Elton John has made a career out of defying expectations, penning hits and working with all of the right people to become the international phenomenon that he is today. At 75-years-old, the pop legend isn’t showing any signs of stopping his streak of top-tier collaborations.
On Friday (Aug. 26), John unveiled his latest duet, this time with pop superstar Britney Spears, on “Hold Me Closer.” A modernized, dance-influenced new take on the star’s 1972 classic “Tiny Dancer” as well as 1992’s “The One,” the new song produced by Andrew Watt takes the both of John’s past works and bumps them up to 11 — Spears’s piercing vocals add some drama to the grooving dance-pop vibes being constructed on this scintillating new single.
“Hold Me Closer” follows in the tradition of John’s latest ventures. Back in August 2021, John released “Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” featuring Dua Lipa and Australian production trio PNAU. The track revamped four of John’s past songs, including the chorus of “Rocket Man,” and became a ubiquitous commercial success for the star; after a strong start at radio, “Cold Heart” slowly climbed up the Hot 100, reaching its peak at No. 7 in January 2022. John even made history after “Cold Heart” entered the top 40 of the chart, earning the longest span of top 40 hits on the chart with a whopping 50 years and 10 months.
But even before “Cold Heart” and “Hold Me Closer,” John already established himself as a world-class collaborator; he’s even released two albums-worth of collaborations to date (1993’s Duets and 2021’s The Lockdown Sessions) To celebrate the superstar’s latest pairing with Spears, Billboard took a look through the icon’s discography and picked out the 20 best collaborations from John’s career.
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"Makin' Whoopee" with Rod Stewart
Who doesn’t love to see two legends performing a jazz standard together? As part of Rod Stewart’s covers album Thanks for the Memory: The Great American Songbook, Volume IV, the superstar teamed up with John for this saucy cover of an American classic. With Elton tickling the ivories as usual and the pair trading lines back and forth on the verses, this duet marks a quiet but quintessential entry into John’s history of collaborations.
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"All of the Lights" with Kanye West (and Others)
In the great tradition of collaborations, there are very few songs as ambitious as “All of the Lights.” Kanye West (who has now legally changed his name to simply Ye) brought in the best of the best to offer their musical stylings on this monster of a track, including a cavalcade of stars like Rihanna, Kid Cudi, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Fergie, Charlie Wilson, and yes, Elton John playing the keys and delivering some backing vocals. Sure, it may not be an obvious choice when it comes to John’s work with other artists, but make no mistake — “All of the Lights” went a long way toward reminding younger generations about Sir Elton’s ongoing impact.
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"Runaway Train" with Eric Clapton
On “Runaway Train,” John decided to dial a little bit more into the rock genre — so, he called in guitar legend Eric Clapton to help him capture the feeling he was chasing. The result blends early-’90s pop with the shredding stylings that Clapton became famous for in his career. John offers up his own expertise throughout the song, slamming on an electric keyboard, as he and Clapton trade verses on this soulful rock anthem.
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"Chosen Family" with Rina Sawayama
On a song about finding belonging as a queer person, there’s something special in Rina Sawayama getting an assist from John. In their duet version of “Chosen Family,” the pair sing out about creating a community for yourself in a world where being yourself can lead to ostracization — John tenderly plays the piano alongside the fast-rising pop singer, as they declare to each other that “you are my chosen/ Chosen family.” Seeing this kind of mentorship between veteran and rising LGBTQ acts is not only heartwarming; it’s a powerful testament to both John and Sawayama’s prowess as singers and songwriters.
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"Sine From Above" with Lady Gaga
It took a decade after Lady Gaga and Elton John teamed up at the 2010 Grammys for an iconic mashup of some of their favorite tracks for the pair to finally come together for an official collaboration. The result of that wait was “Sine From Above,” off Gaga’s Chromatica — a wild, dramatic dance-pop track that saw the two leaning into their respective loves of disco and electronica for a spectacular collaboration. John’s growling bass mixed with Gaga’s head-turning high notes makes for an exhilarating listen, and a thrilling addition to John’s songbook.
