Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is an English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer. Collaborating with lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967 on more than 30 albums, John has sold more than 300 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists. He has more than fifty Top 40 hits in the UK Singles Chart and US Billboard Hot 100, including seven number ones in the UK and nine in the US, as well as seven consecutive number-one albums in the US. His tribute single "Candle in the Wind 1997", rewritten in dedication to Diana, Princess of Wales, sold over 33 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling single in the history of the UK and US singles charts. He has also produced records and occasionally acted in films. John owned Watford F.C. from 1976 to 1987 and from 1997 to 2002. He is an honorary life president of the club.
Hold Me Closer, Britney Spears and Elton John’s duet, is officially a smash. The pop anthem – which is based on the first three lines of Elton’s classic 1971 hit Tiny Dancer – has debuted at number three in the UK and is the country’s most downloaded song of the week.
Britney’s first original song since the termination of her conservatorship, Hold Me Closer has become the highest-charting song for the pop icon since she topped the charts with her will.i.am collaboration, Scream & Shout.
It also marks Elton’s fourth consecutive top five entry in a year, following Cold Heart (with Dua Lipa and Pnau), Merry Christmas (with Ed Sheeran) and Sausage Rolls for Everyone (with Sheeran and LadBaby), all of which reached number one.
In a statement, Elton said it’s “such a thrill” to see how Hold Me Closer is “connecting with fans” around the world. “Scoring my first Official Number 1 in over a decade with Cold Heart was a wonderful feeling,” he said. “I thought my days of having hit singles were behind me.