Ice on Fire


Ice on Fire is the nineteenth studio album by Elton John. Recorded at Sol Studios and released in November 1985, it was his first album since Blue Moves produced by his original long-time producer, Gus Dudgeon. David Paton and Charlie Morgan appear for the first time on bass and drums respectively, replacing original band members Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson. Fred Mandel, who had played with John during the Breaking Hearts tour, also contributed guitar and keyboards.
George Michael, then of Wham!, appears on two tracks on the album: "Nikita" and "Wrap Her Up". Other notable guests include Nik Kershaw, Sister Sledge, Pino Palladino, Mel Gaynor and Millie Jackson, who duetted with John on "Act of War". Roger Taylor and John Deacon of Queen play drums and bass guitar on "Too Young".
The album was met with little praise, and only reached #48 on the US charts, although it reached #3 in the UK. "Nikita" and "Wrap Her Up" became top 20 hits, the former reaching #7 in the US and #3 in the UK. In the US it was certified gold in June 1986 by the RIAA.

Track listing

All songs written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, except where noted.

Side one

  1. "This Town" – 3:56
  2. "Cry to Heaven" – 4:16
  3. "Soul Glove" – 3:31
  4. "Nikita" – 5:43
  5. "Too Young" – 5:12

    Side two

  7. "Wrap Her Up" – 6:21
  8. "Satellite" – 3:57
  9. "Tell Me What the Papers Say" – 3:40
  10. "Candy by the Pound" – 3:56
  11. "Shoot Down the Moon" – 5:09
  2. "Act of War" – 4:43

    Bonus tracks (1999 Mercury reissue)

  4. "The Man Who Never Died" – 5:12
  5. "Restless" – 4:25
  6. "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" – 3:23
  7. "I'm Still Standing" – 4:52
The remastered 1999 version did not include "Act of War"; the 1999 remaster had a longer intro to "Satellite" than the LP and the 1985 CD issue, and has a slightly different vocal mix. The live version of "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" is not the version found on the 12" single of "Nikita", but is an unreleased version from 1977. It is unknown why the switch occurred. The other two live tracks were recorded at Wembley Stadium during the tour for the album Breaking Hearts.
According to Elizabeth Rosenthal in her book, His Songs: The Musical Journey of Elton John , the LP's closing track, "Shoot Down the Moon", was considered for the James Bond film A View to a Kill, but the producers instead decided to go with the title track as performed by Duran Duran.
"The Man Who Never Died" is a song written about John Lennon, in addition to "Empty Garden ", from Elton John's album Jump Up!

Personnel

Track numbering refers to CD and digital releases of the album.

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

certification Table Entry|title=Ice on Fire|artist=Elton John|type=album|relyear=1985|region=Germany|award=Gold