The album has a strong orchestral emphasis with string arrangements written by Anne Dudley and John's then backup keyboardist Guy Babylon. In 2006, John revealed in an interview that Bernie Taupin, his longtime friend and lyricist, considers this his least favourite album they have created, while John believes that to be Leather Jackets from 1986.[5] Taupin dislikes this album because of the overall quality of his lyrical contribution and because "the production is abysmally cold and technical".[5]
The album was dedicated to John's friend, popular fashion designer Gianni Versace, who was murdered a few months before the album's release. This was John's last album to date to be produced by Chris Thomas, who had worked with John almost nonstop since 1981's The Fox. This is the only album in which neither Davey Johnstone nor bassist Bob Birch (during his tenure as John's bassist from 1992–2012) provide backing vocals. Drummer Charlie Morgan was let go from the band shortly after the album's release and soon replaced by Curt Bisquera and John's original drummer Nigel Olsson, who remains in the lineup to this day.
"Live Like Horses" was originally recorded in 1994 and intended for John's previous studio album, Made in England, but lack of time for the inclusion ruled this out. The single version of the song, released in 1996, was a duet with Luciano Pavarotti, but the song is performed solo for this album. The version with Pavarotti was later included on the bonus disc edition of John's compilation Greatest Hits 1970–2002.
"Past Imperfect" and an alternate version of "Recover Your Soul" were completed by John for inclusion on The Big Picture. Both songs have yet to see official release.[6]
^Nielsen Business Media, Inc (11 October 1997). Billboard – 11 October – 1997. Retrieved 4 April 2012. elton john big picture.{{cite book}}: |last1= has generic name (help)