Bernie Taupin
Bernie Taupin
Full Name and Common Aliases
Bernie Taupin is a renowned English lyricist, poet, and songwriter. He is best known for his long-term collaboration with singer-songwriter Elton John.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on May 22, 1950, in Lincolnshire, England, Bernie Taupin remains active in the music industry to this day.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: British
Profession(s): Lyricist, poet, songwriter
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a family of modest means, Bernie Taupin was exposed to a wide range of literature and poetry from an early age. His father, John Taupin, was a salesman who encouraged his son's love for words and rhymes. This early exposure would later influence Taupin's writing style and subject matter.
Major Accomplishments
Taupin's partnership with Elton John began in 1969 when they collaborated on the song "Your Song." The success of this single marked the beginning of a long-term creative relationship that would yield some of the most iconic songs of the past five decades. Their collaborations include "Crocodile Rock," "Philadelphia Freedom," "Don't Go Breaking My Heart" (a duet with Kiki Dee), and "Candle in the Wind 1997." This reimagined version of the classic song, written by Taupin and John, sold over 33 million copies worldwide.
Notable Works or Actions
Taupin's work extends beyond his collaborations with Elton John. He has written songs for other notable artists, such as Rod Stewart ("The Killing of Georgie") and Neil Young. In addition to his songwriting career, Taupin is also a published poet and novelist. His first collection of poetry, "Taupin," was released in 1981.
Impact and Legacy
Bernie Taupin's contributions to the music industry are undeniable. He has been credited with helping to establish Elton John as a global superstar. The depth and range of his lyrics have also influenced generations of songwriters. His collaborations with other artists demonstrate his versatility and ability to adapt to different styles.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Taupin's enduring legacy can be attributed, in part, to the timeless nature of his songs. Many of his most famous works continue to resonate with listeners today, addressing universal themes such as love, loss, and social commentary. His ability to craft lyrics that are both deeply personal and broadly relatable has earned him a reputation as one of the greatest lyricists of all time.
As a testament to his influence, Bernie Taupin was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards for his work, including multiple Grammy Awards and inductions into various music halls of fame.
The collaboration between Elton John and Bernie Taupin continues to be a benchmark for songwriting partnerships. Their legacy serves as an inspiration to aspiring writers and artists, demonstrating the power of creative collaboration and the impact that well-crafted lyrics can have on audiences around the world.
Quotes by Bernie Taupin
My favorite thing is coming up with titles. The majority of the songs I've every written I've always thought of the title before I've written the song.
My Mother set me on the right track, Marty Robbins made me want to write songs, and Jesus Christ did the rest.
I am a simple vessel with complex overtones, opinionated on occasions but willing to listen. Comfortable with reclusiveness and devoted to privacy and family. Patriotic to a fault and allergic to cruelty, ignorance and bad music.
Basically it takes me very little time to write a song. If I find myself taking more than an hour to do it I usually forget it, and try something else. I like to work quickly; I never like to waste any time. I never write half a song and come back to it later at all. It all has to be done at once. I lose interest if it doesn't.
The worst thing about me is that I'll buy albums and put them away on the shelf and forget that I've got them.
Elton John's home is laden with trinkets and books relating to Satanism and witchcraft.
'Captain Fantastic' was the first album in history to enter the (American) album chart at number one. We did it for a second time after that. Now that's not a boast, that's frightening...The process of doing it was unique because I wrote the songs in the order they were recorded, so it was written like a story.
We may have limped onto Broadway as the underdogs, but underdogs bite back occasionally.