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Sir Elton Comes Out for Hillary; Guess Which Song She Mentions

As someone who genuinely enjoys pre-knighted Elton John music from his '70s heyday, I can think of any number of Reggie Dwight-Bernie Taupin tunes that might cover this situation. None is mentioned below, though Sen. Clinton's invocation of "I'm Still Standing" below is the worst mention of a song by a politico since Sen. Bill Bradley once announced lunch for a bunch of New Jersey high school newspaper editors circa 1981 by announcing to the Springsteen-savvy crowd that "everybody has a hungry heart."

Sez the BBC:

Pop star Sir Elton John has raised $2.5m (£1.3m) for Hillary Clinton's US presidential campaign with a concert at New York's Radio City Music Hall.

Former president Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea joined the former first lady at the gig.

Senator Clinton, who is fighting Barack Obama to become the Democratic party's candidate, said: "I'm still standing"—a nod to Sir Elton's 1983 hit song.

The singer told the crowd: "There is no-one more qualified to lead America."

He also accused people who think Mrs Clinton is an unsuitable candidate of being sexist.

"I'm amazed by the misogynistic attitudes of some of the people in this country, and I say to hell with them," he told the crowd.

"I love you Hillary, I'll be there for you."

More here.

I mention this story because a) I find celebrity endorsements/anti-endorsements genuinely hilarious (how many votes did David Crosby throw Bush's way by announcing he'd leave for Canada if the Texan beat Al Gore in 2000)?; b) I am genuinely interested in what sort of dinosaur rawk stars will come out for Barack Obama and John McCain (what are The Spokesmen up to these days?); c) I genuinely would have voted for Hillary if she had quipped instead, "I get high in the evening sniffing pots of glue," and d) It's a genuine opportunity to link yet again to the ultimate Shatnerian triumph of style, substance, and schmaltz, a.k.a. his dramatic reading of Elton John's "Rocket Man" (pronounced rock-IT maaan):

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Comments to "Sir Elton Comes Out for Hillary; Guess Which Song She Mentions":

dbcooper | April 10, 2008, 7:59am | #

Ouch, way to lose some cool points Gillespie. You may as well have written that you genuinely enjoy listening to Queen.

Untermensch | April 10, 2008, 8:11am | #

Have to confess that I didn't know the lyrics for ā€œI’m still standing,ā€ so I looked them up and have to concur that invoking that song is pretty strange unless Hillary wanted to tell the Democratic party that she's through with them or that she's moved on to the Republicans because the Dems didn't treat her right by just handing her a crown...

Isaac Bartram | April 10, 2008, 8:35am | #

Wow, I'm trying to figure out exactly what demographic Elton's endorsement will deliver to Hillary.

Episiarch | April 10, 2008, 8:39am | #

Nick, you rule. Tying Shatner into anything is an imperative. Next, you need to tie in Impulse using a Harold Sakata/Bond connection. Somehow.

Brett | April 10, 2008, 8:41am | #

I guess "The Bitch is Back" was too easy.

Guess I lose cool points too, b/c 70's Elton is good stuff. "I'm Still Standing", not so much, but it was featured the only time I saw him in concert (late 80's).

Barack Obama | April 10, 2008, 8:54am | #

Get back, honky cat.

Elemenope | April 10, 2008, 8:58am | #

In the words of a SHatner character:

"That's what's so great about this country. Anyone can be president. But not Hillary! -- She wins, I puke."

Reinmoose | April 10, 2008, 9:04am | #

He also accused people who think Mrs Clinton is an unsuitable candidate of being sexist.

His insight and thoughtfulness is staggering. I always admire musicians for that.

John-David | April 10, 2008, 9:04am | #

I genuinely found this post genuinely fascinating, in a genuine manner.

Bronwyn | April 10, 2008, 9:05am | #

That Shatner video cracks me right the hell up, every time.

Good way to start my morning, Nick. Thanks!

J sub D | April 10, 2008, 9:29am | #

"I'm amazed by the misogynistic attitudes of some of the people in this country, and I say to hell with them," he told the crowd.

Obama supporters are misogynistic.
Clinton supporters are racist.
I guess the multitudes (hundreds?) of Edwards supporters are both.

Damn it sure must be tough to be a Democrat these days.

Warren | April 10, 2008, 9:30am | #

I genuinely would have voted for Hillary if she had quipped instead, "I get high in the evening sniffing pots of glue,"

Oh yes Nick, I agree. In fact I think that should be the new pledge. I pledge that I will vote for any candidate who publicly quips ""I get high in the evening sniffing pots of glue".

Will you take the pledge?

D.A. Ridgely | April 10, 2008, 9:33am | #

Wow, I'm trying to figure out exactly what demographic Elton's endorsement will deliver to Hillary.

The West Village?

Episiarch | April 10, 2008, 9:39am | #

"I'm amazed by the misogynistic attitudes of some of the people in this country, and I say to hell with them," he told the crowd.

It's amazing what the voices in celebrities' heads tell them.

Nutter | April 10, 2008, 9:45am | #

No, this is the definitive version of Rocket Man

John COsmo Jackson | April 10, 2008, 9:47am | #

This will help her get the racist homosexual vote.

Michael | April 10, 2008, 9:59am | #

Wow, look at the young Nick Gillespie as the brooding, standing-up guy in The Spokesmen.

http://www.atomicplatters.com/images/spokesmen_cvr_510.jpg

Mr./Mrs. Garrison | April 10, 2008, 10:09am | #

Mr. Hand and I will be voting for Hillary - per the advise of the Sir Elton.

