In 2013, Elton John made one of the best songs of his career. It made him leave pop music forever

In 2013, Elton John recorded “My Quicksand”, which he described as the best track he had ever made. The song marked a shift in how he viewed his career: he felt he had moved beyond trying to repeat the pop success of his earlier years and could focus on making music that mattered to him.

The article says John’s earlier albums set a high commercial bar, while later work gave him room to step back from expectations of constant hits. He praised “My Quicksand” for its piano, vocals and the kind of song it allowed him to sing. Since then, the piece argues, he has prioritised exploring new influences and making records he enjoys over competing for chart success.