Hello, everyone. Welcome back to the countdown.

A sweet vintage Christmas card image from Pinterest. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Christmas came early for us Elton John fans. Last month his new documentary, “Never Too Late” was released and a few days ago it started streaming on on Disney+. It not only went behind the scenes of his final U.S. concert at Dodger Stadium in California in 2022, but it took a look back at his magnificent more-than-five-decade career and the happiness he has found as a husband and father which prompted his retirement from the road. Needless to say, it is an incredible look at an astounding life & significant collaborations, especially his work with John Lennon in the 1970’s.

If you recall, EJ’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour was interrupted by the pandemic. And what did he do while he could not go out on the road? He collaborated with several other artists to bring us the album aptly titled, The Lockdown Sessions. A bonus track was a holiday song he co-wrote with Ed Sheeran that was released in December 2021. Who said nothing good came from a universal pandemic?

Top: Elton John’s 1973 Christmas record. Middle: EJ (L) and Ed Sheeran (R) in a clip from the video for their 2021 holiday song. Bottom: EJ’s 2021 album. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Elton John: “Step Into Christmas” (1973, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin).

Ed Sheeran and Elton John: “Merry Christmas” (2021, written by Ed Sheeran and Elton John).

What are some of your favorite Christmas songs?

Until next time, happy listening!!!