Elton John reveals he suffered with “huge doubt” while making new album with Brandi Carlile
Elton John has admitted to suffering from self-doubt while recording his forthcoming album, Who Believes in Angels? with Brandi Carlile.
The duo’s first joint album, which will be released on April 4th, was recorded in only 20 days at Sunset Sound Studios in Los Angeles towards the end of 2023. It features contributions from Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, Pino Palladino, and Josh Klinghoffer.
Additionally, the entire creative process was also captured on film, which marks the first time John has brought cameras behind the curtain in his career while making an album.
Now, in a new interview with Scott Mills on BBC Radio 2, broadcast on February 7th, John admitted of the recording, “On this album. I came into this album with huge doubt.” Carlile also said that she felt similarly while making Who Believes in Angels?
Expanding on his original comments, John added: “I don’t know, I just wanted it to be special. And you can’t guarantee when you walk into a studio that you’re gonna come out with something special. […] But if I’d have been on my own without Brandi and Bernie (Taupin) and Andrew (Watt), this record would never have got made. It was the combination of all the energy in the room, all the aggravation, all the anxiety, pushed us to make electric music.”
He continued: “And I could never have got through it without them because I was in a very very dark place of doubt, I was tired, I wasn’t feeling well and after I got through that weak period of feeling like that, it just flew and it was just amazing.”
Elsewhere, during the interview, John provided an update on his retirement and confirmed that he has no plans to return. “I am and it’s wonderful,” he said when asked if he’s enjoying his new life, adding, “I don’t miss playing live at all. I do not miss playing live. Fact. I do not miss it one iota. I’ve done some private shows where I, you know, to keep my chops ready, and that’s been great. But no, I don’t miss it, I dread it. I have to keep playing music and I will make other records and I will be doing different sorts of records […] It is the end of the live music, yes.”
Although Elton is retired from touring, ruling out the possibility of him hitting the road with Carlile, they will perform a special intimate show at the London Palladium on March 26th, 2025.
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