Last month, the United States Library of Congress presented Elton John and Bernie Taupin with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song at a ceremony in Washington, DC. The event, which aired Monday evening on PBS, featured a number of incredible performances honoring the evening’s honorees. , and the most memorable moment of the evening was a beautiful rendition of John’s 1983 hit, “I’m Still Standing,” by Joni Mitchell, last year’s Gershwin Prize winner.
Accompanied by an all-star band including Brandi Carlile, Annie Lennox, Blake Mills and Davey Johnstone, Mitchell performed a more jazz-inspired rendition of the song, one that Carlile said in his introduction holds special meaning for the Canadian singer-songwriter. . Carlile also added that John and Taupin gave Mitchell permission to change some lyrics to suit her, “which is honestly the most Joni Mitchell thing I think I’ve ever heard of,” she said. joked.
Mitchell changed one of the lines to: “My heart ain’t broken and my path is clear/You were just a little bumpy destination, darling,” which made John’s husband, David, laugh Furnish. John and Taupin were also seen singing and dancing during the show. Other artists who paid tribute to John and Taupin included Metallica, Garth Brooks, Maren Morris and Charlie Puth.
Watch Mitchell’s cover of “I’m Still Standing” below.
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