Elton John surprised fans on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday, 17 December, by revealing that new music could be on the way. When asked if his “creative juices” were still flowing, John responded, “You will be getting some more [music].” He added, “The juices have never dried up, they never want to dry up, because I always want to create things… of course there will be new Elton John music.”
Although John didn’t provide a timeline or hint at potential collaborators, his comment has sparked excitement, especially in light of recent health challenges. Earlier in the interview, Colbert opened by asking, “How are you feeling?” to which John replied, “I’m feeling very, very well. My health is great… never been healthier. I had a little problem with my eyes, but compared to most people, I’m the luckiest man in the world.”
Elton John’s eye health has been a significant topic in recent months. In July, while in the south of France, he suffered a severe eye infection that left him blind in his right eye and struggling with vision in his left. In a November interview with Good Morning America, John elaborated, saying, “It’s been four months now since I haven’t been able to see… going into the studio and recording, I don’t know, because I can’t see a lyric for a start.”
Elton John revealed that he’s blind out of his right eye after developing an infection over the summer, which has affected his ability to make new music. https://t.co/NUMi60KkCe pic.twitter.com/ateZa8ujAO
— New York Post (@nypost) November 25, 2024
Despite this, John has remained optimistic. On Instagram in September, he shared that recovery would be a “slow process” but expressed gratitude for his medical team and family. At the premiere of his documentary Elton John: Never Too Late, he even joked about his health, adding, “In fact, the only thing left to me is my left hip.”
John’s health news coincides with the release of Never Too Late, now streaming on Disney+. The documentary interweaves footage of John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, which concluded in Sweden in 2023, with reflections on his meteoric rise in the 1970s. The film highlights his partnership with lyricist Bernie Taupin, his iconic stage collaboration with John Lennon, and personal struggles, including his battles with addiction and his journey towards self-acceptance. This isn’t his first collaboration with Disney+, with the streaming giant releasing Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodgers Stadium back in 2022.
While the documentary captures John’s transformation into one of music’s greatest showmen, it also showcases his quieter, more personal side, featuring moments with his husband, David Furnish, and their family. During the Colbert interview, John reflected on his early career, advising his younger self to avoid “wasting his life on the most stupid things,” a nod to his sobriety and eventual reinvention.
Although John has stepped away from touring, his announcement of new music offers fans a glimpse of what’s to come. With a legacy spanning over five decades, his ability to remain current and creative is admirable. As John said himself, “I always want to create things,” and his fans are ready to listen.
