Me by Elton John

This.

Was.

Brilliant.

In his only official autobiography, music icon Elton John writes about his extraordinary life, which is also the subject of the film Rocketman.

Christened Reginald Dwight, he was a shy boy with Buddy Holly glasses who grew up in the London suburb of Pinner and dreamed of becoming a pop star. By the age of twenty-three, he was on his first tour of America, facing an astonished audience in his tight silver hotpants, bare legs and a T-shirt with ROCK AND ROLL emblazoned across it in sequins. Elton John had arrived and the music world would never be the same again.

His life has been full of drama, from the early rejection of his work with song-writing partner Bernie Taupin to spinning out of control as a chart-topping superstar; from half-heartedly trying to drown himself in his LA swimming pool to disco-dancing with the Queen; from friendships with John Lennon, Freddie Mercury and George Michael to setting up his AIDS Foundation. All the while, Elton was hiding a drug addiction that would grip him for over a decade.

In Me Elton also writes about getting clean and changing his life, about finding love with David Furnish and becoming a father.

I try to make a habit of enjoying an autobiography by audiobook whenever possible. It feels as though the author is chatting with you over coffee while sharing their life story with just you. And boy, I could (and did) listen to Elton John’s life story all day!

Elton John himself narrates the introduction and finale of his book but the whole middle is narrated by Taron Egerton who played the musician in the movie Rocketman. I confess I haven’t seen the movie yet, but his narration is absolutely golden and I can only imagine his full embodiment of Elton John is just as perfect.

In addition to the excellent narration, the sheer honesty captured in this book hooked me from the beginning and kept me fascinated all the way through. The author doesn’t shy away from his highs or lows, he just tells it like he sees it. And he shares it all. Not only that, but the way he shares his pain, passion, addictions, selfishness, and love throughout his life is done with such forthright honesty and humor that I can’t help but adore him.

Yup. I adore Elton John. I kind of want him to adopt me.

That’s a phrase I never thought I’d say, but what can I say- he won me over!

Plus, after all his experiences, I like his stance on toddler tantrums:

“You think you’re being difficult, my little sausage? Have I ever told you about the time I drank eight vodka martinis, took all my clothes off in front of a film crew and then broke my manager’s nose?”

He seems like a pretty easy-going dad. Plus your god-parent might be none other than Lady Gaga herself!

In fact, there are so many pop and rock stars making cameos in this book that it’ll make your head spin. But what really makes it spin is that there are so many pop and rock stars making cameos in the most sexually or drug-fueled circumstances. Either that, or showing up for brunch. Definitely felt a little whiplash with that one, and it’s so worth it. From Michael Jackson crashing a brunch in which Elton John was going to introduce his mum to his boyfriend (now husband) to a drug-fueled gondola ride with a few of the Beatles, this story will give you a new peek into the lives (and tragedies) of all your favorite stars. 

With his introspective narrative, we get a glimpse into the lives of ‘70s and ‘80s rock stars, and it is everything you imagined and more. I honestly could listen to this book all over again, but first I must see the movie! 

In the meantime, I dare you to listen to this audiobook without laughing out loud many times, or pausing it constantly to tell anyone around you the amazing tidbit you just learned about the music world. Or the drug world. Or one of the many hilarious and awkward social encounters Elton John bore witness to.

Like that time Richard Gere flirted with Princess Diana and pissed off Sylvester Stalone.

Or the sex parties.

Really, there’s something in here for everyone!