Originally released in 1989, ‘Sacrifice’ stalled at number 55 in the UK charts before British DJ Steve Wright began to feature it on his popular afternoon show. The song was re-released in 1990 as a double-A side with ‘Healing Hands’ and topped the chart that summer, both songs also feature on the album ‘Sleeping With The Past’, which was also initially panned by critics but is now regarded among some of the song-writing duo’s best work.
Some have interpreted ‘Sacrifice’ as a song about the end of a relationship but, as Taupin explained in an interview with ‘Music Connection’ magazine: ‘It’s a simple lyric, but it’s an intelligent, adult lyric. It’s basically about the rigors of adult love.’ Taupin also rates it as one of the best songs he has ever written and with regular airtime on radio stations it’s gentle and memorable melody have made ‘Sacrifice’ an instantly recognisable, timeless classic.
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 calling
And negativity lands
Cold, cold heart
Hard done by you
Some things look better, baby
Just passing 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 misunderstanding
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
