Sir Elton John touches on mortality following health woes as he declares ‘don’t want to die’
Sir Elton John has opened up about his hopes to live for another two decades as he reflected once again on mortality at the age of 78.
The music legend recently broke down in tears whilst recording his new song When This Old World Is Done With Me, which tackles the subject of death.
“I lost it for 45 minutes. It’s all on film. I just sobbed and sobbed and sobbed,” Sir Elton told Rolling Stone UK.
The father-of-two admitted that confronting his own mortality through music took him by surprise.
“Hopefully, I’ve got at least another 20 years,” he said, acknowledging the reality of ageing.
“When you’re 77 years of age and you have a family, and two children, there’s only a certain amount of time you’ve got left,” the star explained.
Sir Elton shares sons Zachary, 14, and Elijah, 11, with his husband David Furnish.
Speaking on CBS News Sunday Morning, he revealed his deepest fears about death.
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“I want my boys to be in my life forever, I want David to be in my life,” he said.
The singer added: “I don’t want to die. Unfortunately, we do. Unless there’s some sort of pill around the corner!”
The iconic musician has recently been dealing with vision loss in his right eye due to an infection, which occurred after recording his new album.
“I’ve left the old Elton John behind and here’s the new one,” he told Rolling Stone UK.
Despite selling more than 300 million records throughout his career, Sir Elton insists his musical achievements pale in comparison to his family life.
Speaking at a Q+A event at the London Palladium last week, he said: “On my tombstone, I want nothing to do with Crocodile f****** Rock. I just want it to say: ‘He was a great dad.”
The vision issues have reportedly forced him to simplify his signature for autographed editions of his new album.
Sir Elton’s new album Who Believes in Angels? features a collaboration with Brandi Carlile, which has given him “a new lease of life”.
The pair wrote Never Too Late, a track about Sir Elton’s relationship with longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin.
“It’s a song that’s just as much about Bernie as it is about me. It’s about both of us and how wonderful our love and friendship has been,” he explained.
The star reflected on their partnership, saying: “I can’t imagine my life without him in it.”
Due to his eye condition, Sir Elton now signs autographs simply with an “E” followed by an “X” representing a kiss.