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"Ordinary Man" with Ozzy Osbourne
Who do you call when you want to perform a reflective piano ballad about struggling with legacy and the price of fame? If you’re Ozzy Osbourne, you call Elton John, which is how the pair came together for Osbourne’s gorgeous single “Ordinary Man.” Released ahead of Osbourne’s 2020 album of the same name, the track sees both stars looking back on the mistakes they made in their respective careers and personal lives, hoping they will be remembered for all that made them great after they’re gone. “Ordinary Man” is a beautiful ballad by any standard.
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"Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" with John Lennon
A lifelong fan of The Beatles, Elton John decided to cover one of his favorite songs from the icons for a 1974 single. As it turns out, John didn’t just get to perform “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” — he got to do so with John Lennon backing him up on guitar and background vocals. The song ended up not only being a lovely tribute from John to one of his favorite bands — it also ended up becoming his third-ever No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, beginning a trend of John regularly topping the charts with his star-studded collaborations.
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"The Power" with Little Richard
When rolling out his 1993 album Duets, Elton John decided to ring one of his biggest influences — Little Richard — for an assist on a powerful gospel track. Thus, “The Power” was born, a grooving gospel jam that saw John and the rock n’ roll legend bringing audiences around the world to their feet. After the icon’s passing in 2020, John stated that he saw Richard as “my biggest influence” and revealed that “The Power” remains “a favorite in my catalog.” Take another listen to the moving track and you’ll see why.
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"Finish Line" with Stevie Wonder
While Elton John and Stevie Wonder both came up and achieved their peaks of public fame and success around the same time, fans might be surprised to know that the pair had not created a proper duet with one another until 2021 — sure, they’d worked together on other songs (more on that later), but never exclusively with one another. “Finish Line” changed that; this soulful, uplifting anthem operates as a something of a victory lap for the pair, as they celebrate their decades-long friendship with some beautiful harmonies.
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"Bohemian Rhapsody" with Queen & Axl Rose
When it came time to pay tribute to the late, great Freddie Mercury, Elton John was ready to deliver. At the renowned 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert held at Wembley Stadium, John — joined by the rest of Queen, as well as Guns ‘N Roses’ Axl Rose — delivered a stirring performance of the band’s seminal classic “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Nowhere did John try to offer an impersonation of Mercury — he simply performed the song as he would, seated at a piano and gorgeously singing the melody of the song’s first section. It’s a moment that was quickly heralded by Queen fans as a wonderful toast to John’s lost friend.
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“Live Like Horses” with Luciano Pavarotti
When you think of world-renowned opera singer Luciano Pavarotti, it’s unlikely that the question “Do you remember his collaboration with Elton John?” comes to mind. But listen again to the pair’s duet version of “Live Like Horses,” and you will see why you should keep it in mind. This stunning version of the single sees John singing the original verses as intended, accompanied by some pianos and strings — in other words, business as usual. But then, he switches out the chorus, letting the tenor take over, performing a soaring Italian chorus, adding even more emotion to this deeply dramatic track.
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"(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again" with Taron Egerton
For Rocketman, the 2019 biopic chronicling his rise to fame, Elton John decided to team up with his old writing partner Bernie Taupin to spin some gold. “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again,” the singer’s duet with the film’s star Taron Egerton, sounds as though it was a long-forgotten B-side lifted off of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road that’s just been brought back to the table. The original song written for the film bursts with joy and wonder, with John’s and Egerton’s voices blending together in the perfect balancing act. No wonder, then, that the song went on to take home an Oscar for best original song.
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“Hold Me Closer” with Britney Spears
Following the breakthrough success of “Cold Heart,” it only makes sense that Elton would want to double down on making a hit out of his previous work. Bringing in Britney Spears, it turns out, was a stroke of genius — the pop princess’s vocals sound phenomenal as she sings along to the chorus of John’s 1972 hit “Tiny Dancer” as well as the verses of his 1992 track “The One.” Add onto that some dance floor-ready production courtesy of pop production auteurs Andrew Watt and Cirkut, and you get an excellent jam worthy of the icons performing it.
