Closing out my week of songs favored by my daughter Fiona is another 80s hit, Elton John’s ‘I’m Still Standing.’ This one didn’t come courtesy of her neighborhood friend, however, but through an animated film.
Specifically, the 2016 movie Sing, which features a group of animals competing in an American Idol-style singing competition.
This song is performed by Taron Egerton’s Johnny, a gorilla. I’m sure my Egerton-obsessed niece will have something to add here.
I haven’t seen the movie (yet) but I do love the original by Elton John. And get a load of this clip! One YouTube commenter hilariously noted that “Elton John is the straightest thing in this video.”
You could never know what it’s like
Your blood like winter freezes just like ice
And there’s a cold lonely light that shines from you
You’ll wind up like the wreck you hide behind that mask you use
And did you think this fool could never win?
Well look at me, I’m a-coming back again
I got a taste of love in a simple way
And if you need to know while I’m still standing you just fade away
[Chorus]
And don’t you know I’m still standing better than I ever did?
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
And I’m still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind
I’m still standing (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’m still standing (yeah, yeah, yeah)
[Verse 2]
Once I never could hope to win
You starting down the road leaving me again
The threats you made were meant to cut me down
And if our love was just a circus you’d be a clown by now
[Chorus]
And know I’m still standing better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
And I’m still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind
I’m still standing (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’m still standing (yeah, yeah, yeah)
[Chorus]
Don’t they know that I’m still standing better than I ever did?
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I’m still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind
I’m still standing (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’m still standing (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’m still standing (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’m still standing (yeah, yeah, yeah)…
Meet Me In Montauk 
I never really liked this song, which is ironic because I otherwise really like the album from which it came (Too Low For Zero). I do think, however, that if my entry point to the song had come the way Fiona’s did, and also through the filter of 80’s nostalgia), that I would probably view the song more favorably.
Thank you for introducing me to this unusual video. Makes me like the song a bit more…
Good choices this week Fiona ❤️
I feel attacked 😛 But yes, Taron’s rendition of this song is lovely and I’m very excited to see him portray Elton John and sing a ton of his better songs.
Not an attack! I just knew you’d be able to offer more than I could about Egerton’s performance. 🙂