When thinking of the great songwriting duos, one that immediately comes to mind, along with Lennon and McCartney, Jagger and Richards, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, is Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
The two artists met in 1967 when they responded to the same advertisement from Liberty Records in the U.K. paper New Musical Express. Since then, Taupin has written the lyrics for most of John’s songs.
Videos by American Songwriter
The process goes like this: Taupin writes the words and Elton interprets them with music and melody. Together, they’ve written hits like “Rocket Man” and “Tiny Dancer.” In 1992, the duo was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
John will release his latest album, The Lockdown Sessions, which features a collection of duets with artists like Charlie Puth and Brandi Carlile, on Friday (October 22).
Below is our list of the Top 10 John and Taupin songs.
10. “Your Song”
9. “Daniel”
8. “Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting”
7. “Nikita”
6. “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me”
5. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”
4. “Bennie And The Jets”
3. “Candle In The Wind”
2. “Rocket Man”
1. “Tiny Dancer”
Photo by Ben Gibson
Most Viewed
-
30th January 1969: British rock group the Beatles performing their last live public concert on the rooftop of the Apple Organization building for director Michael Lindsey-Hogg's film documentary, 'Let It Be,' on Savile Row, London, England. Drummer Ringo Starr sits behind his kit. Singer/songwriters Paul McCartney and John Lennon perform at their microphones, and guitarist George Harrison (1943 – 2001) stands behind them. Lennon's wife Yoko Ono sits at right. (Photo by Express/Express/Getty Images) -
Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for ABA -
UNITED STATES – JANUARY 01: NASHVILLE Photo of Alan JACKSON, Alan Jackson performing on stage (Photo by Beth Gwinn/Redferns) -
Bob Dylan seen here performing on stage at The Picnic concert at Blackbushe Aerodrome 15th July 1978. (Photo by Staff/Mirrorpix/Getty Images) -
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – JANUARY 11: Debbie Harry of Blondie performs on stage at Hammersmith Odeon, on January 11th, 1980 in London, England. (Photo by Pete Still/Redferns) -
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images -
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – Vince Gill speaks onstage at the opening of "American Currents: State of the Music" at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on February 27, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum) -
Duane Allman & Gregg Allman of the Allman Brothers on October 16, 1970 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)