It’s not every day that two legendary musicians come together to create magic in the studio, but that’s exactly what happened when Elton John and Brandi Carlile met through a letter and went into the studio with nothing prepared. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon was lucky enough to have both artists as guests and witness the story behind their incredible collaboration.
During their chat with Jimmy Fallon, Elton John and Brandi Carlile shared how their musical journey began. Brandi wrote a heartfelt letter to Elton while he was in Las Vegas, performing in residency at Caesars. She expressed her admiration for him and how his music had inspired her to pursue her own musical career. The letter also included a request for Elton to consider collaborating on one of her tracks.
To Brandi’s amazement, Elton responded positively to the letter and invited her to Las Vegas. They not only ended up recording a track together, but they also developed a deep friendship. Elton fell in love with Brandi’s talent, voice, and most importantly, her genuine personality. They bonded like family and have now known each other for close to 20 years.
The talk show host couldn’t help but ask what made Brandi write that letter in the first place. She revealed that Elton and his longtime collaborator, Bernie Taupin, were the reasons she pursued a career in music. Their lyrics and music had a profound impact on her from a young age, and she always dreamt of becoming friends with Elton. Little did she know that her dream would become a reality.
Elton shared that when someone as talented as Brandi writes you a letter, you can’t help but respond. He was always open to collaborating with new artists and was genuinely excited by the opportunity to work with Brandi. They had the chance to record together on “The Lockdown Sessions,” but Elton had always wanted to make an album with Brandi.
In October of a particular year, Elton, Brandi, Bernie Taupin, and producer Andrew Watt went into the studio in Los Angeles without any pre-planned music or written songs. This was a unique approach for Elton, who had previously followed different creative processes. However, he wanted this collaboration to be different. He wanted everyone to be equals in the project.
The beginning of the album’s recording process was filled with tension and doubt. Elton was exhausted and plagued by self-doubt, while Brandi felt nervous and quiet internally. However, as they started recording the first track, “The Rose of Laura Nyro,” everything fell into place. The song set the tone for the album, and 20 days later, they had a finished album with four additional songs.
Discussing the doubt they experienced, Elton emphasized that self-doubt is an essential part of being a creative artist. He wanted the album to be extraordinary for Brandi, who he admired immensely. Brandi, on the other hand, felt existential doubt, wondering what it would mean if her hero couldn’t write songs with her. However, their collaboration proved successful, and they achieved what they set out to do.
The upcoming album, “Who Believes in Angels?,” is set to be one of Elton’s best since the early ’70s. The energy and fresh sound that Brandi brings to the project, along with her heartfelt songs, make it a truly special collaboration. One of the standout tracks, “You Without Me,” written by Brandi about her daughter’s journey towards independence, beautifully captures the emotional complexity of parenthood.
Fans of Elton John and Brandi Carlile won’t have to wait long to experience this extraordinary collaboration. The album will be released tomorrow, and they will also be performing on Saturday Night Live with host Jack Black. The anticipation for “Who Believes in Angels?” is at an all-time high, and it’s clear that Elton John and Brandi Carlile have created something truly magical together.
So mark your calendars and get ready to be blown away by this incredible musical collaboration. Elton John and Brandi Carlile have proven that sometimes the best art happens when you have no plan at all.
