Elton John and Ed Sheeran are teaming up for a Christmas song
We’re so ready for this 🎄
Last updated 7th Oct 2021
It may only be October, but we’re already excited for the festive season, especially as Ed Sheeran has announced that he will be collaborating with close friend Elton John on a track this December.
In an interview with Dutch radio station NPO Radio 2, Ed revealed that he and Elton will be releasing a festive song in December 2021.
When he was asked about his future plans, Ed confirmed the news and even admitted that the song is "f---ing great."
Explaining how the idea came about, Ed said that Elton called him on Christmas Day in 2020 and asked him if he would be up for it.
He said: "He rung me on Christmas Day and he said, '"Step Into Christmas" is No. 6 on the charts, and I'm 74, and I'm still having f—ing chart hits, this is great! I want to do another Christmas song, will you do it with me?'"
Ed added that he was a bit skeptical at first as he "never really wanted to do a Christmas song" but changed his mind after the death of a close friend changed his perspective.
"It really just hit home how stuff can just change overnight," he said.
"I was like, 'Why the f--k am I not doing a Christmas song with Elton John? I might not be here tomorrow, this will be a f---ing great way to celebrate Christmas.'"
Take a look at some of Elton John's iconic performances:
Elton John - 1970s
In 1970, Elton John embarked on a world tour to support his self-titled second album.
Elton started the tour in March and finished in December 1970.
Watch Elton John performing in 1970.
Elton John - 1974
Elton John on his North American Tour in 1974.
Despite having a year 'off' in 1973, Elton and his band launched their biggest American tour yet, which was his eighth in just four years.
Watch Elton John performing in December 1974.
Elton John - 1974
In 1974, his tour set list included:
'Funeral For A Friend'/'Love Lies Bleeding'
'Candle In The Wind'
'Grimsby'
'Rocket Man'
'Take Me To The Pilot'
'Bennie And The Jets'
'Daniel'
'Grey Seal'
'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road'
'Burn Down The Mission'
'You're So Static'
'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds'
'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me'
'Honky Cat'
'All The Girls Love Alice'
'Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)'
'Crocodile Rock'
'Your Song'
'The B--h Is Back'
Elton John and John Lennon at Madison Square Garden, NYC
Two iconic singers, Elton John and John Lennon, are pictured here at The Record Plant, NYC, where they recorded their track 'Whatever Gets You Thru The Night' - two days before the Madison Square Garden show on 28th November 1974.
Watch Elton John and John Lennon perform at Madison Square Garden in 1974.
Elton John - 1976
Elton John gave a spectacular performance at the Capitol Center, Washington DC, in July 1976.
Elton John at Princess Diana's funeral - 1997
Following the death of Princess Diana in 1997, Elton John re-wrote his iconic song 'Candle in the Wind' and performed it at her funeral which was held at Westminster Abbey.
Watch Elton John perform at Princess Diana's funeral in 1997.
Elton John - 2006
In 2006, Elton John was on tour in Europe, performing a string of 19 shows in Ireland, Germany and France with the majority in England.
Watch Elton John performing in 2006.
Elton John - 2008
After finishing his European tour in 2006, Elton went on to start an epic tour in September 2006, continuing until January 2008.
The tour called 'The Captain and the Kid Tour' saw him performing in the USA and Canada before going on to Europe and then to South Africa.
Elton John and Lady Gaga stop traffic in West Hollywood - 2016
The Elton John stopped traffic in California in 2016 performing at a pop-up concert where he brought out Lady Gaga as a special guest.
Performing a whole host of hits including 'Rocket Man' and 'Saturday' Elton John held the concert to thank the city of West Hollywood for supporting the Elton John AIDS Foundation and its Academy Awards Viewing Party over many years.
Watch Elton John and Lady Gaga perform together in 2016.
Elton John and Olly Alexander - 2021
Elton John took to the stage alongside Years & Years star Olly Alexander at the 2021 BRIT Awards, with the pair performing a rendition of Pet Shop Boys' hit song 'It's A Sin'.
The star-studded performance reportedly came about after Elton was inspired by Olly's performance as Ritchie Tozer in Channel 4's hard-hitting drama It's A Sin earlier this year.
Watch Elton John and Olly Alexander perform together in 2021.
2023: Glastonbury Festival
Sir Elton gave the performance of a lifetime at Glastonbury 2023 - somehow having never played there before! The incredible two-hour set marked Elton's final live performance in the UK, featuring all his classics as well as some duets with other artists.
Watch Elton John perform 'Rocket Man' at Glastonbury 2023.
Elton John is already a legend when it comes to Christmas, having released the iconic ‘Step Into Christmas’ in 1973.
Here’s hoping his track with Ed will be just as much of a hit!
Meanwhile, Elton announced last month that he has been forced to reschedule his 2021 Europe and UK tour dates until 2023.
Announcing the news in a lengthy statement, he wrote: 'It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I am forced to reschedule the 2021 dates of my Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in Europe and the UK to 2023.
'At the end of my summer break I fell awkwardly on a hard surface and have been in considerable pain and discomfort in my hip ever since. Despite intensive physio and specialist treatment, the pain has continued to get worse and is leading to increasing difficulties moving. I have been advised to have an operation as soon as possible to get me back to full fitness and make sure there are no long-term complications. I will be undertaking a program of intensive physiotherapy that will ensure a full recovery and a return to full mobility without pain.
'I am going to complete the charitable Global Citizen event on 25th September as I don’t want to let a charity down. Being just five songs it’s a very different physical undertaking to the demands of playing for close to three hours every night on tour and travelling overnight between countries. After this I will be having the operation to ensure the tour can get back on the road in January of 2022 in New Orleans.
'I know how patient my incredible fans have been since Covid halted touring last year, and it breaks my heart to keep you waiting any longer. I completely feel your frustrations after the year we’ve had. I promise you this - the shows will return to the road next year and I will make sure they are more than worth the wait.
'Love, Elton x'
Now read:
Elton John: The man who gave us 'Sacrifice' and 'Your Song'
Elton John reschedules 2021 Farewell Yellow Brick Road UK tour dates
A look back at some of Elton John's most iconic performances