Music

Elton John says he can't "write pop music any more"

by Ciaran Thompson

Elton John, who has scored almost 70 UK top 40 singles and sold over 250 million records, has conceded defeat in the realm of pop music to current performers like Lady Gaga.

In a interview with GQ Magazine, the BBC reports the singer is fed up with competing with other pop singers, but will continue to work on music for his other side projects.

“Look, I’m 63, I don’t want to be on VH1 or MTV,” he said. “I’m not going to compete with JLS (an English boyband) or Lady Gaga. I’m at that stage where I don’t think I can write pop music any more. I can’t sit down and do a proper rock song.”

“It was OK when I was 25 or 26, but not any more,” he added. “I like to do my little side projects like Scissor Sisters and have fun, but I don’t think Elton John will be putting any pop singles out.”

John’s latest collaborative album with Leon Russel called The Union was released last month.