He’s back with a new album – his first in four years – but Sir Elton John confirmed old habits die hard in behind-the-scenes footage from its recording sessions.
The veteran star announced forthcoming LP Who Believes In Angels? – a collaboration with country artist Brandi Carlile – on Wednesday afternoon.
The 77-year-old singer boldly declared that the new studio album, his first since 2021, is ‘the start of my career Mark 2’.
But Sir Elton – famed for his explosively short temper – appeared to be firmly rooted in Mark 1 after cameras caught him in a highly emotional state while seated at his piano.
In breathtakingly awkward scenes akin to those aired in notorious 1997 documentary Tantrums And Tiaras, the pop legend is seen slamming his headphones down and tearing up a piece of sheet music as he tells aghast onlookers: ‘I’m going home.’
Sir Elton had already been filmed describing the recording session – one of several conducted over a 20 day period for his latest album – as a ‘f***ing nightmare.’
Sir Elton John is filmed breaking down while recording his new album, Who Believes In Angels?
In breathtakingly awkward scenes akin to those aired in notorious 1997 documentary Tantrums And Tiaras, the pop legend is seen slamming his headphones down
Sir Elton had already been filmed describing the recording session – one of several conducted over a 20 day period for his latest album – as a ‘f***ing nightmare’
Cameras has been installed at Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles while Sir Elton recorded his new album with Carlile and producer Andrew Watt.
But their presence meant the tetchy pop star was caught clashing with studio employees, including Watt, while laying down melodies ands vocals.
Addressing the footage, Sir Elton said: ‘The reality is… I was exhausted, I had a lot of doubt, I was a nightmare. I was angry, I was tired, I was irritable… I felt I don’t want to do it.’
Who Believes In Angels? Is a collaborative effort with US folk singer Brandi Carlile and Sir Elton’s longtime writing partner Bernie Taupin and is set for release on April 4.
He also unveiled a new single from the album, the eponymous song ‘Who Believes In Angels?’
Sir Elton said: ‘This record was one of the toughest I’ve ever made, but it was also one of the greatest musical experiences of my life.
‘It has given me a place where I know I can move forward. Who Believes In Angels? feels like going into another era and I’m pushing the door open to come into the future.’
‘I have everything I’ve done behind me and it’s been brilliant, amazing. But this is the new start for me. As far as I’m concerned, this is the start of my career Mark 2.’
The pop legend is reassured by one of his musicians as he reads over a piece of sheet music
The concept for the album, which was recorded in October 2023, was devised by close friends and regular collaborators Sir Elton, eleven time Grammy winning US superstar Brandi and multiple award winning producer and songwriter Andrew Watt.
They set out to create a genuinely collaborative studio album between Elton and Brandi.
The album would mix Elton-led songs and Brandi-led songs, with long term collaborator Bernie Taupin and Brandi both contributing lyrics, and producer and co-writer Andrew Watt acting as the producer, mediator and creative conduit.
Entering Los Angeles’ Sunset Sound Studios in October 2023 with a completely blank slate, they pushed each other out of their comfort zones to write and record an album completely from scratch in just 20 days.
In promo for the new album reads: ‘Ballads co-exist with raw rock and roll, pop songs and country-hued Americana rub shoulders with synth-heavy psychedelia.
‘It’s an album as unexpected as it is triumphant. Elton sounds utterly revitalized. Brandi sounds like a singer-songwriter at the absolute top of her game, her voice melding with Elton’s like a hand in a glove.
‘The resulting songs somehow manage to be unequivocally the work of Elton John and Brandi Carlile, while sounding unlike any album either have made before.’
Sir Elton John, 77, has announced a new album with US folk singer Brandi Carlile and Bernie Taupin- which was written and recorded in just 20 days – despite his recent health setbacks
The 77-year-old singer boldly declared that the new studio album – titled Who Believes In Angels? and his first since 2021 – is ‘the start of my career Mark 2’
‘This record was one of the toughest I’ve ever made, but it was also one of the greatest musical experiences of my life. ‘It has given me a place where I know I can move forward’
Sir Elton has been making hits for more than half a century (pictured onstage in 1984)
It also comes amid his health struggles with his eyesight, which he first lifted the lid on in September 2024.
Elton appeared on Good Morning America alongside his husband David in December to chat with Robin Roberts about his life, career and the personal challenges featured in his new documentary.
Speaking in the interview, the music legend explained: ‘I unfortunately lost my eyesight in my right eye in July because I had an infection in the South of France and it’s been four months now since I haven’t been able to see.
‘And my left eye is not the greatest, so. There’s hope and encouragement that it will be okay and we’re taking an intiative to try and get it better. At the moment that’s really what we’re concentrating on.’
When asked to elaborate on his current health to put fans worried at ease, Sir Elton quipped: ‘David and I always have our blood tests every six months in Los Angeles. Our health has never been better.
The musician has been supported by husband David Furnish (pictured) during his recent health struggles
‘I unfortunately lost my eyesight in my right eye in July because I had an infection in the South of France and it’s been four months now since I haven’t been able to see’
‘It’s never fortunate for anything like this to happen. I can’t see anything, I can’t read anything, I can’t watch anything.’
The hitmaker, who played his final shows last summer, revealed his eyesight issues in September.
He took to his Instagram with a lengthy post, explaining how he spent the past few months ‘recuperating at home.’
Elton wrote: ‘Over the summer, I’ve been dealing with a severe eye infection that has unfortunately left me with only limited vision in one eye.
‘I am healing, but it’s an extremely slow process and it will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye.
‘I am so grateful for the excellent team of doctors and nurses and my family, who have taken such good care of me over the last several weeks.’
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