5 timeless Elton John tracks that still hit hard today

Few artists have shaped pop culture the way Elton John has. From his humble beginnings as a teenage pub pianist to becoming a global icon, his five-decade career has delivered everything from soaring rock anthems to unfeigned ballads — each one brimming with emotion and undeniable brilliance.

Sir Elton’s music continues to resonate, reminding listeners of his unrivaled ability to capture hope, love, and loss in just a few verses. And even today, at 77, he remains deeply invested in the future of music and the rights of artists.

Just recently, he blasted the British government for backing a plan that would let tech giants train artificial intelligence on the UK’s creative works without guaranteeing artists a single cent, branding it “committing theft, thievery on a high scale."

He said in an exclusive interview with the BBC:

"It's criminal, in that I feel incredibly betrayed."

While the world seems to rush toward an AI-driven future, his oeuvre is the living proof of the invaluable heart and soul behind music made by actual people. Here are 5 Elton John tracks that still hit just as hard — maybe even harder — today.

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“Rocket Man” (1972)

“Rocket Man” isn’t just a song about outer space. It dives into feelings of loneliness and the emotional toll that comes with chasing big dreams and fame. Co-written by Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin, it taps into themes that still hit home today.

With its moody melody and thoughtful lyrics, it’s no wonder the song keeps showing up on today’s playlists. It’s also been reimagined in a popular remix with producer PNAU and even helped inspire the 2019 biopic Rocketman, which celebrates Elton’s incredible journey and music.

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“Your Song” (1970)

There’s something beautifully pure about “Your Song”. It’s earnest and raw, a rare kind in today’s formulaic and over-engineered romantic ballads.

This song propelled Elton John to global popularity, and over five decades later, it’s still one of the most genuine love songs in history.

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“Tiny Dancer” (1971)

Elton John’s "Tiny Dancer" is a love song to Los Angeles and to the moments that inspire creativity in artists. After the film Almost Famous (2000), the song enjoyed a resurgence in pop culture, and a new generation fell in love with it.

Even if you’re belting out “Hold me closer, tiny dancer” during a long road trip or so far in your world with earbuds in, there has never been quite like this song to hit you right in the feels.

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“Can You Feel the Love Tonight” (1994)

This award-winning track shows Sir Elton’s cinematic side. It’s a nostalgic track that stirs your soul, which takes you back to the sweet moment of Nala and Simba in The Lion King.

This song proves music can boost a story in extraordinary ways.

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“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” (1973)

“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” is Elton’s farewell to the fantasy of stardom, and a desire for something real and simple. Wrapped in a dreamy melody and some of Bernie Taupin’s most poetic lyrics, it’s a soft rebellion that still resonates in a world obsessed with image and ambition.

The track's cinematic feel has inspired covers from the likes of Sara Bareilles and Queens of the Stone Age.

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Sir Elton John’s legacy is more than just his shares and sequins. Even as he opens up about losing his eyesight, his music stands as proof that true artistry doesn’t fade. It evolves and finds new ears, generation after generation.