3 Hit Songs Written but Not Originally Performed by Elton John

When Elton John sits down at the piano, you know you’re in for something special. Often adorned in wild costumes with feathery glasses and pastel threads, John has been wowing audiences since the 1970s. But he has also helped others earn fame and fortune along the way.

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Here below, we wanted to explore three songs Sir Elton wrote but didn’t originally record for himself. A trio of tracks he helped pen for others to sing and garner attention. Indeed, these are three hit songs written but not originally performed by Elton John.

[RELATED: Remember When: Elton John Played “Tiny Dancer” for the First Time from Crumpled Paper]

“Snookeroo” by Ringo Starr from Goodnight Vienna (1974)

Written by Elton John and his longtime collaborator, lyricst Bernie Taupin, this song appeared on Ringo Starr’s 1974 LP Goodnight Vienna. It’s a lively, piano-driven song from the former Beatle and his British-born pop star cohort. The song, which hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, tells the story of a billiards player who couldn’t do what his parents wanted. Instead, he wanted a life of fun and games. And on the song, which features vocals and drums from Starr, piano from John and guitar from Robbie Robertson, the former Beatle sings,

I was born in the north of England
I was raised in a working town
I broke all the rules when I went to school
But the teachers couldn’t pin me down
I tried to make my parents proud
By adapting to the social powers
Oh, pigs will fly and the earth will fry
When they get me doing honest hours

“My Strongest Suit” by Spice Girls from Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida (1999)

This song comes from Elton John and Tim Rice’s concept album Aida. Performed by the girl group Spice Girls, the track is a catchy, percussive tune that sticks to you like sugar. The album was comprised of songs that were used for the 2000 Broadway musical of the same name. But stage performances aside, the works on the soundtrack featured some of the biggest-name performers at the time, including the easily appealing Spice Girls. And on the track, the gals sing,

Overwear, underwear, anytime, anywhere
Overwear, underwear, anytime, anywhere, ooh

Now I believe in looking
Like my time on earth is cooking
With a polka-dotted stripe or even checked

With some glamour guaranteeing
Every fiber of my being
Is displayed to quite remarkable effect

“Sweetheart on Parade” by Judy Collins from Home Again (1984)

This song proves just how much of a virtuoso John has been. He wrote songs for others in the 1970s, ’80s, ’90s, and beyond and they range from sticky pop to emotive ballads. This track, which he co-wrote with Gary Osborne, falls into the latter category. Written for the sentimental performer Judy Collins, the song is about loneliness and remorse. Performers are at the center of the party but when the lights go out, where are their loved ones? Here, Collins sings about this mournful reality, offering,

Everybody loves to love
The local girl made good
Surely I’d find peace of mind
If anybody could

Still at times I find myself
Wishing they were right
If everybody loves me
Where are they tonight?

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