Don’t let anyone ever tell you it takes a long time to write a song, because it doesn’t. Our best work comes when it’s straight out – fast. I write the lyrics and give them to Elton and he writes the music. We work very quickly because we both enjoy writing. As most people know, the way Elton and I write is very different from the way anybody else does. When you write, you really have to go straight for the heart.īT: Many people write in many different ways.
One of the reasons why I wanted to write songs was hearing “El Paso” by Marty Robbins. As I’ve said before, I was really into Americana and the American West. But it wasn’t until I met Elton that I decided to take writing seriously. I never thought I could make money writing songs. I didn’t think about writing songs until I saw the famous ad in New Musical Express – the one that brought Elton and I together. I never really thought of myself as a songwriter. In fact, he was recently in Nashville looking into future co-writing possibilities.ĪS: When did you first decide that you wanted to be a songwriter?īT: I had always loved to write poetry. Their country/roots-oriented debut CD Last Stand In Open Country (Discovery Records) hearkens back to Taupin’s early musical influences of country/folk/blues.Īside from his prolific work with Elton John, Taupin has always maintained a strong interest in other songwriting projects. Over a year ago, the diminutive English-born lyricist/poet (now an American Citizen) joined forces with some longtime Los Angeles-based musician friends and formed the group Warm Dogs. (Taupin credits Robbins’ “El Paso” as the song that sparked his interest in songwriting). He waited years to simplify his life and music to create the kind of songs that had influenced him in childhood years: songs by Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie, and Marty Robbins to name a few. For anyone who’s ever owned a radio, such immortal songs as “Your Song,” “Daniel,” “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me,” “I’m Still Standing,” and the countless others are etched into our hearts and have become a part of our lives.Īt forty-six, Taupin now lives on a cattle/horse ranch, a far cry from the glamour of Beverly Hills he once knew. Together, the John/Taupin team have co-written some of the most memorable hits in the history of pop/rock music.
For millions of ardent fans worldwide, Bernie Taupin is every bit the living rock legend as his renowned songwriting partner. The man who writes the words for Elton John is a lot like his musical collaborator, yet the two are very different. Anyone who has followed Bernie Taupin’s career for the past 25 years knows he is a gifted lyricist.
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