Sacrifice by Elton John

Album: Sleeping With The Past (1989)

Charted: 1 18

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This song is about how hard it is to stay faithful and devoted in a marriage, challenging the worn-down mantra that a successful union requires "sacrifice." Elton sings that it's no sacrifice at all, it's just "two hearts living in two separate worlds."
Elton's lyricist Bernie Taupin explained in Music Connection magazine before the song was released: "It's a simple lyric, but it's an intelligent adult lyric. It's basically about the rigors of adult love, and it's a million miles away from 'Your Song.' Elton came up with a brilliant melody, and his performance on it gives it a lot of integrity and meaning. It's not a surface song, and I think you'll probably see that one in the coming months becoming a big, big hit."
This was released as a single in 1989, but stalled at #55 in the UK. Six months later it was revived in the UK by DJ Steve Wright, who began replaying it on his BBC Radio One afternoon show. He reported the great listener reaction to Rocket Records, which reissued it as a double A-side along with his previous release "Healing Hands," which had also flopped in the UK. By mid-summer 1990, the single went to #1 in the UK.
This was Elton's first solo UK #1. Prior to this he had had 53 British hit singles but his only chart topper had been "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," his 1976 duet with Kiki Dee.
Speaking to The Mail on Sunday's Event magazine, Bernie Taupin said this is one of his favorite compositions. "It's about a marriage falling apart and trying to live a lie when you actually can't," he explained. "People call it the divorce song."
Elton John sang lyrics from "Sacrifice" on "Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)," his 2021 collaborative song with Dua Lipa. The Pnau production also borrows from Elton's "Rocket Man," "Kiss The Bride" and "Where's the Shoorah?"
Neil Tennant of Pet Shop Boys (a former music journalist) is vexed by the way Elton sings the title of this song. "Can I just say, Sac-er-rif-ice. It's not sac-er-rif-ice," he told Q magazine. "Does the word 'Sacrifice' have four syllables? No, I don't think it does."

Comments: 22

Jack C. from OregonThe context of the word "sacrifice" is still confusing to me, and obviously others. I think the lyrics are too vague for anyone to really pin it down. Bernie Taupin needs to give more details, though some of his lyrics have been intentionally obscure in other tracks.
Gary Blumenthal from West Chestef, PaGod's Janiters have promoted to God's Public Relations Executives!
Real Talk from UsaThis song is about the temptation every man (or woman) encounters in a relationship. "It's a human sign"...meaning attraction is a simple, animalistic thing we all feel, whether we're the most loyal partner or not. It's human nature. "When the scent of her lingers, and temptation's strong"...Anyone in a relationship has gone out with their friends and after a few drinks, there's one that catches our eye. Human sign. Human nature, and couple that with our strongest, most nostalgic sense, smell, it makes us want to do things we know we shouldn't, but the animal in us wants to. "Just passing through"...meaning we don't hold these feelings to heart. It's fleeting bliss. Most of the second verse is about the regret that these actions bring. This is the most human love song ever.
Niloo from SmithsonActually, the song and also are about the man infidelity. As it portrays in the video, she finds out about his adultery, they argue, she can’t forgive him and finally ahe boots him without looking back. He feels the pain now that he is lonely and sends her love letters .. but she never returns.
Mick from UsPart 3:

Admittedly, the video presents a somewhat less direct take on this reading since, initially at least, the Chris Isaak character seems bent on keeping/forgiving her, while she just wants out—a bit at odds with the “hit the bricks, babe” account, above. Also, the Chris Isaak character seems tortured by the break-up and his pain feels a bit contrary to his claim of “no sacrifice, at all.” One explanation: The difficulty of portraying a man’s “heart gone cold” in a story-based, 80s video. Likely, they could have managed it but, almost certainly, the record company would have considered it unsavory, i.e., he discovers her adultery, they fight, then he boots her without looking back. Not much standard, lonelyhearts video fare, there!
Mick from UsPart 2:

It's a human sign, when things go wrong (Things have gone wrong. It's human nature.)
When the scent of her lingers, and temptation's strong (He is tempted to forgive her.)
Into the boundary of each married man (At some point, every marriage faces trust issues.)
Sweet deceit comes calling and negativity lands (She has been unfaithful.)

Cold, cold heart hardened by you (His heart is cold.)
Some things look better, baby, passing through (He knows that, likely, she regrets it; that it was just a fling.)

And it's no sacrifice, just a simple word. It's two hearts living in two separate worlds (But he's done.)
But it's no sacrifice, no sacrifice. It's no sacrifice, at all (Few men can accept their wife's infidelity. For him, the marriage is over.)

Mutual misunderstanding after the fact (They fight.)
Sensitivity builds a prison in the final act (They isolate themselves from each other.)
We lose direction, no stone unturned (They can't make it work.)
No tears to damn you when jealousy burns (He doesn't cry, despite his bitterness.)
Mick from UsPart 1:
Bernie Taupin described his lyrics. “It’s about a marriage falling apart and trying to live a lie when you actually can't,” he explained. “People call it the divorce song.” If we take him at his word, then the verses and chorus seem to resolve, as follows (taken, partly, from @morten1015, songmeanings.com):
Pm from UkEltons best….the arrangement is beautiful.
Life from NigeriaHe sings melodiously. God bless
Dd from From AboveIf the official music video embeds the meaning deeper, then the love of the father holding his child in the end makes love worth it. True love sacrifices, but knows no sacrifice in the scales of economy. If you love someone, then temptation, separation, forgiveness, are no sacrifice at all.
G B from New YorkBeautiful song and it's true. Into every relationship some rain must fall. It is human nature. When problems cannot be solved between us, we take our feelings to other people and look for answers through them. It's no sacrifice to just give up. Love is work but in the end we must see clearly and do what is best.
Boyd from TexasSACRIFICE: appears to be wife doesnt want marriage to struggling artist in outskirts but wants life of luxury in big city...
Revived Man from 55014I cheated on my wife three years ago. My heart ached for her seeing the damage I caused. When she continued to love my family and kids from my first marriage I turned back from this terrible path. Today we are together and I am blessed to be given a second chance. She is better than I ever deserved.
Chi Girl from NigeriaSweet song.
Rick from Planet MelmackThe most beautiful song Elton John ever recorded. Shows all his talent and thoughtfulness. Total perfection. "Some things look better, baby, just passing through" says it all. Remaining faithful is no sacrifice at all. The music arrangement is haunting.
Aj from Newport BeachWonderful song, wonderful message. Fidelity in love is no sacrifice at all. It isn't as easy when the relationship is in trouble, however, and one or the other party looks for a quick fix outside of the relationship. Fidelity at least gives you a chance to work it out. Infidelity is a sign that one or the other has checked out of the relationship emotionally on some level. I'm not being judgmental, just stating the obvious.
Esskayess from Dallas, TxHe sounded so different than usual on this song. I didn't realize at first that it was him.
Ny from Canberra, AustraliaSacrifice, yeah i think its about temptation and the reality of adult love. peerhaps abotu you feelign the love for someone but its goning cold you ar enot connecting and what you yearn for is being offered to you by another parhaps? very emotional lyrics.
Claude from Kingston, MaSinead O'Connor does an amazingly haunting cover of this song on "Two Rooms."
Adam from Boyce, VaVery beautiful ballad...Love the arrangement
Lisa from Long Island, NyOne of his best songs. I cannot believe this was his first solo UK#1 hit. What a shocker.
Dylan from Port Orange, FlOne of Elton's classics.

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