Elton John reveals why he was sobbing at the piano in moving footage

British singer-songwriter is releasing a new album with US artist Brandi Carlile

Elton John has revealed the emotional reason why he broke down crying at his keyboard in moving footage from a forthcoming short film.

This week, the celebrated singer-songwriter announced his latest album, Who Believes in Angels?, a collaboration with US artist Brandi Carlile.

The news was accompanied by a trailer for a short film that offers unprecedented behind-the-scenes footage of John and his creative partners writing and recording the album.

In one striking moment, John can be seen sobbing at the piano as Carlile gives him a hug.

“This [has] never happened to me in my whole career,” he confesses, wiping his tears away.

In a new interview with The Guardian, John explained that he had realised the song he and Carlile were working on was about the end of his life, and stumbled as he sang the line: “Return me to the tide.”

“The glasses came off, his whole body is crumpled over the piano, he wept,” Carlile said.

“We’re having this really profound moment where Elton has come face to face with his mortality without really being able to say it.”

Elton John is hugged by Brandi Carlile as he sobs during an emotional moment (YouTube)

John apparently looked up eventually and asked, “Is it too Lion King?” – referring to his Oscar-winning song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from Disney’s 1994 animated film – which caused the others to burst out laughing.

“It was unbelievable,” Carlile said. “At first, it was the saddest thing I’ve ever seen, and then it got really funny, really fast.”

“It touched a nerve,” John said, “because I have children now and I have a husband, and it’s not just being ‘Elton’ on his own, it’s wanting to be with the people I love.”

In the trailer for the short film, John admits he was a “nightmare” to work with as Carlile, producer Andrew Watt and his longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin endeavoured to create the record together.

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.

“I was exhausted, I had a lot of doubt,” he says in a voiceover clip, while Carlile says he was “prone to moments of insecurity, especially when the stakes were high”.

In one scene, Watt can be heard telling him: “Dude, I’m just trying to make the song as best it can be, you’re so impatient!”

Elton John looks frustrated while recording his new album with Brandi Carlile, ‘Who Believes in Angels?' (YouTube)

In another, a visibly grouchy John snaps at Watt after he asks if he’s ready to record: “Why do you think I’m sitting here?”

The “Rocket Man” artist, the subject of an Oscar-winning film and a bestselling memoir in recent years, apparently felt the pressure was on after completing his farewell tour with a huge headline show at Glastonbury Festival in 2023.

Things began to turn around for the album as he realised: “There [are] other people involved. I can’t abandon it. And the fog started to lift. Once we got going, Jesus.”

He added: “I wanted to play better, sing better, write better, and challenge myself at the age I am. Brandi really pushed me. For me it’s immaculate. This came out the way I wanted it to come out.”

Who Believes in Angels is scheduled for release on 4 April 2025; the title track is out now.