New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Details of this year's most eagerly anticipated soundtrack have been announced today: Elton John's epic musical fantasy Rocketman:
Music From The Motion Picture. Releasing on May 24 via Virgin EMI/Universal Music, in celebration of Paramount
Pictures release in North American theatres on May 31st, it sees celebrated producer and composer Giles
Martin re-interpreting and re-imagining Elton's iconic hits, tailoring the music specifically to support the narrative of the upcoming major motion picture, with a truly show stopping vocal performance from lead actor Taron Egerton.
The first taster of the album is unveiled today as Zane Lowe's World Record on Apple Beats 1. Building from a woozy, submerged opening, "
Rocket Man" is a stunning interpretation of Elton's 1972 classic, one that starts in the despairing depths of a swimming pool before transporting to its triumphant climax at Dodgers Stadium.
Elton John says: "It was so important that the music I composed and recorded had to be sung by Taron. I wanted his interpretation of me, through Bernie's lyrics & my music - not just acting. I left Taron in the hands of Giles Martin, who I trusted implicitly because he's brilliant. I didn't want to be in Taron's shadows, watching over the process, I trusted them to do what they needed to do, artistically, and listening back I've been astonished with the results. Getting the music right was the most important thing, as the songs in the film are integral to the story."
Taron Egerton says: "The beauty of having Elton involved with the film is that we've been able to work with him to see how far we can take these classic songs. Giles
Martin has impeccable taste and massive skills to bring the songs to a place where they are faithful and daring as well."
Giles
Martin says: "The great thing about Elton is that he is a true artist and he wants people to expand on his work - he wants interpretations done, it's refreshing for him. We had scope to play around with things and think how we address the songs. The songs are the story of the movie, the heartbeat of what happens. Once the songs start a whole world opens up. In Taron I've never known a singer who dedicates himself so much to the process. I don't think anyone else could have played Elton."
Tasked with taking Elton's unparalleled back catalogue and reimagining it to fit the film's narrative,
Martin worked closely with the filmmakers, supervising all of the music for the production and pulling a vocal masterclass from Taron in the studio. From transforming "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" into an epic ensemble piece, to morphing "
I Want Love" into a heart-breaking moment of conflict around little Reggie's family meal, each track has been sculpted to form a unique part of the narrative of this most incredible of stories. The soundtrack also contains a brand-new
Elton John and Bernie Taupin composition "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" performed by Elton and Taron Egerton. The album is produced by Giles
Martin (except "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" co-produced by Giles
Martin and Greg Kurstin) and was recorded between 2017 and 2019 at London's legendary Abbey Road Studios and AIR Studios. Executive Album Producers are Elton John,
David Furnish, Matthew Vaughn and
Dexter Fletcher.
Paramount
Pictures presents, in association with New Republic Pictures, A Marv Films/Rocket
Pictures production ROCKETMAN, an epic musical fantasy about the incredible human story of Elton John's breakthrough years. Releasing in theatres May 31st, the film follows the fantastical journey of transformation from shy piano prodigy Reginald Dwight into international superstar Elton John. This inspirational story - set to Elton John's most beloved songs and performed by star Taron Egerton - tells the universally relatable story of how a small-town boy became one of the most iconic figures in pop culture. Rocketman also stars Jamie Bell as Elton's longtime lyricist and writing partner Bernie Taupin, Richard
Madden as Elton's first manager, John Reid, and Bryce Dallas
Howard as Elton's mother
Sheila Farebrother. ROCKETMAN was directed by
Dexter Fletcher, written by Lee Hall and produced by Matthew Vaughn,
David Furnish, Adam Bohling and
David Reid.
Rocketman:
Music From The Motion Picture:
1 The Bitch Is Back (Introduction)
2 I Want Love
3 Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)
4 Thank You For All Your Loving
5 Border Song
6 Rock & Roll
Madonna - Interlude
7 Your Song
8 Amoreena
9 Crocodile Rock
10 Tiny Dancer
11 Take Me To The Pilot
12 Hercules
13 Don't Go Breaking My Heart
14 Honky Cat
15 Pinball Wizard - Interlude
16 Rocket Man
17 Bennie and the Jets
18 Don't Let The Sun Go Down - Interlude
19 Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
20 Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
21 I'm Still Standing
22 (I'm Gonna) Love Me Again
** All songs written by
Elton John and Bernie Taupin except "Thank You For All Your Loving" written by
Elton John and Caleb Quaye, "
Don't Go Breaking My Heart" written by Ann
Orson and Carte Blanche, and "Pinball Wizard" written by Pete Townshend.
