Elton John can't contain his emotion watching Joni Mitchell cover 'I’m Still Standing'

10 April 2024, 13:40

His music means so much to so many people.

That's likely why the incredible songs of Elton John and his accomplice Bernie Taupin were recently celebrated at the Gershwin Prize Tribute concert.

It was announced several months ago that the stellar songwriting duo would be this year's recipients, awarded for their contribution to popular music.

The award was yet another accolade that Elton can add to his long and illustrious list, having achieved EGOT status in January of this year - winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award.

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Arguably the greatest gift that Elton received on the night however was witnessing one of his music heroes performing one of his songs.

That's precisely what happened with the legendary Joni Mitchell took to the take to sing a revised version of his 1983 hit 'I'm Still Standing'.

Given her own severe health struggles, 'I'm Still Standing' became a song incredibly close to Joni as she overcame a brain aneurysm to be able to sing again.

So it was fitting that on Monday night, the singer took to the stage at the age of 80 years old to honour Elton by singing it back to him.

Mitchell - the recipient of the Gershwin Prize last year - was introduced by her close friend and collaborator Brandi Carlile, who herself has recently worked with Elton.

Informing the crowd about what significance the song held for Joni, she also revealed that Joni received a blessing from both Elton and Bernie to alter the lyrics to suit her style.

"[It's] honestly the most Joni Mitchell thing I've ever heard of," Carlile joked, which saw the audience burst into laughter.

Joined by Carlile, Eurythmics' Annie Lennox, Blake Mills and Davey Johnstone, Joni waltzed through Elton's song as the 'Rocket Man' gazed lovingly toward the stage, clearly overjoyed by the performance.

Performing the song with an orchestral-backed, jazz skiffle arrangement, 'I'm Still Standing' almost felt more applicable to Joni as it did to Elton at that moment.

But the 'Your Song' singer - sat beside Bernie Taupin and partner David Furnish - couldn't hide his emotion throughout, showing his delight at certain points and his gratitude at others.

'I'm Still Standing' has historically been interpreted as an anthem for Elton and his resilience in the face of personal and professional adversity he's experienced throughout his career.

Though Bernie debunked that perspective, later admitting: "It's perhaps one more example of the original idea being interpreted by everyone into something quite different."

"I think people see it as an anthem based on Elton's strong sense of survival in the face of adversity. Which, believe me, is perfectly fine by me. In fact, it's probably infinitely more interesting, perhaps, than what it was initially written about."

Elton John & Bernie Taupin : The 2024 Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song

Throughout the tribute concert, several artists honoured Elton and Bernie such as the aforementioned Brandi Carlile and Annie Lennox, as well as country pop singer Maren Morris, soul star Gabriels, pop prodigy Charlie Puth, and heavy metal mainstays Metallica.

Lennox covered 'Border song', Carlile covered 'Madman Across The Water', Gabriels covered 'Bennie And The Jets' Puth covered 'Something About The Way You Look Tonight', whilst Metallica opened the concert with 'Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding'.

Prior to the event, Metallica said they were "beyond excited and proud to have been invited to perform" before describing John and Taupin as a "legendary songwriting team".

Of course, Elton took to the stage with Bernie alongside him at the piano, to perform 'Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters' and 'Saturday Night’s Alright'.

Elton also closed the evening's celebrations himself with a live performance of his 1970 classic, 'Your Song'.