Peak
18
Weeks
17
Score
2,009
Chart Year
1990
The accompanying music video for "Sacrifice" was directed by Alek Keshishian and starred supermodel Yasmeen Ghauri and singer-songwriter Chris Isaak.[8] The video, which follows the song's lyrics, portrays a man and woman having problems in their relationship after being married and raising a daughter. After they go their separate ways, the man raises his daughter alone.[9]
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 performs lyrics from this 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?"
It's a human sign When things go wrong When the scent of her lingers And temptation's strong Into the boundary Of each married man Sweet deceit comes callin' And negativity lands Cold, cold heart Hard done by you Some things look better, baby Just passin' through And it's no sacrifice Just a simple word It's two hearts living In two separate worlds But it's no sacrifice No sacrifice It's no sacrifice at all Mutual misunderstandin' After the fact Sensitivity builds a prison In the final act We lose direction No stone unturned No tears to damn you When jealousy burns Cold, cold heart Hard done by you Some things look better, baby Just passin' through And it's no sacrifice Just a simple word It's two hearts living In two separate worlds But it's no sacrifice No sacrifice It's no sacrifice at all Cold, cold heart Hard done by you Some things look better, baby Just passin' through And it's no sacrifice Just a simple word It's two hearts living In two separate worlds But it's no sacrifice No sacrifice It's no sacrifice at all No sacrifice at all No sacrifice at all No sacrifice at all No sacrifice at all
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 13, 1990 | 87 | 39 |
| 2 | Jan 20, 1990 | 80 | 46 |
| 3 | Jan 27, 1990 | 66 | 60 |
| 4 | Feb 3, 1990 | 45 | 81 |
| 5 | Feb 10, 1990 | 35 | 91 |
| 6 | Feb 17, 1990 | 28 | 98 |
| 7 | Feb 24, 1990 | 25 | 101 |
| 8 | Mar 3, 1990 | 22 | 104 |
| 9 | Mar 10, 1990 | 22 | 104 |
| 10 | Mar 17, 1990 | 19 | 107 |
| 11 | Mar 24, 1990 | 19 | 107 |
| 12 | Mar 31, 1990 | 18 | 108 |
| 13 | Apr 7, 1990 | 28 | 98 |
| 14 | Apr 14, 1990 | 45 | 81 |
| 15 | Apr 21, 1990 | 61 | 65 |
| 16 | Apr 28, 1990 | 70 | 56 |
| 17 | May 5, 1990 | 86 | 40 |