TOP TEN ELTON JOHN COVERS
Posted on June 23rd, 2010 by ekko
Elton John is a slut. He’ll play for anyone, if they pay him enough. He proved that when played for this fathead homophobe’s wedding. But at least he got a million dollars of the radio-hack’s dough.
But in addition to being a slut, he’s a damn fine songwriter. My personal favorite EJ album is Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. Someone Saved My Life Tonight gives me chills.
Here’s my ten favorite Elton covers . . .
10. Take Me To the Pilot-The Quiet. This is like Van Morrison doing the song.
9. Bennie and the Jets-Animal Liberation Orchestra.
8. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road-Keane
7. Daniel-Ari Heist. Another performer who few folks know about, but who knocks it out of the park every time.
6. Rocket Man-Bill Janovitz. Slow and gentle. It’s not so much what Bill does with it, it’s what Bill does with every song he covers. Tremendous performer.
5. Bennie and the Jets-The Beastie Boys.
4. Rocket Man-My Morning Jacket. The perfect band for this oft-covered song.
3. Tiny Dancer-The Foo Fighters.
2. Ryan Adams and Elton himself, live at the Grand Ole Opry. If you haven’t heard the whole show, you owe it to yourself to go here and enjoy it. It’s from back when Ryan was at the height of his powers, and the two of them alternate doing each others songs. Here’s a taste:
1. Bill Shatner.
And for those of you who stick with my posts, and read ‘em all the way through, here’s a zip file of all the songs mentioned above.
Comment By: Ray
June 23rd, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Nice selection! It’s actually Ari HEST though. He does some great Peter Gabriel covers too.
Comment By: Todd
June 24th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Just because I’m weird like that and I like to have as much info in my music player… but could you let me know the name of what cd’s some of these tracks were on?
Comment By: ekko
June 25th, 2010 at 8:37 am
The Quiet, ALO, MMJ, Foo, Ryan (I linked to it), Ari-Live bootlegs
Janovitz-Free on his website
Beasties-unreleased boot
Keane-Help: A Day in the Life (charity album)
Comment By: fongolia
June 25th, 2010 at 10:30 am
…and yet all the money from his private concerts goes directly to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. That he’s getting Rush Limbaugh to essentially give a million bucks to an AIDS foundation makes it all the better.
Comment By: ekko
June 25th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Well, if that’s true, then hoo-rah for him!
Comment By: Mackenzie Ward
June 29th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
Elton John is a very good musician and has been my idol ever since.~”‘
Comment By: brenko
August 23rd, 2010 at 6:06 pm
actually he doesnt write his own songs…
Comment By: ekko
August 24th, 2010 at 10:39 am
Actually, he does. He writes the music. Bernie writes the lyrics.