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)
Shooting Star
Elton John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And when I start to wonder where you are
There you are, there you are, shooting star
You may have seen me at the early show
I sat and watched you from the second row
Oh you were mine long ago way back when
Even then we both knew you'd go far oh shooting star
And with the spotlight shining in your eyes
It's sometimes hard to find your way
But maybe some night you might
Think of me, shooting star
And when that moment comes at last
And you remember who you are
Here I'll be, shooting star, shooting star
Here I'll be, shooting star, shooting star, shooting star
The song "Shooting Star" by Elton John is a heartfelt tribute to a former lover who has since become a famous musician. The singer expresses his enduring love for this person as he reflects on their shared past and looks towards their potential future reunion. The "shooting star" metaphor serves to emphasize the transient nature of fame and fortune in the entertainment industry, as well as the enduring power of personal connections.
The opening lines of the song set the tone for the singer's emotional state. He admits that he is "still in love" with the object of his affection, even as years have passed and their lives have taken different paths. When the singer wonders where this person is, they always seem to appear as if on cue - a reminder of the power of memory and the persistence of love. The repeated phrase "shooting star" evokes the fleeting nature of fame and success, as well as the idea that such a person is a rare, shining light in the night sky.
The second verse of the song provides some additional context about the singer's relationship with the person he is addressing. He mentions watching them perform from the second row during an "early show," suggesting that he was a fan of their work from the beginning. However, he also notes that they "were mine long ago way back when," implying that they were once romantically involved. Despite the fact that this person has gone on to achieve great success, the singer still sees them as the same person he fell in love with - a testament to the power of memory and personal connection.
Overall, "Shooting Star" is a beautiful, melancholic ode to lost love and the enduring power of personal connection. While the song is rooted in nostalgia and longing, it also speaks to themes of hope and resilience as the singer looks towards a potential future reunion with the person he loves.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm still in love with you oh shooting star
Despite the distance that has grown between them, the singer still holds a deep affection for the person addressed as the 'shooting star'.
And when I start to wonder where you are
The singer sometimes feels a longing to know the current whereabouts of the 'shooting star', due to the impact they had on his life.
There you are, there you are, shooting star
Although the 'shooting star' may be physically distant, the impact they had on the singer remains ever-present in his life.
You may have seen me at the early show
The singer acknowledges that the 'shooting star' was once someone he knew personally, as they would have attended the same performances.
I sat and watched you from the second row
The singer recalls a specific instance of watching the 'shooting star' perform and being captivated by their talent and presence.
Oh you were mine long ago way back when
The singer reminisces about a time when the 'shooting star' was once an important and influential figure in his life.
Even then we both knew you'd go far oh shooting star
Both the singer and the 'shooting star' recognized the latter's potential for success and stardom from the very beginning.
And with the spotlight shining in your eyes
The 'shooting star', now a successful celebrity, is constantly in the public eye and subject to others' scrutiny and expectations.
It's sometimes hard to find your way
The nature of fame and stardom can be overwhelming and disorienting, making it difficult to navigate one's personal and professional life.
But maybe some night you might
The singer recognizes the possibility that the 'shooting star' may one day think of him, and is willing to wait for that moment patiently.
Think of me, shooting star
The singer acknowledges the importance of the 'shooting star' in his life and hopes that the latter will also remember their shared experiences fondly.
And when that moment comes at last
The singer anticipates a future moment when he will reunite with the 'shooting star', perhaps both of them older and with new life experiences to share.
And you remember who you are
The singer hopes that the 'shooting star' will remain grounded and true to themselves despite their success and fame, and that they will remember their roots and upbringing.
Here I'll be, shooting star, shooting star
The singer assures the 'shooting star' that he will be there to support and encourage them no matter what, as he sees potential for great things in their future.
Here I'll be, shooting star, shooting star, shooting star
Reiterating his earlier promise of support and loyalty, the singer reaffirms his commitment to the 'shooting star' and their continued relationship.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ELTON JOHN, GARY ANTHONY OSBORNE
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.....