VIA PRESS RELEASE | On May 24, Interscope Records will release Rocketman: Music From The Motion Picture. The set sees celebrated producer and composer Giles Martin re-interpreting and re-imagining Elton John’s iconic hits, tailoring the music specifically to support the narrative of Paramount Pictures’ upcoming major motion picture, Rocketman, with a truly show stopping vocal performance from lead actor Taron Egerton.
Elton John says: “It was so important that the music I composed and recorded had to be sung by Taron. I wanted his interpretation of me, through Bernie’s lyrics and my music – not just acting. I left Taron in the hands of Giles Martin, who I trusted implicitly because he’s brilliant. I didn’t want to be in Taron’s shadows, watching over the process, I trusted them to do what they needed to do, artistically, and listening back I’ve been astonished with the results. Getting the music right was the most important thing, as the songs in the film are integral to the story.”
“The beauty of having Elton involved with the film is we’ve been able to work with him to see how far we can take these classic songs,” says Taron Egerton. “Giles Martin has impeccable taste and massive skills to bring the songs to a place where they are faithful and daring as well.”
“The great thing about Elton is that he is a true artist and he wants people to expand on his work – he wants interpretations done, it’s refreshing for him, says Giles Martin. “We had scope to play around with things and think how we address the songs. The songs are the story of the movie, the heartbeat of what happens. Once the songs start a whole world opens up. In Taron I’ve never known a singer who dedicates himself so much to the process. I don’t think anyone else could have played Elton.”
Tasked with taking Elton’s unparalleled back catalogue and reimagining it to fit the film’s narrative, soundtrack producer Martin worked closely with the filmmakers, supervising all the music for the production and pulling a vocal masterclass from Egerton in the studio. From transforming ‘Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting’ into an epic ensemble piece, to morphing ‘I Want Love’ into a heart-breaking moment of conflict around little Reggie’s family meal, each track has been sculpted to form a unique part of the narrative of this most incredible of stories.
The soundtrack also contains a brand-new Elton John and Bernie Taupin composition ‘(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again’ performed by Elton and Taron Egerton. Rocketman: Music From The Motion Picture is produced by Giles Martin (except “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” is co-produced by Giles Martin and Greg Kurstin) and was recorded between 2017 and 2019 at London’s legendary Abbey Road Studios. Executive Album Producers are Elton John, David Furnish, Matthew Vaughan, and Dexter Fletcher.
Rocketman: Music From The Motion Picture will come in a standard and deluxe version of the album and is available for pre-order now. A Target CD version will feature two exclusive tracks – “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down In Me” (Taron only) and “Breakin’ Down The Walls If Heartache”. Pre-order the Target cd starting May 2 at Target stores or online at Target.com.
Paramount Pictures presents, in association with New Republic Pictures, A Marv Films/Rocket Pictures production Rocketman an epic musical fantasy about the incredible human story of Elton John’s breakthrough years. The film follows the fantastical journey of transformation from shy piano prodigy Reginald Dwight into international superstar Elton John.
This inspirational story – set to Elton John’s most beloved songs and performed by star Taron Egerton – tells the universally relatable story of how a small-town boy became one of the most iconic figures in pop culture. Rocketman also stars Jamie Bell as Elton’s longtime lyricist and writing partner Bernie Taupin, Richard Madden as Elton’s first manager, John Reid, and Bryce Dallas Howard as Elton’s mother Sheila Farebrother. Rocketman was directed by Dexter Fletcher, written by Lee Hall and produced by Matthew Vaughn, David Furnish, Adam Bohling, and David Reid. Rocketman will open on the U.S. on May 31st.
Rocketman: Music From The Motion Picture standard track listing:
1. The Bitch Is Back (Introduction)
2. I Want Love
3. Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting)
4. Thank You For All Your Loving
5. Border Song
6. Rock & Roll Madonna – Interlude
7. Your Song
8. Amoreena
9. Crocodile Rock
10. Tiny Dancer
11. Take Me To The Pilot
12. Hercules
13. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – interlude
14. Honky Cat
15. Pinball Wizard – Interlude
16. Rocket Man
17. Bennie and the Jets
18. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down – Interlude
19. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
20. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
21. I’m Still Standing
22. (I’m Gonna) Love Me Again
