Elton John and Bernie Taupin have been nominated for their first joint Oscar for “(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again” — the theme to last year's Rocketman biopic which is sung with Elton's silver screen counterpart, Taron Egerton. Taupin shed light on the songwriting process behind the song and admitted he was surprised that Elton took the lyric and made it a vibrant Motown-like pop rocker.
Taupin, who began writing with Elton back in 1967, told The Los Angeles Times, “When I was approached about doing a song for the (end) credits of the film, it was obvious that the song had to have a redemptive quality to it. I, probably not in my best judgment, imagined a slower, waltz-like, reflective melody, sort of like Tom Waits' 'Hold On.'”
He added: “I’m always there when we record, to help tinker with songs, if there’s a hiccup in it. I’ve been in the studio during pretty much every album we’ve made.”
As far as whether he'll be making a final curtain call with Elton on the closing night of his massive “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour, Taupin said, “If he wants me to, I will, but it’s not on my bucket list. I’ve had plenty of the spotlight on me — much more than somebody of my nature probably would have. I’ve always been an outsider. I’ve always been outside of the velvet rope.”
Despite all the honors and accolades the songwriting team has racked up over the years, Bernie Taupin is amazed that there are so few cover versions of their classic songs: “We haven't had that many covers y'know, to be quite honest, which is rather extraordinary. You would think in our career we would've had more covers. I like George's (Michael) version of 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me,' the one he did with Elton was good.”
Elton John performs tonight (January 31st) in Yarra Valley, Australia.
The 92nd Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, February 9th and air live on ABC at 8 pm ET.