The C-O-M-E-B-A-C-K

 

C-O-M-E-B-A-C-K. It’s not just a word, it’s a chain, a process, an ordered sequence of events and growth that brings me back here, to my passion for the All Songs List blog. That’s why I write each letter separated, with hyphens: because every step has had its moment, its importance, and together they form this C-O-M-E-B-A-C-K I’m announcing today.

After five years of pause due to a personal lapse, I return with more strength and a fresh perspective, inspired also by the Elton John of today. We have witnessed the Farewell Tour, marking the end of a spectacular and emotional era for him and his Eltonites. But the Elton John I know now is more than an ending: he’s an artist who keeps growing, reinventing himself through a few but very meaningful collaborations, and preparing new projects that keep his legacy alive.

The blog www.eltonjohnallsongslist.blogspot.com.es is my space to follow this journey, to collect, analyze, and share his entire body of work—from the classics to these new stages—always with the same passion and rigor. At All Songs List, our Comitee d’Experts ensures depth and accuracy across diverse sections—interviews, curious research, and what I call Forth of a Kind: exclusive collaborations with renowned writers offering fresh, original insights.

And as part of this C-O-M-E-B-A-C-K, I’m thrilled to announce that soon I’ll be hosting the creators of the new Broadway musical This Is Not a Drill. A visit that symbolizes this chain of important moments and that I want to share exclusively with all of you.

Thank you for being here, for waiting, and for being part of this journey. This is just the beginning of a new chapter, full of music, stories, and emotions.

Stay tuned for exclusive interviews, deep dives into Elton’s timeless songs, and all the latest news about his ongoing projects and collaborations.

Welcome to my C-O-M-E-B-A-C-K. Let’s get started!

Picture: At Madison Square Garden, October 2018 – witnessing Elton's Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour. A moment that stayed with me... and now leads me to this C-O-M-E-B-A-C-K.

Elton John in the 21st Century: 25 Songs That Reinvent a Legend

Few artists have managed to remain as culturally and musically relevant across decades as Elton John. In the 21st century, he has not only released some of his most personal and inventive work, but has also amplified his influence through projects like the Rocket Hour radio show — a vibrant platform for emerging voices and sonic discoveries. His artistry continues to evolve, bridging generations with authenticity, curiosity, and boundless melody. This list reflects Elton John’s most innovative and emotionally resonant songs of the 21st century — highlighting his continued evolution as a storyteller and musical pioneer beyond commercial success.

1. American Triangle
   A haunting ballad on the murder of Matthew Shepard, this stands as Elton John's most powerful narrative of the century. Stark, brave, and achingly beautiful. The lyric “God hates fags where we come from” is not an endorsement but a stark condemnation of the hatred and intolerance that led to the crime, brought to the forefront without compromise.

2. Original Sin
   A mature exploration of regret and longing, this track melds soaring melodies with emotional vulnerability. One of his finest lyrical moments post-2000. “Oh it's carnival night, and they're stringing the lights around you” paints an image of nostalgia tinged with loss, evoking the haunting glow of memories that can't be reclaimed.

3. Finish Line (feat. Stevie Wonder)
   This collaboration shines with gospel-infused soul and healing. A highlight from The Lockdown Sessions, both vocally and spiritually uplifting. “Been to the bottom where the angels cry / Thought it had all been, all for nothing” evokes a personal reckoning with pain and perseverance — a quiet testament to survival and redemption.

4. Cold Heart (PNAU Remix) (feat. Dua Lipa)
   A pop triumph blending Elton’s classics into a fresh, modern hit. Its international success reintroduced his work to a new generation, bridging past and present with infectious style.

5. The Rose of Laura Nyro
   An elegant tribute to one of Elton’s key inspirations. Lyrically lush, it captures Nyro’s essence with warmth and reverence. The line “A sign inside the times / It's a poison pen they're pushing” reflects on media pressure and the commodification of art, while defending the creative freedom and integrity Nyro embodied.

6. Weight of the World
   Contemplative and personal, this track explores emotional burden with grace. A deeply felt and underrated gem. “When we fell, we got up / And crawled out the cracks” symbolizes the human capacity to overcome adversity and find strength to keep going despite setbacks.

7. Oscar Wilde Goes Out
   Literary, ironic, and theatrical, this song imagines Wilde on his last night in Paris. A queer, poetic highlight from The Diving Board. “Felt like the head of John the Baptist / In the arms of Salome” references the biblical story where John the Baptist was beheaded at Salome’s request, symbolizing Wilde’s vulnerability and cruel punishment in a world that rejected him. The line conveys the complex feeling of being a victim of seductive and destructive betrayal, reflecting Wilde’s life marked by persecution and ostracism.

8. I Want Love
   A minimalist ballad of aching sincerity. Elton strips things back to bare essentials, revealing a raw and resonant core. The chorus line “I want love, but it’s impossible” pulses with bruised longing.

9. (I’m Gonna) Love Me Again
   Written for Rocketman, this Oscar-winning anthem of self-love fuses retro soul with fresh joy. Infectious and affirming.  The line “A whispered word emergin' from a tale / My wake-up call to claim the cursed spell” suggests a subtle revelation arising from a past story or experience — an almost imperceptible yet crucial voice that awakens consciousness.

10. This Train Don’t Stop There Anymore
    Autobiographical and elegiac, this track addresses fading fame and self-awareness. One of his most honest late-career moments. “I used to be the main express” confesses decline without bitterness, embracing humility.

