Elton John

[GreenLunchBox]

I love the Dua Lupa song and there is a Blue song I love. But please can people tell me why Elton John is so legendary. He doesn't have the best singing voice, does he?

His voice has deteriorated badly with age (and fast living probably). His voice used to be a lot better. It does sound a bit pub singer now. Sorry Elton.

@Seriallover

He writes the music and collaborates on the lyrics

I’m not especially an Elton “fan” but his songwriting skills are incredible. His catalogue of writing spans multiple decades and his success was built upon sheer talent and hard work - he was brought up in a working class family. You’ve probably heard and liked some of his songs without even realising it OP.

I also massively disagree with you about his voice. I think he had a tremendous voice - some of his songs were really hard to sing, they’re not classic belters that any old karaoke singer could do. But he also had the most beautiful ballads like Your Song. I remember growing up I loved Nikita- I was quite young when that was released but I remember it vividly. His voice on that is beautiful.

His stage performances were flamboyant, memorable and outrageous - he was a phenomenal live performer.

And of course he’s done a lot for charity over the years.

All of that is why it’s deservedly a legend.

As an aside, you DON’T need a stereotypical “good” voice to be a successful singer. Bob Dylan is one of the most iconic and successful singers of all time and his voice sounds like he’s singing out of a dog’s arse. He’s definitely an acquired taste. There are plenty of others who fall into that category - Leonard Cohen, Morrissey, even Chris Martin from Coldplay. Not everyone has to have the same homogenised sound and look that’s so popular right now.

*he’s not it’s 🙄🙄😂

My dad thinks Bob Dylan is a genius. I can't bear his voice and I wasn't around for the cultural shift that Dylan represented for him. I don't particularly like Elton John but the 70s stuff he did was his music to Bernie's lyrics, his stage presence, piano playing which was unusual and catchy hooks.
You can't really compare with processed voices singing other people's songs.

Gove Rocketman a watch. I think it’s on Netflix.

I agree.

His song writing talent is beyond question but there is a reason he only has one number one that he sang alone (and that being the travesty performed at "That" funeral).

I think its the showmanship that got him a big following, the embracing of glam in the 70's and the big personality stuff in the 80's. As a singer he is mediocre at best.

Some of the early songs are good. Tiny Dancer and I actually like Your Song.

He is physically unappealing and seems like a bit of a twat, though.

He's an extremely talented songwriter and pianist.

I think he used to be able to sing but his veneers haven't helped his already deteriorating voice.

Pitch perfect singing voices do not usually become legends - a voice that has an edge, an imperfection, a sense of a life lived or just showmanship create musical legends - think of frank Sinatra, Ella fitzerald, Amy Winehouse, Prince, janis Joplin, bands like Metallica, Beatles etc - there is a quality to them that makes them stars. It has nothing to do with a 'nice perfect' singing voice, but everything
to do with a singing voice that has soul or meaning or that something.

@GreenLunchBox back in the day (ie 30 years or so ago when Elton rose to fame) singers never had to have the outstanding voices that they have today. Many had rather crappy voices by today’s standards. It was more about persona and being instantly recognisable on the radio. Selling singles with a brand. Writing decent songs (which although the lyrics are often lacking, the songs he writes are usually pretty decent)
His songs have been used and featured in many many places spanning decades so they work for a lot of people which is why he is popular.
Lots of singers today have excellent voices but are actually pretty unforgettable / homogenous

I liked his adaptation of Candle in the Wind for Princess Diana's funeral:

@GreenLunchBox

I agree with pps that the voice isn't everything. It does not make a star.

Lots of really famous, successful, talented pop stars/rock stars are not massively great singers. Madonna, Rihanna, Robbie Williams, Kylie, Kim Wilde, Rod Stewart, multiple girl and boy band members - to name but a few.

Even ADELE and Ed Sheeran aren't utterly brilliant, and Adele has a limited vocal range. But they have 'something,' a presence and a talent and have both cornered the market and given something that was missing at that particular time.

There is a LOT more to being a 'pop star.' You need to have magnetism, appeal, charisma, sass, confidence etc. Not just a good singing voice. Eg, Michele McManus who won Pop idol many years ago, had a strong voice, but she was as boring as fuck, and had zero stage presence.

Ditto Leon Jackson - a good singer, but intensely boring and dull, and nervous and shy on stage. It was such uncomfortable viewing watching Michele AND Leon. Also... Leona Lewis; good singer, very attractive, but had fuck-all natural stage presence, and was boring.

That's why Michele and Leon sank without a trace, and Leona didn't last long when Simon Cowell got bored with promoting her, because after about a year of it, he realised very few people were interested in her.

As for Elton. I think he's fucking brilliant. And so do MILLIONS of others. Do you think he'd still be kicking around after FIFTY YEARS in the industry, and would have sold millions and MILLIONS of records, and constantly sold out with his concerts and tours, if he was shit? Course he fucking wouldn't!

@spotcheck

I actually really like his voice. It's about 8 billion times better than the walking funeral that is the Smiths front man. And Bernie Taupin's songwriting is brilliant. So, OP Respectfully disagree 🎈

I agree with this.

@PastMyBestBeforeDate

My dad thinks Bob Dylan is a genius. I can't bear his voice and I wasn't around for the cultural shift that Dylan represented for him. I don't particularly like Elton John but the 70s stuff he did was his music to Bernie's lyrics, his stage presence, piano playing which was unusual and catchy hooks. You can't really compare with processed voices singing other people's songs.

I am with you. I think Bob Dylan is fucking awful. Overrated dirge is all I hear when I hear him, but some people think he's a God.

Meh, each to their own.

Still, as I (and many others say) being a pop star is not JUST about the person's voice.

Listen to this and then say he isn’t a bloody genius!

Watch Rocketman. It has a lot of his best early songs.

I have a very soft spot for his version of "Can You Feel the Love Tonight".

I'm still not really sure why he got an entire John Lewis Christmas advert to himself though...

Singer
Song writer
Massive charity giver
Massive charity fundraising person
Has and still does a lot for HIV/Aids
Has and still does a lot for human rights
A shoulder to cry on and a place of refuge for many people.
Made music videos that were groundbreaking
Fought for gay marriage
The list goes on
Fought for gay adoption
Has done a lot for many different additions
Gives a lot of money to many different charities
Is the face/person to attract people/money to a lot of charities
And on and on

Sorry op you sound really young and shallow.

And as others are saying, being a good singer doesn’t mean a lot. Great singers are ten a penny, being a star is not about the voice. Simon Cowell had a tv show about this fact- X Factor!

Patronus agreed. Not all song writers are brilliant singers but it brings something over and above someone who sings other people's songs.

@MrsRobbieHart

You’re very aggressive OP.

Lots of people on this thread suggested reasons why they enjoy his music, which is what I was after. You let yourself down by reverting to the trope of accusing a woman of being aggressive for putting forward a view that doesn't agree with the status quo 🥴

but there is a reason he only has one number one that he sang alone

Interesting. Who else was singing with him on Sacrifice and Are you ready for love?

First two I think his voice is decent
Last two I think are choons