Great musical collaborations: Elton John and Bernie Taupin

The Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin

When I first started writing songs, it was a lonely proposition. That’s not to say I didn’t love it, it’s just that it was lonely. Once I started writing with others, a whole new world opened up.

The collaborative aspect of writing songs is a huge gift. It’s as wonderful as writing solo, only better. I’m lucky enough to live with my musical partner, and the opportunity to write together is an amazing experience. The difference between writing by myself and with him is subtle, but divine. When I write myself, I have only my instincts to depend on. When I write with him, the songs move in different directions. It’s fascinating and inspiring.

One of the most historic collaborations in rock history is that of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Elton wrote the music and Taupin the lyrics. Here’s an excerpt from Bernie Taupin’s biography on collaborating with Elton John and others:

By the time they worked together on the Tumbleweed album, which was released in 1970, Taupin and John had developed a style of collaboration in which Taupin worked alone, giving the lyrics to John who then developed the melodies. Taupin's writing habits have since changed; where once he simply sat down and wrote unaccompanied, he now finds using a guitar helpful in the creative process. He plays chords on the guitar as he writes the lyrics. It was a real first for Taupin after forming the Farm Dogs when the members sat around in a circle equipped with guitars, and worked out the music as a group.

Taupin has written lyrics for hundreds of songs, many of which Elton John has created melodies for and recorded. Some of their hit songs include "Your Song," "Daniel," "Rocket Man," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," and "Candle In The Wind." Their 1975 album, Captain Fantastic and The Brown Dirt Cowboy, was autobiographical in nature: John was Captain Fantastic and Taupin was The Brown Dirt Cowboy. Taupin also released three solo albums during the 1970s and 1980s. He wrote lyrics for other artists too, including co-writing all ten songs on Alice Cooper's 1978 album From The Inside. Taupin wrote the lyrics for "We Built This City," recorded by Starship in 1985 and "These Dreams," recorded by Heart in 1986. He has also penned lyrics for Melissa Manchester, Rod Stewart, John Waite, and others.

Taupin's favorite songs with Elton John include "Sacrifice," 1989, and "The One," 1992. He also favors the original version of "Candle In The Wind," which was written as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe in 1973. Little did he know--as he told Gambaccini in the early 1970s, "I think {it's} the best song we've ever written.... I think ... it's going to be the best thing we've ever done"--the full magnitude of his words would carry some 20 years hence. Taupin reworked the lyrics at John's request in 1997. The new version of "Candle In The Wind" was performed as a tribute by John at Diana's funeral and would go on to become the largest selling single ever, with sales of 35 million copies. John donated his proceeds to Diana's Memorial Fund, which supports her favorite charities and is expected to raise over 160 million dollars.

If you’re used to writing alone, even if you’re satisfied with the results, I recommend you come out and test the waters of collaboration. You may be pleasantly surprised at the direction another writer can take you in.