After 55 years as a rock star and over 60 as a musician, one might think there’s nothing more a man like Elton John could offer the world. He retired from touring at the peak of his prowess, and arguably, his performance at the 2023 Glastonbury Festival was the highlight of his career. I saw his last show in Stockholm later that year, and he had the stamina of a bull, even if he had some difficulty navigating the stairs to the stage.
Since then, the man has lost sight in one eye and can hardly see out of the other. Growing older is not easy, yet he has the spirit to acknowledge that he has lived a wonderful life, has a loving family now, and looks forward to what lies ahead.
I’ve never been a huge fan of Elton John’s collaborations. Even the album with Leon Russell… I listened to it, but it didn’t feel like an Elton John album. I had a similar response to his various collaborative projects and musicals, none of which have excited me much. I’ve always preferred the traditional Elton John/Bernie Taupin albums, so I approached this new album with Brandi Carlile with some trepidation.
Like anyone his age, Elton John has reached the point where you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. I understand he had some nervousness about making yet another solo album, which is reasonable because, at some point, they all start to sound very similar. I was a massive fan of The Diving Board album because it was one of his best, right up there with Madman Across the Water. However, the follow-up album, Wonderful Crazy Night, was just more of the same material that began to sound like everything else.
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Elton and Bernie, and today my interest lies perhaps more in what Bernie has to say. I understand how Elton writes music, so it’s the lyrics that intrigue me most from these later albums. With this brand-new album, it’s initially difficult to discern which lyrics Bernie contributed, given the number of people involved.
Maybe I’m just getting old (aren’t we all?) – I wasn’t ready for music that could inspire me to feel young again. The album cover suggests that we are kids going to the circus. And that’s exactly what it feels like when you start the album – we’re off to the circus, and we are going to have a great time, like going to Disneyland for the first time as a child. This is a joyful album.
The song “Never Too Late” didn’t resonate with me when the documentary was released, as I wasn’t a big fan of either the documentary or the Rocketman film. However, after hearing the song tonight and reading the lyrics, I realized the message is powerful: None of us are too old to pursue what we desire and find joy in our lives through it.
Here are some of the highlights for me.
The Rose of Laura Nyro
I remember Elton speaking about Laura Nyro on the short-lived television show Spectacle, hosted by Elvis Costello. Elton discussed how Laura Nyro influenced him. She had a unique approach to songwriting, and he compared her style to what he did in his song “Burn Down the Mission,” with its highs and lows.
Little Richard’s Bible
This song intrigues me because it appears to be a sympathetic yet raucous homage to Little Richard’s rock’ n’ roll genius, highlighting his disavowal of the past and conversion to faith. Many musicians can relate.
Swing for the Fences
This is excellent stuff. It’s easy to spot that this is an original Bernie Taupin lyric:
Go on and swing for the fences
Take a shot at the moon
A dandelion that dances
Takes chances and fancies every little light in the room
Don’t hold your shoulders like a high school dance
A white flag holder in a hopeless romance…
The River Man
This is another excellent Taupin lyric (my educated guess) that captivates the listener from the first notes. Sure, it’s a collaborative duet, but this one rocks. Do I hear a country rock crossover hit here?
At 78, we should be grateful for any album Elton decides to produce at this age and in his condition. If this is the last one, let’s celebrate with a party, as this surely sounds like a trip to Disneyland, the circus, and the best party in LA. I didn’t expect to enjoy it so much, but perhaps that reveals more about me than the album. The album brims with fun and joy if you choose to embrace that youthful exuberance in your life. And that’s a wonderful gift from a 78-year-old. Long may he continue.
