"Ball & Chain" is a song by English musician Elton John with lyrics by Gary Osborne. It is the third track on his 1982 album Jump Up! and was released as a single in the United States in September that year. It features Pete Townshend of The Who on acoustic guitar. Osborne added some French words into the song. In 1985, Country music artist Kathy Mattea covered the song on her second album From My Heart.

Musical structure

The song opens with Townshend's percussive guitar playing, and subtle piano from Elton. The song then builds to a climactic finish, placing the final verse one octave higher.

Release

It was released in the US in September 1982 without charting and was performed by John during the 1982 leg of his Jump Up Tour. Billboard called it "plain good fun, with a buoyant rhythm guitar and crisp production."

Music video

A promotional video was made for this song featuring John singing the song without playing piano with his classic band performing in a white background.

Charts

Personnel