Elton John is preparing to release his new album in collaboration with Brandi Carlile, but as he revealed in a recent interview, the creative process led him to confront thoughts about his own mortality.
An Emotional Journey Through Music
The album, Who Believes in Angels?, is set to be released on April 4 and has already generated buzz with tracks like the title song and Swing for the Fences. Elton John described the project as one of the most challenging yet fulfilling musical experiences of his life.
In an interview on the Smartless podcast, released exclusively to subscribers on March 25—his 78th birthday—John spoke about how the album’s final track had a profound impact on him.
“I wrote the last song on the album, took Bernie Taupin’s lyrics, started composing the verse, and thought, ‘Oh, this is beautiful.’ Then I reached the chorus and, of course, it was about my own death.”
Reflecting on the Time Left
Elton John admitted that age has made him reflect on how much time he has left. “When you reach my age—almost 100, as I like to joke—you start wondering, ‘How much time do I have left?’” he said, referencing his husband, David Furnish, and their sons, Zachary and Elijah. “You have children, a wonderful husband, and you just start thinking about mortality. And when I got to the chorus, I broke down for 45 minutes—and it was all caught on camera.”
These deeply emotional moments are featured in the documentary Elton John: Never Too Late, which premiered in October to critical acclaim. The song Never Too Late, also included on the new album, was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Brandi Carlile on Elton John’s Raw Honesty
Brandi Carlile, who worked closely with Elton John on this project, highlighted the emotional authenticity captured in the recordings. “I want everyone to see it because it’s real, human, deeply honest, and at times, uncomfortable. The most fascinating emotion is the one that surfaces when you forget the camera is there.”
Elton John’s Early Days in Music
In the same Smartless episode—set to be available to all listeners on March 31—John also reflected on his early days in the music industry. “I never saw myself as a solo artist,” he revealed. “When I was in the band Bluesology, I took a risk by going to Liberty Records and saying, ‘I want to write songs, I’m tired of playing in a band that doesn’t want to move forward, and I can sing too.’”
