Jump Up! is the sixteenth official album release by Elton John. It was released in 1982 by The Rocket Record Company except in the US and Canada, where it was released by Geffen Records.

The album includes “Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)”, a tribute to John Lennon (who had also signed to Geffen for the release of Double Fantasy, which is now owned by EMI). This is one of the first few LPs that showcases John singing in a deeper voice, as can be heard in songs such as “Blue Eyes”, “Princess”, “Ball and Chain” and “Spiteful Child”. “Legal Boys” was written by John and Tim Rice, who later wrote lyrics for The Lion King and The Road to El Dorado. This is the last studio album in which James Newton Howard played keyboards (he played keyboards again on the soundtrack of Gnomeo & Juliet less than 30 years later).

In a 2010 Sirius radio special, John’s lyricist, Bernie Taupin talking about Jump Up!, said it was “one of our worst albums”. He added, “It’s a terrible, awful, disposable album, but it had ‘Empty Garden’ on it, so it’s worth it for that one song.” In the United States, it was certified gold by the RIAA in November 1982. The album cover shows John’s lifelong friend Vance Buck.

After 1982, only “Empty Garden” and “Blue Eyes” have been performed regularly.

Tracks
1 Dear John (Elton John, Gary Osborne) 3:32
2  Spiteful Child (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) 4:17
3  Ball & Chain (Elton John, Gary Osborne) 3:28
4  Legal Boys (Elton John, Tim Rice) 3:08
5  I Am Your Robot (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) 4:46
6  Blue Eyes (Elton John, Gary Osborne) 3:27
7  Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny) (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) 5:12
8  Princess (Elton John, Gary Osborne) 4:57
9  Where Have All The Good Times (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) 4:02
10  All Quiet On The Western Front (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) 6:01

Musicians

Bass - Dee Murray
Drums - Jeffrey Porcaro
Guitar - Richie Zito
Piano - Elton John
Synthesizer - James Newton Howard
Background Vocals - Dee Murray
Background Vocals - Gary Osborn

Other Musicians

3 Ball & Chain
Guitar - Pete Townshend
Percussion - Steve Holly

5 I Am Your Robot
Percussion - Steve Holly
Strings, Brass – Martyn Ford Orchestra

Liner Notes

Producer – Chris Thomas
Mastered By – Greg Fulginiti
Orchestra – Gavyn Wright
Recorded By – Bill Price
Recorded By (Assistant) – Mike Stavrou, Nigel Barker
Design – David Costa
Photography – David Nutter
Mastered At Artisan Sound Recorders
Mixed At AIR Studios, Montserrat
Recorded At AIR Studios, Montserrat
Phonographic Copyright Sackville Productions Ltd
Phonographic Copyright Rocket Records Ltd
Copyright Sackville Productions Ltd
Copyright Big Pig Music Ltd
Copyright Pendulum Music Ltd
Copyright 64 Squares Music Ltd