Gospel is an obvious category for Elton’s music, even though it took me several months to shake out all the ‘Gospel’ songs from his 1969-1976 catalog.  I’m sure there are more gospel influenced songs from the albums released after 1976 too.  Elton is a white boy from Pinner, but he’s very comfortable writing, arranging and performing with a gospel feel.

Several of the songs feature gospel choirs, even ‘Bite Your Lip’ which could be described as disco gospel.  Others have church or religious themes, even if the music is full on rock.

Elton Gospel 1970-1976

1. Border Song This was famously covered by Aretha Franklin, and Elton sang it with her on her Duets special in 1993.  Elton himself actually wrote the last verse.  One of his most perfect songs, with almost universal appeal. From Elton John, 1970.
2. Salvation  A hopeful song that generally doesn’t get a lot of attention, but fits in this list perfectly.  Excellent bass playing from Dee Murray.  From Honky Chateau, 1972.
3. If There’s A God in Heaven, What’s He Waiting For? Excellent vocal, featuring Elton’s full range and a fantastic arrangement- check how the strings mesh with the guitar solo.  From Blue Moves, 1976.
4. All the Nasties An autobiographical piece, for which Elton wrote many of the lyrics, this was a veiled ‘coming out’ song that was too obscure lyrically to have a big impact on the public.  From Madman Across the Water, 1971.
5. Sugar on the Floor   Written by Kiki Dee. Elton performs this one solo on piano, except for slide guitar from Davey Johnstone, and he delivers an impassioned vocal which this gospel ballad deserves.  The B side of Island Girl, 1975.
6. Where’s the Shoorah? The debate goes on about the exact meaning of ‘shoorah.’  Some say it refers to a Hebrew sentence or verse, and others claim it is a council or debate among many on a topic.  Whatever the meaning, Elton transforms this into a somber gospel song that is a hidden surprise in his catalog.  From Blue Moves, 1976.
7. Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me A giant hit in 1974, Elton always disliked his own performance on it, even though he ended up being nominated for a Grammy for best pop vocal, male.  Background vocals from Bruce Johnston, Carl Wilson, and Toni Tennille.  From Caribou, 1974.
8. Someone Saved My Life Tonight Another big hit from 1975, this autobiographical song tells the story of Elton’s attempted suicide in the late 60’s- in his own words, “a very Woody Allen-type suicide.”  He stuck his head in the oven, turned on the gas, opened all the windows, and waited to be rescued!  On the Rocketman dvd there is a deleted scene depicting this story, which was brought on by his imminent marriage to a woman, which he knew he could not consummate.
9. Boogie Pilgrim Gospel funk!  Complex horn arrangements featuring the Brecker brothers, tasty slide guitar by Davey Johnstone, and outrageous bass playing by Kenny Passarelli.  From Blue Moves, 1976.
10. Burn Down the Mission A Civil War period piece from Tumbleweed Connection.  Elton has said in interviews that the tempo changes were influenced by Laura Nyro.
11. Can I Put You On A very under-appreciated track from the Friends soundtrack that was also released on the live album 11.17.70.  Here, as in several songs in this list, the end builds up to a gospel flavored peak, while most of the song is a mid-tempo funky rocker.  Great wah-wah guitar from Caleb Quaye.
12. Where to Now, St. Peter?  No gospel music here, but rather full on rock.  Told from the point of view of a Civil War soldier waiting at the pearly gates for St. Peter to let him know which way he should go.  More wah-wah from Caleb.  From Tumbleweed Connection, 1970.
13. Sixty Years On Another one that’s not really gospel, but the subject matter concerns an aging narrator returning to the church.  This version is very much a studio creation with harp and a prominent string arrangement, although the live version from 11.17.70 shows that Elton, Dee Murray and Nigel Olsson could sound just as orchestral.  From Elton John, 1970.
14. My Father’s Gun This could have been included on the country mix as well, since its subject matter is the thoughts of a Rebel soldier returning home after the Civil War, but the awesome build up at the end make  gospel the prevailing attribute. From Tumbleweed Connection, 1970.
15. Bite Your Lip (Get Up and Dance!) Funky rock dance tune, not quite disco, but real close- featuring a choir that must have loved recording this- you can imagine them dancing away!  From Blue Moves, 1976.