The 500 - #136 - Greatest Hits - Elton John

I was inspired by a podcast called The 500 hosted by New York-based comedian Josh Adam Meyers. His goal, and mine, is to explore Rolling Stone Magazine's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

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Album: #136
Album Title: Greatest Hits
Artist: Elton John
Genre: Rock, Pop
Recorded: Several Studios
Released: November, 1974
My age at release: 9
How familiar was I with it before this week: Very
Is it on the 2020 list? No
Song I am putting on my Spotify Playlist: Don't Let The Son Go Down On Me

Last spring, I had the incredible opportunity to direct The Lion King Jr. with the talented students at Sir Arthur Currie Public School in London, Ontario. It was a true team effort, and I was fortunate to collaborate with a dedicated group of colleagues who brought the production to life. We had a musical director who led the choir and prepared the songs, two teachers who choreographed the dancers, and a tech lead who managed everything from headset microphones to stage lighting. Several staff members designed costumes and built set pieces, while others handled marketing and ticket sales.

Poster for Sir Arthur Currie’s production of The Lion King Jr.

Nearly 150 students auditioned for just 15 speaking roles (13 of which included singing), and the talent on display was nothing short of extraordinary. Faced with such an abundance of gifted performers, we made the bold decision to double-cast the show, allowing more students to shine on stage. It was a bit of a gamble -- splitting our rehearsal time between two casts made my directorial debut far more challenging than I had anticipated. But in the end, it was worth every moment. I walked away with a deep appreciation for the art of directing and the magic that happens when a school community comes together to create something memorable.

Sir Arthur Currie students performing The Circle Of Life at the conclusion of  The Lion King Jr.

For many of our students, The Lion King Jr. was their first real introduction to the music of Sir Elton John, who composed most of the songs for Disney’s 1994 animated classic, along with lyricist Tim Rice. During our spring rehearsals, John's melodies were absolutely everywhere. They echoed from the stage, floated through the hallways, and popped up in the most unexpected places -- hummed at desktops during work periods, whistled between classes, or softly sung in the yard at recess. E.J. knows how to write a tune that sticks with you, and our school was happily buzzing with his unforgettable music for weeks.

I was about the same age as some of our youngest cast members when I first heard the music of John. I can’t say for sure which song I heard first, but chances are it was the irresistibly catchy Crocodile Rock that pulled me in. That’s the magic of his music – he knows how to craft a hook that sticks. His 1974 Greatest Hits album was an early testament to his talent that expanded exponentially throughout his career.  He followed up with Greatest Hits Volume II  three years later, and his third volume a decade after that. John and his longtime lyricist, Bernie Taupin, were a hit-making machine. In fact, John has landed 29 songs in the Billboard Top 10 -- ranking him fourth among pre-streaming artists, behind only Michael Jackson, The Beatles and Madonna.

Bernie Taupin (left) and Elton John in 2019.

However, he topped those talented performers, by being elevated to the highly exclusive EGOT Club -- reserved for artists who have managed to snag an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony award with their work. Only 21 individuals have achieved this honour. Of them, a mere three entertainers have been pop music performers  –  Elton John, John Legend and Jennifer Hudson.

The memory of The Lion King Jr. at Sir Arthur Currie will fade with each graduating class; however, I feel that Elton John’s legacy will persist. His 1983 hit, I’m Still Standing, a defiant anthem of resilience, made its way onto our classroom playlist this year, a mix of old and new music curated by both students and me. One student in particular, Saqeef, who played Older Simba in The Lion King Jr. (see below), has already set his sights on performing the song at the Spring, 2026, edition of Currie’s Got Talent,  accompanying himself on piano. It’s a fitting choice, and a testament to how John’s music continues to inspire new generations -- after seven decades and 50 years since I first started humming his tunes.

Saqeef (right) as Older Simba in a scene from Sir Arthur Currie's
production of The Lion King Jr.