Sir Elton John, the 77-year-old music icon, recently opened up about his emotional struggles while recording his latest album, Who Believes In Angels? The album, created in collaboration with Brandi Carlile, was recorded in just 20 days, marking a significant challenge for the legendary musician after his Farewell Tour concluded in July 2023.
In an interview for the latest edition of Rolling Stone UK, John recalled the initial stages of the recording process, describing it as a tense and difficult experience. “We went in with nothing prepared. So, the first two or three days were very fraught. I was very, very unhappy… I was full of self-doubt…” he shared, highlighting how the beginning of the album’s creation was anything but smooth, told Daily Mail.
John went on to explain that the turning point came when he experienced what he called a “complete meltdown.” “But the album really didn’t get started until I had a complete meltdown,” John admitted. “I’ve never really gone into a process like that before, and it was frightening for me. I was really, really afraid.”
Despite the overwhelming anxiety, John recognized that the difficult moments had a positive impact on the final product. “It’s always good to have fear, but I had a lot of fear…” he continued. “But after we got off to a really bumpy start, it all settled down.”
Reflecting on the album’s final result, John acknowledged the energy and raw emotion that came through the recording process. “The tenseness, the anxiety in the studio helped the electricity of the album without question… It’s got balls, and it’s got freshness, and it’s got energy,” he said, clearly proud of the outcome.
John also expressed satisfaction with how the album turned out. “Exactly what I wanted it to be, and it came out exactly how I visualized it,” he concluded, solidifying the album as a triumph despite the challenges he faced.
Who Believes In Angels? marks a new chapter for the legendary performer after his farewell to live touring, offering a fresh, energetic sound that blends vulnerability with his signature style.