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"It’s A Sin" with Years & Years
Years & Years had already done a good job of covering the Pet Shop Boys’ heartbreaking 1987 song “It’s A Sin” back in January 2021 — but when Olly Alexander arrived on stage at the 2021 Brit Awards to have Elton John help him bring new life to the classic single, it gave “It’s A Sin” brand new life. With scintillating dance rhythms, as well as the perfectly complementary voices of both Alexander and John, this new version of “It’s A Sin” became instantly memorable, and a highlight in both these stars’ careers.
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"Through the Storm" with Aretha Franklin
What more could you ask for than seeing two musical icons like Aretha Franklin and Elton John sharing a duet together? For the Queen of Soul’s 1989 album Through the Storm, Franklin brought John in for the titular track (and the album’s first single). With syncopated synths and an inspirational message to buff it all, Aretha and Elton blended their voices together to bring a fanfare of perseverance. Though the album may not have been as well-received, the single became an immediate chart success, notching a No. 16 position on the Hot 100.
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“Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)” with Dua Lipa & PNAU
Taking four classic songs and mixing them together to create something new seems like it shouldn’t work — yet when you listen to John, Dua Lipa and PNAU’s “Cold Heart” (which interpolates John’s “Rocket Man,” “Sacrifice,” “Kiss the Bride” and “Where’s the Shoorah?”), everything just works. Dua Lipa’s voice sounds like butter as she croons the iconic chorus “And I think it’s gonna be a long, long time,” while the production from PNAU never goes over-the-top, only complementing John’s original visions. It’s no wonder why “Cold Heart” became a massive hit for all three artists.
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"Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" with Ray Charles
Many fans consider “Sorry Seems to Be The Hardest Word” to be one of Elton John’s most heartbreaking songs of all time, with its crushing lyrics and brilliantly pared-down instrumental. But heartbreaking hardly even begins to describe the duet of the song released with Ray Charles as a part of his Genius Loves Company duets album in 2004. With the addition of Charles’ raspy, expressive vocals, as well as a moving string section, the song transforms into the kind of tragic love song that stays with you for hours after first listening.
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"That’s What Friends Are For" with Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder
Everything about “That’s What Friends Are For” just screams timeless classic. First, you’ve got an incredible crew of performers — Dionne Warwick alongside John, Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight, all performing on the same single. Next, you’ve got an important cause — all proceeds from the 1986 single went directly toward to funding research into AIDS, the deadly disease that had gone ignored for many years thanks to institutionalized homophobia. It’s not only a bop — it’s also a song that potentially saved lives. Add onto that its No. 1 peak on the Hot 100 and its Grammy wins for song of the year and best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals, and you have yourself an instant prototype for what a good charity single looks and sounds like.
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"Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me" with George Michael
Before 1985, “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me” was already one of Elton John’s most popular singles. But when he took to the stage with George Michael at Live Aid, the two changed the song’s future for good by performing it as a duet. The two English pop superstars have a natural chemistry that’s immediately apparent upon hearing the track, as Michael’s crystal-clear stylings pair perfectly with John’s raspier, soulful vocals. In 1991, the song would be released as a live duet between the two, becoming a global hit, reaching No. 1 on the Hot 100 (the 1974 original peaked at No. 2) and on the Official U.K. Charts, and becoming a staple in both performers’ live sets.
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“Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” with Kiki Dee
While Elton John had already earned five No. 1 hits in the U.S. by 1976, he had shockingly still been blocked out of the top spot on the U.K. charts. Luckily, that changed when he and Kiki Dee teamed up for “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” — a Motown-style pop jam that would not only cement John and Dee’s first No. 1s in the U.K., but would also become one of John’s most beloved songs of all time. From the sugary-sweet lyrics to its perfect pop production, “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” would go on to see multiple other versions (the most famous featuring drag superstar RuPaul in Kiki Dee’s place). But none could compare to this original, career-defining duet that proved to the rest of the world that Elton John was one of his era’s defining hitmakers.