Elton John Collapsed While Realizing He’s Singing About His Death

Elton John recently had an emotional moment while working on new music, according to his collaborator Brandi Carlile. She revealed that during a recording session, John was moved to tears when he realized he was singing about his own mortality.

“His Whole Body Crumpled”

Carlile described the powerful scene: “The glasses came off; his whole body crumpled over the piano. He wept. I put my arms around him and held him.” She explained that John, typically known for his stoic and composed nature, was overwhelmed with emotion.

She also recalled how the atmosphere shifted when his husband, David Furnish, and their friend Andrew arrived. “Andrew, he’s very dramatic, like a Jewish grandmother,” Carlile joked. “He comes running in with tissues. We’re having this really profound moment where Elton has come face-to-face with his mortality without really being able to say it.”

And then, just as the moment reached its peak, John suddenly broke the tension. “When he looks up, we’re like, ‘What’s he gonna say?’ And he goes, ‘Is it too Lion King?’” Carlile recalled. “I said, ‘No, no!’ Andrew burst out laughing. Elton burst out laughing. It was unbelievable. At first, it was the saddest thing I’ve ever seen, and then it got really funny, really fast.”

Facing a New Reality

John later reflected on why the song hit him so deeply. Bernie Taupin’s lyrics, said, “touched a nerve because I have children now and I have a husband, and it’s not just being Elton on his own, it’s wanting to be with the people I love.” He admitted that while he once claimed he wanted to die on stage, he no longer feels that way and his retirement ensures that won’t happen.

Struggles With Anxiety in Retirement

Though John has stepped away from performing, he recently experienced unexpected anxiety while filming a cameo for Spinal Tap 2. Walking into a massive auditorium triggered a panic attack. “I did kind of hyperventilate,” he admitted. “I said, ‘Jesus, I’m so glad I don’t have to do this anymore.’”

At 77, John is embracing a quieter life, prioritizing his health, family, and well-being after decades in the spotlight.