Top Ten Male Vocalists – #3 – Elton John
Elton John has what I consider the quintessential pop music voice. It’s not distinctive in any way I can articulate but it is as integral a part of his music as the piano, the strings, Bernie Taupin’s lyrics, any of it. I wouldn’t want to hear an Elton John song sung by anybody else (OK, maybe Ewan McGregor).
I suppose a case could be made that the voice is almost irrelevant when you’re talking about songs as good as ‘Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters,’ ‘Your Song,’ ‘Tiny Dancer,’ today’s track and countless others. And it’s not as if Elton is known for singing covers. But still, I contend that his voice plays a tremendous role in his appeal, enough to launch him this high on my top ten.
He calls his child Jesus
`Cause he likes the name
And he sends him to the finest school in town
Levon, Levon likes his money
He makes a lot they say
Spends his days counting
In a garage by the motorway
He was born a pauper to a pawn on a Christmas day
When the New York Times said God is dead
And the war’s begun
Alvin Tostig has a son today
And he shall be Levon
And he shall be a good man
And he shall be Levon
In tradition with the family plan
And he shall be Levon
And he shall be a good man
He shall be Levon
Levon sells cartoon balloons in town
His family business thrives
Jesus blows up balloons all day
Sits on the porch swing watching them fly
And Jesus, he wants to go to Venus
Leaving Levon far behind
Take a balloon and go sailing
While Levon, Levon slowly dies
He was born a pauper to a pawn on a Christmas day
When the New York Times said God is dead
And the war’s begun
Alvin Tostig has a son today
And he shall be Levon
And he shall be a good man
And he shall be Levon
In tradition with the family plan
And he shall be Levon
And he shall be a good man
He shall be Levon
Meet Me In Montauk 
I completely agree and for all the same vague reasons you struggled to articulate 🙂
His is one of the best voices because it’s Elton John’s voice, in essence.
This example (today’s sotd), however, certainly demonstrates that emotional connection the best singers have with their songs. When he sings that first chorus, he is so fully invested in that pauper that can we not help but care about him. This has never been one of my favorite Elton John songs, but I’m finding it just spectacular this morning. Put up “Mona Lisa and Mad Hatters,” and I’ll insist you crown EJ the #1 male vocalist this instance.
I would have gone with ‘Mona Lisa’ but it’s been a SOTD already.
I consider EJ amongst my favorite artists–right up there with Billy Joel, Elvis Costello, Ben Folds, Lyle Lovett, etc. He might have been even higher on my overall list of faves had he not stumbled around a bit in the 80’s and generally blanded himself out in recent years. Still, his 70’s output propels him to be properly named as one of the all-time greats.
Yet, having said all that, I would not have chosen him as a top male vocalist. Indeed, when I was discussing your list with my friend Mark this weekend, he immediately suggested Elton should be on that list and I demurred, noting that the list wasn’t really about being a great songwriter, but rather about whether the vocals really enhanced the songs. In my opinion, Elton wouldn’t really qualify. And if you were to add him, then you may as well as Duritz, Folds or any number of other artists with unique voices that fit their wonderful song writing, but who may not be great “vocalists” in their own rights. As that was something you suggested earlier you were not doing, I’m rather surprised to see EJ on this list.
The above isn’t really a knock on EJ’s voice. In fact, when he was in his heyday in the 70’s, his voice was in fine form and, yes, it was (and remains) immediately recognizable. Of course, medical issues caused that voice to deteriorate significantly in the 80’s to the point where his range became extremely limited. The limitations are most glaring on his Live From Australia concert, which is wonderful because of the song selection and orchestration, but certainly not for his strained vocals. His voice improved a bit after having surgery, but has never been as broad or dynamic as it was in the 70’s.
So, I guess the question is whether EJ’s voice in the 70’s deserves a spot (let alone such a high spot) on this list, as I would assume you would not put his voice in the last 30 years on the list? For me the answer would still be no, but, if I were to focus only on his voice in the early years, I can at least see the argument.
I haven’t really kept up with much of Elton’s work in the past few decades… the songs of his I know and love best are from that 70s heyday. So yes, this selection is based on those vocals.
I agree that Sir Elton John belongs on this list because as Amy said it’s “Elton John’s voice in essence”
You may “as well” have Duritz on this list? Well, hell, yes, I would imagine and expect Duritz to be on this list.
In the words of The Princess Bride’s Man in Black… get used to disappointment. 🙂