Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy national Top Albums chart and only broke a run of what would have been fifteen consecutive weeks at the top by falling one position to number 2 in the ninth week (31 May–6 September). On the UK Albums Chart, it peaked at number 2. In 2003, the album was ranked number 158 on "Rolling Stone" magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. This was the last album until "Too Low for Zero" that Elton John and his classic band would play on together. Written, according to lyricist Bernie Taupin, in chronological order, "Captain Fantastic" is a concept
Bernie Taupin lyrics for 10 songs (and an 11th completed non-album track "Across the River Thames") for John's 2006 album "The Captain & The Kid" (sequel to "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy") and appeared on the cover with him for the first time marking their 40th anniversary of working together. ("Across the River Thames" was issued as an Internet-only download as a bonus with certain editions of "The Captain & the Kid".) On 25 March 2007, Taupin made a surprise appearance at John's 60th birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden, briefly discussing their 40-year songwriting partnership. Of Taupin's importance to