I Don't Wanna Go on with You Like That

"I Don't Wanna Go on with You Like That"
Single by Elton John
from the album Reg Strikes Back
B-side	"Rope Around a Fool"
Released	June 1988
Format	CD, vinyl record (7" and 12"), audio cassette
Recorded	1987-88
Genre	Pop, pop rock
Length	4:33
Label	Mercury
Writer(s)	Music: Elton John Lyrics: Bernie Taupin
Producer(s)	Chris Thomas
Elton John singles chronology
"Take Me to the Pilot" [live] (1988) "I Don't Wanna Go on with You Like That" (1988) "Town of Plenty" (1988)

"I Don't Wanna Go on with You Like That" is a hit song from British performer Elton John's 1988 album, Reg Strikes Back. The song was written by John and his long-time songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin. The song reached #30 on the UK Singles Chart. It fared better in the United States, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in August 1988, becoming John's biggest hit of the 1980s there (kept out of the top spot by fellow British singer and vocal collaborator George Michael's hit single "Monkey"). The song also became John's eighth #1 on the adult contemporary chart.^[1]

The song describes someone ending a relationship due to not feeling exclusive and important to their partner. The song was regularly played by John in concert during the 1990s, before he retired it in 2000.^[2]

There is also a 12" extended remix single of the song by Shep Pettibone released on vinyl during the song's initial release period. This remix appears on the CD box set compilation, To Be Continued..., released in 1990. The Just-Elton-and-His-piano mix of the song is also available (on the reissued 1999 version of the Reg Strikes Back album).

Track listings

7" single

1. "I Don't Wanna Go on with You Like That" — 4:32
2. "Rope Around a Fool" — 3:46

12" maxi

1. "I Don't Wanna Go on with You Like That" (Shep Pettibone 12" Mix) — 7:20
2. "I Don't Wanna Go on with You Like That" — 4:32
3. "Rope Around a Fool" — 3:46

CD maxi

1. "I Don't Wanna Go on with You Like That" — 4:33
2. "Rope Around a Fool" — 3:48
3. "I Don't Wanna Go on with You Like That" (Shep Pettibone 12" Mix) — 7:16

Personnel

• Elton John: Roland RD-1000 digital piano, lead and harmony vocals
• Davey Johnstone: acoustic guitar, backing vocals
• Fred Mandel: synthesizers
• Charlie Morgan: drums
• Dee Murray: backing vocals
• Nigel Olsson: backing vocals
• David Paton: bass

Chart performance

Weekly singles charts Chart (1988) Peak position Australian ARIA Singles Chart[3] 24 Austrian Singles Chart[3] 6 Canadian Singles Chart[4] 1 French SNEP Singles Chart[3] 19 German Singles Chart[5] 22 Irish Singles Chart[6] 25 New Zealand[7] 21 Swiss Singles Chart[3] 10 UK Singles Chart[8] 30 U.S. Billboard Hot 100[9] 2 U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks[9] 1 U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[9] 7 U.S. Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks[9] 13

Year-end charts Chart (1988) Rank Australia 97 Canada [10] 12 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 [11] 43

References

1. The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits, 6th Edition, 1996
2. http://www.setlist.fm/stats/songs/elton-john-63d6be6f.html?song=I+Don%27t+Wanna+Go+on+With+You+Like+That
3. "I Don't Wanna Go on with You Like That", in various singles charts Lescharts.com (Retrieved January 12, 2009)
4. "Image : RPM Weekly - Library and Archives Canada". Retrieved 27 June 2016.
5. German Singles Chart Charts-surfer.de (Retrieved January 12, 2009)
6. Irish Single Chart Irishcharts.ie (Retrieved January 12, 2009)
7. "ELTON JOHN - I DON'T WANNA GO ON WITH YOU LIKE THAT (SONG)". Retrieved 27 June 2016.
8. UK Singles Chart Chartstats.com (Retrieved January 12, 2009)
9. Billboard allmusic.com (Retrieved January 12, 2009)
10. http://hitsofalldecades.com/chart_hits/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=175&Itemid=49
11. http://www.musicoutfitters.com/topsongs/1988.htm