I just got this record in the mail the other day, Who Believes in Angels? by Elton John and Brandi Carlile. I don’t have every song in my bones yet but this one already feels like it’ll be with me for the rest of my life. It feels like classic Elton: those signature chord changes, the kind of melodies only he could write, and Bernie Taupin’s unmistakable lyrics. There’s grit and honesty too. I love the lyrics here…

The color of the lie is white
I would die on that hill in a one-handed fight
If you’re not swinging first, you were never in the right
I have been there, man I’ve been there

Elton is one of my all-time favorites. Maria and I were lucky enough to see his final American show at Dodger Stadium in 2022, and we loved every second. The man knows how to put on a show.

The album was recorded in just 20 days at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles, but you’d never guess it. The title track, “Who Believes in Angels Anyway,” hits hard. It’s hopeful, a little sad, and very real. Elton apparently had some large emotions during some of the sessions. At one point, he even smashed an iPad and ripped up some lyrics. Brandi Carlile, who co-wrote and co-produced the album, was right there with him through it all. Bernie told her that kind of intensity is just part of Elton’s process.

What makes the album special is how well Elton and Brandi work together. Her roots in folk and Americana bring something fresh, while his decades of being Elton give the record depth and history. The two first teamed up in 2021 for a song on Elton’s album, The Lockdown Sessions and for a song on Elton’s 2024 documentary. Elton hadn’t planned on making another full album, but Brandi pulled him back in and it’s clear he gave it everything he has. This album doesn’t sound like someone winding down or saying goodbye in comparison to other aged music stars (maybe like Glen Campbell’s final album Adios). This album feels like someone is still moving forward and reaching for the stars.

Elton is a huge reason why I play piano and one of my biggest influences. I’ve been listening to him for as long as I can remember. That’s why this album means so much. Who Believes in Angels? isn’t just a good late-career album. It’s a reminder that music still matters. That pouring your heart into something still matters. No matter if it feels like the beginning or the end.

Fun Fact: This is Elton’s 33rd studio album

Fun Fact II: Chad Smith, former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Josh Klinghoffer.

You don’t need to laugh so hard
You don’t have to wear a tie
Sometimes honest is bein’ caught inside a lie
And I have been there
I have been there

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If I’d lived an easy life
Would I still choose you? Would I fall on the same knife?
A rodeo queen breathing fire into the night
I have been there
Man, I’ve been there

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What do you say we set the pleasantries aside?
Even the diamonds look like rocks to the untrained eye
What does it cost to buy your soul back when you die?
What are the angels gonna do with you and I?

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The color of the lie is white
I would die on that hill in a one-handed fight
If you’re not swingin’ first you were never in the right
I have been there
Man, I’ve been there

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There’s no need to curse the stars
Or bite before you bark
But when you need someone to walk with in the dark
I have been there

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My name is Michael Sanchez and I’m an avid record collector and obscure song searcher. My goal is to post (hopefully) one song a day that’s been on my stereo/turntable frequently. If you don’t like the song… too bad 🙂 You can just wait for the next one. I do use A.I. here and there to help with writing and grammar. All the info I find is from wikipedia/youtube/interviews/news articles/personal stories I’ve heard/random googling. If you notice any mistakes, let me know or just keep it inside and be mad. Thanks!

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