Someone Saved My Life Tonight: Superstars hail Elton John’s influence as Revamp tribute album drops

The star studded tribute to Elton John, Revamp, was released last week and saw how the songs of John and lyricist Bernie Taupin could be adapted by hip hop/soul, rock and pop artists.

The first track lifted was ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ by Q-Tip and Demi Lovato, who gave it a Motown-inspired strut.

Lovato says: “‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ is such a classic, it’s just always been around me. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work on this.

“Elton’s such an icon, a legend, a trail blazer and he’s authentic and true to himself.

“This version of the song has a more soulful edge, Q-Tip did a great job.”

Revamp was released last Friday April 6 by EMI Music Australia.

Some of the stars who took part in the record have come forward with why the piano man born Reggie Dwight made such a major impact on their musical lives.

Ed Sheeran: “I think Elton has influenced most artists nowadays musically –  he’s just a great songwriter.

“The first time I heard ‘Candle In The Wind’ would have been Diana’s funeral.

“I was six at the time, I remember my dad bringing me in and sitting me in front of the TV and being like this is really important – you have to watch this and you have to remember this.”

Sam Smith: “Not only am I completely in love with Elton’s music and have been ever since I can remember, he has also become an important figure in my life, and a beautiful friend.

“It was an honour to celebrate him and Bernie with all the other wonderful artists.

“I chose to sing ‘Daniel’ as there is something about that song that speaks to me and my family and friends.

“It is a treasure in my eyes & was truly a joy to sing..”

Brandon Flowers of The Killers: I wasn’t familiar with ‘Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters’. It wasn’t until I saw Million Dollar Piano, which is the second incarnation of Elton’s show in Las Vegas.

“I saw him play it live and it knocked me over that there was this song out there that existed that I didn’t know about that would touch me and be so powerful.  

“I sat there with tears in my eyes in the audience going ‘what is this song,’ so I guess that that is why it jumped out at me to cover.”

Chris Martin: “It’s an honour to do it. For as much as one progresses through life, if you’re lucky, you get to meet all these people and spend time with them and work with them.

“Sometimes it’s important to remember that the music that’s come through them has really changed my life.

“Elton is in that group for me, with Chopin and Bob Marley and Beyonce, and a bunch of people who their work has really shaped the way I enjoy life. It means a lot.”

Joshua Homme of Queens of the Stone Age:  ‘It’s nice to pick something that may seem off kilter at first for us to do.

“But ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ really has the psychedelic carousel nature to it.

“I think at first we thought we will tinker with the arrangement, but there’s so many beautiful chords –  the chord progression is so wonderful – once you step on that carousel, it’s just this beautiful musical swirl and it’s really intoxicating to be on that carousel.

“And it seemed like there’s a psychedelic element that we could bring out, that it’s touching on, and that maybe the key for us to do it would be to accentuate the wispiness that is going on in the song.”

Q-Tip: “Elton’s influence shows you that the possibilities of music are endless.

“He’s astute in so many types of music, he does it all and being a hip hop kid, our whole aesthetic was that everything was up for grabs and that’s how he has always been to me.

“I remember the (June 1976) premiere of Don’t Go Breaking My Heart with Kiki Dee and seeing it as a kid and loving it.

“Elton was gracious enough to be part of the last Tribe album, so it was serendipitous and logical to return the favour.

“Rhythmically, we just wanted to make it a little funkier. He’s a master showman, singer, pianist. He’s the all-round goods.”

Alessia Cara: “I love Elton John, I love everything he stands for.  

“He has made such an impact on music and the way that I look at art and the way that I look at music.  

“Any chance to honour him in any way is amazing.”

‘Revamp’ Tracklisting:

Bennie And The Jets  / Elton John, P!nk and Logic

We All Fall In Love Sometimes / Coldplay

I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues / Alessia Cara

Candle In The Wind (2018 Version) / Ed Sheeran

Tiny Dancer / Florence + The Machine

Someone Saved My Life Tonight / Mumford & Sons

Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word / Mary J. Blige

Don’t Go Breaking My Heart / Q-Tip featuring Demi Lovato

Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters / The Killers

Daniel / Sam Smith

Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me / Miley Cyrus

Your Song / Lady Gaga

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road / Queens of the Stone Age

The release of Revamp was also accompanied by a Nashville influenced album Restoration on Universal Music Group Nashville.

It features Elton’s songs reinterpreted by country acts including Rosanne Cash, Emmylou Harris, Miley Cyrus and Willie Nelson.

The 70-year-old Hall of Fame inductee will wrap up his long time touring stints with a three-year ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ world tour.