I still love playing the piano, John tells Deadline.
Im waiting to get back in the studio.
I cant wait to release new stuff.
Elton John documentary ‘Never Too Late’Disney+
Im raring to go.
DEADLINE: It was great to see you on stage with Brandi Carlile Sunday night at the Golden Globes.
Its not so serious as theOscars.
Elton John and Brandi Carlile inElton John: Never Too LateDisney+
I thought it went very well [Sunday] night.
I thought [Nikki Glaser] was brilliant; she did a great job.
Its my understanding that Brandi began the process of writing it after seeing a rough cut of the film.
I didnt want to see it at that point.
I only want to see it when its finished.
Brandi was so moved by it that she started to write this song.
It was a cohesive effort on all of our parts.
It was fun, it was great.
Its like me doing theCaptain Fantasticalbum years ago.
Every song was about me and Bernie, so its easier to write like that.
DEADLINE: Of course, its not only a composition but also beautifully performed by you and Brandi.
Youre one of the greatest vocalists of all time, but shes an incredible vocalist too.
JOHN:She is, for me, probably the best vocalist in America.
I mean, she could sing anything.
She had the guts to do Joni MitchellsBluein front of her at Disney Hall.
Weve been friends for 20-something years, so it feels natural to do something with her.
DEADLINE: I think back on some of your famous duets that youve done.
Kiki Dee leaps to mind immediately.
That was your first number one song in the U.K. if Im not mistaken?
JOHN:It was indeed.
Is it rewarding for you to do a duet or vocal collaboration with another artist?
JOHN:If theyre great artists, of course.
I did an album of duets with people like Leonard Cohen, Don Henley, k.d.
lang and other great singers.
Its always great to sing with a great.
I did a duet with Ray Charles, the last thing he ever did before he died.
I did a duet with Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Blige.
Because otherwise, I wouldnt have recorded it.
I think shes a fantastic writer as well as a fantastic vocalist.
And yeah, it moved me because theres so much in it.
Youre an iron man, baby, because Ive been through so much.
To hell with Heavens gate yeah, Im not ready for the dustbin yet or the trash can.
She knows me pretty damn well.
What kind of reaction are you getting?
JOHN:I watched it in Toronto for the second time and I really enjoyed it.
The first time I saw it was in L.A., and I relaxed in Toronto.
It sounded really, really great.
Im really happy with it.
Weve had an incredible reaction to it.
And then his whole life turns around.
Hence the titleNever Too Late.
Im very proud of it.
Im so happy with it.
JOHN:Yeah, no, theyre not.
I thought there must be a better way.
But a lot of people go through that.
So, I had to say, OK, I cannot do this.
Those three words, I need help, changed my life.
But on the piano, you were always the master of entertaining people.
I still love playing the piano.
Thats going to happen and Im waiting to get back in the studio.
I cant wait to release new stuff.
So yeah, all is good.
Im raring to go.
DEADLINE: Youre so extraordinarily prolific; youve got Broadway shows and the West End.
What are you up to next?
JOHN:[Working on getting my] eyesight a little better.
I dont know what were going to do next, but theres plenty of stuff to think about.
I love doing my radio shows.
DEADLINE: Youve been on the Oscar stage many times, and youre shortlisted for this song.
So, youll be prepared and willing to retake the stage at the Dolby?
JOHN:Listen, if youre nominated for an Oscar, you dont turn it down.
And itll be great to play the song.
Itll be the first time Ive ever played it live, so itll be great.
