From Glam Rock to New Wave: Elton John's Sonic Revolution

From Glam Rock to New Wave: Elton John's Sonic Revolution

Depeche Mode’s Dave Gahan and Elton John at a German Music Festival. 1984.

Elton John's ability to read popular culture, adapt his music, and transform his image to reflect new trends was essential for his lasting stardom over the decades.

In his work, Elton John is known for blending different styles. He did this masterfully in the album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, released in 1973, is one of the most iconic albums of his career. It showcases a wide variety of musical styles, reflecting the artist's versatility. It spans glam rock, ballads, pop rock, and even reggae. Elton John demonstrated an incredible ability to navigate through different genres.

In the Disco era, he had immense success with the EP The Thom Bell Sessions, so it was no surprise when Elton moved in a new direction: New Wave.

His New Wave phase wasn’t just a sonic shift but also a complete reinvention of his artistic persona—proving once again that Elton was not just a musician but also a genius of self-promotion and cultural reinvention.

The Origin of New Wave

New Wave emerged in the late 1970s as an evolution of punk rock. While punk was raw and aggressive, New Wave sought to incorporate synthesizers, futuristic aesthetics, pop melodies, and more polished productions.

Main Characteristics:

Heavy use of synthesizers and electronic sounds.

Striking visual style: extravagant clothing, exotic hairstyles, bold makeup.

A mix of rock, pop, reggae, funk, and electronic music.

Lyrics exploring futuristic, technological, and urban themes.

The Difference Between Rock and New Wave

Classic rock from the 60s and 70s was centered on guitars, drums, and lyrics about rebellion or romance. New Wave, on the other hand, brought electronic sounds, more studio influence, and an aesthetic focus both musically and visually. While rock was “organic,” New Wave was more “artificial” in the best sense: created and manipulated in the studio with innovative sounds.Important 

New Wave Bands and Artists:

Talking Heads

The Cars

Blondie

Duran Duran

Devo

Gary Numan

Ultravox

Adam and the Ants

Visual Adaptation Inspired by Dallas (1981-1982)

During the photo sessions for Jump Up! and The Fox, Elton mimicked the Texan style of J.R. Ewing, the iconic character portrayed by Larry Hagman in the TV series Dallas.

Dallas was a huge success in the US and worldwide in the early 80s, becoming one of the most-watched shows of the time. The series revolved around family intrigue and power struggles in Texas, with J.R. Ewing known for his cowboy hat and sharply tailored suits—exactly the style Elton adopted in many of his promotional photos.

Elton John's Entry into New Wave

Elton began his foray into the New Wave sound with his album Jump Up! (1982).

"I Am Your Robot"

This track features electronic beats, synthesizers, and futuristic themes, all typical of New Wave.

"Dear John"

Although heavily influenced by traditional rock 'n' roll in the style of Jerry Lee Lewis, its modern arrangement also allows for an interpretation within the New Wave spirit.

Note: Jump Up! already showed that Elton was beginning to modernize musically to stay relevant in the early 80s pop scene.

The Peak with Too Low for Zero (1983)

Elton's complete dive into New Wave aesthetics came with Too Low for Zero, where:

Elton made extensive use of synthesizers.

He modernized his sound for the 80s audience.

It included hits like "I'm Still Standing," "Kiss the Bride," "Too Low for Zero," "Crystal," and "Whipping Boy."

I'm Still Standing:

Whipping Boy:

Crystal:

Kiss The Bride:

This album was a huge commercial success and marked his return to the top of the charts, proving that he was one of the few 70s artists who successfully transitioned into the 80s.

Elton John's Visual Adaptation: Attention to Detail

Elton didn't just change his music with the trends—he also adapted his visual style to each new cultural phase.

Influence of Sigue Sigue Sputnik (1986)

Elton John copied the mohawk hairstyle of Martin Degville, lead singer of Sigue Sigue Sputnik.

This British band was famous for its mix of cyberpunk, exaggerated futurism, and ultra-modern electronic music. Degville's bold and over-the-top visual style influenced Elton to adopt this aesthetic for his live performances, further cementing his connection to New Wave trends.

Lord Choc Ice: Elton John's Irreverent Pseudonym in New Wave

In the 1980s, Elton John adopted the pseudonym Lord Choc Ice to release experimental and humorous tracks. The name came from his love of chocolate ice cream, playfully referencing his public image. Elton enjoyed poking fun at his own excesses, and this name was part of his irreverent approach to the music industry.

Tracks Released as Lord Choc Ice:

"Choc Ice Goes Mental"

B-side of the single I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues, this instrumental track features a boogie-woogie style with echo effects, reflecting New Wave's influence.

"Earn While You Learn"

Released as a B-side of the single Crystal, this instrumental track was also credited to Lord Choc Ice, standing out for its use of synthesizers and a structure aligned with the electronic music trends of the time.

Additionally, Elton used variations of this pseudonym, such as Lady Choc Ice, for composition credits, like the song Don't Trust That Woman, co-written with Cher.

Conclusion:

Unlike many artists who repeat the same musical style from track to track, whether in rhythm, sound, or vocal tone, Elton John stands out for his ability to explore different styles on each song of the same album. He adapts his voice in unique ways on each track, as seen in One More Arrow, where he presents distinct vocal tones, showcasing his versatility. This mastery of different genres and sounds within the same album is what sets Elton John apart from other artists. For example, listening to a 70s Rolling Stones album, one often gets the impression that one track is a carbon copy of the next. This, however, was never the case with Elton John, whose music was always marked by diversity and constant reinvention.

While David Bowie certainly earned the title of the 'Chameleon of Rock' for his ability to constantly reinvent himself, one could argue that Elton John deserves this title just as much, if not more. Elton John, like Bowie, transformed his image and sound over the decades, evolving from the flamboyant rock star to a beloved pop icon. His diverse musical catalog, the theatricality of his performances, and his fearless embrace of new styles make him a worthy contender for the title. In fact, it could be said that Elton's constant evolution and ability to adapt to the changing landscape of music and culture place him in a unique position to wear the crown of the true 'Chameleon of Rock

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