Elton John doesn't write his own lyrics.

[OrdealByFire]

I just found this out. Well, not really, I did about two months ago, but I forgot to share it. He writes his own music, though... but still. FAIL!

[Gatsby 42]

Old news.

But yeah, this is why Ben Folds is superior to him.

[OrdealByFire]

Old news.

But yeah, this is why Ben Folds is superior to him.

I figured. I wasn't doing a news flash though, FYI, bruh.

[instantdeath999]

There's actually a South Park joke about that.

[hmxhenry]

The powerhouse tag team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin are near unstoppable in the world of pop. More power to them. Whether he writes his own lyrics or not, it doesn't take away from the fact that he's been a dynamite performer for near 40 years.

[hawkofva]

The powerhouse tag team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin are near unstoppable in the world of pop. More power to them. Whether he writes his own lyrics or not, it doesn't take away from the fact that he's been a dynamite performer for near 40 years.
Hell yes. Looking forward to the day we get to play Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) on Rock Band. It will happen. Someday.
Hint. Hint.

[whofan]

I just found this out. Well, not really, I did about two months ago, but I forgot to share it. He writes his own music, though... but still. FAIL!
The man hasn't wrote a lyric in like 40 years, has acknowledged that he doesn't write lyrics countless times, and is ALWAYS associated with someone else on the writing credits (Usually Taupin, but not always) and you're just discovering it now?

And tell me, how does this exactly make him "fail"?

The man is capable of writing catchy tunes and knows his limitations, therefore he employs the services of one of his best friends for the task of writing.

Writing a song is not an easy thing to do, despite how it may look from the outside. I think that he doesn't write his own lyrics makes his songs that much more special because he seemlessly blends his music with the other lyrics to make a coherent whole that is thoroughly enteraining. He makes it sound like one person wrote the entire thing, and that's a talent that should not be shunted.

Regardless, many other performers throughout history, and in modern music, didn't/don't write their own music. For example, Elvis Presley never wrote a single song in his life (well, unless he never recorded them, maybe he wrote them in his diary, I don't know). Does Elvis "fail" too?

Some people are talented entertainers and singers but don't have the talent to write music (which is a whole separate talent in and of itself). Okay, maybe you don't like Elton John, but you can not deny his influence on music.

[hawkofva]

Not everybody can be Pete Townshend you know.

[thetrout]

Just because he doesn't write the words doesn't mean he isn't a musical genius. The dude can write a tune like no other, and - as our able commander already stated - his work with Taupin in the 70s and early 80s is the stuff of legend.

(In fact, Mr. Henry, I would point out that Sir Elton's first greatest hits compilation is one of the greatest ever put together and would be MORE than welcome in Rock Band.)

[kiggidykev]

Hell yes. Looking forward to the day we get to play Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting) on Rock Band. It will happen. Someday.
Hint. Hint.

How about the Kid Rock cover? :p

[hawkofva]

How about the Kid Rock cover? :p
No. The Elton John version has plenty of guitar, bass, and drums to make it work in RB (which is why I recommended that instead of say, Rocket Man, which I like more), plus there will never be a singing experience like trying to match Elton John's vocals, which are the most important part.

[kiggidykev]

Oh I agree, I'd much prefer the Elton John version. :)

[hawkofva]

Oh I agree, I'd much prefer the Elton John version. :)
Gotcha, I can never tell who takes that guy seriously and who doesn't.

[Runesmith]

Elton John may not write his own lyrics, but he's still an amazing singer, pianist, and composer.

Oh, and the obligatory shameless plug: Levon and Tiny Dancer for DLC plz!

[AnarchyintheUK]

No. The Elton John version has plenty of guitar, bass, and drums to make it work in RB (which is why I recommended that instead of say, Rocket Man, which I like more), plus there will never be a singing experience like trying to match Elton John's vocals, which are the most important part.

I've played the Elton John version of Saturday Night, in a band once (with me on piano) and can I say what hard work it is. Elton is a genius in that he can keep up with the crazy piano part and sing.

[Fatal_T]

I just found this out. Well, not really, I did about two months ago, but I forgot to share it. He writes his own music, though... but still. FAIL!

Words fail me at your failure.

[OrdealByFire]

Words fail me at your failure.

because i'm the only one in the world that didn't know that?

"it's the fact that he doesn't have to write lyrics to be a great musician." True, but I'm not criticizing his musical creativity and talent, I was somewhat surprised at the fact that the guy didn't write his own lyrics. Big deal.

What can you say now? OMGZPWNT.

[PuckJunkie]

The powerhouse tag team of Elton John and Bernie Taupin are near unstoppable in the world of pop. More power to them. Whether he writes his own lyrics or not, it doesn't take away from the fact that he's been a dynamite performer for near 40 years.

QFT. Lots of songwriting teams are duos, and I don't see any reason to call out Elton John with a "FAIL" for not writing lyrics. These aren't exactly ghostwritten, he's half of one of the most famous collaborations in the history of rock. I have at least as much respect for Elton John as I do for, say, Michael Stipe, whose lyrics (according to his own words) "rely heavily on nonsense". Which is not to say I'm not a fan of Michael Stipe. I am.

It's common enough in pop right now to have both your own music and lyrics written by someone else that it's hardly worth mentioning - except to praise the talents of such a prolific team.

Slightly off-topic aside: the "tribute" CD with covers of John & Taupin ("Two Rooms"? I think?) is great. Clapton's Border Song alone is worth the price.