Happy Birthday, Sir Elton John! Born in 1947, the British singer, songwriter, composer and pianist turns 64 today.
He has worked with songwriter Bernie Taupin since 1967 and has collaborated on more than 30 albums to date.
Elton John has sold more than 250 million records, which makes him one of the most successful artists of all time. His single Candle in the Wind from 1997 sold 33 million copies worldwide alone and is the best-selling single in Billboard history.
John has had more than 50 Top 40 hits including seven consecutive number one US albums.
All together he has won six Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award and a Tony Award.
Rolling Stone magazine has ranked him number 49 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Beyond his music, he is heavily involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS. He was also knighted in 1998. So in honor of his special day, let's take a look back at ten of his best songs.
“Your Song” appeared on Elton John’s self-titled second album in 1970. This song was praised by critics. John Lennon even said that the song is “the first new thing that’s happened since we [The Beatles] happened.” The song is number 126 on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” Reuters“Candle in the Wind” was originally released in 1973 on “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” The song gained popularity in 1997 when Elton John performed a remake as a tribute to Princess Diana. In 1990 John dedicated the song to his friend Ryan White who was suffering from AIDS. Coincidentally, White passed away the following day. Reuters“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” was released in 1973 on an album that carries the same name. Yellow Brick Road is an image taken from the 1939 movie “The Wizard of Oz.” Ice cream makers Ben and Jerry’s later created an ice cream flavor with the same name in honor of John’s performance in Vermont. Reuters“Rocket Man” appeared on Elton John’s 1972 album “Honky Chateau” and was number 2 in the United Kingdom and number 6 in the US charts. The song ranked number 242 on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”Reuters“Bennie and the Jets” first appeared on “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” in 1973. Bernie Taupin, one of its writers, said that the song’s lyrics are a satire on the music industry of the 1970s. The song reached number on the US singles charts in 1974. Reuters“I Guess That’s Why They Call it the Blues” was released in 1983 on the album “Too Low for Zero.” It features Stevie Wonder on the harmonica. The song is also very well known for being played at Chelsea FC’s home matches. Reuters“Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” is off Elton John’s album “Honky Chateau.” The song is about the first time Bernie Taupin visited New York City and heard a gun go off near his hotel. John himself has called the song “one of my all-time favorites.”Reuters“Tiny Dancer” came out in 1971 and was featured on Elton John’s fourth album “Madman Across the Water.” It is ranked number 387 on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” In 2002 Ben Folds covered the song for his live album “Ben Folds Live.” ReutersThe song was released in 1976 as part of “Blue Moves.” The song is featured on a number of Elton John’s “Greatest Hits” albums. “Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word” has been covered by a wide variety of artists. ReutersThis song was written for Disney’s 1994 animated film “The Lion King.” The song reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US and it earned Elton John a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. Reuters
