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)
it's a sin
Elton John Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's always with a sense of shame
I've always been the one to blame
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
Everything I've ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I've ever been
Everywhere I'm going to
It's a sin
At school they taught me how to be
So pure in thought and word and deed
They didn't quite succeed
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
It's a sin
Everything I've ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I've ever been
Everywhere I'm going to
It's a sin
Father, forgive me
I tried not to do it
Turned over a new leaf
Then tore right through it
Whatever you taught me
I didn't believe it
Father, you fought me
'Cause I didn't care
And I still don't understand
(Still don't understand, yeah)
So I look back upon my life
Forever with a sense of shame
I've always been the one to blame
For everything I long to do
No matter when or where or who
Has one thing in common, too
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
It's a sin
Everything I've ever done (I've ever done)
Everything I ever do (I ever do)
Every place I've ever been
Everywhere I'm going to
It's a sin
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
It's a sin
Everything I've ever done
Everything I ever do
Every place I've ever been
Everywhere I'm going to
It's a sin
The lyrics to Elton John's song "It's a Sin" explore the theme of guilt and regret. The singer reflects on his life with a sense of shame, recognizing that he has been responsible for his own mistakes and wrongdoings. He blames himself for everything he longs to do and acknowledges that regardless of when, where, or with whom, this common trait remains.
The first verse depicts the singer's introspection and the weight of his personal responsibility. Despite his desires and intentions, he acknowledges the errors of his ways and the outcomes of his actions. The second verse explores his upbringing and the teachings he received about morality and righteousness. Although he was taught to be pure in thought, word, and deed, he admits his failure to live up to these expectations.
The chorus repeats the statement that everything he has ever done or will do, every place he has been or will go, is a sin. The singer is struggling with his past and present actions and feels unworthy of forgiveness. In the bridge, he calls out to his father and asks for mercy and redemption, admitting that he tried to change but ultimately failed.
The song's central message highlights the idea that nobody is perfect and that all humans make mistakes. However, it also emphasizes the importance of reflection and taking responsibility for those mistakes, as it is the first step towards redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
When I look back upon my life
Reflecting on my past experiences brings me shame
It's always with a sense of shame
I feel guilty about the things I have done in the past
I've always been the one to blame
I hold myself responsible for my actions and their consequences
For everything I long to do
I am always pursuing my desires and dreams
No matter when or where or who
I face these desires regardless of the circumstances or people involved
Has one thing in common, too
These desires all share a common trait
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
I consider my desires and actions to be morally wrong
Everything I've ever done
All my actions and decisions
Every place I've ever been
All the locations I have visited in my life
Everywhere I'm going to
All the places I plan to visit or explore
At school they taught me how to be
During my school years, I learned how to live a virtuous life
So pure in thought and word and deed
My education emphasized purity in my thoughts, words, and actions
They didn't quite succeed
However, their efforts to instill such virtues in me were not entirely successful
Father, forgive me
I am asking for forgiveness from God for my wrongs
I tried not to do it
I attempted to resist the temptation to pursue my desires
Turned over a new leaf
I made an effort to change my ways
Then tore right through it
But my efforts to change were not successful
Whatever you taught me
Despite learning moral values and principles from my faith, family, and society
I didn't believe it
I did not fully accept or internalize these teachings
Father, you fought me
God challenged me to change my ways, but I resisted
'Cause I didn't care
I was indifferent or apathetic towards the morality of my actions
And I still don't understand
I am still struggling to comprehend why my actions were wrong
So I look back upon my life
I continue to reflect on my past and its mistakes
Forever with a sense of shame
I will always feel regret and remorse for my past actions
It's a, it's a, it's a, it's a sin
My past behaviors and desires are deeply rooted in immorality
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Neil Francis Tennant, Christopher Sean Lowe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bananaguard454
I love how Elton John has no ego when it comes to supporting modern artists. What a legend.
@standingelton6375
banana guard, My boy is very humble!!! 🙏✌❤
@nicholaskitto7819
Not only that, but he gives the other artist the first lines. Classy.
@brandondewitt670
Exactly
@bernicegaze3354
He hardly has anything to prove, why should he?
@mav9985
Elton always supporting new / up and coming artists . Legend
@sophiabirch
Olly is going to smash it at Eurovision 2024 🇬🇧❤️
@hayleydee9146
He so will
@meg5323
I'm so happy that Olly's representing us in Eurovision!!! Such a talented performer ❤🇬🇧
@hayleydee9146
Same he's going to do so great get us that win we need