Me: Elton John Official Autobiography
By Elton John
Narrated by Elton John and Taron Egerton
5/5
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About this audiobook
INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
NOW UPDATED WITH A NEW CHAPTER
In his first and only official autobiography, music icon Elton John reveals the truth about his extraordinary life, from his rollercoaster lifestyle as shown in the film Rocketman, to becoming a living legend.
Christened Reginald Dwight, he was a shy boy with Buddy Holly glasses who grew up in the London suburb of Pinner and dreamed of becoming a pop star. By the age of twenty-three he was performing his first gig in America, facing an astonished audience in his bright yellow dungarees, a star-spangled T-shirt, and boots with wings. Elton John had arrived and the music world would never be the same again.
His life has been full of drama, from the early rejection of his work with song-writing partner Bernie Taupin to spinning out of control as a chart-topping superstar; from half-heartedly trying to drown himself in his LA swimming pool to disco-dancing with Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth; from friendships with John Lennon, Freddie Mercury, and George Michael to setting up his AIDS Foundation to conquering Broadway with Aida, The Lion King, and Billy Elliot the Musical. All the while Elton was hiding a drug addiction that would grip him for over a decade.
In Me, Elton also writes powerfully about getting clean and changing his life, about finding love with David Furnish and becoming a father. In a voice that is warm, humble, and open, this is Elton on his music and his relationships, his passions and his mistakes. This is a story that will stay with you by a living legend.
Editor's Note
Hold me closer…
Elton John’s “Me” takes you through the extreme highs and deep lows of his upbringing and career. How can you not be entertained by the firsthand retelling of the life of one of music’s biggest divas ever? Yes, he did really call his office one day to ask if they could do something about the wind. But that’s just the tip of the anecdotal iceberg.
Elton John
Elton John’s career achievements to date are unsurpassed. One of the top-selling solo artist of all time, in August 2018 he was named the most successful male solo artist in the Billboard Hot 100 chart history. Elton’s many honours include two Oscars, six Grammys, thirteen Ivor Novellos and a BRIT Award. When not recording or touring, Elton devotes his time to a number of charities, including his own Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised over $450 million in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. In 2019 he was awarded the Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest civilian award, and in Britain was made a Companion of Honour in recognition of his services to music and charity. He is married to David Furnish, and they have two sons. Sir Elton John’s career achievements to date are unsurpassed. One of the top-selling solo artist of all time, in August 2018 he was named the most successful male solo artist in the Billboard Hot 100 chart history. Elton’s many honours include two Oscars, six Grammys, thirteen Ivor Novellos and a BRIT Award. When not recording or touring, Elton devotes his time to a number of charities, including his own Elton John AIDS Foundation, which has raised over $450 million in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. In 2019 he was awarded the Légion d’Honneur, France’s highest civilian award, and in Britain was made a Companion of Honour in recognition of his services to music and charity. He is married to David Furnish, and they have two sons.
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Reviews for Me
338 ratings32 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be an incredible journey into the life of Elton John. The autobiography is refreshingly honest, funny, and tragic, offering a balance of laughter and heartstring-pulling moments. It provides insight into the ups and downs of Elton's career and his relationships, without glamorizing the bad times. The narration, including Elton John's own voice, adds a personal touch. Overall, this book is relatable, entertaining, and a must-read for any fan of Elton John.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellent telling of an extraordinary life! Highly recommend as a fan and lifelong learner.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Awesome
Heartwarming
Humbling
Poignant
Honest
Honorable
Great narration
Thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end. Loved it! - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Thank you Elton John for a masterfully-written and unabashedly honest accounting of your life. A bit of all 7 billion of us is lived through you.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Enjoyed the audiobook. It was like having tea with Elton John.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I absolutely loved this book. It was engaging, hilarious, informative, and contained many great stories. I learned a lot about music and the history of rock as well as Elton John’s life. I laughed more times than I can count. It’s a fabulous masterpiece.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5What an incredible journey! Sorrow, Joy, Anger, Amusement, and Love. I felt like I had crawled right into Elton's life and was standing beside him, experiencing all that He was experiencing! I wanted to wrap my arms around little Reg, cuddle him and whisper that he Is Loved and he has to stay strong for his future Elton!
