 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=16 December 1994}}

George Michael and Elton John version

{{Infobox song

| name = Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me

| cover = Georgemichaeleltonjohn.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = George Michael and Elton John

| album =

| B-side = "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" (live)

| released = 25 November 1991{{cite web|url=https://www.bpi.co.uk/award/1898-2019-1|title=BPI}}

| recorded = 23 March 1991

| venue = Wembley Arena (London)

| genre =

| length = 5:47

| label =

| writer =

| producer = George Michael

| chronology = George Michael

| prev_title = Soul Free

| prev_year = 1991

| next_title = Too Funky

| next_year = 1992

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = Elton John

| type = single

| prev_title = Easier to Walk Away

| prev_year = 1990

| title = Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me

| year = 1991

| next_title = The One

| next_year = 1992

}}

{{External music video|{{YouTube|RsKqMNDoR4o|"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"}}}}

}}

=Background=

In 1991, "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" was covered in a live version as a duet by George Michael and Elton John. The pair had first performed the song at the Live Aid concert in 1985 (with Michael singing and John playing, featuring backup vocals by Wham! partner Andrew Ridgeley and Kiki Dee).{{cite news|title=George Michael: 20 Essential Songs|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/george-michael-20-essential-songs-w457756/elton-john-feat-george-michael-dont-let-the-sun-go-down-on-me-1991-w457773|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=7 January 2018}} Six years later, Michael's Cover to Cover tour regularly included the song, and for the final show at Wembley Arena, London on 23 March 1991, Michael brought out John as a surprise guest to sing it with him.

=Reception=

Released as a single later that year, the song reached number one on both sides of the Atlantic, spending two weeks at number one on the UK Singles Chart in December 1991 and one week on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated 1 February 1992. The duet also spent two weeks at number one on the Adult Contemporary chart.{{cite book |title= Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–2001|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |year=2002 |publisher=Record Research |page=169}}

This version of the song was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 35th Annual Grammy Awards.

It appears on John's Love Songs, Greatest Hits 1970–2002 and Diamonds compilation albums, as well as his 1993 Duets album. The proceeds from the single were divided among 10 charities for children, AIDS and education.

=Music video=

The footage used for the single's music video (directed by Andy Morahan){{cite web|last=Garcia|first=Alex S|title=mvdbase.com – George Michael – "Don't let the Sun go down on me"|url=http://www.mvdbase.com/video.php?id=18755|website=Music Video DataBase|access-date=2 November 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310052847/http://www.mvdbase.com/video.php?id=18755|archive-date=10 March 2016}} was taken from a concert at the Rosemont Horizon, Chicago, during Michael's Cover to Cover tour. It is interspersed with footage shot in an airline hangar in Burbank, California, where Michael had been rehearsing.{{cite web|date=30 December 2016|title=In Honour of George Michael (1963–2016)|url=https://www.eltonjohn.com/stories/in-honour-of-george-michael-1963-2016|website=eltonjohn.com|access-date=30 June 2024}}

=Track listings=

  • US and UK 7" vinyl and cassette single
  1. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" {{small|(duet with Elton John, live at Wembley Arena 23 Mar '91)}}
  2. "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" {{small|(live)}}
  • US and UK 12" vinyl single
  1. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" {{small|(duet with Elton John, live at Wembley Arena 23 Mar '91)}}
  2. "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" {{small|(live)}}
  3. "Last Christmas" {{small|(performed by Wham!)}}
  • UK and Europe compact disc single (Epic 657656){{cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/George-Michael-Elton-John-Dont-Let-The-Sun-Go-Down-On-Me/release/700131|title=George Michael / Elton John – Don't Let The Sun Go Down on Me|year=1991 |publisher=Discogs}}
  1. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" {{small|(duet with Elton John, live at Wembley Arena 23 Mar '91)}}
  2. "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" {{small|(live)}}
  3. "If You Were My Woman" {{small|(live at Wembley Stadium, 11 Jun '88)}}
  4. "Fantasy"
  • US compact disc single (Columbia 44K-74240){{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/George-Michael-Elton-John-Dont-Let-The-Sun-Go-Down-On-Me/release/1775434|title=George Michael / Elton John – Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me (1991, CD)|year=1991 |access-date=23 April 2021|publisher=Discogs}}
  1. "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" {{small|(duet with Elton John, live at Wembley Arena 23 Mar '91)}}
  2. "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" {{small|(live)}}
  3. "Freedom" (Back to Reality mix)
  4. "If You Were My Woman" {{small|(live at Wembley Stadium, 11 Jun '88)}}
  • All B-sides and additional tracks were performed solo by George Michael, except "Last Christmas" which is performed by Michael's duo Wham!
  • The live version of "I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever)" had previously been issued as the lead track on a free promotional cassette given away at Michael's Wembley Arena gigs in March 1991. It was promoted to urban radio in February 1992.{{cite magazine|last1=Clark|first1=Randy|last2=DeVaney|first2=Bryan|date=8 February 1992|title=Music Reviews: Singles|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1992/CB-1992-02-08.pdf|magazine=Cash Box|page=5|access-date=23 December 2024}}{{cite magazine|editor-last=Flick|editor-first=Larry|date=15 February 1992|title=Single Reviews|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1992/Billboard-1992-02-15.pdf|magazine=Billboard|page=78|access-date=23 December 2024}}

