Giles Martin & Taron Egerton on remaking Elton classics for ‘Rocketman’

Both Rocketman producer Giles Martin and lead Taron Egerton had their share of apprehension when they started work on the soundtrack to the Elton John biopic.

How to put their slant on one of rock’s most durable and beloved (read: fiercely protective fans) song catalogues was a serious challenge.

Interestingly, Elton’s voice does not appear anywhere on the 22-track soundtrack. Only appearing on a new track written by Elton and Bernie Taupin, ‘(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again,’ performed by Elton and Egerton.

Martin, who reveals he had to “play the bastard” when remixing his father’s production of Beatles records, said he and Egerton were lucky with this project.

He says that the piano man actually encouraged them to interpret and play about with his songs, especially because the film has many fantasy sequences.

‘Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting’, for instance, becomes an epic ensemble piece.

‘I Want Love’ is given a greater sense of poignancy, underlying the lonely unloved childhood of Reg Dwight.

Leadoff single ‘Rocket Man’ is given a more intense atmospheric feel, made more compelling as the footage shows Elton’s rise to superstardom.

The producer explains, “Elton said, ‘I don’t think I’ve heard anyone sing my songs better than Taron.

“The great thing about Elton is that he wants Taron’s interpretations of his songs.”

Egerton adds: “The beauty of having Elton involved with the film is that we’ve been able to work with him to see how far we can take these classic songs.

“Giles Martin has impeccable taste and massive skills to bring the songs to a place where they are faithful and daring as well.”

Elton John said in a statement: “It was so important that the music I composed and recorded had to be sung by Taron.

“I wanted his interpretation of me, through Bernie [Taupin]’s lyrics and my music — not just acting.

“I left Taron in the hands of Giles Martin, who I trusted implicitly because he’s brilliant.

“I didn’t want to be in Taron’s shadows, watching over the process, I trusted them to do what they needed to do, artistically, and listening back I’ve been astonished with the results.

“Getting the music right was the most important thing, as the songs in the film are integral to the story.”

The spectre of the movie and soundtrack of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody swings high over Rocketman. This is in terms of artistry and commercial success.

‘Love Me Again’ was freshly written for the movie, making it eligible for the best song Oscar.

Bohemian Rhapsody’s nominations dominated the Oscars but were not eligible for the music because the songs were all past classics.

Rocketman: Music From The Motion Picture is set for release on May 24 via EMI Music Australia.

The film hits Australian cinemas on May 30 through Paramount Pictures.