11. Voyeur
    Atmospheric and restrained, it peers into inner longings and distance. A slow burner that rewards attentive listening. The line “A whisper in the darkness / Holds more truth than a shout” highlights how the deepest truths often lie in silence and subtle revelations rather than loud declarations. 

12. Electricity
    Originally from Billy Elliot the Musical, this track captures the magic of artistic passion. Brimming with theatrical energy. “I can’t really explain it, I haven’t got the words” expresses the unspeakable force of creativity.

13. Gone to Shiloh (with Leon Russell & Neil Young)
    A civil war elegy told in three voices. Rich harmonies and solemn piano create a deeply historic and spiritual mood. The line “The old black rooster sang in death down that dirt road / His steps in bold, his man of fancy free” evokes a powerful image of dignity amid tragedy. The rooster symbolizes the end of an era and the relentless march of time, capturing the song’s bittersweet tension between freedom and mortality.

14. Never Too Late
    Hopeful yet solemn, this ballad meditates on second chances and acceptance. Quiet, reflective, and full of heart. “It’s never too late to start again” becomes both invitation and absolution.

15. The Bridge
    Lyrically spare and emotionally wise, this ballad finds Elton at his most Zen-like. A subtle but stunning piece. The line “And every one of us has to face that day / Do you cross the bridge or do you fade away” captures the universal dilemma: confronting challenges or quietly fading away. This metaphor of the bridge represents the opportunities and risks that shape our path and legacy.

16. The New Fever Waltz
    A quirky and shadowy waltz that evokes cabaret mystery and lyrical play. A stylistic outlier with undeniable charm. “I was shaking with a fever / When the last good horse went down” evokes a moment of intense vulnerability and collapse — a metaphor for the last stand in a long-fought struggle. The lyric conveys both physical weakness and emotional exhaustion, as well as the dignity of those who keep dancing through devastation.

17. Mansfield
    Intimate storytelling and understated arrangement mark this track. A gentle portrait of a place and its people. “Like a wild pony dancing / Along the wall” is a vivid, sensual image that encapsulates the unrestrained energy of youthful love, flickering in candlelight and shadow. The lyric evokes intimacy and the overwhelming beauty of moments that feel both fragile and eternal — a fleeting love burned into memory.

18. Oceans Away
    A heartfelt remembrance of war veterans, sung with compassion and restraint. Simple, moving, and dignified. “Call 'em up, dust 'em off, let 'em shine” evokes a powerful emotional gesture—an appeal to remember and honour those long gone. It suggests that memory is not passive nostalgia, but an active responsibility: to bring the past forward, let it shine, and preserve its meaning in a world always looking ahead.

19. Home Again
    A melancholic return-to-roots ballad. With its reflective lyrics and soft piano lines, it resonates with quiet emotional power. The line “Just one more time for old time’s sake I'd like to go back home again” captures a universal longing — the hope of revisiting something lost, even if only for a moment. It speaks to the quiet ache of nostalgia and the human desire to find our way back to where things once made sense.

20. Who Believes in Angels
    Spiritual and haunting, this recent track explores belief and transcendence. One of Elton’s most ethereal recordings. “What does it cost to buy your soul back when you die" This line raises a profound question about the price of redemption and the consequences of the choices we make in life. It reflects on the soul, guilt, and the possibility of reclaiming what’s lost, blending honesty with existential doubt.

21. Wouldn’t Have You Any Other Way (NYC)
    An upbeat love letter to New York City. Romantic and nostalgic with a jazzy spark. "Turned up our collars to the chill of the wind" evokes a vivid and symbolic image of adversity and resilience. With a simple gesture, it expresses the will to protect oneself from the elements—not just the literal cold, but metaphorically from hardships and the harsh surroundings. This everyday detail captures the urban reality and the attitude of those who live it, adding authenticity and emotion to the narrative.

22. Turn the Lights Out When You Leave
    Country-tinged and sorrowful, this breakup song is graceful and honest. Elton at his most human. “Turn the lights out when you leave” is a line filled with restrained heartbreak.

23. Eight Hundred Dollar Shoes
    Witty and melodic, this is a satire of vanity wrapped in 70s-style pop. Smart and stylish. On the line "We both stepped off a frozen rock onto a burning bridge",The line “We both stepped off a frozen rock onto a burning bridge” captures a dramatic and risky transition, moving from a cold, stagnant place onto a dangerous path consumed by flames. This powerful metaphor reflects inevitable change and those critical moments when one must move forward despite the consequences, revealing deep internal tensions and personal conflicts.

24. Deep Into the Ground
    A meditation on death and legacy. Its calmness conceals deep philosophical undercurrents. The line “But I’ll love these dark, dark hills forever / And I won’t leave them until I die” speaks of steadfast devotion and a profound bond to one’s homeland. It captures a spirit of resilience and acceptance, embracing both the beauty and hardship of a place that holds one’s memories, roots, and identity.

25. Hello, Hello
    Charming and whimsical, this animated soundtrack tune sparkles with innocence. Light but delightful. “Hello, hello, my, my, my what have we here?” invites us back into wonder.

Elton John’s 21st-century work is a testament to his enduring artistry and fearless evolution. Through deeply personal narratives, rich metaphors, and genre-defying sounds, he continues to reinvent himself while honoring the timeless themes of love, loss, resilience, and hope. These 25 songs showcase not just a legend’s legacy, but a vibrant creative spirit still exploring new frontiers and connecting across generations. In a musical landscape always shifting, Elton remains a beacon of authenticity and melodic brilliance — a true icon who invites us to reflect, feel, and dream alongside him. And as he continues to create and inspire, there is no doubt that his remarkable legacy will endure for years to come.