For over sixty years, Elton John has remained a constant force in the music world, exceeding every expectation of his early career. His deep passion for music, which began when he learned to play the piano at just three years old, has never wavered.
Elton quickly displayed a prodigious talent for the instrument, which would become central to his life, regardless of fame or fortune.
Even without the global stardom he eventually achieved, Elton John would have undoubtedly found success as a musician, likely through session work, a path that would have been a dream come true for him.
Despite having sold millions of records and reaching the pinnacle of the music industry, John remains deeply committed to discovering new music. He continues to champion rising acts like Fontaines DC, whom he recently praised as “the best band out there right now.”
However, while his love for current music is clear, he also holds a deep appreciation for the songs that soundtracked his formative years.
The 1970s were a life-changing decade for Elton John. During this time, he transitioned from a relatively ordinary life to becoming the world’s most prominent solo artist.
Meanwhile, Pink Floyd was on a similar trajectory, rising from performing at London’s UFO Club to selling out massive venues and captivating audiences worldwide. Although their musical styles were different and they attracted distinct fan bases, John always admired Pink Floyd’s work.
Among their songs, one in particular holds a special place in Elton’s heart: ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’. Featured on Pink Floyd’s 1975 album Wish You Were Here, the song was written as a tribute to their former bandmate Syd Barrett, whose deteriorating mental health had forced him to leave the band and eventually retreat from the public eye.
By the mid-1970s, Barrett had become a recluse, and one of the last times the band saw him was during a surprise visit to their recording studio. His former bandmates were shocked by his physical and mental transformation.
While ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ carries a sense of loss for Pink Floyd, for Elton John, the song represents something far more hopeful. During a 1986 appearance on Desert Island Discs, Elton recounted a story about meeting a young boy with cancer.
The boy’s mother approached John and his longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin, asking if they could meet her son. Elton and Bernie agreed, and they spent several evenings with the boy, listening to music—including Wish You Were Here.
One night, as the sun set and ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ played in the background, they all prayed for the boy’s recovery. Remarkably, three years later, Elton encountered the boy again—now healthy and strong, a testament to hope and resilience.
For Elton, the song has since taken on a deeply personal significance, reminding him of that miraculous moment.
Elton also has a long-standing friendship with Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour. The two have been close for decades and collaborated on Elton’s 1992 track ‘Understanding Women’.
Additionally, when Gilmour’s son Charlie was imprisoned in 2011 for protesting tuition fee increases, John offered support by sending a box of books, keeping in touch with the family throughout the ordeal.
For Pink Floyd, ‘Shine On You Crazy Diamond’ is a bittersweet reminder of Syd Barrett’s tragic decline, but for Elton John, the song symbolizes hope, healing, and the triumph of life’s most precious moments.
