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Original poster

Elton John

300 replies

GreenLunchBox · 03/10/2021 23:34

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?

OP posts:
furbabymama87 · 04/10/2021 10:05

I'm not a fan of him really but he has some amazing songs. I don't know why you are that bothered though OP. Surely you can accept that people have different tastes in music. There are loads of performers that are crap and still sell records. I don't think it's all about the voice either. Stage presence, charisma and looks also come into it, depending on who the target market is. You're not going to have an ugly boy band unless the music is absolutely outstanding and reaches a larger audience beyond young girls.

SpeakingFranglais · 04/10/2021 10:07

Massively famous singers become famous because of the whole package.

David Bowie, the Gallaghers, Mick Jagger….. they were all different in their own way. None have great voices but all were brilliant.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 04/10/2021 10:09

@Unsure33

its not just about the voice ( rod stewart!) it is about showmanship and charisma

he is a great performer and his songs have stood the test of time .

And considering his wealth and lifestyle I think he would quite rightly laugh in your face OP.

Rod Stewart has/had a phenomenonal voice. His early work with Jeff Beck is great for example.
HaveringWavering · 04/10/2021 10:12

Are there more than 5 songs in the Lion King? The zimmer stuff is just filler surely?

Rice only writes lyrics.

Grumpasaurus · 04/10/2021 10:15

Oh god I love Elton.

You need to check out some of his lesser known songs I think, to see not just his talent as a singer, but also as a songwriter.

Check out:

Tonight
Belfast
Blue eyes
Funeral for a friend

Grumpasaurus · 04/10/2021 10:16

He's also a huge huge huge funder of work to prevent HIV/AIDS. What he has done is amazing.

Innocenta · 04/10/2021 10:17

@Grumpasaurus he lost so many friends. And Freddie's death devastated him. I really admire his work for HIV/AIDS patients.

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 04/10/2021 10:19

@tofuschnitzel

Splitting hairs

SoupDragon · 04/10/2021 10:19

He co-wrote 5 songs with Tim Rice for The Lion King

Seven. Hans Zimmer Gets 4 credits.

Practicebeingpatient · 04/10/2021 10:20

I was 10 when EJ had his first chart hit so I've pretty much grown up with him. He was one of those performers who was always around. I wasn't a fan particularly, he was corny and cheesy, but I knew all the songs because they were constantly played on the radio which was the only way to consume music back then. He was also constantly on tv in outrageous costumes and terrible wigs and seemed to really enjoy performing.

It was only when I reached my thirties I realised how much low key but enduring pleasure his music had given me over the years. I became aware of the brilliant combination of his music and Bernie Taupins lyrics. Sometimes the words don't make any sense grammatically (while the dogs of society howl!) but combined with the music and interpreted by EJ they convey so much emotion. Daniel makes me cry and the energy of Crocodile Rock always uplifts me.

I took my adult DC to one of his farewell tour dates in 2019 and it was great. He still loves performing and his enthusiasm was contagious. I hope I have as much joie de vivre when I'm his age.

SoupDragon · 04/10/2021 10:21

@SoupDragon

He co-wrote 5 songs with Tim Rice for The Lion King

Seven. Hans Zimmer Gets 4 credits.

And he certainly co-wrote all the ones that get sung all the time.
SemperIdem · 04/10/2021 10:29

His voice has gone a bit as he’s aged but he can still sing. He’s a talented song writer and like many of his era, is an all round entertainer. Nobody would claim Madonna ever had a truly fantastic voice either but she too, is an icon. There are many instances of people with fantastic voices not being able to maintain fame because they are not able to deliver the all round package.

Adele, Ed Sheeran etc all have the voices but I find them utterly dull.

LittleMysSister · 04/10/2021 10:30

He has never been the best singer, however you do have to take into account that his voice was massively impacted after throat surgery in the late 80s, which is why he is several registers lower now. But even aside from that, I doubt he'd ever claim to be amongst the greatest singing voices in history.

His songwriting skills are what have made an kept him popular, alongside his stage persona. His back catalogue is immense and his & Bernie Taupin's collaboration is responsible for some truly great classics - Candle in the Wind, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Daniel, Your Song, Song for Guy, Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word....

