Caffé Latté presents... THE TOP 100 ELTON JOHN SONGS. This post: #30-21. Continues: tomorrow.

Celebrating Elton John’s 70th birthday on March 25 and a half century of songwriting with Bernie Taupin (for the Top 50 tracks, assume they were written by this talented duo unless otherwise stated) with a retrospective highlighting: THE 100 GREATEST SONGS OF ELTON JOHN

30 SONG FOR GUY Year: 1978 Album: A Single Man Elton composed the instrumental (except for the 1 line: "Life isn't everything") "Song For Guy" for his album 'A Single Man'. Its title refers to 17 year old Guy Burchett. The youth was working for Elton as a messenger boy when he was killed on his motorcycle.

29 SAD SONGS (SAY SO MUCH) Year: 1984 Album: Breaking Hearts With a catalogue brimming with classic ballads, a hit entitled "Sad Songs (Say So Much)" was apt for Elton. The single reached the Top 10 in America, Britain, parts of Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

28 PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM Year: 1975 Album: -- Tennis player Billie Jean King inspired "Philadelphia Freedom". The R&B- leaning track reached #1 in America and Canada. It also peaked in the Top 5 in Australia and New Zealand.

27 I GUESS THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT THE BLUES Year: 1983 Album: Too Low For Zero Guitarist Davey Johnstone co-wrote "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" with Bernie Taupin and Elton. The track features the legendary Stevie Wonder on harmonica. In America, Britain, Australia and Canada, the single made the Top 10.

26 NIKITA Year: 1985 Album: Ice On Fire East met West amid the tension of the Cold War on "Nikita". The love song involves love between a westerner and a Russian. Nik Kershaw performed electric guitar. George Michael contributed backing vocals. The single proved a smash in Europe, America, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and on the African continent.

25 SATURDAY NIGHT'S  ALRIGHT FOR FIGHTING Year: 1973 Album: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Elton has never sounded rougher or tougher than on the rock staple "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting".  The anthemic track peaked at #7 on the UK chart.

24 ISLAND GIRL Year: 1975 Album: Rock Of The Westies "Island Girl" topped the US Hot 100 for 3 weeks. The single was succeeded by Neil Sedaka's "Bad Blood". Elton sang background vocals on that #1. The former single was lifted off the 'Rock Of The Westies' album, which became Elton's 2nd to debut at #1 in America.

23 DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART Year: 1976 Album: -- British singer Kiki Dee was signed to Elton's label Rocket Records when she recorded the duet "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" with him. It became the 1st UK #1 for both performers. The song also reached the top in the USA, Canada, parts of Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

22 COME DOWN IN TIME Year: 1970 Album: Tumbleweed Connection Taupin's simple but carefully selected lyrics enhance the beauty of this delicate ballad.

21 BENNIE AND THE JETS Year: 1973 Album: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road The funky pop hit "Bennie And The Jets" was about a fictional adrogynous band. It was particularly popular in North America, topping both the US and Canadian charts.