Sir Elton John’s lyricist Bernie Taupin has described him as a “good psychiatrist” in a brand new interview.
Talking with Goldmine journal for his or her Winter 2023 version, Taupin recalled recollections from the beginning of his over five-decade songwriting profession, throughout which he turned recognized for his work as Elton John’s lyricist. The songwriter informed the publication that John is without doubt one of the first folks he reaches out to for recommendation, calling him “the last word psychiatrist”.
“If you want to get one thing off your belief, he’s the primary particular person you want to go to to get some straightforward solutions,” Taupin mentioned. “He’s an entire fixed. You possibly can at all times depend on him.”
Later, he spoke in better depth about John’s position in his budding profession, stating that he “actually leaned on him” within the early days of their partnership. “I used to be a fish out of water floundering about within the huge metropolis,” continued Taupin.
“So he was undoubtedly a crutch to lean on and he did it magnificently and took care of me and made positive that I wasn’t abused by the cynical mindset of others that may have considered me as being just a little moist across the ears and inexperienced, when l truly actually wasn’t. I used to be much more Clever than they provide me credit score for.”
The songwriter additionally said that he stays near John, and so they frequently talk over FaceTime, stating: “I nonetheless discuss to him frequently, and now that he’s hooked on FaceTime, it’s good to have the ability to see him slightly than simply hear him, as a result of in that approach you type of really feel like if he calls you within the morning, you are feeling such as you truly noticed him within the morning.”
In September, Taupin launched his memoir Scattershot: Life, Music, Elton and Me, wherein he supplied an in depth look into his collaboration with Elton John for the primary time.
In November, Elton John revealed that he had completed engaged on a brand new album with Taupin on the 2023 Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame Ceremony, throughout which Taupin was inducted into the Corridor. In a speech honouring his collaborator, he said: “We climbed mountains that we by no means thought had been attainable to climb, and we scaled heights that we by no means thought had been attainable to scale. And all through that point, we by no means ever actually had an argument.”
Taupin used his personal speech to criticise Corridor of Fame co-founder Jann Wenner’s controversial remarks about black and feminine artists. “I suppose you may say my being inducted is a paradox, maybe, however both approach, I’m honoured to be within the class of 2023 alongside a bunch of such profoundly ‘articulate’ girls and excellent ‘articulate’ Black artists together with the entire different music masters right here tonight,” he mentioned.
Practically three a long time in the past, John additionally sang Taupin’s praises when he was inducted to the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame in 1994. “I type of really feel like dishonest standing right here accepting this,” mentioned John. “With out Bernie Taupin, there wouldn’t have been any Elton John in any respect. And I would love him to return up and provides this to him.”