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)
Old Friend
Elton John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I treated him bad, I've done him wrong.
I've taken his money, I'm given him hell
And he takes it all cause he knows me well.
We can say what we mean and mean what we say
We don't like to mess around,
When we're falling down.
Just like an old friend
Putting me on my feet again,
Giving me back my pride then
Letting me go.
Just like an old friend
Putting me in my place again,
Giving me back my hope then
Letting me know that he's an old friend
I don't suffer no fools, I testify
But he must be one for being by my side.
I've broken his heart,
I've shaken his tree
But still he doesn't want anything from a fool like me.
We won't talk for a year or two
Maybe when we do we won't say much.
Even so we know that out of mind is never out of touch.
We're having a man-to-man
Don't want to get sentimental
But both of us understand
We'll never have to say goodbye, just see you later.
In this song, Elton John is reflecting on a friendship that has withstood the test of time, through both good and bad times. He acknowledges that he hasn't always been a good friend, having mistreated and taken advantage of his friend in the past. However, his friend has always been there for him, no matter what. The bond between them is strong, and they have an unspoken understanding that allows them to be there for each other, even when they don't see or speak to each other for extended periods of time.
The lyrics suggest that their friendship is a source of strength and grounding for both of them. They don't have to put on airs or pretend to be something they're not with each other – they can say what they mean and mean what they say. They don't waste time on superficial conversation; instead, they're there to offer support and hold each other up when needed. In a world that can be superficial and untrustworthy, this kind of friendship is invaluable.
The song is a testament to the enduring power of friendship, even when it's not always easy or perfect. The bond between these two friends is built on a foundation of honesty, trust, and mutual respect, and it has stood the test of time. Even if they don't see each other as often as they used to, they know that they'll always be there for each other, and that's what really matters.
Line by Line Meaning
I want to be good, I want to be strong,
I have the desire to be a good and strong person.
But I treated him bad, I've done him wrong.
I have mistreated this person and hurt them in some way.
I've taken his money, I'm given him hell
I have taken advantage of this person for my own gain and given them a hard time.
And he takes it all cause he knows me well.
Despite my mistreatment, this person still puts up with me because they understand who I am.
We can say what we mean and mean what we say
We are honest and direct in our communication with each other.
We don't like to mess around,
We don't waste time or play games.
But we're there to hold each other up
We support and encourage each other.
When we're falling down.
Especially during tough times when we need it most.
Just like an old friend
Our bond is like that of long-time friends.
Putting me on my feet again,
Helping me stand back up and get back on track.
Giving me back my pride then
Restoring my confidence and self-respect.
Letting me go.
Allowing me to move forward on my own.
I don't suffer no fools, I testify
I have no tolerance for foolishness and I am very honest about it.
But he must be one for being by my side.
Despite my attitude, this person must be a fool to continue supporting me.
I've broken his heart,
I have hurt this person emotionally.
I've shaken his tree
I have caused problems and difficulties for this person.
But still he doesn't want anything from a fool like me.
This person doesn't expect anything in return from me, even though I have treated them poorly.
We won't talk for a year or two
We may go some time without communicating.
Maybe when we do we won't say much.
We may not have a lot to catch up on when we eventually talk again.
Even so we know that out of mind is never out of touch.
Despite not talking, we still have a strong connection and understanding of each other.
We're having a man-to-man
We are having a serious and honest conversation with each other.
Don't want to get sentimental
We don't want to get overly emotional.
But both of us understand
We both recognize and appreciate our friendship.
We'll never have to say goodbye, just see you later.
Our friendship will last a lifetime, even if we don't always stay in touch.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: NIK KERSHAW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Peter Harthen
on Sacrifice
not like todays crap
Peter Harthen
on Sacrifice
Even at 56 years old, this music still sounds so good to me, how music should sound.....