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)
Return To Paradise
Elton John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's nothing to fear and so much to be
But soon I must go, say goodbye to it all
That homeland of mine is beginning to call
Goodbye doesn't mean this has to be the end
Fading dreams grow cold as ice
And I got a feeling we will meet again
The wind in our hair and the sun in our eyes
There's no need for tears and no time for lies
So reach out your hand and I'll reach out my heart
Remember me while we are apart
I'm heading homeward
Leaving sunshine and heading for rain
But we'll return to paradise again
The lyrics to Elton John's song "Return to Paradise" are about leaving a beautiful place behind to return home to a more challenging environment. The first verse describes the idyllic location, with the sun and sea making it a paradise. However, the singer knows that they must leave this location as their homeland is calling them. Even though they must say goodbye, the singer is not entirely despondent, as they believe that they will meet again.
The second verse further emphasizes the relationship between these two people. The wind is blowing through their hair, and they are focused on living in the present moment, with no need for dishonesty or sadness. The singer wants the other person to remember them while they are apart, and they promise to return to paradise at some point in the future.
Overall, the song is about living in the moment and cherishing beautiful experiences, trusting that opportunities to relive those moments will arise in the future.
Line by Line Meaning
It's paradise here where the sun meets the sea
I am currently in a state of bliss, surrounded by natural beauty.
There's nothing to fear and so much to be
I am not afraid of anything and see endless opportunities for growth and exploration.
But soon I must go, say goodbye to it all
Despite how much I love this place, I recognize that it's time for me to move on and leave it behind.
That homeland of mine is beginning to call
I am feeling a strong pull to return to my home and my roots.
Goodbye doesn't mean this has to be the end
Just because I am leaving does not mean that our relationship or connection is over.
Fading dreams grow cold as ice
As time goes by, our hopes and aspirations that once burned bright begin to diminish and fade away.
And I got a feeling we will meet again
I have a sense that our paths will cross again someday.
When we return to paradise
The next time we see each other will be in a place of beauty and joy like where we are right now.
The wind in our hair and the sun in our eyes
We will be in a place where we feel free and alive, a place that fills us with joy.
There's no need for tears and no time for lies
In this happy place there is no reason to cry or deceive each other.
So reach out your hand and I'll reach out my heart
Let's stay connected, emotionally if we can't hold hands, even as we are physically apart.
Remember me while we are apart
Carry thoughts of me in your mind and heart while we are separated.
I'm heading homeward
I am on my way back to my place of origin.
Leaving sunshine and heading for rain
Despite leaving a happy place, I am prepared to face whatever hardship comes my way with the same positive attitude.
But we'll return to paradise again
I know that even though I'm leaving, I will come back to this beautiful place eventually.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ELTON JOHN, GARY ANTHONY OSBORNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TravelinBand747
In the early 90s, I was on a mission to obtain everything Elton had ever released on album, and I was incredibly excited to land a copy of "A Single Man" on CD. Played it a ton and still have it. I have recently been listening to those songs again, and while not as great as the early 70s material, Elton has a true gift for songwriting. I've never been much of a fan of the lyrics that weren't penned by Bernie Taupin, but if Elton was singing on it, I could listen (even Victim of Love).
Paul Wheeler
Totally underrated song and I live in my car and at he beach at the moment!!
Having a great life, but I play this often
Christopher Williams
Ronnie, thank you for posting this awesome Elton John Album. I've been a fan of Elton John since 1969 and this is a truly underrated album.
Ronnie Friend
UR Very Welcome! Glad U enjoy. I bought "A Single Man" when it was first released in 1978 and it has always been very highly rated in my opinion! Have always loved it.
ivana silva
Beautiful! I love this song, this album, I love Elton John!
William Fever
Love the percussion/marimba drums. Gives me Lion King soundtrack vibes!
hairynews
I would like this to be played at my funeral. Love this song.
Susan Laird
Just heard this song today. Sunday 16/12/2018. Absolutely loved it. Why was it never a number one for elton.
Stasia Stasia
❤❤❤❤❤ born in late 80's I grew up loving this . most times I wake up to it. Dad playing it. now he is late I know he is in paradise
Aud Husa
One of the best songs of Mr. John......<3