Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy is the ninth album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1975 (see 1975 in music). It debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart.

The album is an autobiographical look at the struggles John and lyricist Bernie Taupin had in the early years of their career.

"Philadelphia Freedom" was originally released as a single only but is included as a bonus track on the remastered CD reissue. The song was dedicated to tennis player Billie Jean King, who coached a tennis team called the Philadelphia Freedoms.

Track listing

all songs by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, except where noted

1. "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy" - 5:46
2. "Tower of Babel" - 4:28
3. "Bitter Fingers" - 4:34
4. "Tell Me When the Whistle Blows" - 4:20
5. "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" - 6:45
6. "(Gotta Get A) Meal Ticket" - 4:01
7. "Better Off Dead" - 2:37
8. "Writing" - 3:40
9. "We All Fall in Love Sometimes" - 4:11
10. "Curtains" - 6:40
11. "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" [*] (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) - 6:18
12. "One Day (At a Time)" [*] (Lennon) - 3:49
13. "Philadelphia Freedom" [*] - 5:23

* bonus tracks on remastered CD reissue

Personnel

• Elton John - synthesizer, piano, strings, harpsichord, keyboard, electric piano, vocals, clavinet, harmony vocals, mellotron, ARP, string ensemble, lum-de-lums
• Ray Cooper - percussion, bongos, conga, cymbals, gong, tambourine, triangle, bells, shaker, jawbone, bell tree
• David Hentschel - synthesizer, keyboard, ARP
• Davey Johnstone - synthesizer, acoustic guitar, guitar, mandolin, piano, electric guitar, vocals, background vocals
• Dee Murray - bass, background vocals
• Nigel Olsson - drums, background vocals

Production

• Producers: Gus Dudgeon, Greg Penny
• Engineer: Jeff Guercio
• Mixing: Greg Penny
• Remixing: Gus Dudgeon, Phil Dunne
• Remastering: Tony Cousins
• Assistant: Mark Guercio
• Digital transfers: Ricky Graham
• Surround sound: Greg Penny
• Orchestral arrangements: Gene Page
• Art direction: David Larkham, Bernie Taupin
• Graphic conception: David Larkham, Bernie Taupin
• Cover design: Alan Aldridge
• Package design: David Larkham
• Illustrations: Alan Aldridge
• Liner notes: John Tobler

Charts

Album - Billboard (North America)

Singles - Billboard (North America)