# In 1967, Elton John met one of the greatest songwriters. Together, they made an album with only one good song

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1967-elton-john-met-one-of-the-greatest-songwriters-together-they-made-an-album-with-only-one-good-song/
- Published: 2026-11-13T12:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-13T12:23:45+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1967-elton-john-met-one-of-the-greatest-songwriters/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- John and Taupin began collaborating in the late 1960s.
- John later called “Skyline Pigeon” the standout on *Empty Sky*.
- Their early work preceded the success of songs such as “Your Song”.

## Summary

Elton John’s early partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin began after John was given a folder of Taupin’s lyrics while looking for songwriting work in the late 1960s. Their complementary talents helped create one of rock’s most enduring songwriting collaborations, though their first album, *Empty Sky*, was not yet a fully realised success.

John later said his debut had only one good song, identifying “Skyline Pigeon” as its standout. He contrasted it with Elvis Costello’s *My Aim Is True*, which he felt had two masterpieces, “Alison” and “Watching the Detectives”. The article presents *Empty Sky* as an uneven start before John and Taupin went on to write better-known songs such as “Your Song”.

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