Elton John’s Greatest Songs
Elton John is a musical legend, with a recording career spanning over a whopping 50 years. He is remembered fondly for making plenty of music in genres ranging from soft blues to all kinds of rock.
Some of Elton John songs are etched forever in musical history and are still a part of the cultural canvas that we inhabit today.
Here are a few of Elton John’s most iconic songs in no particular order.
Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters: Honky Château (1972)
This song is from Elton John’s first record album to top the charts in the United States. The song is a lyric that impresses with its directness as well as the soul touching lyrics. The words echo with a feeling about the idea of dreams being nothing more than an illusion, and a reality that must be faced soon.
When Elton John starts the song singing “Now I know Spanish Harlem aren’t just pretty words to say”, he is talking about how he felt when he realized that New York is different from what it is romanticized to be.
Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word: Blue Moves (1976)
Elton John made this song one of the most painfully felt love songs when he first sang it in 1976. According to Bernie Taupin who collaborated with Elton John multiple times across the years, this song was the result of Elton John’s casual experimentation with his piano.
The song itself is one of the most powerful expressions in this age especially when it talks about that relatable feeling where one tries to save something despite knowing that it is already long gone. Modern lovers of music continue to listen and be moved by the beautifully expressed pathos in this song.
Don’t Go Breaking My Heart: Single (1976)
This fun song shot up to fame due to its catchy lyrics and a tune that people found that they couldn’t get out of their heads! Its success is marked by the fact that it made its way to the top charts in the United Kingdom and managed to hold that position for a month and a half.
Aside from its unique sound, this song has a fun history. It was written by John Elton and Bernie Taupin under clever pseudonyms made by Elton himself. The song itself was sung as a duet starring Elton John and Kiki Dee.
Bennie And The Jets: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
This song is characterized as a ‘loose rock and roll’ featuring a heavy variety of R;B traits. ‘Bennie and the Jets’ thus allowed Elton John to successfully tap into a different pool of audience.
Thematically, this song is a mixture of science fiction about a futuristic band of ‘rock and roll’ automatons. Being original and intriguing it is not hard to see why this particular song became one of Elton John’s greatest hits.
Candle In The Wind: Live In Australia (1974)
Elton John moved hearts of the masses with this enchanting song, initially written to celebrate the legacy of Marilyn Monroe. After the shocking death of Princess Diana in 1997, this song was rewritten to serve as an incredibly powerful tribute to the late personage.
I’m Still Standing: Too Low For Zero (1983)
This song was an icon of the age, written and performed in the maturity of Elton John’s career. This song has long since served as a mantra for getting back up after being hurt and refusing to give up. The themes are still largely relevant to this day and age, and have been featured in many forms of media ever since.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this round-up of Elton John’s most iconic hits, as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Elton John’s songs truly stand apart in terms of originality and artistic merit, and one can’t do anything but listen to them over and over again!
