Elton John, the iconic British musician, recently shared an emotional moment from a recording session that left him in tears for 45 minutes as he faced his mortality. Celebrating his 78th birthday on March 25, 2025, John spoke candidly about the challenges he has encountered in recent years, including significant health issues.
While recording the song "When This Old World Is Done With Me" for his upcoming collaborative album with Brandi Carlile, John experienced a profound reflection on life and death. During a recent episode of the 'Smartless' podcast, he described how the lyrics of the song, penned by his longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin, deeply affected him.
"I wrote a song at the end of the album and I just get the lyrics, Bernie Taupin's lyrics called 'When This Old World Is Done With Me'. And so I'm writing the verse, like, 'Oh, this is really pretty.' And then I get to the chorus and of course it's about my death," John recounted. At his age, he reflected, the inevitability of mortality weighs heavily, particularly as he thinks about his young sons, Zachary and Elijah, and his husband, David Furnish.
As the emotional weight of the song hit him, John said, "When you get to my age, which is near 100, you think, 'How much time have I got left?' And you've got children, you've got a wonderful husband, you just think about mortality. So, when I got to the chorus, I just broke down for 45 minutes and it's all on film." This heartfelt moment was captured in his documentary, "Elton John: Never Too Late," which was released in October.
Brandi Carlile, who collaborated with John on the album, described witnessing his breakdown as a profoundly human experience. "I want everybody to see it because it's really human, like deeply flawed and embarrassing," Carlile shared. She emphasized the vulnerability of the moment, noting that it was a reminder of the raw emotions that can surface during the creative process. "He got to the end of that chorus and his voice started to shake and I thought, 'Oh, he's going, like he's going to really go.' And he went into a real moment," she said.
Despite his emotional struggles, John has been met with an outpouring of support from friends and fans, many of whom sent their heartfelt birthday wishes on social media. Celebrity pals were quick to rally around him, showing their appreciation and love as he commemorated this milestone birthday. Susannah Constantine shared a sweet selfie of herself kissing John on the cheek, writing, "Happy Happy Everything Day @eltonjohn. Through thick and thin #wingman #wingwoman." DJ Fat Tony also took to Instagram, posting a picture with John to mark the occasion.
John's birthday celebration comes in the wake of a difficult period in his life. In addition to the emotional burdens he has expressed, he has faced significant health challenges, including the loss of vision in his right eye due to a severe infection. He also revealed that he has limited vision in his left eye, creating further concerns for his artistic career. Alongside these struggles, he has been dealing with prostate cancer, a battle he announced in 2018.
Despite these hardships, John remains committed to his art, stating that his upcoming album, titled "Who Believes in Angels?"—set for release on April 4, 2025—is his best work in the last 40 years. The new album features intimate reflections on his life, with songs that delve into themes of love, loss, and legacy.
As he marks this significant birthday, John encourages himself to embrace vulnerability and honesty in his music, acknowledging the inevitable passage of time and the importance of meaningful connections with loved ones. John's heartfelt reflections remind us all of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment.
In a world that often feels disconnected, John's journey invites listeners to find comfort in shared experiences of love and sorrow, underscoring that it is through these emotions that true humanity thrives. With this new chapter ahead, Elton John's contributions to music and culture continue to resonate, inspiring generations yet to come.
