Over six decades of a chart-topping career and icon status, elton john has experimented with the most diverse genres, worked with various artists – household names, niche pioneers, established or upcoming.
Since his debut in 1962, most of his singles have reached the ears of millions of listeners, and became known globally, surviving the eras of record players, cassette tapes, CDs and now reaching the digital soundwaves.
And by 2025, his most popular song in the streaming realm is not one most longtime fans might expect.
Released in 2021, ‘Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)’ is a song by the rocketman himself in collaboration with 21st century pop princess Dua Lipa.
In just over 3 minutes, it combines music from Elton John’s previous songs ‘Rocket Man’, ‘Kiss the Bride’, ‘Sacrifice’, and ‘Where’s the Shoorah?’. A mashup of sorts, but accompanied by Lipa’s dreamy and strong vocals and some fresh verses to tie it all together – with a dance-pop remix by PNAU.
Still in pandemic years, it was released alongside a music video that features a colorful animated journey of four friends dancing through a galaxy, ultimately celebrating with the cartoon versions of Elton and Dua.
The track was part of a series of collaborations released by John while most of the world was on quarantine – compiled in the album The Lockdown Sessions.
Then, he pursued a series of collaborations – including works with pop girls like Britney Spears, Rina Sawayama and Miley Cyrus, rappers such as Lil Nas X, Nicki Minaj and Yung Thug, modern hitmakers Ed Sheeran, Charlie Puth and Olly Alexander, and, of course, fellow icons Stevie Wonder, Stevie Nicks and Eddie Vedder.
The album’s songs were recorded over an 18-month period, remotely through Zoom or in strict compliance with the health and safety regulations of the time.
In the following awards season, ‘Cold Heart’ won Collaboration of the Year at the AMAs and Top Dance/Electronic Song at the Billboard Music Awards, was nominated as Song of the Year at the Brit Awards, and Best Collaboration and Song of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards. The song is also Elton John’s most-streamed song in the digital age, amassing 2.4 billion listens on Spotify.
In number of streams, it is followed by ‘I’m Still Standing’ (1.3 billion), ‘Rocket Man’ (1.2 billion), ‘Your Song’ (1 billion), ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’ (934 million), and ‘Tiny Dancer’ (854 million).
Another song from the Lockdown Sessions album can be found in his top 10, – among his older tracks – in 9th place: ‘Hold Me Closer’, with Britney Spears.