In 1974, Elton John gave his producer chills, himself a headache, and 17 years later, another number one
In 1974, Elton John nearly dismissed “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” as “a load of crap”, despite those around him believing it was a hit. The episode captures the erratic studio behaviour of a period when his rapid rise to fame was accompanied by growing cocaine addiction.
Producer Gus Dudgeon recalled that John sang the takes in different ways, then suggested the song be offered to Engelbert Humperdinck or Lulu. His colleagues persuaded him not to discard it; the song later reached number one in the US and UK after John re-recorded it live with George Michael in 1991.
In short
- Elton John nearly rejected “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me”.
- His producer and fellow musicians recognised its potential.
- A 1991 duet with George Michael topped charts in both countries.
Explained simply
Elton John is a British singer and songwriter whose early 1970s albums and singles made him an international star. His records were made with a close team that included lyricist Bernie Taupin and producer Gus Dudgeon, who helped shape the sound in the studio.
“Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” was written by John and Taupin and first appeared on John’s 1974 album Caribou. The song later became a major hit in a live recording with George Michael, released in 1991.