Elton John
Elton John sold more records than almost anyone alive. Rocket Man, Tiny Dancer, Your Song, Candle in the Wind, Crocodile Rock, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road — he wrote generation-defining songs six times in one decade. Partnered with lyricist Bernie Taupin for 55 years (one of the longest songwriting partnerships in music history), Elton built a catalogue that turned him into the best-selling solo male artist of all time. Five decades, over 300 million records, and one of the most flamboyant stage presences in rock history.
Why It Works
Listen to Elton John's essential studio discography on Mixtuby — 17 canonical albums from Elton John (1970) through The Lockdown Sessions (2021). 160+ tracks covering the early singer-songwriter period (1970-1972), the glam-rock peak (1973-1976), the 80s comeback (Too Low for Zero, Breaking Hearts), and the late-career collaborations. No ads, no account friction, no algorithm.
Why Mixtuby
Unlike Spotify or Apple Music, Mixtuby doesn't need an account. Open the page, hit play, Rocket Man starts. We organise the catalog chronologically so you can hear the full evolution — from earnest piano ballads to glam stadium rock to 80s synth production to the 2021 dance collaborations. Five decades of the piano-rock king, all in one scroll.
Discography
Explore the complete Elton John studio albums. Click any album to see the full track list and listen.
Biography
Reginald Kenneth Dwight was born in Pinner, Middlesex, in 1947. He was a piano prodigy — playing by ear at age four, Royal Academy of Music scholarship at eleven. He was answering a music magazine ad for songwriters when he met a lyricist from Lincolnshire named Bernie Taupin.
They started writing together in 1967. They have never stopped.
"Your Song" (1970) was the breakthrough — a hushed piano ballad from the Elton John album that made radio listeners cry. Tumbleweed Connection (1970) was the American-influenced country-rock follow-up. Madman Across the Water (1971) had "Tiny Dancer" and "Levon.
" Honky Château (1972) had "Rocket Man." Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player (1973) had "Crocodile Rock" and "Daniel.
Then came Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (October 1973) — the double album that defined his career. 30 million copies sold. Seven hit singles including "Candle in the Wind," "Bennie and the Jets," "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting," and the title track.
Elton John was the biggest artist in the world in 1974.
He's 78 years old now. He married David Furnish in 2014. He raised $600 million through the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
He played his farewell tour in 2023. He's never stopped writing with Bernie.
History
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (October 1973) is the masterpiece — a double album recorded in two weeks at Château d'Hérouville in France. "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" opens the album with an 11-minute instrumental-to-rocker sequence. "Candle in the Wind" is the Marilyn Monroe tribute.
"Bennie and the Jets" is the glam-rock radio hit. "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" is the title-track ballad. "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" is the pub-rock stomper.
Seven top-40 singles from one album.
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (May 1975) was the autobiographical concept album — it debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, the first album to do so in chart history. "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" is the centerpiece ballad.
Too Low for Zero (1983) was the 80s comeback after a decade of declining commercial fortunes. "I'm Still Standing" is the defiant comeback single. "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" has the Stevie Wonder harmonica.
Reunited with Bernie Taupin after they'd worked separately for a few years.
The Lion King (1994) added the "Circle of Life" / "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" / "Hakuna Matata" trifecta that made him a household name for an entire new generation of kids. Songs from the West Coast (2001) was the return-to-form rock album. The Lockdown Sessions (2021) saw him collaborate with Dua Lipa, The Weeknd, Gorillaz, and others.
Legacy & Influence
Elton John is the best-selling solo male recording artist in Billboard history. Over 300 million records sold. He and Bernie Taupin have a songwriting partnership that has lasted 57 years — only Lennon/McCartney and Jagger/Richards come close in longevity, and both of those partnerships ended decades ago.
He has 5 Grammy Awards, an Oscar (for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight"), a Tony (for Aida), and is one of 17 EGOT winners. He was knighted in 1998. He raised $600 million through the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
He's one of the top 20 best-selling artists of all time, across any genre.
His influence is everywhere — every piano-pop artist since (from Billy Joel to Ben Folds to Lady Gaga) references Elton. "Tiny Dancer" became an Almost Famous sing-along moment for a new generation. "Rocket Man" became the song Kim Jong-un was called by Donald Trump.
"Candle in the Wind 1997" (for Princess Diana) is the best-selling single since charts began.
Perfect For
How to Listen
Start with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road — it's the double-album peak of his career
Honky Château has Rocket Man and Honky Cat — the glam-rock entry point
Too Low for Zero is the 80s comeback — I'm Still Standing is the hit
The Lockdown Sessions (2021) collaborations prove he's still relevant — Cold Heart with Dua Lipa is essential
Shop Elton John
Hand-picked vinyl, merch & gear for fans.
Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (Vinyl LP)
Elton John - Greatest Hits (CD)
Elton John T-Shirt (Official Merch)
Audio-Technica AT-LP60X Turntable
Elton John Poster — Yellow Brick Road
Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Headphones
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Elton John — FAQ
Can I listen to Elton John free on Mixtuby?
Yes — 17 Elton John studio albums are available free on Mixtuby with no account needed. 160+ tracks from Elton John (1970) to The Lockdown Sessions (2021), covering the singer-songwriter era, the glam-rock peak, the 80s comeback, and the recent collaborations. Press play and it starts.
What is Elton John's best album?
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) is widely considered Elton John's masterpiece — a double album with seven hit singles including Candle in the Wind, Bennie and the Jets, and the title track. Honky Château (1972) has Rocket Man. Captain Fantastic (1975) was the first album to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200. Start with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
How many records has Elton John sold?
Elton John has sold over 300 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling artists in history. He is the best-selling solo male recording artist in Billboard history. Candle in the Wind 1997 (the Princess Diana tribute single) is the best-selling physical single of all time — over 33 million copies.
Who writes Elton John's lyrics?
Bernie Taupin writes virtually all of Elton John's lyrics — they've partnered since 1967, a 57-year songwriting relationship that's one of the longest in music history. Taupin writes the lyrics first, then sends them to Elton, who composes the music typically in under 30 minutes per song. It's one of the most unusual and productive songwriting partnerships ever.
Is Elton John retired?
Elton John completed his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in July 2023 — the final tour of his 50+ year career. He has said he won't tour again but continues to record new music. The Lockdown Sessions (2021) was his most recent studio album and included collaborations with Dua Lipa, Miley Cyrus, The Weeknd, Gorillaz, and others.
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