The song describes how hard it is to stay faithful and devoted in a marriage, challenging the mantra that a successful union requires sacrifice.

The song was then re-released as a double A-side single, along with "Healing Hands", and reached number one in the UK in June 1990.

Elton's in subdued, wistful mood — it's a ballad, and that's where his strength lies these days — but it bears the stamp of true songwriting genius, the innate sense of which chord goes next to make the most interesting tune.

"[7] Much more critical, Iestyn George of Record Mirror described "Sacrifice" as "a hackneyed old ballad written by Bernie Taupin (also responsible for one of Cliff Richard's recent aberrations) which is blown out of all proportion in the production suite".

[8] The accompanying music video for "Sacrifice" was directed by Alek Keshishian and starred supermodel Yasmeen Ghauri and singer-songwriter Chris Isaak.