3 of the Best, Most Unexpected, or Legendary Covers of Elton John Classics

Elton John‘s catalog is comprised of some of rock’s greatest hits. His legend status was cemented early on in his career, as he and Bernie Taupin started writing instant classics. That reputation has held up for generations, prompting countless artists to cover some of his name-making hits. Revisit three of them, below. Here are three of the best, most unexpected, or legendary covers of John classics.

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“Border Song (Holy Moses)” (Aretha Franklin)

There isn’t a single song Aretha Franklin couldn’t improve upon. We truly can’t think of a time when she stepped behind the microphone and disappointed. She definitely didn’t disappoint with her cover of John’s “Border Song.” Featured on her gospel-tinged album, Young, Gifted and Black, Franklin meditates on this song’s hidden message: love and acceptance of all. Franklin managed to take a powerful song and make it even more so. While we will always love John’s original take, we could hardly call Franklin’s a cover–it seems far too personal for her.

Holy Moses, I have been removed
I have seen the spectre, he has been here too
Distant cousin from down the line
Brand of people who ain’t my kind
Holy Moses, I have been removed

“Rocket Man” (Kate Bush)

Kate Bush adds a charmingly weird layer to every song she touches. Her version of “Rocket Man” is definitely set apart from the original, but it is just as replayable. Bush makes her mark on this John cover, adding in tones that largely only she has been able to make work in popular music. If we didn’t know any better, we’d think this was a Bush original.

She packed my bags last night, pre-flight
Zero hour, 9 a.m.
And I’m gonna be high as a kite by then
I miss the Earth so much, I miss my wife
It’s lonely out in space
On such a timeless flight

“Bennie And The Jets” (Beastie Boys feat. Biz Markie)

While the two former covers were unmistakably intended to pay homage to John and his musical efforts, the intentions behind this final John cover are a little less clear. With the help of Biz Markie, the Beastie Boys delivered a confusing John cover, complete with flubbed lyrics and a less than flattering impression of the original singer–at least that’s how it seems from the outside looking in. Nevertheless, this is a testament to how far reaching John’s music is. Even artists who have very little to do with him acknowledge his impact on pop culture.

Hey kids, shake it loose together
The spotlight’s hittin’ somethin’
That’s been known to change the weather
We’ll kill the fatted calf tonight, so stick around
You’re gonna hear electric music, solid walls of sound

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