We're just days out from the release of Elton John and Brandi Carlile's new album Who Believes In Angels?, and the two Grammy-winning singers opened up about one of the darkest songs on the album with Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett on the SmartLess podcast.
John revealed that the song, "When This Old World Is Done with Me," is about his own mortality. "I'm writing the verse, like, ‘Oh, this is really pretty,’ and then I get to the chorus, and, of course, it's about my death," said the singer.
"When you get when you get to my age, which is near 100, you think, ‘How much time have I got left?’ And you’ve got children, you’ve got a wonderful husband — you just think about mortality."
The moment the lyrics hit him was caught on camera, shared John. "I just broke down for 45 minutes, and it's all on film."
He's sharing the moment in the album's accompanying documentary, Who Believes In Angels? Stories from the Edge Of Creation.
Carlile, who recalled his voice shaking while he was recording the lyrics, said she wants "everybody to see it, 'cause it's really human, like, deeply flawed and embarrassing. The kind of shit that you do when you forget there is a camera on is what's really interesting."
John then joked that Carlile "came over and she said, ‘Don't worry. You've got at least another six months.’"
In December, John, 78, revealed that he was losing his sight in his right eye. The "Tiny Dancer" singer also called the upcoming Who Believes In Angels? album "the best record I've made in forty years."
"I've done so much in my life. And there's so much more to do. And she's inspired me to go ahead with this record."
Who Believes In Angels? is scheduled to be released April 4.
The Who Believes In Angels? Stories from the Edge Of Creation short film will premiere the same day at 92NY in New York City. Watch the trailer below.