=Charts=

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

==Weekly charts==

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"| Chart (1991–1992)

! scope="col"| Peak
position

{{single chart|Australia|3|song=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me|artist=George Michael and Elton John|rowheader=true|access-date=15 January 2009}}
{{single chart|Austria|2|song=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me|artist=George Michael and Elton John|rowheader=true|access-date=15 January 2009}}
{{single chart|Flanders|1|song=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me|artist=George Michael and Elton John|rowheader=true|access-date=14 April 2019}}
{{single chart|Canadatopsingles|1|chartid=2054|rowheader=true|access-date=14 April 2019}}
{{single chart|Canadaadultcontemporary|1|chartid=2061|rowheader=true|access-date=14 April 2019}}
scope="row"| Denmark (IFPI){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-01-18.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=9|issue=3|page=30|date=18 January 1992|access-date=5 July 2020}}

| 2

scope="row"| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-02-15.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|volume=9|issue=7|page=25|date=15 February 1992|access-date=23 November 2019}}

| 1

scope="row"| Finland (Suomen virallinen lista){{cite book|url=https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf#page=117|first=Timo|last=Pennanen|year=2021|title=Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021|section=Elton John|page=117|publisher=Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava|location=Helsinki|access-date=27 June 2022|language=fi}}

| 8

{{single chart|France|1|song=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me|artist=George Michael and Elton John|rowheader=true|access-date=15 January 2009}}
{{single chart|Germany|4|song=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me|artist=George Michael and Elton John|songid=2356|rowheader=true|access-date=14 April 2019}}
scope="row"| Greece (IFPI){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-02-29.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=9|issue=9|page=34|date=29 February 1992|access-date=30 October 2020}}

| 1

{{single chart|Ireland2|2|song=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me|artist=George Michael and Elton John|rowheader=true|access-date=15 January 2009}}
scope="row"| Italy (Musica e dischi){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-01-18.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=9|issue=3|page=30|date=18 January 1992|access-date=23 November 2019}}

| 1

scope="row"|Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg){{cite web |url= http://www.umdmusic.com/default.asp?Lang=English&Chart=F&ChDay=&ChMonth=&ChYear=&ChBand=Elton+John&ChSong= |title=Radio Luxembourg Singles |publisher=umdmusic.com|access-date=27 April 2025}}

|align="center"|2

{{single chart|Dutch40|1|year=1992|week=2|rowheader=true|access-date=31 December 2017}}
{{single chart|Dutch100|1|song=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me|artist=George Michael and Elton John|rowheader=true|access-date=15 January 2009}}
{{single chart|New Zealand|4|song=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me|artist=George Michael and Elton John|rowheader=true|access-date=15 January 2009}}
{{single chart|Norway|1|song=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me|artist=George Michael and Elton John|rowheader=true|access-date=15 January 2009}}
scope="row"| Portugal (AFP){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-04-04.pdf|title=Top 10 Sales in Europe|magazine=Music & Media|volume=9|issue=14|page=14|date=4 April 1992|access-date=30 October 2020}}

| 1

{{single chart|Sweden|2|song=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me|artist=George Michael and Elton John|rowheader=true|access-date=15 January 2009}}
{{single chart|Switzerland|1|song=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me|artist=George Michael and Elton John|rowheader=true|access-date=15 January 2009}}
{{single chart|UK|1|song=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me|artist=George Michael and Elton John|date=19911207|rowheader=true|access-date=15 January 2009}}
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|1|artist=George Michael|rowheader=true}}
{{single chart|Billboardadultcontemporary|1|artist=George Michael|rowheader=true}}

{{col-2}}

==Year-end charts==

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"| Chart (1991)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| UK Singles (OCC){{cite journal|title=1991 Top 100 Singles|periodical=Music Week|publisher=Spotlight Publications|location=London, England|page=20|date=11 January 1992}}

| 15

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"| Chart (1992)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| Australia (ARIA){{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia}}

| 57

scope="row"| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40){{cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/year.asp?cat=s&id=1992|title=Jahreshitparade Singles 1992|language=de|access-date=14 April 2019}}

| 7

scope="row"| Belgium (Ultratop){{cite web|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1992|title=Jaaroverzichten 1992|publisher=Ultratop|language=nl|access-date=14 April 2019}}

| 4

scope="row"| Canada Top Singles (RPM){{cite magazine|url=http://rpmimages.3345.ca/pdfs/Volume%2056-No.%2025-December%2019,%201992.pdf|title=The RPM Top 100 Hit Tracks of 1992|magazine=RPM|volume=56|issue=25|page=8|date=19 December 1992|access-date=14 April 2019}}

| 12

scope="row"| Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM){{cite magazine|url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.1824&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.1824.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.1824|title=The RPM Top 100 Adult Contemporary tracks of 1992|magazine=RPM|publisher=Library and Archives Canada|access-date=14 April 2019}}

