The Greatest Hits 1970-2002

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Elton famously sang Whatever Gets You Through the Night with his friend John Lennon at Madison Square Garden in 1974. Eight years later, the “garden” stands empty as the former Beatle’s 1980 shooting provides melancholy inspiration for one of Elton’s most affecting ballads. He still performs it. 9. Song for Guy (1978)

From the film Songs from the West Coast – starring Justin Timberlake as peak glam lunacy era Elton – is this prime Elton ballad. Get the scarves out. 34. Elderberry Wine (1973) This trademark big ballad about unrequited love was initially a hit in 1974 before the combined star power of G&E gave them a trans-Atlantic 90s No.1. 32. Skyline Pigeon (1969)A trademark big ballad from the animated Disney film, The Lion King, with lyrics by Tim Rice, who recalls how Elton produced a “stunning demo” from the written words in just 90 minutes. A true pro. 37. Little Jeanie (1980) Elton made so many great records in the 70s that his 80s efforts can be overshadowed, but this piano-bashing celebration of endurance is such a signature tune that some shops have even sold I’m Still Standing underpants. 26. Madman Across the Water (1971) Greatest Hits no. 135". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2 September 2011 . Retrieved 15 July 2021.

Producer Gus Dudgeon always claimed that this gritty song about escape was inspired by Levon Helm, drummer from the Band, whose 1968 album Music From Big Pink had a big impact on Elton and Bernie. But the lyricist insists he “just liked the name”. Elton does too, naming his first son (with husband David Furnish, via a surrogate mother) Zachary Levon Furnish-John. 16. Rotten Peaches (1971) Elton’s fortunes initially upped after meeting his lyricist of many decades, Bernie Taupin, through an advert. Elton (on harpsichord here) later re-recorded this stirring, hymn-like song, which he has described as “the first one of ours we got excited about”. 31. Can You Feel the Love Tonight? (1994) Elton and Bernie barely put a foot or note wrong between 1970’s Elton John and 1975’s Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, producing so many great songs that some almost got trampled in the rush. This lesser-known story of a prisoner, missing home, is an underrated gem from Madman Across the Water. 15. Someone Saved My Life Tonight (1975) In 1992, a new version was released worldwide. Elton John had moved to Polygram Records, who got the rights to all of his DJM recordings (pre-1976). MCA now controlled his post-DJM recordings, including his later work on Geffen Records which had been taken over by MCA. Geffen's Greatest Hits Volume III was deleted and replaced with Greatest Hits 1976–1986, which also contained "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" and "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" from the original version of Greatest Hits – Volume 2. On the new edition, those two songs were replaced with two singles not on the original version, 1971's " Tiny Dancer" and 1975's "I Feel Like a Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford)". Meanwhile, since the current edition of Greatest Hits Volume One now included "Bennie and the Jets" worldwide, Volume 2 now included "Levon" worldwide. What do I have to do to make you love me?” sings Elton, perhaps the most disconsolate opening line of his career. By the mid-70s, touring and drug use were taking a toll, but Elton and Bernie both contribute lyrics to a song about dying love that’s as beautiful as it is sad. 7. Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters (1972)

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From late period, minimalist gem The Diving Board, EJ evokes the poetry and spiralling piano runs of his early years with this lovely insight into the mind of a blind Deep South bluesman. 45. Please (1995) The original album contained a booklet containing lyrics to the songs (even to the covers of " Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and " Pinball Wizard"), with illustrations or performance photos for each song. ORICON STYLE-ミュージック"[Highest position and charting weeks of Your Song: Greatest Hits (1996 reissue) by Elton John]. oricon.co.jp (in Japanese) . Retrieved 1 May 2013. Elton’s first ever US performance was supporting the late Leon Russell, who shared vocal tips and decades later, joined Elton for the album The Union. This is a beautiful song about a fading love. 43. Believe (1995) A chocolate effigy of Sir Elton John at Madame Tussauds in 2015. Photograph: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images 11. Candle in the Wind (1974)

Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1sted.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5. This dark, seven-minute hit revisits Elton’s suicidal late 1960s feelings as a struggling, musician engaged to be married. The “someone” is musician friend Long John Baldry, who offered advice. Ironically, shortly after the song’s release, an again stressed-out Elton took 60 Valium pills, dived into a pool and yelled, “I’m going to die!” 14. Sacrifice (1989) A touching song from Made in England, which finds Elton in the role of elder statesman with nothing to prove except his capacity for love, and pleading “let me grow old with you”. 44. When Love Is Dying (with Leon Russell) (2010)

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Japanese album certifications – エルトン・ジョン – Greatest Hits" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan . Retrieved 29 August 2022. Select 1996年7月 on the drop-down menu

With the crazy outfits, barmy glasses and wheelbarrows of cocaine of the 70s far behind him, the post-throat op Elton uses his deeper range and older man’s gravitas to maximum effect. 42. Dan Dare (Pilot of the Future) (1975)

Ubiquity shouldn’t sully the innocent purity of this haunting ballad about a vulnerable Marilyn Monroe, as worshipped by a “kid” from afar. Twenty-three years later, a visibly upset Elton sang a rewritten version at close friend Princess Diana’s funeral, which was subsequently released to become the biggest-selling UK single ever. 10. Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny) (1982)