Elton John, 2018

Elton John

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Elton John Discography: Icon Reflects On His Personal Favorite Albums

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Find out which classic albums from his own discography the GRAMMY winner holds closest to his heart
Brian Haack
GRAMMYs
Apr 2, 2018 - 6:11 pm

With next week's televised concert special "Elton John: I'm Still Standing — A GRAMMY Tribute" fast approaching, we asked the GRAMMY-winning icon himself to take us through a bit of history from his illustrious career.

Elton John Picks His Own Favorite Albums

With a catalogue of more than 30 solo studio releases, as well as several award-winning film and stage soundtracks and a handful of live performance recordings to his name, we wanted to know: does Elton John have any favorites among his vast discography?

His answers might surprise you. While some of John's best-known and beloved albums might comprise selections like 1972's Honky Château  — the album responsible for the classic hit "Rocket Man" — or even the profound GRAMMY-winning soundtrack to The Lion King, John's personal favorites veered toward the records that have perhaps flown a bit further under the radar.

"I love things like [1976's] Blue Moves, [1971's] Madman [Across The Water], [2001's] Songs From The West Coast," John explains. "The other [albums] speak for themselves…some of them didn't have that many singles on them, they just have different shades of my work on them."

Going on to reflect on the era he considers his defining decade, John pointed his finger squarely at the 1970s; "Everyone was playing with everybody, there was fusion everywhere… I grew up through, and recorded through, the most creative period in the history of popular music."

"Elton John: I'm Still Standing — A GRAMMY Salute" will feature performances by some of music's biggest names, including Ed Sheeran, Alessia Cara, Miley Cyrus, Kesha, Lady Gaga, Miranda Lambert, John Legend, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Sam Smith, SZA, and many more.

Tune in April 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT for this two-hour concert special, only on CBS.

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Elton John, 2018

Elton John

Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images

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Elton John: 7 Of His Best Songs From The Screen & Stage

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From "Friends" to "Can You Feel The Love Tonight," take a look back at seven of the GRAMMY legend's most beloved film and stage compositions
Brian Haack
GRAMMYs
Apr 12, 2018 - 5:43 pm

On April 10, the Recording Academy celebrated the career and legacy of one of music's most enduring voices with the two-hour concert special "Elton John: I'm Still Standing — A GRAMMY Salute."

The Lyrical Longevity Of Elton John, "Border Song"

With moving tribute performance by some of the biggest names in music, including Ed Sheeran, Alessia Cara, Lady Gaga, Miranda Lambert, John Legend, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Sam Smith, SZA, and many more, the program was a unique retrospective on the GRAMMY-winner's illustrious career.

Along with penning some of the most beloved pop and rock hits of all time, John has garnered wide acclaim as a prolific composer for film and musical theater. Writing for all manner of live-action and animated films, as well as internationally-touring theater productions, he has been responsible for some of the most recognized musical numbers of a generation. Take a look back at seven of his most iconic pieces written for the stage and screen.

"Friends": Friends (Film)

The official soundtrack to the 1971 teen-romance drama Friends was John's earliest foray into composing for film, and also just the fourth album he released in his long career. Though critics at the time panned the film for its (in their opinion) lurid portrayal of the sexual awakening of two runaway youths set against the backdrop of the idyllic countryside of southern France, the title song from the soundtrack managed to climb into the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100. The soundtrack also earned John his fourth career GRAMMY nomination — Best Original Score Written For A Motion Picture Or A Television Special — at the 14th GRAMMY Awards.

"Electricity": Billy Elliot (Musical Theater)

Producers for the 2005 stage adaptation of the dramatic film Billy Elliott tapped John to compose new musical numbers that chart the title character's journey of self-discovery as he puts down his boxing gloves in favor of ballet slippers during the 1984–1985 English coal miners' strike. The stage musical received near-universal acclaim in the U.K. upon its opening. John's recording of "Electricity," written as Billy Elliott's climatic final solo number of the play, was released as a single and peaked at No. 4 on the U.K. Singles chart.

