At the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, something rare and beautiful happened. Elton John and Taron Egerton stood side by side and sang “Rocket Man.” The moment wasn’t planned like a typical stage show. It felt raw, spontaneous and full of emotion. That night, it was not just a song, it was a bridge between a life lived and a life portrayed.
Rocket Man tells the story of someone drifting between fame and loneliness, unsure whether they’re rising or falling. There’s wonder in the lyrics but also quiet pain. In Cannes, Taron sang with warmth and reverence while Elton stood close by, proud but soft-eyed. The mix of youthful awe and seasoned memory made every note feel heavier. Joy and sadness moved hand in hand.
Elton John & Taron Egerton – Rocket Man (Cannes Film Festival 2019)
Listeners say this song helps them understand feelings they’ve never had words for. Online, people share how Rocket Man brought comfort during moments of self-doubt or heartbreak. Some grew up with it. Others found it later and held on tightly. Elton’s ability to turn feelings into melodies and Taron’s respect for those emotions gave the audience something honest to hold.
If ‘Rocket Man’ felt like looking back at who you were, then ‘I’m Still Standing’ was the sound of showing who you’ve become. That same night in Cannes, Elton sang again alone this time but with even more fire. One moment was about memory. The next was about resilience. It was a shift from reflection to power.
Elton John – I’m Still Standing (Cannes Film Festival 2019)
In I’m Still Standing, the energy was loud and proud but underneath the beat, you could still hear the pain. Elton’s smile glowed but his voice carried years of struggle. That duality: the bold rhythm and the tired truth hit hard and it became more than just a celebration. It felt as if survival sang out loud to say: “I am still here and I earned it.”
What makes Elton John’s music unforgettable is how it never hides. Whether it’s a song of dreaming or defiance, he brings the full truth of who he is. In Cannes, Rocket Man showed us where he came from. I’m Still Standing showed us what he survived. Follow Elton John on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube because his next moment might be the one that heals something in you.