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Part-Time Love
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Wikipedia article
"'Part-Time Love'" is a song written by English musician Elton John with lyrics by Gary Osborne. It is the sixth track off his 1978 album, 'A Single Man'. It is also the opening track of side two. It proved to be one of the most popular singles the pair wrote, along with 1982's "Blue Eyes" and the 1980 US million seller "Little Jeannie". It was banned in the Soviet release of the album along with another song, "Big Dipper". The single reached No. 15 in the UK and peaked just outside the Top 20 in the US at No. 21.
Lyrical meaning
In the 29 September 1979 edition of the Ann Landers advice column, one writer going by the title "Want A Better Environment For Our Youth" alleged that these lyrics of this song dealt with adultery: '"You've been seen running around...Don't tell me what to do when you've been doing it too."' Some newspapers published this column on 1 October.
Release
While the lyrics on the A-side were written by Gary Osborne, those on the B-side, "I Cry at Night", were written by Bernie Taupin. It is one of the few singles John released with different lyricists on each side.
The song appeared on his compilation 'The Very Best of Elton John' in 1990 and the deluxe edition of his 2017 compilation 'Diamonds'.
Reception
'Cash Box' praised the "Fine singing, rhythm textures, big chorus, perky beat and nice arrangement."
Chart performance
Weekly charts
{| class="wikitable sortable"|-
!align="left"|Chart (197879)
!align="left"|Peak
position
|-
|align="left"|Australia
| style="text-align:center;"|12
|-
|align="left"|Canadian 'RPM' Top Singles
| style="text-align:center;"|13
|-
|align="left"|Canadian 'RPM' Adult Contemporary
| style="text-align:center;"|7
|-
|
|-
|align="left"|New Zealand
| style="text-align:center;"|14
|-
|South Africa (Springbok)
|align="center"|6
|-
|align="left"|UK Singles (OCC)
| style="text-align:center;"|15
|-
|align="left"|U.S. 'Billboard' Hot 100
| style="text-align:center;"|21
|-
|align="left"|U.S. 'Billboard' Easy Listening
| style="text-align:center;"|40
|-
|align="left"|U.S. 'Cash Box' Top 100
| style="text-align:center;"|13
|}
Year-end charts
Personnel
*Elton John - piano, vocals
*Tim Renwick - guitars
*Clive Franks - bass
*Steve Holly - drums
*Ray Cooper - percussion
*Vicki Brown - backing vocals
*Joanne Stone backing vocals
*Stevie Lange backing vocals
*Gary Osborne backing vocals
*Chris Thompson backing vocals
*Davey Johnstone backing vocals, lead guitar
*Paul Buckmaster orchestral arrangement
References
Category:1978 singles
Category:Elton John songs
Category:Songs with music by Elton John
Category:Songs with lyrics by Gary Osborne
Category:1978 songs
Category:The Rocket Record Company singles
Category:MCA Records singles
Category:Songs about infidelity
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