I thank God that David walked into Elton's life when he needed him most! I believe David is the grounding that has kept Elton sane. Thank you David for saving Elton and giving him a life a he, (actually you both) deserves, full of Children, Family and Love.
Elton is a Light for everyone he reaches with either his voice, piano or his just being here! - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Give this book all the stars!
You don’t have to be an Elton John superfan to read and love his autobiography, which covers so much more than his music.
John is honest in ways many celebrities could and would never be. He doesn’t shy away from the hard topics, doesn’t glamorize the bad times. He writes with sincerity and flair about his life, putting me through an emotional blender. I laughed out loud and cried ugly tears.
One word that comes to mind is “relatable,” which is odd given John’s celebrity status. He opens up and invites us in on such an intimate level that we can’t help but connect.
This book is just so damn good!
Narration is fantastic. Elton John narrates the prologue and final chapter himself for an extra personal touch. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fantastic. Loved it all. Great stories. Felt like the last part was rushed but overall enjoyed it
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I love this book and the honesty with which it was written!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great story about my favorite artist. It told me things and gave me insight to the man I’ve listened to my entire life. Since it’s an autobiography it leaves out some of the really negative things that happened during his career, but it’s a great overview of an incredible performer. Thank you Elton John.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Most of it was interesting. It’s not a book I would have read. It was OK as an audiobook.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Best bio I've read so far. Real and amazing at the same time.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This was one of the best bibliographies I have ever listened to.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5So straight forward and transparent while maintaining great respect for the other ppl in his life. Great read. His narrator really felt like him without trying to imitate him.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great production!! I love Elton John. His music has always touched my soul.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I’ve seen him in concert and thought he was such a humble individual. After reading this raw & honest book, it makes me love him even more! Elton John is smart, funny, honest, emotional and down to earth. You won’t be bored!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Elton John’s life is incredibly entertaining! I especially loved when Taron Egerton would laugh while reading some of the material. Made it feel like a friend was telling you stories.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This autobiography offers an unbelievable journey into the life of an amazing artist. I laughed out loud and cried.Truly a great read!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5EXTRA, EXTRAORDINARY! Elton John is truly amazing,in so many ways, an autobiography full of honesty, heartwarming and heartbreaking, particularly in regards to his relationship with his mother, how, despite her emotional abuse, he persevered and how his relationships were affected by the " family temper" and his codependent personality, which prevented him from ending unhealthy partnerships, professionally and personally. Narrated exquisitely ( Elton John does the prologue and the epilogue) if you're a fan, then this is the book for you,if you're not, do yourself a favor and just delve into a fantastic story about a remarkable man.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I haven't finished all, but so far, it's really great. I toured with Long John Baldry off and on worldwide, the great blues singer who discovered young Reg Dwight in the mid 60s , I toured with Baldry on piano and saxophone, from 1987-2003, and at times staying at Baldry's house in Vancouver, Elton would call. Hearing EJs, stories of touring with LJB, were very similar to mine, and we both adored him, flaws and all, especially us both being piano players, with similar musical influences. Sad that LJB didn't get a mention in the Rocketman movie, being such a huge influence early on. The Book tells a much bigger story, that I'm anxious to finish.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Honest brutal funny! Thank you so much, Reg and Taron!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fantastic, honest and real! This is definitely a must read or listen for any Elton John fan. I enjoyed it thoroughly!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I laughed, I cried, and remarkably, as a heterosexual middle school teacher in her early-30s, I related. So. Much. I love Elton more than I did before; this is so well done.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An excellent work, complete with warts and all, of a fascinating life. Me is a refreshingly honest story of the ups and downs of Elton's over the top career as a well loved genius.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great story of a great man. Brings hope during these troublesome times.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I am left almost speechless by this funny, tragic, dramatic and larger-than-life story of a totally loveable and infuriating man. There is only one Elton. I, for one, am so grateful he shared this amazing tale with us.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It's a view into the rollercoster life of a rockstar struggeling
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I want to buy this book. Please help me... My favorite artist ever sir Elton John. Love him so much.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Brilliant sense of humour. Hilarious! Can only recommend. Really good.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wonderful autobiography with a good balance of making you laugh and also pulling at the heart strings. Elton lays it all out there on the "page". Taron Egerton reading of Elton's life brings it to life even more so.