| 21

scope="row"| Europe (Eurochart Hot 100){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-12-19.pdf|title=1992 Year-End Sales Charts|magazine=Music & Media|volume=9|issue=51/52|page=17|date=19 December 1992|access-date=5 July 2020}}

| 2

scope="row"| Germany (Media Control){{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1992|title=Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1992|publisher=GfK Entertainment|language=de|access-date=14 April 2019}}

| 29

scope="row"| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web|url=https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1992|title=Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1992|publisher=Dutch Top 40|access-date=13 August 2021}}

| 6

scope="row"| Netherlands (Single Top 100){{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1992&cat=s|title=Jaaroverzichten – Single 1992|publisher=MegaCharts|language=nl|access-date=14 April 2019}}

|5

scope="row"| New Zealand (RIANZ){{cite web|url=https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/index_chart?chart=3881|title=End of Year Charts 1992|publisher=Recorded Music NZ|access-date=5 July 2020|archive-date=14 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714024830/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/index_chart%3Fchart%3D3881|url-status=dead}}

| 35

scope="row"| Sweden (Topplistan){{cite web|url=http://www.grammotex.se/topp92singlar.htm|title=Årstopplistan 1992, Singlar|publisher=Grammotex|language=sv|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010225021610/http://www.grammotex.se/topp92singlar.htm|archive-date=25 February 2001|access-date=7 April 2025}}

| 20

scope="row"| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade){{cite web|url=http://www.swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/1992|title=Swiss Year-End Charts 1992|language=de|access-date=5 July 2020}}

| 7

scope="row"| US Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|url=http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1992 |title=Billboard Top 100 – 1992 |access-date=30 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708050630/http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1992 |archive-date=8 July 2009 }}

| 26

scope="row"| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1992/Billboard-1992-12-26.pdf|title=1992 The Year in Music|magazine=Billboard|volume=104|issue=52|page=YE-38|date=26 December 1992|access-date=13 August 2021}}

| 20

==Decade-end charts==

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
scope="col"| Chart (1990–1999)

! scope="col"| Position

scope="row"| Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40){{cite web|url=https://austriancharts.at/90er_single.asp|title=Bestenlisten – Singles 1990er|website=Austrian Charts Portal|language=de|access-date=5 May 2022}}

| 24

scope="row"| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders){{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612145841/https://www.ultratop.be/nl/ultratop_nineties_500.asp?page=1|archive-date=12 June 2018|url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/ultratop_nineties_500.asp?page=1|title=Ultratop Nineties 500|publisher=Ultratop|language=nl|access-date=5 May 2022}}

| 34

scope="row"| Canada (Nielsen SoundScan){{cite web|last=Lwin|first=Nanda|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000829070927/http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/100_1990.html|archivedate=29 August 2000|url=http://www.jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/100_1990.html|title=Top 100 singles of the 1990s|website=Jam!|accessdate=26 March 2022}}

| 92

scope="row"| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40){{cite web |title=Top 100 – Decenniumlijst: 90's |url=http://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/decenniumlijst-90-s |language=nl |publisher=Dutch Top 40 |access-date=5 May 2022 |archive-date=18 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218104220/http://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/decenniumlijst-90-s |url-status=live}}

| 69

{{col-end}}

=Certifications=

{{certification Table Top}}

{{certification Table Entry |type=single |relyear=1991 |certyear=2016|region=Australia |award=Platinum|access-date=19 November 2021}}

{{certification Table Entry |title=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me |type=single |artist=George Michael and Elton John |relyear=1991 |certyear=2024 |region=Denmark |award=Gold|id=13497|access-date=February 16, 2024}}

{{certification Table Entry |title=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me |type=single |artist=George Michael and Elton John |relyear=1991 |certyear=1992 |region=France |award=Silver}}

{{certification Table Entry |title=Don't Let the Sun |type=single |artist=George Michael & Elton John |relyear=1991 |certyear=1992 |region=Netherlands |award=Platinum}}

{{certification Table Entry |title=Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me |type=single |artist=George Michael And Elton John|relyear=1991 |certyear=2021|region=New Zealand|source=radioscope|award=Platinum|access-date=22 April 2025}}

{{certification Table Entry |title=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me |type=single |artist=George Michael ft Elton John |relyear=1991 |certyear=2020 |region=United Kingdom |award=Gold |id=1898-5422-1}}

{{certification Table Entry |title=Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me |type=single |artist=George Michael and Elton John |relyear=1991 |certyear=1992 |region=United States |award=Gold}}

{{certification Table Bottom|streaming=true}}

Other versions

  • Jazz singer Oleta Adams recorded a cover version for the 1991 tribute album Two Rooms: Celebrating the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin. It was released as a single and peaked at number 33 in the UK{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/26042/oleta-adams/|title=OLETA ADAMS | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=23 April 2021}} and at number 32 in the Netherlands.

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{YouTube|TxipVM_0CBA|Elton John – Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me}}

{{Elton John songs}}

{{George Michael singles}}

{{Oleta Adams}}

{{authority control}}

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