Authenticity and Inspiration: Elton John’s favourite lyric of all time
Elton John might have exited the touring cycle, but his presence and influence in the industry will never waver. For someone who has been so heavily committed to music from an early age, John continues to be a source of inspiration for many, not just in terms of sound but also in the value he places on constantly striving for greatness.
Even during more recent interviews, when John discusses his attitudes towards music and his decision to stop touring, his mind immediately wanders to what he wants to do next: anything but to remove himself from the creative world of music. With the type of self-assured passion only an industry veteran could exude, he knows his journey is far from over and speaks with the confidence of someone who has long witnessed the highs and lows of his own artistry.
Therefore, when it comes to his own influences, it’s no surprise that John’s artistic umbrella includes many names and genres, ranging from traditional rock ‘n’ roll to more contemporary boundary-pushing creatives like Chappell Roan. Fortunately, his record collection also features plenty from all eras, genres, and countries, making him one of the most knowledgeable musicians ever.
This observation is mainly thanks to things like Rocket Hour, the show in which John frequently shares some of his favourite songs and records of all time, giving listeners a glimpse into his extensive list of coveted favourites, all of which helped to inspire his sound and approach somewhere along the way and continue to impact his creative vision, even after all these years.
During the BBC Radio 2 programme Tracks Of My Years in 2012, he also divulged his love and appreciation for Elvis Presley and how his relationship with the singer has run bone-deep since his mother exposed him to his music. “[He] changed my life and propelled me into my love of rock ‘n’ roll… it changed the world socially and musically.”
Surprisingly, however, the lyric John regards as most inspiring to him isn’t one from the King of Rock and Roll or any other rock originator, for that matter. It isn’t even from one of his contemporaries or someone you might think had a lasting impact, like The Beatles or Jerry Lee Lewis. In fact, this particular choice is a line from the Babydaddy and Jake Shears-penned Scissor Sisters’ hit ‘Take Your Mama’.
Inspired by Shears’ coming out—a topic John no doubt feels close to—the song playfully details one special night a gay man attempts to bond with his mother and let her into his life by taking her to various nightclubs. “We’ll get her jacked up on some cheap champagne / We’ll let the good times all roll out,” Shears sings, his lighthearted disposition enhancing the track’s fun, energetic tone.
For a special HMV flash series that appeared on the entertainment giant’s website around 2013, John participated in a project that required artists to share their favourite inspirational lyrics. From ‘Take Your Mama’, he chose the line: “We’re gonna do it, take your mama out all night / You can stay up late, ’cause baby, you’re a full-grown man.”
In many ways, this choice makes complete sense. John seems drawn to anything that surprises people, especially when it feels rooted in something genuinely authentic. In this case, John likely related to not only the concept of indulging in queer nightlife but also the way the song represented a space of unapologetic expression and the convergence of art and queer identity.
