Singersroom, an R&B magazine, has come up with what they consider to be Elton’s ten best songs of all time. Among them is Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, which has been making news–for a sad reason.
Elton dedicated the song to Derek Draper and his wife, TV presenter Kate Garraway, when they attended one of his O2 concerts in London, England, last year. Derek was suffering from long Covid, and had been released from the hospital.
Kate wrote at the time that the performance lifted their spirits and made them feel like anything was possible.
Unfortunately, the former political adviser had to return to the hospital, and endured more setbacks. On Friday, Kate announced that her husband, who was 56, had died. Elton sent his love and thoughts to the family.
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Another tune singled out by Singersroom is Rocket Man. It’s on the charts again, as last week it surpassed one billion streams on Spotify.
‘Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)’ by @eltonofficial (Elton John) has surpassed 1 BILLION streams on @Spotify. pic.twitter.com/vpuFQhZfy7
— Charts & Certifications Freaks (@ChartCertFreaks) January 1, 2024
Tiny Dancer is also on Singersroom’s list. Elton and Britney Spears enjoyed a hit with their revamped version, Hold Me Closer. Elton hoped it would boost Britney’s confidence after she endured at least a decade of conservatory. He also looked forward to teaming up again–this time in person, since Hold Me Closer was recorded in separate studios.
While Britney thanked Elton for the ”cool song” and for believing in her, she apparently has had a change of heart. Although there’s been chatter about a Britney Spears album, the singer denied this, even going on to claim she is quitting the music industry.
Elton’s final tour was a lucrative one. According to The Sun, Elton earned £118,600 a day during the course of the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. It took him a couple of months, though, to pay off a debt to Gary-Lineker, who used to play for Leicester City. Elton joked that he was short on funds. Gary and Elton, a longtime Watford supporter, made bets when their respective teams went up against each other in November–which resulted in a 2-0 victory for Leicester.
Never let it be said that @eltonofficial doesn’t pay his debts. Leicester 2 Watford 0. 👊🏻 pic.twitter.com/CaoJf6SfTo
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) January 1, 2024
As noted in Elton-Blog-52, Elton appeared on the BBC‘s Football Focus last year. He told Lineker about the highs and lows of owning a football club. Elton, who used to go on scouting missions with Watford manager Graham Taylor, said, ”You need to be able to dream.” It helped the Hornets and other teams get to places ”they never thought they would be.” That’s certainly the case with Elton’s career.
An Elton John Band veteran appears on Bob James‘ Come Into My Dream. So John-Mahon is chuffed that his friend’s album, Jazz Hands, has received a Best Contemporary Instrumental nomination. David P. Marchione, Bob’s assistant and recording engineer, told the Elton Blog that Dave Koz plays saxophone on the same track as Mahon.
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David, incidentally, was the drummer in Bright-Light-Bright‘s band when they opened for Elton. While one hears ”wild stories in the industry about attitudes and egos,” Elton and his team were ”nothing but fun and smiles” during the 2015-2016 tour.
David recalled Elton joking about almost getting high at one show where there was a good deal of marijuana smoke wafting through the crowd. David’s fondest memory is when Elton said, ”I hear your parents are coming to the show in Denver.”
Dave’s dad–also named David-Marchione–has played alongside Mahon for a long time. They are both from Ohio, and have performed previously with Bob James. He plays guitar on a portion of Jazz Hands, including Come Into My Dreams.
I was indeed very sad to learn that Derek Draper had lost his battle. I was at the O2 concert last April where Elton called out Derek and Katie and also Lulu who was in the crowd. She had told me on Easter Sunday she would be attending! Our condolences to Katie and family.
* I mean Lulu told me Easter Sunday