Too Low For Zero is the seventeenth studio album by British singer/songwriter Elton John, released in 1983. For the first time since Blue Moves in 1976, all lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin, who has continued in this role to the present day. At the insistence of Taupin, Elton decided to go back to basics and returned to working with Taupin full time. Elton also reunited with the core of his backing band of the early 70s: Dee Murray, Nigel Olsson and Davey Johnstone. The album was produced by Chris Thomas and recorded at Air Studios in Montserrat and Sunset Sound Recorders in Hollywood. The original LP issue of the album featured a die-cut cover with a special innersleeve. The four shapes shown on the cover were cut out, with the colors (shown as ink smears on the innersleeve) showing through the holes.