Elton John and Ed Sheeran celebrate the second anniversary of 'Merry Christmas' at a football game
They went to see their childhood teams play
Last updated 14th Dec 2023
As 2023 draws to a close, Elton John is celebrating two years since his duet 'Merry Christmas' with pop star Ed Sheeran was released. The song became a Number 1 hit on its release in December 2021, and now to celebrate its second anniversary, the pair decided to go on a trip to see their football teams play each other, while also swapping Christmas presents.
Ed, who is an Ipswich Town fan bought legendary singer Elton John an Ipswich Town Christmas jumper, while Elton returned the favour with a Watford FC Christmas jumper. The pair also pulled a couple of crackers as they prepared to watch their teams in action.
Sharing the video on Instagram, Ed wrote: 'Went with @eltonjohn to watch our boyhood teams play each other, to celebrate 2 years of Merry Christmas. Out now on all platforms, and Merry Christmas you wonderful people x'. (sic)
Since sharing the video, fans of both singers have been leaving comments. One fan wrote: 'I’m the red headed waitress in the back🙋🏼♀️Excited & Nervous is an understatement 😂🤍', another commented: 'Your friendship is so cute 😂❤️'.
Elton also replied: 'Thanks for the jumper, @teddysphotos! Hope you wear yours with pride! 🐝🚀'.
Watch the music video for Ed Sheeran and Elton John's 'Merry Christmas':
You can hear plenty of Christmas songs and songs by Elton John on Greatest Hits Radio.
Take a look through Elton John's collaborations over the years:
'Don't Go Breaking My Heart' - Kiki Dee
'Don't Go Breaking My Heart' proved to be a career defining duet as it was both Elton John and Kiki Dee's first Number 1 single in the UK, making it into the charts in 1976.
Listen on YouTube.
'That's What Friends Are For' - Dione Warwick, Gladys Knight & Stevie Wonder
This classic track brought together the iconic musicians Elton John, Dione Warwick, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder and went on to win Grammy awards for Song of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group. Released in 1985, this charity single also helped raise money for funding AIDS research.
Listen on YouTube.
'Through the Storm' - Aretha Franklin
Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin released her 32nd studio album 'Through the Storm' in 1984, and Elton John joined her on the title track.
Listen on YouTube.
'Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me' - George Michael
Elton John and George Michael performed Elton's hit song 'Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me' at Live Aid in 1985. This duet version was a huge success and was released as a single in 1991, which peaked at Number 2 on the UK Charts.
Watch them sing it live on YouTube.
'The Power' - Little Richard
Rock 'n' Roll musician Little Richard was a big musical influence for Elton, so when he was making his 1993 album 'Duets', he reached out to collaborate on the gospel track 'The Power'
Listen on YouTube.
'Makin’ Whoopee' - Rod Stewart
Elton and Rod Stewart teamed up to create jazz song 'Makin' Whoopee' in 2005. The song was originally sung in 1928 by Eddie Cantor and has been covered numerous times since its release. Rod also went on to cover Elton's 'Your Song' in 1991.
Listen on YouTube.
'Face To Face' - Gary Barlow
Elton joined Gary Barlow on his 2013 track 'Face to Face'. The duet was a long time coming as they have been friends for years. Elton was also a huge influence on Gary's career, with Gary saying that he started playing piano because of Elton.
Listen on YouTube.
'(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again' - Taron Egerton
Taron Egerton starred as Elton John in the 2019 biopic Rocketman, and Elton wrote the song '(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again' for the film. The pair sang the song together and it went on to win an Oscar for Best Original Song.
Listen on YouTube.
'Ordinary Man' - Ozzy Osbourne
Ozzy Osbourne's title track 'Ordinary Man' from his 2020 album featured Elton who plays piano and sings on the track. The album got to Number 3 on the UK Chart.
Listen on YouTube.
'Finish Line' - Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder and Elton John have been friends for many years and worked together on 'That's What Friends Are For' with Gladys Knight and Dionne Warwick, and Stevie also played the harmonica for Elton's 'I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues'.
Although they have worked together in the past, the first duet they did together was 'Finish Line' on Elton's 'The Lockdown Sessions' album in 2021. Speaking about working with Stevie, Elton said it was a "real honour".
Listen on YouTube.
'Stolen Car' - Stevie Nicks
As part of his 'The Lockdown Sessions' album, Stevie Nicks joined the star-studded line-up to create 'Stolen Car' with Elton. Although the pair have been friends for a long time, this was the first time they had created a song together.
Listen on YouTube.
'It's A Sin' - Years & Years
Originally released by The Pet Shop Boys, Elton John and R&B singer Years & Years performed their rendition of 'It's A Sin' at the 2021 BRIT Awards.
Watch their BRITs performance on YouTube.
'Cold Heart (PNAU remix)' - Dua Lipa
In 2021, Elton John asked pop singer Dua Lipa to sing the vocals on his new track 'Cold Heart (PNAU remix)' which was part of his incredible collaborations album 'The Lockdown Sessions'. The song went to Number 1 in the UK Charts and stayed there for 29 weeks.
Listen on YouTube.
'Merry Christmas' - Ed Sheeran
Elton's friendship with Ed dates way back to their joint performance at the Grammys in 2013. Since then, the pair have become great mates, and finally collaborated on 2021 festive hit 'Merry Christmas' which went to Number 1 in the UK. Proceeds from the song went to their respective charities - the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation. They later worked with charitable Internet personality LadBaby on a reworked version entitled 'Sausage Rolls For Everyone', of which proceeds went to food bank charity The Trussell Trust.
Listen on YouTube.
'Hold Me Closer' - Britney Spears
In 2022, Elton followed up his 'Cold Heart (PNAU remix)' with a remix of his track 'Tiny Dancer'. The song is called 'Hold Me Closer' and features Britney Spears' vocals.
Listen on YouTube.
Glastonbury 2023 - Jacob Lusk, London Community Gospel Choir, Stephen Sanchez, Brandon Flowers and Rina Sawayama
Elton brought out a whole host of new collaborators for his performance on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2023. Throughout his 21-song set, Elton performed 'Are You Ready for Love' with Gabriels singer and American Idol star Jacob Lusk, as well as the London Community Gospel Choir who additionally joined him for 'Sad Songs (Say So Much)'. He later brought out US singer-songwriter Stephen Sanchez to accompany him on his own song, 'Until I Found You', sang 'Tiny Dancer' with The Killers' Brandon Flowers and duetted with Rina Sawayama for 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart'.
Now read:
Elton John: The man who gave us 'Sacrifice' and 'Your Song'
Elton John's biggest collaborations of all time
12 of Elton John's most memorable outfits