I'm Still Standing by Elton John

Album: Too Low for Zero (1983)

Charted: 4 12

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With lyrics by Bernie Taupin, this song is directed at a former lover, as Elton sings about how he is still standing strong without this person. An uptempo song with some harsh lyrics ("You'll wind up like the wreck you hide behind that mask you use"), it conveys a universal theme of finding confidence after a difficult breakup.

While the song is often seen as a statement of Elton's resilience, Taupin wrote it with a specific person in mind. Said the lyricist: "It's perhaps one more example of the original idea being interpreted by everyone into something quite different. I think people see it as an anthem based on Elton's strong sense of survival in the face of adversity. Which, believe me, is perfectly fine by me. In fact, it's probably infinitely more interesting, perhaps, than what it was initially written about. Which, if my memory serves me correctly, it was a sort of kiss off to an old girlfriend. You know the sort of thing, 'Don't you worry about me, I'll be perfectly fine.' Unlike George Jones' 'She Thinks I Still Care,' where, in fact, he really did, I really didn't."
The video went over very well on MTV, which helped propel the song up the charts and introduce Elton to a younger audience. With lots of scantily clad and painted people, the colorful video made "I'm Still Standing" Elton's first MTV hit and showed he was ready to embrace the format, something not every established star was willing to do. It helped that Elton is from England, where videos were popular long before MTV went on the air in 1981.
After being introduced by the comedian Billy Connolly, Elton opened his set at Live Aid with a performance of "I'm Still Standing." The charity concert was a massive undertaking, broadcast globally with coverage ping-ponging between two stages, Philadelphia and London (Elton played London). Queen's performance, re-created in the movie Bohemian Rhapsody, is the most revered, but Elton also did a killer set that also included his hits "Rocket Man" and "Bennie And The Jets."
The video was directed by Russell Mulcahy, who says it was "super, super gay." Mulcahy, who directed many of Duran Duran's videos, shot the video with Elton and a variety of painted young men (and a few women), in Nice, France. Elton brought suitcases full of costume changes and put them to use, appearing in different outfits throughout the video.

Dancing With The Stars judge Bruno Tonioli appeared in the clip as one of the dancers - he's wearing a black leotard.
On January 30, 2018, Ed Sheeran, Miley Cyrus, Little Big Town, Lady Gaga and several other artists paid tribute to Elton John by covering his songs at the Madison Square Garden concert Elton John: I'm Still Standing. At the end of the show, Elton took the stage to perform some of his songs, closing the concert with "I'm Still Standing," in which he was joined by the other performers. The concert was packaged into a 2-hour special that aired on CBS April 10.
Taron Egerton sang this as the Gorilla in the computer animated movie Sing. Three years later he starred in the movie Rocket Man as Elton John crooning the same song.
Former Weather Girls and C + C Music Factory singer Martha Wash recorded this for the 1996 First Wives Club soundtrack.
"I'm Still Standing" re-entered the UK Singles Chart at #34 after Elton John performed it at Glastonbury 2023 during the Sunday headline slot. It was its first time in the Top 40 since its year of release.

Comments: 25

Ben from AmsterdamAccording to Bernie Taupin, who wrote the lyrics, the original "inspiration" was an old girlfriend of his. He said:
It's perhaps one more example of the original idea being interpreted by everyone into something quite different. I think people see it as an anthem based on Elton's strong sense of survival in the face of adversity. Which, believe me, is perfectly fine by me. In fact, it's probably infinitely more interesting, perhaps, than what it was initially written about. Which, if my memory serves me correctly, it was a sort of kiss off to an old girlfriend. You know the sort of thing, 'Don't you worry about me, I'll be perfectly fine.' Unlike George Jones' 'She Thinks I Still Care,' where, in fact, he really did, I really didn't."

From Wikipedia page of the song, including references.
John Anderson from Arnhem, The NetherlandsIt's about his ex manager John Reid after Elton came out of rehab. "Fun fact", Duran duran stayed at the same hotel claiming Elton was drinking and using blow as a complete mad man after the shoot.
Bob from Homebe nice to everyone
Kthe male dancer painted yellow from the video is so beautiful
Aubrey from New Amsterdam I still dont know what the songs about... can someone help me?
Arrow from AmericaThe video was actually shot in Cannes because of the Carlton Hotel . If it would have been Nice it would be the Negresco at the Prom. de Anglais.
Mrina from Americamy ex actually sent me this song haha. i had broken up with him because i didnt feel comfortable in the relationship and it just wasnt working out for me and he sent me this song. idk what kind of "mask" i hide behind but its not what he thinks lol. i wasnt going to lead him on and i realized soon that my feelings were more lust than love
Sexy Beats from UkI think it’s about how he wanted to kill himself and he became better and how he’s still standing and how he’s ok now but you can look at it from a lot of views.
False from AmericaI always thought it was about him quitting drinking because of the lyrics like "Picking up the pieces of my life without *you* on my mind" (him trying to piece his life together after everything he did while using alcohol) and "You'll wind up like the wreck you hide behind that mask you use" (he probably tried to make it look like he wasn't struggling with alcoholism and he's eluding here to the fact that he did struggle)
Ap from IsraelHonestly, for me this song is about showing how strong you are even after your former lover destroyed your life. (kind of dramatic, yes.) This hits very close to home for me as I had broken up with an abusive partner. This song kept me going when things were very difficult.
Bridget from CoI thought this was about staying strong after going through a lot, given the title. I thought that because someone made a video of clips from Chad Wild Clay and his friend's videos with the Sing! version of this was playing, specifically with Melvin CWC in mind (he's been through a lot). But it would make sense even if the video was never posted.
Truthteller from Edinburgh, UkThis song was about Elton’s ex boyfriend and manager, John Reid.
Esskayess from Dallas, TxMy brother's wife at the time was from Europe and didn't always understand what the lyrics were saying. She thought EJ was singing "I can't stand it!" and didn't understand...what he couldn't stand.
G Lander from Southington ConnecticutI'm not from the same generation that heard this song on MTV. I always thought of it as him saying he's coming out saying that he's gay. But I guess I was wrong. it's okay I still love this song. whenever I have to clean. I always put some crocodile Rock some rocket Man and I'm still standing in my playlist it gets me up and going and cleaning
Cobje from NigeriaExcellence
Sam from RicardoneI'd really love to find out the locations in Nice where the video was shot - so one day we all can get to know them better.
Raelyn Brian from AltoonaI love Elton John and music.
John from TexasI thought the sing was based on him beating his adduction to drugs but this work's too
Tom from Belgium"From the coda" at the end of the guitar solo??
No, he sings "Don't you know that"!
Patricio from Grand Forks, NdElton can clearly be heard saying “from the coda” in time with the song on beat 2 of the final measure of the guitar solo, signifying to the band to head to the playout on the chart they were reading in the studio.
Karen from Manchester, NhBruno Tonioli, one of the judges from "Dancing With the Stars", shows up as a dancer in this video.
Jennifer Harris from Grand Blanc, MiMy favorite Elton John Song.I love the video,too.It reminds me of Underdog.
Breanna from Henderson, NvI love this song. It`s definetly one of his best!
George from Calumet City, IlThis song is so damn good.
Mercedies from Soldotna, AkThis is one of his coolest songs. He has so many great ones it's hard to chose a favorite.

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