And the song just flowed out of him. Charlie Puth had the rare and incredible honor to write lyrics to go with Elton's music!
I lie awake and realize
That you're better than my dreams
Thought I found love so many times
'Til you showed me what it means
"Charlie is an amazing musician - we just hit it off," John said in a press release. He first met Puth in Los Angeles in March 2020, just before the onset of the pandemic. "He’s become a friend and a friend of the family. Our children love him, and he loves them. Everyone we’ve worked with on The Lockdown Sessions I’ve really gotten closer to them, it’s quite amazing. With ‘After All’ Charlie and I were in the studio, just the two of us. He’s got a little home setup with his keyboards, synths and Pro Tools. I played electric piano and actually wrote the song all the way through, and then Charlie wrote the lyrics pretty quickly. He’s incredibly quick, Charlie. We just had an amazing chemistry in the studio."
"As a songwriter, I have admired and looked up to Elton John my entire life," Puth added. "It is truly incredible how the melodies and chords seem to come to him instantly whenever he sits down at the piano. I got to witness that firsthand when we wrote this song together. He is world-class and the true definition of a musical genius. Being a part of his musical journey is a dream come true. "
I love this story so much. Can't wait for The Lockdown Sessions, dropping Oct 22. Elton does songs with two of my all time favorites Stevie Nicks and Eddie Vedder.
If you enjoy the backstory on this stuff like we do, check out I Know That Song! daily at 7:10. If you follow along all week and guess the theme you can win free lunch from Jersey Mikes.