You know that feeling when you're at a wedding or a bar, and "Tiny Dancer" starts playing? Everyone suddenly thinks they're a backup singer. It’s a collective moment. But honestly, if you look at the actual list of Elton John songs, that track is just a tiny, glittery drop in a massive bucket. We're talking about a guy who has written over 450 songs with Bernie Taupin alone.
Most people can name maybe ten. "Rocket Man." "Your Song." "I’m Still Standing." Maybe they remember the Lion King stuff if they grew up in the 90s. But the sheer volume of his output is kind of terrifying. It’s not just a list; it’s a timeline of British pop culture, drug-fueled 70s rock, and 80s synth-glam.
The Hits You Definitely Know (And Probably Overplay)
Let's get the big ones out of the way. You can’t have a list of Elton John songs without the heavy hitters. These are the ones that paid for his various mansions and his legendary glasses collection.
- Your Song (1970): Basically the blueprint for the sensitive piano ballad. It’s simple. It’s sweet. It’s also incredibly hard to sing well because Elton’s phrasing is so specific.
- Rocket Man (1972): This is the one that cemented the "Space Cowboy" vibe. Interesting fact: it was actually inspired by a short story by Ray Bradbury.
- Bennie and the Jets (1973): That weird, stuttering "B-B-B-Bennie" was actually an accident in the studio that they decided to keep. It sounds like a live track, but it was actually recorded in a studio with canned applause dubbed over it.
- Candle in the Wind (1973/1997): Originally about Marilyn Monroe, then rewritten for Princess Diana. It remains one of the best-selling singles of all time, which is sort of bittersweet when you think about why it was re-released.
The "Deep Cuts" That Deserve More Love
This is where things get interesting. If you only listen to the Greatest Hits albums, you’re missing the weird stuff. The stuff where Bernie Taupin’s lyrics get really dark and Elton’s piano playing gets almost prog-rock.
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Take "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding." It’s an eleven-minute epic that opens the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album. The first half is this synthesized, gothic funeral dirge, and then it explodes into one of the hardest-rocking piano riffs ever recorded. It’s aggressive. It’s loud. It’s definitely not "Can You Feel the Love Tonight."
Then there's "Amoreena" from Tumbleweed Connection. If you've seen the movie Dog Day Afternoon, you might recognize it from the opening scene. It’s got this swampy, Americana feel that most people don’t associate with a guy from Pinner, Middlesex. Honestly, that whole album is Elton trying to be in The Band, and he kind of pulls it off.
A Random Smattering of Songs You Should Actually Listen To:
- "Ticking" – A haunting story about a mass shooter. It’s incredibly dark for a pop star.
- "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" – Elton's "New York" song. It’s far superior to most of his 80s output.
- "I Feel Like a Bullet (In the Gun of Robert Ford)" – A weirdly funky breakup song with a Wild West metaphor.
- "Grey Seal" – The lyrics make absolutely zero sense (even Bernie admits he doesn't know what it's about), but the piano work is frantic and brilliant.
Why the 80s and 90s Get a Bad Rap
For a long time, critics acted like Elton John died in 1976 and was replaced by a guy who loved synthesizers and cocaine. Sure, there were some duds (looking at you, Victim of Love). But the list of Elton John songs from the 80s actually has some real gems.
"I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues" features Stevie Wonder on harmonica. You can't beat that. And "I’m Still Standing" isn’t just a catchy pop tune; it was a genuine "f-you" to the critics who thought he was washed up.
The 90s gave us the Disney era. While some "serious" music fans roll their eyes at "Circle of Life," you can't deny the craft. He managed to translate his theatrical 70s energy into a format that every kid on the planet could sing. That’s not easy.
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The Songwriting Secret: Elton vs. Bernie
People always ask how they did it. Basically, Bernie would write the lyrics alone, then hand them to Elton. Elton would sit at the piano and write the music in about 20 minutes. No, seriously. Most of the songs on this list were written in the time it takes to eat a sandwich.
They never wrote in the same room. Maybe that's why the songs work—there’s a tension between Bernie’s often gritty, American-inspired poetry and Elton’s very British, melodic sensibilities.
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Actionable Steps for the Aspiring Fan
If you want to move beyond the radio hits and actually understand why this guy is a legend, don't just search for a random list of Elton John songs. Do this instead:
- Listen to 'Tumbleweed Connection' front to back. It’s his best work. No glitter, just great songwriting.
- Watch a live performance from 1970 to 1975. The way he attacks a piano is more like a percussionist than a traditional pianist.
- Check out 'Songs from the West Coast' (2001). It was a late-career return to form that many people missed.
- Read the lyrics to 'Someone Saved My Life Tonight.' It’s a literal account of his attempted suicide and how his friend Long John Baldry talked him out of a disastrous marriage. It’s heavy stuff hidden in a beautiful melody.
Stop treating him like a legacy act and start listening to the B-sides. You'll find a lot more than just sequins and "Crocodile Rock" la-la-las.