Elton John: His 40 Greatest Songs
Some of Elton John’s songs are absolutely iconic hit singles, but one of the great pleasures of being a big Elton John fan is finding the lesser-known gems.
LONDON, 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)
Ian Gavan/Getty ImagesSome of Elton John's songs are absolutely iconic hit singles, but one of the great pleasures of being a big Elton John fan is finding the lesser-known gems. We’re partial to his hit-free album Tumbleweed Connection from 1970 (as you’ll see), as well as his criminally underrated Songs From The West Coast from 2001, and a few of the diamonds in the rough from albums that you may have overlooked.
For this list, we’re going with the best version of each song, which sometimes means a live version. And in one case, an alternate studio version that you may not have heard before. Enjoy!
40. “Hey Ahab” from ‘The Union’ (with Leon Russell) (2010)
Decca39. “Have Mercy On The Criminal” from 'Live In Australia' (1987)
MCA38. “The One” from 'The One' (1992)
Island Records37. “Believe” from ‘Made In England’ (1995)
Island Def Jam36. “The King Must Die” from ‘Live In Australia’ (1987)
MCA35. “Elderberry Wine” from ‘Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Piano Player’ (1973)
MCA34. “Holiday Inn” from ‘Madman Across The Water’ (1971)
MCA33. “Home Again” from ‘The Diving Board’ (2013)
Capitol Records32. “Tonight” from ‘Live In Australia’ (1987)
MCA31. “Daniel” from ‘Don’t Shoot Me, I’m Only The Piano Player’ (1973)
MCA30. “The Last Song” from ‘The One’ (1992)
Island Records29. “Sacrifice” from ‘Sleeping With The Past’ (1989)
MCA28. “I Need You To Turn To” from ‘Live In Australia’ (1987)
MCA27. “Whenever You’re Ready (We’ll Go Steady Again)” B-side of “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting” (1973)
MCA26. “Sad Songs (Say So Much)” from ‘Breaking Hearts’ (1984)
Geffen25. “Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going To Be A Long, Long Time)” from ‘Honky Chateau’ (1972)
Uni/MCA24. “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word” from ‘Blue Moves’ (1976)
MCA23. “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” from ‘Captain Fantastic And The Brown Dirt Cowboy’ (1975)
MCA22. “The Bitch Is Back” from ‘Caribou’ (1974)
MCA21. “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” from ‘Too Low For Zero’ (1983)
Geffen20. “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” from ‘Caribou’ (1974)
MCA19. “Sixty Years On” from ‘17-11-70’ (1970)
MCA18. “I Want Love” from ‘Songs From The West Coast’ (2001)
Republic17. “Take Me To The Pilot” from ‘17-11-70’ (1970)
MCA16. “Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)” from ‘Jump Up!’ (1982)
Geffen15. “Bad Side Of The Moon” from ‘17-11-70’ (1970)
MCA14. “Madman Across The Water (featuring Mick Ronson)” outtake from ‘Tumbleweed Connection’ (1970)
MCA13. “Burn Down The MIssion” from 'Tumbleweed Connection' (1970)
MCA12. “This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore” from ‘Songs From The West Coast’ (2001)
Republic11. “Bennie And The Jets” from ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ (1973)
MCA10. “Amoreena” from ‘Tumbleweed Connection’ (1970)
MCA9. “Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” from ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ (1973)
MCA8. “Come Down In Time” from ‘Tumbleweed Connection’ (1970)
MCA7. “Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters” from ‘Honky Chateau’ (1972)
Uni/MCA6. “Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)” from ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ (1973)
MCA5. “Border Song” from ‘Elton John’ (1970)
Mercury4. “Your Song” from ‘Elton John’ (1970)
Mercury3. “Candle In The Wind” from ‘Live In Australia’ (1987)
MCA2. “Tiny Dancer” from ‘Madman Across The Water’ (1971)
MCA1. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973)
MCABrian has been working in pop culture and media for about three decades: he’s worked at MTV, VH1, SiriusXM, CBS and Loudwire. Besides working as a writer and an editor-in-chief, he’s also appeared on air as a pundit, guested on radio shows and hosted podcasts. Over the years, he’s interviewed the surviving members of Led Zeppelin, the members of U2, Beyonce, Pink, Usher, Stevie Nicks, Lorde… and is grateful to have had the chance to interview Joe Strummer of the Clash and Tom Petty.
