Elton John talks ‘intense and challenging creative experience’

In an exclusive interview with ITV News arts editor Nina Nannar, legendary artist Sir Elton John reflects on the making of his new album Who Believes in Angels, describing it as one of the most intense and challenging creative experiences of his career. He opens up about battling fear and doubt during the writing process, why he chose to collaborate with Brandy—his only pick for the project—and what it was like allowing cameras to capture his songwriting for the first time.

Sir Elton John says “this is it” for new collaborations, “there’s no one else I’d do an album with”.

“It was a challenge. To do a new album I needed a challenge. I needed to move forward. I’ve always wanted to record with Brandy and I knew she’d want to do it with me. There’s no one else I’d do an album with. This is it. This is the only person I wanted to record with.” 

John says he had “fear”, “doubt” and “wasn’t feeling very well” going into new album Who Believes in Angels. Speaking about the writing process John admitted, “I was letting myself down, that was what I was irritable about, I wasn’t clicking”. 

“I had a lot of fear going into it, a lot of doubt, I wasn’t feeling very well. In the end the anxiety pushed the energy forward. That’s what I get out of this record, even though there’s a couple of beautiful slow songs, the energy is off the charts.  

“I had three other people to think of and I don’t walk away and let people down. I was letting myself down, that was what I was irritable about. I wasn’t clicking and with these three people I needed to click.” 

Sir Elton allowed cameras to film his writing process for the first time.

“I’ve never had a record of me writing a song before or recording a song. I didn’t notice [the cameras] were there. We were working at such a ferocious pace and so intensely that you couldn’t notice them there. Obviously they filmed everything and I’m glad they did because it was a really, really intense process – and so it should be. It would not be the album it is if it wasn’t so intense to start with.” 

ITV have confirmed they are to air an Evening with Elton and Brandy

Elton says he supports Ed Sheeran “one-hundred-thousand-per-cent” on his campaign to secure Government funding for music education in schools, “keeping [music] in schools is so important because we need more joy in the world and taking music away is a really negative and awful thing.” 

“If people don’t have a musical education they’re losing out on something wonderful. It’s essential that young people have the opportunity to have that. Good for Ed Sheeran. I support him one-hundred-thousand-per-cent. 

“I sang in a choir and at the Royal Academy of Music, you play in the orchestra, you play in the football team, you play sport in a team. It’s an incredible feeling to be a part of something with other people. You can’t equal it. Keeping [music] in schools is so important because we need more joy in the world and taking music away is a really negative and awful thing.” 

Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947 the singer, songwriter, pianist and composer is of course known for his flamboyant public style and enduring hits. With a career spanning over five decades, he is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. But speaking to the ITN produced ITV News he notes family has really been a blessing for him along with friends and the chart successes.

“I’m so lucky in my life to have what I have. My family, my friends, my children, my music, my career. I’m blessed. [Brandy] is a blessing in my life and always has been.”

The full interview with Elton by Nina Nannar will air today, Monday 7th April, as part of the ITV News bulletins and on ITVX.