Elton John and Brandi Carlile have shared a joint single, “Never Too Late.” The song appears in documentary, Elton John: Never Too Late, out Dec. 13 on Disney+.
Carlile wrote the song after seeing an early cut of the documentary, and took influence from Bernie Taupin’s signature style. She and John co-wrote the final track, with Andrew Watt adding additional writing and production.
“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,” John wrote on Instagram. “We loved the collaboration so much that it became the title for the film. 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.”
He added, “The standard of her musicianship, her songwriting, her passion for what she does are sensational. She truly is one of the greatest there is.”
On her own Instagram page, Carlile wrote, “I think everyone knows how I feel about this man. I would never have played a piano chord or written a word without my heroes Elton John and @bernietaupinofficial. This film documents Elton’s unparalleled brilliance, bravery and resilience. It not only cements Elton’s role as one of the most important and influential figures in rock and roll history, but it offers an insight into what an incredible husband and father he is, and the peace and serenity he found later in life.”
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Elton John: Never Too Late was directed by R.J. Cutler and David Furnish. A synopsis for the film notes that it “follows Elton John as he looks back on his life and the astonishing early days of his 50-year career in this emotionally charged, intimate and uplifting full-circle journey. As he prepares for his final concert in North America at Dodger Stadium, Elton takes us back in time and recounts the extraordinary highs and heartbreaking lows of his early years and how he overcame adversity, abuse and addiction to become the icon he is today.”
The documentary, named after John’s song from the 2019 soundtrack of the live-action The Lion King, is a companion of sorts to the concert film Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium, which documented his final North American show and, with an Emmy win, also propelled John to EGOT status. During the final night at Dodger Stadium, John and Carlile performed his song “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me.”
