For Carlile, Elton, it's "Never Too Late"
A collaboration between these longtime friends "Never Too Late" is an original composition inspired by, and written specifically for, the forthcoming Disney+ documentary "Elton John: Never Too Late."
The song plays out over the credits of the documentary. The film receives a limited theatrical release today before arriving on Disney+ on Dec. 13. The documentary follows Elton as he looks back on his life and the early days of his 50-year career. R.J. Cutler and David Furnish, Elton's husband, directed the documentary.
Carlile and Elton wrote the song in the summer of 2023 following the end of Elton's 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road' tour. Over dinner the friends discussed life, family, future plans and fledgling projects to collaborate on. As the evening wore on, Elton and Furnish screened Carlile an unfinished and as-yet-untitled early cut of their forthcoming documentary.
The film inspired her to start writing a new song in the third person, taking influence and guidance from Bernie Taupin.
Carlile said, "I found the early cut of the documentary that went on to become 'Elton John: Never Too Late' so moving. It was really amazing to see historic footage of Elton and the trajectory of his life. But as fantastic and as beautiful as everything was that we were all witnessing as fans, his life was also pretty lonely and difficult at times. And I thought that the documentary illustrated a really important sentiment because he might not have ever found his serenity and his peace, but he did find it, and he found it later in life. And it is never too late - too late to find the love of your life, or to start a family, or to change your mind about anything."
Elton said, "When Brandi told me she was so inspired by the early cut of the documentary that she wanted us to co-write a new song for it, I was thrilled. I've known for a long time how great she was, but, still, reading her lyrics and co-writing with her on the music was deeply moving. Especially given how personal it is to see, seeing my life on the screen, she just perfectly captured the essence of the documentary and why I stopped touring to spend more time with my family. I'm constantly astonished by her craft, she can channel my voice in a way only Bernie has managed to do before. I know Bernie helped guide Brandi on that. The standard of her musicianship, her songwriting, her passion for what she does are sensational. She truly is one of the greatest there is.'
The song was produced and co-written by Andrew Watt. He first encountered Elton after co-opting him to add piano and vocals to Ozzy Osbourne's 2020 album "Ordinary Man." He subsequently produced six tracks on Elton's album "The Lockdown Sessions" and "Hold Me Closer,, Elton's collaborative global hit single with Britney Spears.
More news for Brandi Carlile
- 02/05/25: Carlile, John team iup for "Who Believes in Angels'
- 10/04/24: Carlile's Girls Wanna Weekend features Twain, Morris, Clark
- 02/04/24: Stapleton, Isbell & The 400 Unit take two GRAMMYS each
- 12/08/23: Clark releases "Dear Insecurity" with Carlile
- 07/21/23: Thanks to "Barbie," Carlile is "Closer to Fine"
- 05/05/23: Tucker wonders "When the Rodeo is Over (Where Does the Cowboy Go?)"
- 04/05/23: Tucker opts for a "Sweet Western Sound"
- 03/28/23: Clark returns with new album
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