Musician Charlie Puth is known for belting out songs on the piano, so it stung especially hard when he ran into Elton John and received a less-than-flattering review.
Puth recalled the encounter on The Ellen Degeneres Show this week.
“When you write a song, it’s important to tell the truth, and I wasn’t really doing that in 2019,” Puth said. “And the person who kind of awoken [sic] my senses was none other than Elton John.”
Puth met the “Rocket Man” singer at the Los Angeles restaurant Craigs. “He came up to me and said, you know, ‘how are you, hi,’ I’m like, ‘you’re Elton John,’ he’s like ‘yes I am, you know, your music sucked in 2019. It wasn’t good.’”
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“It was like a gut punch,” Puth admitted, “but I had been thinking that as well. I had gone through a messy breakup, and I think that was also going alongside it. And it was kind of a wakeup call a little bit. I was in denial a little bit.”
That was just prior to the start of the pandemic, and the world going into lockdown — plus John’s critique — caused Puth to take a break from making music.
Puth’s next album, Charlie, is expected to be released later this year.
bachy
Sorry but I disagree! Puth’s ‘Attention’, ‘Boy’, ‘Done For Me’, ‘Girlfriend’, ‘LA Girls’ and ‘The Way I Am’ are on my workout playlist. At the very least his music is much more stripped down and sexy than Elton’s recent, overwrought mega-hits.
IanHunter
Elton John has some music I like, but I think he’s overrated. He was just in my hometown as part of his tour, and I didn’t go. His documentary was really a good watch.
Troyfight
? truth, Ian.
Ken A.
So now Ellen is OK? Usually they’re tearing her apart. I’m sure Elton told it with good intentions. Not a fan of this Puth guy.
THAT Steve
The only mention of her is because her name is in the title of the show Puth’s quotes are from. That’s a kind of a dismissal of her so it’s the next step below slagging her, namely ignoring her…
Jami Stardust
I love Elton John. For the most part, it’s his older songs. I really don’t follow any of the newer music. He and Bernie wrote some great songs.
Mack
I have to agree. I find very few songs/music today by anyone any good.
BEARY FLINTSTONE
Elton is RUDE!
totallyout9
This is totally out of context , first they live next door to each other ! Elton , is a fan and they met up to work on some new music ( one of which is “ after all “ which is awesome ) and Elton has a wicked sense of humor so I am sure that’s how it was said. Don’t jump to conclusions!
Unbreatheme
Exactly. It’s actually a disgraceful thing to say especially when someone is being nice to you.
Seth
Elton John was a sad old cow?
Surely you jest.
Thad
The New York Times once called Charlie Puth “insipid”. One of their critics vastly preferred the Kidz Bop version of “One Call Away.” Elton isn’t alone in his opinion.
Popeye1965
That took ZERO class Elton John! Ugggh! But, I was over you the minute you teamed up with Eminem! Who do you think you are? Looked in the mirror lately? (Fat old bitter Queen) I am done…been done!
totallyout9
And what have you done lately to make this world a better place ? I am sure nothing even close to Elton’s charity , talent and accomplishments! That old cow just had one of the biggest years ever with “ cold heart” becoming a world wide hit not to mention it’s a sin and merry Christmas.. 3 number ones in a single year.
nm4047
Reggie’s more recent retirement songs possibly fall into the same consideration as his commentary of Puth’s songs.
Yooper
So, it’s one side of the interaction, would like to know the rest of the story. Career lyricists, composers, musicians, are notoriously frank, Elton was likely speaking his thoughts, as he should, The crueler route is to feed an ego.
ScottOnEarth
I don’t care who you are….or who you think you are, it’s ridiculously tacky and rude to be so insulting. Elton seems to attack artists he feels threatened by, Madonna being chief among them.
jt1990
Elton John wasn’t lying in his new song with Dua Lipa. He does in fact have a cold, cold heart. And he wasn’t lying here either. Sorry Charlie but I turn my radio station when I hear your songs come on.
powersthatbe
Life has shown Elton that it can all be taken away from you as an artist, unless you dedicate your all to it. If you’re not all in, he knows what can happen, so he calls it out when he sees it. Yes, it’s rude but it’s also true. Or “Trude”, as we like to call it.