New Elton John ''reimaginings'' in stores April 6

New cover albums showcase the variety of artists who have been influenced by Elton John.

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Iconic pop star Elton John recently made headlines earlier this year when he announced his retirement and a massive 60-plus-date tour. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that throughout his 55-year career, complete with albums, Broadway musicals and movie soundtracks, John has amassed a huge following and influenced countless numbers of today’s artists.

As most fans know, John’s longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin also deserves props for the impact John’s music has left on the world. Taupin has written the lyrics to the majority of John’s songs, dating back to the 1960s. 

Over the years, dozens of artists have taken on the challenge of covering John and Taupin’s work, but this Friday two new kinds of cover albums will be hitting shelves — Revamp & Restoration: Reimagining the Songs of Elton John & Bernie Taupin. Rather than simply singing John’s songs that we all know and love, the artists on these records will put their own twists on the classic tracks.

“It's always a huge compliment when an artist loves your song enough to take the time and effort to rework it,” said John on his official website. “As songwriters, Bernie and myself are thrilled when singers we admire and respect as much as those on 'Revamp' choose to add their own unique twist in the process. It means that our music is still relevant and ultimately that our songs continue to reach new audiences. We're humbled and thank them all for their generosity.”

Revamp is complete with many of today’s hottest artists, such as Lady Gaga reimagining “Your Song” — which you can check out below — and Ed Sheeran taking on “Candle in the Wind,” and John himself even joins Pink and Logic for a new rendition of “Bennie and the Jets.” There’s something for everyone, with alternative acts like The Killers and Queens of the Stone Age, and hip-hop artists like Mary K. Blige and Q-Tip.

If country is more your thing, though, you’re in luck. Because you get a whole separate album. Restoration takes on classic Americana, despite John and Taupin both being English, with tracks by some of the biggest names in country music. Chris Stapleton, who recently collaborated with Justin Timberlake covers “I Want Love,” while classic country artists like Don Henley and Vince Gill lend their voices to “Sacrifice.” Rhonda Vincent and Dolly Parton even reunite to reimagine “Please.”

Miley Cyrus, being the multitasker we all know and love her to be, is featured on both the pop and country albums, singing “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” and “The Bitch is Back.”


Another thing that sets these records apart from your typical cover albums is the fact that John and Taupin had such big hand in the creation of them. John chose the artists featured on Revamp, while Taupin picked who sang on Restoration.

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