Cold Heart, Elton John and Dua Lipa’s earworm collab, has made the UK Top 10 single charts, helping Elton make history.
The song, which was remixed by Aussie trio Pnau, mashes up Elton’s previous hits Sacrifice, Kiss the Bride, Where’s the Shoorah and Rocket Man. It has also heralded Elton as the first musician to score a UK Top 10 single in six different decades.
With his latest hit, Elton has topped Elvis Presley, Cher, Cliff Richard, Michael Jackson and David Bowie, who each had at least one Top 10 single in five different decades.
Cold Heart is the lead single from John’s forthcoming album The Lockdown Sessions, which features collaborations with Lil Nas X, Stevie Nicks and Stevie Wonder among others, and is due for release in October 22.
To highlight Elton’s incredible achievement, here are a few of his top 10s from each decade:
Your Song (1970) #7
This song was Elton’s first top 10 single and one of his first songs written with Bernie Taupin, his now long-term collaborator. Taupin wrote the lyrics, which express the romantic feelings of an innocent person, at just 17 years old.
Rocket Man (1972) #2
One of his best-known songs, Rocket Man was inspired by the short story ‘The Rocket Man’ by Ray Bradbury.
The first stanza of Rocket Man was thought up by Bernie Taupin while he was driving. He had to “repeat it to himself for two hours,” which he described as “unfortunate”, but in later interviews said since it gave him a hit – it was all worthwhile.
I’m Still Standing (1983) #4
While it’s an upbeat song, the lyrics of the song were inspired by a difficult relationship Taupin had been in. It’s a success story about recovering from a terrible heartbreak when the other person in the relationship treats you poorly.
Sacrifice (1990) #1
Surprisingly it took Elton and Taupin 22 studio albums to produce their first #1 single. This song is about difficulties in staying faithful and devoted in a marriage, challenging the worn-down mantra that a successful marriage requires “sacrifice”.
According to Elton, the inspiration for the song was drawn from Aretha Franklin’s hit Do Right Woman, Do Right Man, which touched on topics of infidelity and gender equality.
Something About The Way You Look Tonight (1997) #1
“It was the first song I wrote for the album. Bernie came with a pile of lyrics and I wanted to pick something positive to begin with” explained Elton while promoting The Big Picture.
He added, “The songs on the album are almost about relationships and I wanted to start with one about a relationship that was working well”.
Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word with Blue (2002) #1
The collaboration with UK boyband Blue made the top spot on the UK charts in 2002. It is a cover/collaboration of his 1976 track of the same name which hit #11 on the UK charts in that year. The song is a mournful ballad about a romantic relationship which is falling apart.
Ray Charles later covered the song for his final album Genius Loves Company in 2004, and is believed to be the last song he ever recorded.
Step Into Christmas (1973, hit the charts in 2019) #8
Step Into Christmas was written and recorded on the same day. Released in November 1973 it received heavy airplay yet only reached #24 on the UK chart until its revival in 2019 during the festive season.
Elton and Bernie Taupin wrote it as a thank you card to their fans after two hit albums that year: Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
At 74 years of age, Elton John continues to supply us with sonically delicious tracks whilst making music history – what a legend.