"Written In The Stars" feat. LeAnn Rimes: Aida (Musical Theater)

Elton John And Tim Rice's Aida was a 1999 concept album centering around music the duo had written to soundtrack the forthcoming stage musical adaptation of the classic Giuseppe Verdi opera Aida. The album's lead single "Written In The Stars," featuring LeAnn Rimes, climbed into the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at No. 2 on the Adult Contemporary chart. The album itself won John and Rice the GRAMMY for Best Music Show Album at the 43rd GRAMMY Awards. It was John's fifth overall win of his career, and also the same year he was recognized with the prestigious GRAMMY Legend award.

"Friends Never Say Goodbye": The Road To El Dorado (Film)

The soundtrack to the 2000 animated family comedy The Road To El Dorado was another notable collaboration between John and Rice, this time with the added support of Hans Zimmer.  The song "Friends Never Say Goodbye" perfectly captures the lighthearted sentiment of this buddy film, and actually featured uncredited backing vocals by none other than the Backstreet Boys, whose names had to be left of the official track credits for unknown reasons. Nevertheless, John made sure to thank the band the liner notes for the soundtrack, and their voices can be clearly heard in swelling harmony on the song's chorus.

"The Muse": The Muse (Film)

The music for writer/director Albert Brooks' comedic existential-crisis film The Muse marked a departure of sorts for John in terms of film composing, in that all but one of the songs he wrote for the movie were solely instrumental.  The title song "The Muse" constitutes the only vocal track on the complete film score, and was co-written by John's longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin. The album release of the score also contains a notable remix of "The Muse" orchestrated by GRAMMY-winning producer/songwriter Jermaine Dupri.

"Hello Hello": Gnomeo & Juliet (Film)

The Beatles-esque "Hello Hello," from the official score to the 2011 animated family comedy Gnomeo & Juliet, is the opening track for the album release of the film's soundtrack, and one of just two new compositions that John contributed to the film – his other seven offerings being new renditions from his classic songbook, such as "Rocket Man," "Tiny Dancer" and "Bennie And The Jets." The version of the song used in the film itself is actually a duet sung with Lady Gaga; however, the official audio release of the film's soundtrack features on John himself.

"Can You Feel The Love Tonight": The Lion King (Film & Musical Theater)

Handing out the honors for "best-known" and "best-loved" soundtrack among the works written by an artist whose creative output is as vast as Elton John's is difficult, but in the case of the official score for The Lion King — both the 1994 animated film and 1997 stage musical adaptation — the decision to pick a favorite is easily made. Once again collaborating with frequent writing partner, Tim Rice, John composed a hugely acclaimed soundtrack that generated a total of five GRAMMY nominations at the 37th GRAMMY Awards, with "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" ultimately taking home GRAMMY gold for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.

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Lady Gaga at "Elton John: I'm Still Standing— A GRAMMY Tribute"

Lady Gaga

Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images

Poll

Lady Gaga, Shawn Mendes, Kesha: Favorite Elton John Tribute Performance? | Poll

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So, you watched the Elton John GRAMMY special on CBS? Cast your vote on your favorite performance
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Apr 10, 2018 - 10:55 pm

"Don't you know I'm still standing better than I ever did."

Isn't that the truth? Elton John's amazing medley of "Bennie And The Jets," "Philadelphia Freedom" and "I'm Still Standing" sure put the perfect exclamation point on "Elton John: I'm Still Standing — A GRAMMY Tribute."

Polls

Did you watch "Elton John: I'm Still Standing — A GRAMMY Tribute"? Which was your favorite tribute performance?

Prior to John's emotional finale, an all-star troupe of artists paid homage to the GRAMMY-winning icon with spirited performances of hits spanning his vast catalog.

Let's see, there was Little Big Town in perfect harmony on "Rocket Man," Lady Gaga upping the ante on "Your Song," Kesha giving the feels on "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," SZA and Shawn Mendes' chilling "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," Ed Sheeran unplugging for "Candle In The Wind," and Sam Smith's chilling reading of "Daniel."

Kesha On Growing Up Listening To Elton John

And what about those performances by Alessia Cara, Miley Cyrus, Miranda Lambert, John Legend, Chris Martin, and Maren Morris?

It's no doubt a tough call, but we want to know: Which Elton John tribute performance was your favorite? Make sure to cast your vote!

