A Single Man LP and Leather Jackets LP: A 1978-80 Vinyl Pairing
By Elton John Official Store - Elton John Official Store | Published: 2026-10-31
Category: Buying Guides
Two late-70s Elton John 1LP reissues, A Single Man and Leather Jackets, compared for collectors deciding which to buy first and whether the pair is worth it.
Quick answer
Start with A Single Man LP if you want the 1978 turning point and its two best-known tracks; add Leather Jackets LP if you want the 1986 follow-up sound and a faithful Abbey Road cut. The pair works as a compact late-70s-to-mid-80s snapshot, not as a greatest-hits substitute.
Why these two albums sit together
A Single Man was the first Elton John album made without Bernie Taupin, and it yielded Part-Time Love and the almost-instrumental Song For Guy. Leather Jackets arrived in 1986 with Heartache All Over The World and Slow Rivers featuring Cliff Richard. Together they bracket a period of change rather than repeat the same sound.
Both are single-LP reissues in the 1LP category, so shelf space and listening time stay modest. If you already own the big 1970s titles, this pairing fills a specific gap without duplicating your core collection.
What the catalog tells you and what it does not
The supplied catalog confirms A Single Man is faithfully repackaged to the original. Leather Jackets is remastered at Lurssen Mastering, cut at Abbey Road Studios, and faithful to the original track listing and packaging. Those details matter for buyers who care about mastering and sleeve fidelity.
The catalog does not list pressing weight, vinyl color, or bonus tracks for either title. Treat those as unknowns and check the product page before ordering if any of them would change your decision.
The trade-off: era sound versus familiar hits
A Single Man carries the stronger narrative hook because it is the only original album completely without Taupin, and its two hits are widely recognized. Leather Jackets is a later, more polished 1980s record; buyers who want the classic 1970s band sound may find it a step outside their comfort zone.
Neither reissue is a compilation. If you want a single disc of familiar singles, a hits collection serves you better. If you want to hear how Elton's writing changed across the late 70s and into the mid-80s, the pair does that job.
Decision rules for buying the pair
- If you want the historical turning point: Buy A Single Man LP first. It is the only original album completely without Bernie Taupin and contains Part-Time Love and Song For Guy.
- If you want the 1980s Elton sound: Buy Leather Jackets LP first. It is the 1986 album with Heartache All Over The World and Slow Rivers featuring Cliff Richard, remastered at Lurssen and cut at Abbey Road.
- If you are building a small late-70s shelf: Buy both. Each is a single LP, so the pair adds two discs rather than a box set, and they cover 1978 and 1986 without overlapping track lists. Check the product pages for pressing weight or color before ordering, since the catalog does not list them.
- If you only want familiar singles: Skip both and choose a hits compilation instead. These are studio albums, not greatest-hits records.
Product facts at a glance
- A Single Man LP: The only original Elton John album completely without Bernie Taupin, faithfully repackaged to the original. Buy it if the Taupin-free turning point is the reason you collect, not just the two hits.
A Single Man LP - Leather Jackets LP: Remastered at Lurssen Mastering and cut at Abbey Road Studios, with the original track listing and packaging. Choose it if you want a later-era album with a documented mastering and cutting chain.
Leather Jackets LP
Who should buy which
Best for
- Collectors who want the Taupin-free 1978 album and its two best-loved tracks
- Listeners building a compact late-70s-to-mid-80s Elton John vinyl shelf
- Buyers who value documented mastering and cutting details on a reissue
Not for
- Shoppers who want a single-disc greatest-hits collection
- Collectors who only want the classic 1970s band-era albums
- Buyers who need confirmed pressing weight or vinyl color before purchase
