Elton John and Brandi Carlile's Explosive Album Collaboration: A Behind-the-Scenes Look

The highly anticipated collaborative album between music legends Elton John and Brandi Carlile, Who Believes In Angels?, is set to release on April 4th, 2025. But the journey to its creation was anything but smooth, as revealed in recent interviews. The album, a follow-up to John's 2021 The Lockdown Sessions, features collaborations with Andrew Watt and Bernie Taupin, John’s longtime songwriting partner. It also includes the Oscar-nominated song, 'Never Too Late', created for the Disney+ documentary of the same name. Pre-orders are available now.

The Making of a Masterpiece: Tensions and Triumphs

The album's recording process, which took place in Los Angeles during October 2023 and lasted less than three weeks, was intense. Elton John, recovering from a hip replacement and a new knee, described himself as "very grumpy, I was tired, I didn’t feel well and I was extremely nervous." This nervousness, he admitted, led to "quite a few sparks to fly." Carlile corroborated this, painting a vivid picture of the studio sessions. "He smashed his iPad. He smashed headphones. There were really amazing, classic Elton John outbursts," she recalled. She described John’s reactions to her lyrics, saying, "My lyrics got torn up and thrown on the ground – he goes: ‘Fuck off, Brandi.’ He would yell: ‘Predictable! Cliche!’"

Navigating Creative Differences

Carlile, while acknowledging the intensity, clarified that she never directly confronted John about his behavior, though she "definitely felt that" he had crossed a line. She also touched upon John’s discomfort with being seen as a musical hero, stating, “Elton doesn’t want to be put on a pedestal. He doesn’t like listening to stories of my childhood love for him. There was so much riding on my perception of Elton versus who Elton really is.”

Elton John's Perspective: Anxiety and Artistic Growth

John himself addressed the outbursts, attributing them to his own anxiety: “It wasn’t me being anxious about other people, it was me being anxious about me. Once we got through the first three songs, we knew we had something. And I was much more relaxed … but I was a bit of a nightmare.” He also emphasized the album's importance as a challenge, stating, “I’m 77. If I don’t push myself, what’s the point of carrying on? Just be ‘Elton John’ for the rest of my life? [That] would have filled me with absolute fucking horror,”

A Collaborative Spirit

Despite the initial tension, the album boasts the backing of a stellar lineup of musicians. This includes Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Pino Palladino (Nine Inch Nails, Gary Numan, and David Gilmour), and Josh Klinghoffer (Pearl Jam, Beck). The collaborative process, though challenging, resulted in a unique and powerful musical product.

The Music Video and Beyond: A Kaleidoscopic Vision

The music video for the album's title track, "Who Believes In Angels?", directed by David LaChapelle, is a visual spectacle. LaChapelle, a long-time collaborator with John, describes the video as a "kaleidoscopic tribute to rock & roll," created on a giant pinball machine set. He added, “It’s been a wonderful continuation of this journey with Elton over the last 20+ years – projects, videos, stage productions, photo shoots. We created a gigantic pinball machine and made a magical world that reminds us of where we’ve been as kids – that dreams do come true – and creating together with your heroes can be a sublime experience.”

A One-Off Show and More

A special one-off show, “An Evening With Elton John & Brandi Carlile,” is scheduled for March 26th at the London Palladium, with ticket access exclusively for those who pre-order the album. This event promises a unique blend of performance and storytelling, reflecting the depth of collaboration between these two musical titans. The album's release itself is a significant event in the world of music, marking a new chapter in the careers of both Elton John and Brandi Carlile. It’s a testament to their resilience and dedication to their craft, highlighting how even the most challenging creative processes can result in extraordinary achievements. The future is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the legacy of Elton John continues to evolve.

A Legacy Forged in Fire: The Enduring Spirit of Elton John

From the fiery clashes in the studio to the dazzling visuals of the music video, the creation of Who Believes In Angels? has been nothing short of a remarkable journey. It's a story of artistic tensions, personal struggles, and ultimately, triumphant collaboration. This album isn’t merely a collection of songs; it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of Elton John, a legend who continues to push boundaries and challenge himself, even at 77. The album’s reception remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this collaborative effort has already captivated the attention of the music world. The impact of the album, and its turbulent creation, will undoubtedly be felt for years to come.