"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" has music by Elton John and lyrics by Bernie Taupin. Written in January 1974 in a ten-day period with the other songs for Caribou, Elton John's eighth studio album, recorded at Caribou Ranch, it was released as the album's first single on 24 May 1974 in the UK and 10 June 1974 in the US, with "Sick City" as the B-side. Produced by Gus Dudgeon, the 5:35 track is orchestral pop, with a horn arrangement by Del Newman and chorus backing vocals by Carl Wilson, Bruce Johnston, Billy Hinsche and Toni Tennille.
In the UK it reached number 16, while in the US it spent two weeks at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 from 27 July 1974, behind "Annie's Song". It was number one in Canada, earned RIAA Gold certification and received Grammy nominations in 1975 for Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male. The best-known later version is a live duet by Elton John and George Michael, first performed together at Live Aid, Wembley, in July 1985, which topped the UK chart in 1991 and the US chart in 1992.
