John was raised in the Pinner suburb of London and learned to play piano at an early age, forming the blues band Bluesology in 1962. After leaving Bluesology in 1967 to embark on a solo career, John met Taupin after they both answered an advert for songwriters. For two years, they wrote songs for other artists, and John worked as a session musician for artists. John released his debut album Empty Sky in 1969, and a year later formed the Elton John Band and released his first hit single, "Your Song".
John's critical success was at its peak in the 1970s when he released a streak of chart-topping albums in the US and UK, which began with Honky Château (1972) and culminated with Rock of the Westies (1975). John continued his success in the 1980s and 1990s, having several hit singles and albums in both decades, and has continued to record new music since then. He has also had success in musical films and theatre, composing music for The Lion King, Aida, and Billy Elliot the Musical. In 2018, John began his ongoing farewell tour Farewell Yellow Brick Road, which is scheduled to conclude in 2023. The 2019 biopic Rocketman dramatized his life and career.
Outside of music, John is an HIV/AIDS charity fundraiser and has been involved in the fight against AIDS since the late 1980s. He established the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992, which has raised over £300 million since its inception, and a year later he began hosting his annual Foundation Academy Awards Party, which has since become one of the biggest high-profile Oscar parties in the Hollywood film industry. John was the chairman and director of Watford F.C, from 1976 to 1987, and again from 1997 to 2002, and is an honorary life president of the club. From the late 1970s to the late 1980s, John developed a severe addiction problem to drugs and alcohol but has been sober since 1990. He entered into a civil partnership with Canadian filmmaker David Furnish in 2005; they married after same-sex marriage became legal in England and Wales in 2014.
John has sold over 300 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists of all time. He has more than fifty Top 40 hits on the UK Singles Chart and US Billboard Hot 100, including nine number-ones in the UK and US, as well as seven consecutive number-one albums in the US. His tribute single "Candle in the Wind 1997", a rewritten version of his 1974 single in dedication to Princess Diana, sold over 33 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling chart single of all time. In 2021, John became the first solo artist with UK Top 10 singles across six decades.
John has received numerous awards, including five Grammy Awards, five Brit Awards; including for Outstanding Contribution to Music; two Academy Awards, two Golden Globes, a Tony Award, a Laurence Olivier Award, a Disney Legend Award, and the Kennedy Center Honor. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 and is a fellow of The Ivors Academy. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for services to music and charitable services in 1998 and was appointed a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour by King Charles III (then Prince of Wales) in 2020.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elton_John
Solo studio albums
Empty Sky (1969)
Elton John (1970)
Tumbleweed Connection (1970)
Madman Across the Water (1971)
Honky Château (1972)
Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player (1973)
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
Caribou (1974)
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975)
Rock of the Westies (1975)
Blue Moves (1976)
A Single Man (1978)
Victim of Love (1979)
21 at 33 (1980)
The Fox (1981)
Jump Up! (1982)
Too Low for Zero (1983)
Breaking Hearts (1984)
Ice on Fire (1985)
Leather Jackets (1986)
Reg Strikes Back (1988)
Sleeping with the Past (1989)
The One (1992)
Made in England (1995)
The Big Picture (1997)
Songs from the West Coast (2001)
Peachtree Road (2004)
The Captain & the Kid (2006)
The Diving Board (2013)
Wonderful Crazy Night (2016)
Regimental Sgt. Zippo (2021)
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on M
Elton John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All my pictures seem to fade to black and white
I'm growing tired and time stands still before me
Frozen here on the ladder of my life
It's much too late to save myself from falling
I took a chance and changed your way of life
But you misread my meaning when I met you
Don't let the sun go down on me
Although I search myself, it's always someone else I see
I'd just allow a fragment of your life to wander free
But losing everything is like the sun going down on me
Ladies and gentlemen Mr. Elton John
I can't find
Oh, the right romantic line
But see me once and see the way feel
Don't discard me baby don't
Just because you think I mean you harm
Just because you think I mean you harm, oh
But these cuts I have, cuts I have
They need love
They need love, they need love to help them heal
Oh, don't let the sun go down on me
Although I search myself, it's always someone else I see
I'd just allow a fragment of your life to wander free
'Cause losing everything is like the sun going down on me
Don't let the sun go down on me
Although I search myself, it's always someone else I that see, yeah
I'd just allow a fragment of your life to wander free baby, oh
'Cause losing everything is like the sun going down on me
In Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, Elton John sings about feeling trapped in a cycle of darkness and isolation. He opens the song by admitting that he can no longer bear to carry the weight of his partner's emotional burdens. He feels himself growing weary and stuck in place, like a climber frozen on a ladder. The chorus then takes on a more urgent tone, as he pleads with his partner not to turn away from him completely. Even if he is not the right person for her, he begs her not to shut him out entirely, because the thought of losing her completely is like watching the sun set on his life.
The second verse reveals that Elton had once tried to change his partner's life, but his intentions were misinterpreted, causing her to pull away from him. He explains that he cannot find the right words to express his feelings and that he is often misunderstood. Despite this, he insists that his wounds can still be healed if only he is given the chance to express himself.
