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You have to love Elton John. The man just never stops. Elton John loves what he’s doing he’s easily one of the most prolific songwriters in rock ‘n’ roll history. The man has had many number one hits throughout his career and he still continues to turn them out hitting number one again in the United Kingdom with his new hit single “Merry Christmas.” This wonderful new festive Christmas song was recorded with Ed Sheeran. The two dynamic music artists sound great together on this extraordinary new single. Ed Sheeran’s tenor voice seems to push Elton John to sing a little bit higher in his register than he has been lately. In many ways it sounds like old Elton John from the 1970s. The deep voice is there, but there is something about the way he sings this one that reminds us of old vintage Elton John.
These young musical artists seem to have really inspired Elton John to continue to celebrate his career as one of the greatest of all time. Unlike many other classic rock artists who just play their old songs and never write anything new like Billy the Kid, Elton John continues to release new music. He may be rethinking his retirement tour. Elton John’s a man who doesn’t seem like he will ever retire.
Who would want to retire when they just hit number one again. Pushing the Queen of Christmas Mariah Carey aside, Elton John and Ed Sheeran’s new hit single Merry Christmas has hit number one in the United Kingdom and looks like it will maintain that position in for a second week. This is a big one. These two must have known this was going to hit number one because this song is just so darn good.
Ed Sheeran’s opens the song with his vocal, but it not too long before we hear that treasured voice of Elton John taking the third verse. The two trade off verses throughout the song while singing together on the chorus. If you’re an Elton John fan, this one will give you chills,. The song is fueled by Elton John’s spirited piano playing. Elton John’s flourishing piano eighth notes rhythms lends itself well to a song that sounds like it was produced by Phil Spector. The song sounds fresh but at the same times seems to pay tribute to many past Christmas classics. There is also a bit of a feel reminiscent of the British Christmas charity classic by Bob Geldof and Band Aid called “Do They Know It’s Christmas.”
Accompanying the new song by Elton John and Ed Sheeran is a glorious video that highlights the holiday season in charming Christmas colors. Elton John plays a gorgeous red Yamaha Grand Piano. Ed Sheeran seems to be having a lot of fun presenting his own Elton John persona through the video while appearing in a pair of Elton John glasses at one point. It’s fun to watch the two musicians who are ages apart just gel so well together in celebrating the holiday season with such a magnificent new single.
Merry Christmas is not the first Elton John Christmas single. In 1973 Elton John and Bernie Taupin released their original Christmas song entitled “Step into Christmas” The song was a top 40 hit in the United Kingdom back in 1973. The song would later appear on the deluxe version of Caribou on CC as well as the Elton John box set To Be Continued…. and many other Elton John compilations.
The song Step into Christmas” would also open up the Elton John’s Christmas Party CD which was released in 2005. The album featured twenty one famous Christmas recordings by rock and roll and pop artists. The album also included a new Elton John Christmas recording entitled”Calling It Christmas” which he recorded with Joss Stone. Will we soon be calling Elton John the King Of Christmas? Mariah Carey needs a partner.
Elton John & Ed Sheeran Hit # 1 with ‘Merry Christmas’ Single article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2021
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