Ken Shultz | April 10, 2008, 10:10am | #

I can't get behind that.

P Brooks | April 10, 2008, 10:32am | #

Is anybody else totally creeped out by that picture?

e | April 10, 2008, 10:38am | #

Goodbye Arkansas Rose!

mike | April 10, 2008, 10:54am | #

"I love you Hillary, I'll be there for you."

These five words I swear to you!
When you breathe, I want to...

Oh, sorry, that's Bon Jovi.

Daze | April 10, 2008, 10:56am | #

Three surviving members of the Grateful Dead played a "Rock for Barack" benefit before the California primary. They discreetly opted not to play "Casey Jones".

Margo | April 10, 2008, 10:57am | #

I want to know who said, "honky". It has obama as the writer. Look and see. Im pissed!

Margo | April 10, 2008, 11:02am | #

ok John Jackson. You are a homosexual hater. People will get you for this. The gay communities will be commenting. What a looser you are. Has any of your family members come out of the closet yet? Feed on that!

Margo | April 10, 2008, 11:08am | #

And dont call Hillary a bitch brett--you bastard!!!!

FatDrunkAndStupid | April 10, 2008, 11:25am | #

Love "Rocket Man", but I think the emotion Shatner brought to his beautiful rendition of Taxi makes that cover slightly better. And of course his masterful cover of "Common People" remains his magnum opus. "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" was a complete flop, while I rate "It Was A Very Good Year" as merely adequate (here, the almost spoken word nature of Sinatra's original really cut in to Shatner's ability to make a unique contribution).

ed | April 10, 2008, 11:39am | #

Is anybody else totally creeped out by that picture?

On the contrary, I didn't realize Hillary had such a pretty mouth.

Episiarch | April 10, 2008, 11:46am | #

FatDrunkAndStupid, don't forget the desperation he brought to Tambourine Man. Now that's a contribution.

BakedPenguin | April 10, 2008, 11:51am | #

He also accused people who think Mrs Clinton is an unsuitable candidate of being sexist... "I'm amazed by the misogynistic attitudes of some of the people in this country..."
Following that logic, if he found out what I thought of his last 10 albums, he'd be amazed by my homophobic attitude...

Mike Laursen | April 10, 2008, 12:01pm | #

So, did David Crosby actually move to Canada?

bookworm | April 10, 2008, 12:05pm | #

"He also accused people who think Mrs Clinton is an unsuitable candidate of being sexist."

Does that mean that if anybody doesn't like Elton John's music, they must be homophobic?

BakedPenguin | April 10, 2008, 12:06pm | #

Too slow, bookworm.

bookworm | April 10, 2008, 12:09pm | #

I'm tempted to burn all my Elton John albums and CD's now.

the innominate one | April 10, 2008, 12:13pm | #

dbcooper | April 10, 2008, 7:59am | #
Ouch, way to lose some cool points Gillespie. You may as well have written that you genuinely enjoy listening to Queen.


well, he did admit that he genuinely enjoys listening to a queen.

The definitive Shatner cover performance/ interpretation is when he covered Guns 'n Roses' "You Should Be Mine" and Color Me Badd's "I Wanna Sex You Up" at the First MTV Peoples' Choice Movie Awards, hosted by the then-excellent, now-pathetic Dennis Miller.

Anyone who has a link to the video I'm referencing, please post it. Thanks.

the innominate one | April 10, 2008, 12:17pm | #

well, he did admit that he genuinely enjoys listening to a queen....not that there's anything wrong with that

bookworm | April 10, 2008, 12:18pm | #

I dedicate this Elton John song to Hillary: "Screw You".

Lurker Kurt | April 10, 2008, 12:46pm | #

I am genuinely interested in what sort of dinosaur rawk stars will come out for Barack Obama and John McCain

For McCain, the only musician I can see endorsing him would be Tony Benett.

Mike Laursen | April 10, 2008, 1:47pm | #

Tony Bennett is way too hip to endorse John McCain.

bookworm | April 10, 2008, 2:15pm | #

"For McCain, the only musician I can see endorsing him would be Tony Benett."

I'd like to leave McCain in San Francisco, or Bowlegs, Oklahoma, or anywhere, just keep him out of the White House.

Jake Boone | April 10, 2008, 3:44pm | #

Divide & Kreate improved "Rocket Man" immensely by mashing it up with Europe's "Final Countdown." Seriously!

Kevin Carson | April 10, 2008, 11:43pm | #

I look forward to the day when he records a "Candle in the Wind" tribute for her. I hope it comes soon.

Apaulogist | April 11, 2008, 2:27am | #

The Bitch is Back spring immediately to mind.
BTW, I enjoy listening to Queen. What's the big deal? Freddy may have been a flaming gay camel jockey, but the man had the pipes.

Audrey B | April 11, 2008, 2:45am | #

Freddy was not a camel jockey, he was a Parsi, something else entirely.

NoStar | April 11, 2008, 12:07pm | #

Jake Boone,
Thanks for sharing that mashup. As a former professional musician, I am amazed at how well that was done.
NS

Isaac Bartram | April 11, 2008, 1:37pm | #

I look forward to the day when he records a "Candle in the Wind" tribute for her. I hope it comes soon.
That's an Elton John song I'd listen to. :)