As always, it's a matter of taste and not everyone will like his work. But the reasons are there as to why people do.

Grumpasaurus · 04/10/2021 10:31

Also-

Don't let the sun come down on me
This train don't stop here anymore

Grumpasaurus · 04/10/2021 10:32

Oh and Someone Saved My Life Tonight

BabbleBee · 04/10/2021 10:33

@Mistymoors

I loved his early songs but saw him in concert a few years ago what a complete disappointment! He was just going through the motions, absolutely no crowd interaction . It’s the only concert my I have ever left half way through !! The Rolling Stones on the other hand were totally amazing 🙂
I saw him around 10 years ago, one of the smaller cricket club gigs. I went with zero expectations but was pleasantly surprised. He is an incredible musician - how he got his little hands around the piano keys I’ll never know! I really enjoyed it.
MrsRobbieHart · 04/10/2021 10:36

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

No I said you were aggressive, because you were being aggressive. And rude. And lazy too. Do your own research. I did think stupid too but thought that unfair. People can’t help how intelligent they are. Their manners though… that’s all them.

And you sound very stupid
@MrsRobbieHart
Everyone on this thread has given me what I wanted apart from you. They explained why they like him or not.

You think it’s my lack of intelligence that stopped me from jumping to your command?

There are lots of great examples of his talent, and similarly people that don't understand why he's a gazillionaire.

Then there's you who thinks a woman who questions a man is 'aggressive'

You didn’t question a man. You stomped your feet on MN and demanded to be shown proof of his talent. Something you could easily find for yourself if that’s what you actually wanted. But we all know that’s not why you started this thread.

Wandawide · 04/10/2021 10:38

Before he was really big I saw him live in Plymouth on stage in a cinema, mainly just him at the piano. He didn't just sing in tune he put the song over in such a way that we added extra meaning with our imagination.
There are millions of people in choirs all over the world who can sing in tune and have perfect timing but can they deliver?
Elton and others deliver. Also remember that he has written a wide range of music.

Try some research on Yourtube listen to some of the earlier songs and compare also who were the contemporaries at the different stages of his career.

Johnny Cash

grey12 · 04/10/2021 10:39

@GreenLunchBox

He doesn't have a good voice! How has managed to get to where he is?!!Confused
I disagree, he has a good voice and he is a great performer

I actually saw him live maybe 5/6 years ago and he was fantastic! Still singing live and doing very well!!! Small venue and it was great! Me and DH aren't big fans but we both really enjoyed it (got free tickets Grin)

tofuschnitzel · 04/10/2021 10:45

@SoupDragon "And he certainly co-wrote all the ones that get sung all the time."

Well that settles that, doesn't it? Elton John totally wrote the entire soundtrack, what was I thinking. Let's not bother to credit the other people who co-wrote the songs and wrote the whole bloody score.

feen · 04/10/2021 10:46

For starters...
Your Song
Daniel
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

BalloonSlayer · 04/10/2021 10:47

@innocenta eh??? Freddie Mercury was an example i gave of a great singer

tofuschnitzel · 04/10/2021 10:48

[quote EineReiseDurchDieZeit]@tofuschnitzel

Splitting hairs[/quote]
How? It's splitting hairs to print out that Elton John didn't singlehandedly write the soundtrack? It's not splitting hairs to point out that didn't write the soundtrack, he co-wrote 5 songs, and he didn't write the actual score. Give credit where it's due.

ShagMeRiggins · 04/10/2021 10:48

[quote PartyStory][/quote]
Thank you for this. Not only was it entertaining, but the “spot the celebs in the audience” was good fun for those of us who like a bit of that sort of frivolity (me).

IntermittentParps · 04/10/2021 10:48

@HaveringWavering

And to really bring it home, think about how bland and insipid Ewan McGregor sounds singing Your Song in Moulin Rouge compared to Elton himself in that clip linked just above.
Christ, that's a travesty. Mind you the whole film is really. The attempt at 'Lady Marmalade' Hmm