Elton John Covers — Six Pack Playlist
The Rocket Man’s farewell tour has spawned two full-length cover albums. What artists do we think are missing?
Revamp & Restoration: Reimagining the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin was released in the past week, offering recordings of some of the duos most enduring work by an eclectic mix of artists. From Willie Nelson to Lady Gaga, Mumford and Sons to Miranda Lambert, Sam Smith to the Killers, and a dizzying roster in-between, there is quite literally something for everyone.
Elton has embarked on his final tour; a prolonged, flourishing bow to the millions of adoring fans whose lives he has changed with his music. On Tuesday night, CBS will air a live concert special devoted to his work.
As we so often do here, we started thinking about what songs we would want to hear in this conversation. We have compiled six more covers that we’d love to hear. Elton’s body of work is so vast, and so wildly successful, that there is no reason a whole mess of these cover albums couldn’t keep turning out.
Bennie and the Jets
Gallant
If you haven’t heard of Gallant already, do yourself a favor and throw Weight in Gold into your headphones.
Now imagine that guy sitting at the top of the ladder where those high notes at the end of Bennie and the Jets live.
Harmony
Lady Antebellum
Elton’s music has always had the slightest twinge of country music sensibility. A denizen of the Honky Chateau, as it were. There are a litany of covers of his work from the cowboy-hat-wearin’-type, with a particularly good turn from Zac Brown Band on the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album track, Harmony.
An unexplored progression of this song is the pairing of a man and woman, working together to ask the questions posed in Bernie Taupin’s lyrics. There’s an adversarial tone at the song’s outset:
Hello, baby hello
Haven’t seen your face for a while
Have you quit doing time for me?
Or are you still the same spoiled child?
Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott and Charles Kelley have made a career out of harmonizing, and this song would be in their wheelhouse. Check out this clip of the band covering Tom Petty’s Learning To Fly.
Circle of Life
John Legend
There’s an obvious symmetry between Elton John and John Legend. Sitting behind their grand pianos, they allow their distinctive voices to take complete ownership of whatever ballad they come across.
Legend’s voice clocks in at a register that is more neighborly to the latter stages of Elton’s career. The Lion King soundtrack marked a transitional phase, a clear line separating Elton eras long past.
The song’s cresendo; that barreling, sonic stampede, just sounds like Legend.
I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues
Justin Timberlake
Over the past 20 years, we have all watched JT grow from boy band to Man of the Woods. He was the standout member of the 90s best boy band, and hasn’t let up since. JT is one of those performers that rises to the occasion. He’s not one to back down from a challenge, and usually, it’s that step outside of his comfort zone that lets people see exactly what Timberlake is made of. For example, pairing him with Chris Stapleton back in 2015 at the CMAs for a medley of Tennessee Whiskey and Drink You Away seemed like an unlikely match. Until you remember that that’s Justin can hang in just about any genre — pop, soul, rock, and yes, even the blues — and crush it. JT may have it all, but he knows the blues.
Sad Songs (Say So Much)
Lake Street Dive
Rachael Price’s voice is unexpected. She’s this beautiful, perfectly coiffed woman who looks like she could be a 1950s pin up model — lipstick and all. But as soon as she opens her mouth, this rich, layered voice comes out that just kind of stuns you. As the lead singer of Lake Street Dive, she has worked with the band on a few full albums, and a handful of covers that run the musical gamut. They’ve done The Kinks, Queen, and Fleetwood Mac. So, why not Elton? Sad Songs is one that I think they could have a lot of fun with. A little funky, a little sappy, and a whole lot of room for Price’s vocals.
Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me
Celine Dion
Arguably one of Elton John’s most famous songs of all time, Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me was released in 1974 on his fourth studio album. There are so few people who can evoke the right amount of emotion, power, and empathy to properly deliver this song. But if there’s anyone who should try, it’s the badass, ageless, Queen of Ballads: Celine Dion.
Also, Celine is no stranger to Elton’s tunes. They shared a stage way back when, and my god this woman’s dance moves leave absolutely nothing to be desired.
