"Heartache All Over the World" is an upbeat song by English musician Elton John from his 20th studio album, Leather Jackets (1986). Written by John and Bernie Taupin, it was released as the album's lead single in September 1986, charting at number 45 in the UK Singles Chart and at number 55 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and reaching the top 10 in Australia, where it peaked at number 7. The song talks about not being able to date for a night.[1]
John performed the song four times during his Tour De Force tour in Australia in 1986, which is notable for John's problems with his vocal cords during that time.[2]
"Heartache All Over the World" reached number 45 in the UK Singles Chart and stayed on the chart for four weeks,[3][4] number 55 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 58 in Canada, making this song one of the worst-charting singles in John's career. However, the song found better success in Belgium (No. 26),[5] Ireland (No. 24), New Zealand (No. 22)[6] and notably Australia, peaking at number 7.
Billboard said that the lyrics are "of the 'lonely teenager' school" and the overdubs are "out of the Spector handbook."[7]Cash Box said it has a "a perky groove" after a "high-tech/rap intro."[8]
In 2001, Elton John regarded "Heartache All Over the World" as the worst song he had ever recorded, calling it "pretty insubstantial".[9] On his 2019 autobiography Me, he described the song as "lightweight".[10]
The music video, directed by Mike Brady, features John and his band playing the song in a stage-like background. It also includes clips from mid-1940s movies and some historical events.[11]