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Elton John photographed at "Elton John: I'm Still Standing — A GRAMMY Tribute"

Elton John

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Elton John: GRAMMY Special, Tribute Albums A "Huge Compliment"

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The man of the hour reflects on a younger generation of artists paying tribute to his catalog and the "Elton John: I'm Still Standing — A GRAMMY Tribute" special
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Apr 10, 2018 - 9:54 am

Though he is set to embark on a three-year farewell tour, it's a good gamble that Elton John's rich catalog of classic songs will still be standing for many years beyond.

Elton John Talks GRAMMY Special, Tribute Albums

As a testament to John's legacy, "Elton John: I'm Still Standing — A GRAMMY Tribute" will air on Tuesday, April 10 on CBS at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The two-hour concert special will feature a variety of superstars — including Ed Sheeran, Alessia Cara, Maren Morris, and Kesha — covering a treasure trove of favorites from the "Rocket Man" singer/songwriter's catalog.

Providing a nostalgic complementary bookend of sorts, John's songs recently received a fresh facelift in the form of a pair of tribute albums.

Revamp: The Songs Of Elton John And Bernie Taupin features 13 fresh spins on John's pop classics, including Lady Gaga ("Your Song"), Pink and Logic ("Bennie And The Jets"), Queens Of The Stone Age ("Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"), Q-Tip featuring Demi Lovato ("Don't Go Breaking My Heart"), and Mary J. Blige ("Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word").

Meanwhile, Restoration: The Songs Of Elton John And Bernie Taupin culls 13 selections infused with some country twang, including the likes of Miranda Lambert ("My Father's Gun"), Willie Nelson ("Border Song"), Kacey Musgraves ("Roy Rogers"), Chris Stapleton ("I Want Love"), and Miley Cyrus ("The B**** Is Back").

Miranda Lambert's Crazy Connection To Elton John

Both collections were released April 6, and as it turns out some of the tribute album artists will perform their selection on the GRAMMY special. This synergy of gratitude and love has John over the moon.

"When anyone sings your song, it's a huge compliment," said John, also speaking on behalf of his longtime songwriting partner, Bernie Taupin. "For all these artists to have come together and voluntarily agreed to do this [special and] record, without much cajoling I have to say, is a huge tribute to us. And it gives me a warm feeling.

"Here I am, 71 years old, and these great, young artists are singing our songs. … I'm always thinking that a good song would crossover to anybody, anywhere."

"Elton John: I'm Still Standing — A GRAMMY Tribute" will feature performances by some of music's biggest names, including Lady Gaga, Lambert, John Legend, Little Big Town, Chris Martin, Morris, Sam Smith, SZA, and more.

Tune in April 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT for this two-hour concert special, only on CBS.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Kesha

Kesha

Photo: Robby Klein/Getty Images

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Kesha Praises Elton John After Performing "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"

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The GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter shows deep reverence for John after taking the stage to deliver her version of one of his biggest hits
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Apr 9, 2018 - 2:07 pm

There's no shortage of pressure in singing a song everyone knows in front of the musical legends who wrote it. This was Kesha's challenge when she took the stage for "Elton John: I'm Still Standing — A GRAMMY Salute" to sing one of Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin's biggest hits, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road."

Kesha On Growing Up Listening To Elton John

The GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter was understandably overwhelmed when we caught up with her just after her show-stopping performance. Her reverence for the man and the moment were very apparent.

"That was insane, having Elton John just watch me perform one of his most famous songs ever. That was thrilling. I'm shaking that was so exciting," said Kesha. "It was an honor."

Kesha recently earned her first two career GRAMMY nominations and delivered one of the most talked-about performances of the 60th GRAMMY Awards with her heartfelt delivery of "Praying" on Music's Biggest Night. For all her success today, the singer still recalls listening to John as a child, and she took a moment to reflect on how performing for him now made her feel. 

"He's a legend, he's an icon, he's like a music god. Music for me is my one true love, so having someone I've looked up to since I was a little kid, and listening to his records and studying his melodies like they're the word of god," says Kesha. "And then getting to sing one of his songs is just… kind of having me a little tongue-tied and speechless."

Kesha joins a superstar lineup of artists paying tribute to Elton John at the upcoming television special, including Ed  Sheeran, Alessia Cara, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Miranda Lambert, John Legend, Little Big Town, Chris Martin, Maren Morris, Sam Smith, and SZA.

"Elton John: I'm Still Standing — A GRAMMY Salute" concert special airs on April 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, only on CBS.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"