# The 1959 song Elton John called “one of the greatest”

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-1959-song-elton-john-called-one-of-the-greatest/
- Published: 2026-07-25T07:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-25T08:05:53+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1959-song-elton-john-called-one-of-the-greatest/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Elton John praised Ray Charles’s 1959 hit ‘What’d I Say’.
- The song grew from a live improvisation.
- Its sound helped define early soul music.

## Summary

Elton John has praised Ray Charles’s 1959 hit ‘What’d I Say’ as one of the greatest songs ever made, highlighting the lasting influence of Charles on his own musical development. The article presents the track as a landmark of rhythm and blues that helped shape the sound and energy of later rock and pop performers.

Written and recorded by Charles, ‘What’d I Say’ emerged from an improvised ending during a live performance before becoming a major hit. Its driving piano, call-and-response vocals and blend of gospel, blues and R&B helped establish a template for soul music, while Charles became one of John’s most admired musical figures.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.