Sir Elton John has achieved a remarkable milestone in his illustrious career, with his latest album “Who Believes In Angels?” topping the UK charts for the 10th time.
A Career Milestone: Elton John‘s 10th Number One Album
Sir Elton John has achieved a remarkable milestone in his illustrious career, with his latest album ‘Who Believes In Angels?‘ topping the UK charts for the 10th time. The album, which marks Sir Elton‘s first collaboration with US country star Brandi Carlile, has been met with widespread critical acclaim and commercial success.
Sir Elton John is a British singer, songwriter, and musician known for his flamboyant stage presence and iconic music.
Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, he began playing piano at age three and was classically trained.
With over 300 million records sold worldwide, 'Rocket Man,' 'Crocodile Rock,' and 'Your Song' are some of the hits that have topped the charts. He has won five Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
A Gutsy, Flamboyant Tearjerker
The album has been praised for its raw emotion and unbridled energy, with critics hailing it as ‘a gutsy, flamboyant tearjerker‘ and a ‘late-career high‘. Despite the challenges that came with writing and recording the album, including Sir Elton‘s own struggles with nerves and insecurity, the end result is a testament to his enduring talent and dedication to his craft.
A Collaborative Effort
The making of ‘Who Believes In Angels?‘ was not without its difficulties. The album was written and recorded over three weeks in late 2023, with Sir Elton working closely with Brandi Carlile, producer Andrew Watt, and long-term lyricist Bernie Taupin. However, as Sir Elton himself has acknowledged, the process was not always smooth sailing. ‘It was an enormous challenge,’ he said, ‘getting those four people together.‘ But once they had recorded the opening track, The Rose of Laura Nyro, ‘everything fell into place’.
A Message of Love and Acceptance
One of the standout tracks on the album is Swing For The Fences, a rallying call for the LGBTQ+ community that has resonated with fans around the world. As Brandi Carlile explained to the NME, she wanted to write an anthem that would encourage young gay kids to be proud of themselves and never give up. Sir Elton has also spoken out about the importance of acceptance and love, saying ‘It’s a tough time out there for LGBTQ+ people… At the moment when Brandi Carlile wrote this lyric, she wanted to say, ‘Listen, fight for yourself. Be proud of yourself who you are, never be ashamed of who you are, and you will win through’.’
A Career Defied
With ‘Who Believes In Angels?‘ Sir Elton John has now drawn level with Abba, Queen, Kylie Minogue, and Michael Jackson on the list of artists with the most UK number one albums. The Beatles and Robbie Williams share the top spot, with 15 number ones apiece. This latest milestone is a testament to Sir Elton‘s enduring talent and his ability to defy expectations and push boundaries.
A New Era for Music
The success of ‘Who Believes In Angels?‘ also marks an exciting new era for music. With the album’s release, Sir Elton has proven once again that he is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. And as he looks to the future, it will be fascinating to see what he comes up with next.
