He Who Rides the Tiger


He Who Rides the Tiger is the 1980 second solo album by longtime Elton John lyricist, Bernie Taupin. It is his follow-up effort following his 1971 spoken word album Taupin. Taupin co-wrote all the songs in the album with the Buckinghams former guitarist Dennis Tufano and sang lead vocals in all of them. Although the album was recorded during a time when John and Taupin had interrupted their collaboration, John lent backing vocals on "Love ". The album was re-released on CD by American Beat Records on March 10, 2009.

Critical reception

In a review of May 3, 1980, Billboard said that the album's "biggest strength lies in his lyrics" and that "Taupin isn't a bad vocalist," but his vocals "become a bit too stagnant."

Track listing

All songs written by Bernie Taupin and Dennis Tufano.
  1. "Monkey on My Back "
  2. "Born on the Fourth of July"
  3. "Venezuela"
  4. "Approaching Armageddon"
  5. "Lover's Cross"
  6. "Blitz Babies"
  7. "Valley Nights"
  8. "Love "
  9. "The Whores of Paris"

Personnel