Elton John on His Collaboration with Britney Spears
Elton John has been through and seen it all in his legendary career. That’s partly why it was so important to him to reach out to Britney Spears for his…
Elton John has been through and seen it all in his legendary career. That's partly why it was so important to him to reach out to Britney Spears for his latest collaboration "Hold Me Closer," a reworking of his classic song "Tiny Dancer."
Sir Elton details his thoughts in a new interview with The Guardian where he touches on working with Spears on his first new single in six years and her first new piece of music since the very public dissolving of her 13-year conservatorship.
"It’s hard when you’re young. Britney was broken," said John. "I was broken when I got sober. I was in a terrible place. I’ve been through that broken feeling and it’s horrible. And luckily enough, I’ve been sober for 32 years and it’s the happiest I’ve ever been. Now I’ve got the experience to be able to advise people and help them because I don’t want to see any artists in a dark place."
John credits his husband, David Furnish, for coming up with reaching out to Spears for "Hold Me Closer," which can be heard in its entirety below. The track is similar to "Cold Heart," John's recent collaboration with Dua Lipa which combined and remixed a number of his previous songs into a new single.
"I want to do one every year for a fun, happy summer record," John said of the remixes. "...[David] said it would be wonderful for Britney Spears to do ['Hold Me Closer'.] I said, that’s a pretty amazing idea. She hadn’t done anything for so long. I’d been following what’s been happening to her for a long time."
For her part, Spears is very excited about the release of "Hold Me Closer." She wrote on Twitter, "Okie dokie … my first song in 6 years!!!! It’s pretty damn cool that I’m singing with one of the most classic men of our time … @eltonofficial!!!! I’m kinda overwhelmed… it’s a big deal to me!!! I’m meditating more and learning my space is valuable and precious."
"Hold Me Closer" is available for streaming and download here.
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Elton John is undoubtedly one of music's biggest icons of all time, but he might just be a fashion icon as well.
Since the '70s, Sir Elton has pushed the envelope both on stage and off. Take a look through the gallery below at 16 wild outfits from Elton.
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Tommaso Boddi/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Sir Elton John attends IMDb LIVE at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards® Viewing Party on February 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for IMDb )
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesEnglish singer and pianist Elton John in concert at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, 16th December 1982. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 24: Elton John speaks during the Elton John Special Announcement at Gotham Hall on January 24, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Ian Gavan/Getty ImagesLONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 03: Elton John performs live at Twickenham Stoop on June 3, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images for Harlequins)
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesLAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 20: Impersonator Gene Sironen of Nevada performs as Sir Elton John during The Reel Awards 2017 at the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino on February 20, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 02: Sir Elton John and David Furnish attend 15th Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation An Enduring Vision Benefit at Cipriani Wall Street on November 2, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: Recording artist Elton John performs onstage during the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on September 22, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Dan Kitwood/Getty ImagesLONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 04: Singer Sir Elton John performs on stage during the Diamond Jubilee concert at Buckingham Palace on June 4, 2012 in London, England. For only the second time in its history the UK celebrates the Diamond Jubilee of a monarch. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrates the 60th anniversary of her ascension to the throne. Thousands of well-wishers from around the world have flocked to London to witness the spectacle of the weekend’s celebrations. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesLAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 28: Recording artist Sir Elton John performs during the first night of his new show, "The Million Dollar Piano" as John begins a three-year residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace September 28, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
McCarthy/Express Newspapers/Getty ImagesElton John pictured wearing a typically flamboyant costume 3rd December 1984. (Photo by McCarthy/Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Claire Greenway/Getty ImagesLONDON - DECEMBER 17: (UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS OUT) Sir Elton John (R) and his partner David Furnish arrive at the party following Matt Lucas and Kevin McGee's civil partnership ceremony at Banqueting House on December 17, 2006 in London, England. (Photo by Claire Greenway/Getty Images)
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Getty Images384778 03: Singer Elton John Appears In An Ad January 25, 2001 For The American Dairy Farmers And Milk Processors. In The Ad, John Wears The Familiar White Milk Moustache To Help Promote The Drinking Of Milk. (Photo By Getty Images)
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
John Minihan/Evening Standard/Getty Images1st May 1976: British pop singer Elton John dancing on stage during a concert. (Photo by John Minihan/Evening Standard/Getty Images)
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Jack Kay/Express/Getty Images5th May 1974: British pop singer and pianist Elton John on stage before a vast crowd at an open-air concert. (Photo by Jack Kay/Express/Getty Images)
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesEnglish pop star, Elton John, performing in a colourful costume at the Hammersmith Odeon. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Elton John: 16 Wild Outfits
Gabe Palacio/ImageDirectSir Elton John performs at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York on Friday October 20, 2000. Tonights performance will be broadcast on CBS in December. (photo by Gabe Palacio/ImageDirect)
