Ed Sheeran to cover Sir Elton John’s Candle in the Wind
Ed Sheeran (Paul Kane/Getty)
Ed Sheeran is to cover Sir Elton John’s Candle in the Wind as a tribute to the star – on an album which will also include Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Pink and Coldplay.
Sheeran has recorded a cover of the iconic track for a tribute album to Sir Elton, that was announced today by Sir Elton himself.
Sir Elton, who recently announced a three-year retirement tour, revealed he would be putting out two star-studded twin albums covering his back catalogue, titled ‘Revamp’ and ‘Restoration’.
The two albums, announced in Rolling Stone, will be out April 6.
PERTH, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 02: Ed Sheeran performs in concert on the opening night of his Australian tour at Optus Stadium on March 2, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Sir Elton John said in a statement: “It’s always a huge compliment when an artist loves your song enough to take the time and effort to rework it.
“As songwriters, Bernie and myself are thrilled when singers we admire and respect as much as those on Revamp and Restoration choose to add their own unique twist in the process.
“It means that our music is still relevant and ultimately that our songs continue to reach new audiences.”
Ed Sheeran will be part of the project, recording a cover of Sir Elton’s classic Candle in the Wind.
The track, originally written in honour of the late Marilyn Monroe, was famously re-released by Sir Elton in 1997 as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales.
Sheeran’s involvement has not been universally welcomed by fans of Sir Elton, with some on Twitter describing it as “sacrilegious” for him to cover the classic track.
The album will include an extensive list of contributors, including Dolly Parton, the Killers, Mary J Blige, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Pink and Coldplay.
Per Rolling Stone, the track listing is below:
Revamp Track List
1. “Bennie and the Jets” – Elton John, P!nk, Logic
2. “We All Fall in Love Sometimes” – Coldplay
3. “I Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues” – Alessia Cara
4. “Candle in the Wind” – Ed Sheeran
5. “Tiny Dancer “- Florence And The Machine
6. “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” – Mumford and Sons
7. “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word” – Mary J. Blige
8. “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” – Q Tip feat. Demi Lovato
9. “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” – The Killers
10. “Daniel” – Sam Smith
11. “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” – Miley Cyrus
12. “Your Song” – Lady Gaga
13. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” – Queens of the Stone Age
Restoration Track List
1. “Rocket Man” – Little Big Town
2. “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” – Maren Morris
3. “Sacrifice” – Don Henley and Vince Gill
4. “Take Me to the Pilot” – Brothers Osborne
5. “My Father’s Gun” – Miranda Lambert
6. “I Want Love” – Chris Stapleton
7. “Honky Cat” – Lee Ann Womack
8. “Roy Rogers” – Kacey Musgraves
9. “Please” – Rhonda Vincent and Dolly Parton
10. “The Bitch Is Back” – Miley Cyrus
11. “Sad Songs (Say So Much)” – Dierks Bentley
12. “This Train Don’t Stop” – Rosanne Cash and Emmylou Harris
13. “Border Song” – Willie Nelson
Sir Elton, 70, claims he plans to retire following a worldwide tour.
Sir Elton’s farewell tour will be spread over three years, taking in 300 performances around the world.
Speaking at a press conference in New York he said: “I always thought I was going to be like Ray Charles, BB King – on the road forever.
“My priorities have changed. We had children and I changed our lives. That doesn’t mean to say I’m not going to be creative, but I’m not going to travel.”
Sir Elton John (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
The star denied reports that he was retiring due to ill health.
Sir Elton John (Getty)
“Last year I picked up an infection and I was very ill and it knocked me sideways,” he said.
“But I still did 96 shows. Believe me – if you ever do 300 shows, you’re not in ill health.”
The five-time Grammy winner has sold more than 300 million records during his career and is one of the most in-demand live performers on the planet.
Sir Elton John (Getty)
He indicated the decision earlier, cryptically writing online: “A wrinkle in time. Past meets present… You’ll finally see where the future lies…”
The announcement came weeks after his beloved mother passed away following a short illness.
The I’m Still Standing singer, who has two sons with husband David Furnish, nearly died last year after contracting a bacterial infection while touring in South America.
(Getty)
The infection was described by experts as “rare” and “potentially deadly”, causing him to cancel a string of shows.
Sir Elton’s friends reportedly pleaded with him to slow down after the health scare.
“Nobody wants him to burn himself out and they hope this recent scare will encourage him to take stock.
“But he’s not even considering retirement at present.”
Last year he admitted that a change in his work was inevitable as he marked his 70th birthday.
“Obviously I work – but the work will get less and less and I’ll spend more time with my children growing up.
“And that’s what I want to do, I’ll gradually phase things out in a few years.
“It’s not forever but I want to see my kids grow up. I go all over the world. I just don’t want to tour so much.”
