Performing Border Song at his farewell gig in Ottawa recently, Elton John, who co-wrote the song almost fifty years ago with Bernie Taupin, remembered the call from Aretha Franklin.
Elton admitted that he and Taupin almost "p***ed our pants" with excitement because of what it would mean for their career. The soul icon had just told them that she wanted to record Border Song.
Franklin’s final public performance was at Elton John’s AIDS Foundation benefit in New York last November at which she performed nine songs and was introduced by Elton as "The greatest singer of all time."
"The loss of Aretha Franklin is a blow for everybody who loves real music: music from the heart, the soul and the Church," declared the musician on hearing of the soul legend's passing on August 16 last.
"Her voice was unique, her piano playing underrated – she was one of my favourite pianists. I was fortunate enough to spend time with her and witness her last performance. She was obviously unwell, and I wasn’t sure she could perform. But Aretha did and she raised the roof. She sang and played magnificently, and we all wept."
Elton John composed the music for the song, which has also been covered by Eric Clapton. Yet he also wrote the words for the final verse, generally understood as a plea for peace and an end to bigotry and prejudice.
Border Song featured on the eponymous 1970 album Elton John, and was the first single from the album. It failed to make a dent in the UK charts, but did better in North America, especially in Canada, where it peaked at number 34.
In fact Border Song's featuring on the Canadian charts was Elton John's highest chart placing in any country at that point, so Ottawa holds a special place in the Elton John/Bernie Taupin fortunes.
The song came in at an inauspicious number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October 1970.
Aretha Franklin reached number 37 in the Billboard Hot 100 with Border Song in December 1970 and the song subsequently appeared on her1972 album, Young Gifted and Black.
In Ottawa on Thursday night last, Elton expressed his gratitude to his fans for their 'incredible loyalty, love and kindness. It’s been a huge part of my life and I’m going to miss it.'
The singer said he had chosen the songs that were "really, really important" in his career and he mentioned that special care had gone into selecting video images to accompany the music.
The concert began with Bennie and the Jets, followed by All The Girls Love Alice with airings too for That’s Why They Call It The Blues, Tiny Dancer, Philadelphia Freedom and Someone Saved My Life Tonight.
John also revealed that Taupin’s lyrics come first, and that he reads the words and uses his imagination to write the music. They never work together in the same room, he quipped, suggesting that this may be why the partnership had lasted so long.