Overall, Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me is a song about the pain of feeling disconnected from the people we love. It speaks to the vulnerability and isolation that can arise when communication breaks down, showing how even the most well-intentioned efforts to connect can be misread, leading to heartache and sadness.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't light no more of your darkness
I am unable to provide light or positivity in your life anymore.
All my pictures seem to fade to black and white
My memories and experiences with you have lost their vibrancy and joy.
I'm growing tired and time stands still before me
I am exhausted and feel stuck, as if time is not moving forward for me.
Frozen here on the ladder of my life
I feel trapped and unable to progress in my personal growth or career.
It's much too late to save myself from falling
I am beyond the point of being able to protect myself from harm or failure.
I took a chance and changed your way of life
I had the courage to take a risk and influence your decisions and actions.
But you misread my meaning when I met you
You misunderstood my intentions or message when we first met.
Closed the door and left me blinded by the light
You abandoned me and left me confused and uncertain about my path forward.
Don't let the sun go down on me
Please don't allow the end of the day or the end of our relationship to come to a negative or painful conclusion.
Although I search myself, it's always someone else I see
Despite my introspection, I am always facing outward and seeing others instead of truly looking within.
I'd just allow a fragment of your life to wander free
I would like you to let go and find your own path, even if it means we must separate.
But losing everything is like the sun going down on me
The pain of losing everything feels like the darkness that comes at the end of the day.
I can't find, oh, the right romantic line
I am struggling to express my love or affection in a way that feels appropriate or genuine.
But see me once and see the way I feel
If you spend time with me, you will understand the emotions and sentiments that I have for you.
Don't discard me baby don't
Please don't reject or abandon me, my love for you is sincere.
Just because you think I mean you harm
Your fear or insecurity may be causing you to misinterpret my intentions as harmful.
But these cuts I have, cuts I have
The emotional scars or wounds that I have from past experiences still exist.
They need love, they need love, they need love to help them heal
The only way for me to recover and grow from my past pain is to receive genuine love and compassion from others.
Yeah, I'd just allow a fragment of your life to wander free, baby
I want you to have the freedom to explore and grow, even if it means we must part ways.
'Cause losing everything is like the sun going down on me
Experiencing loss and pain is as dark and final as the end of the day when the sun sets.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bernie Taupin, Elton John
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Raghu Penumarthy
Elton John!! So soothing and live at the same time!!
[Verse 1]
I can't light no more of your darkness
All my pictures seem to fade to black and white
I'm growin' tired, and time stands still before me
Frozen here on the ladder of my life
[Verse 2]
Too late to save myself from falling
I took a chance and changed your way of life
But you misread my meanin' when I met you
Closed the door and left me blinded by the light
[Chorus]
Don't let the sun go down on me (Don't let the sun)
Although I search myself, it's always someone else I see
I'd just allow a fragment of your life (Don't let the sun) to wander free
But losin' everything is like the sun goin' down on me
[Verse 3]
I can't find, oh, the right romantic line
But see me once and see the way I feel
Don't discard me just because you think I mean you harm
But these cuts I have, oh, they need love to help them heal
[Chorus]
Don't let the sun go down on me (Don't let the sun)
Although I search myself, it's always someone else I see
I'd just allow a fragment of your life (Don't let the sun) to wander free
But losin' everything is like the sun goin' down on me
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[Instrumental Break]
[Chorus]
Don't let the sun go down on me (Don't let the sun)
Although I search myself, it's always someone else I see
I'd just allow a fragment of your life (Don't let the sun) to wander free, yeah
But losin' everything is like the sun goin' down on me
OLD Songs
My dad passed away yesterday and now I'm making a playlist with all the songs he loved and I remember him by. This is one of them. Thank you dad for showing me the greatest artists of all times. Loved, missed and never forgotten 🤘🔥❤
Chrys Mordey-Jones
My dad just passed away and im trying to pick a song to play at crematorium so sad 😞
jjb (jbey)
Sorry for your loss. We had the funeral home organise my Dad's favourites for his funeral. The CD goes everywhere with me, such are the memories. Take care of yourself too!
Tiago James
Very sorry for your loss guys. Can’t imagine the pain. My thoughts are with you
Patrita Blackston
So very sorry to hear about your loss
may your Dad's journey be a very peaceful journey. 🙏💕
Patrita Blackston
@Chrys Mordey-Jones Sorry for your loss sweetie
I 'm sure your Dad is watching over you. he will forever be your guardian Angel 🙏🙏💕
Ines Jakov
Elton john and his spectacular voice is a story in itself.
stroker 2007
Truly a once in a lifetime epic performer,wish I could have seen Him perform live.
Koby Feldmos
Best performance ever recorded, by any musician, in any time or place. Perfect 10.
Gökberk Emre Akyüz
This song reminds me of the summer that I've fallen in love for the first time. Time passed by, I didn't have a chance with her, but those feelings are still alive as long as this song plays. I guess this is the effect of an artistic masterpiece, making feelings and dreams that you've forgotten about awaken in you, keeping them alive and surrounding your world with them.