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Elton John's Greatest Songs From 2000 - 2010

In the last decade, from 2000 to 2010, Elton John has written a lot of great music. Here is a list of his 10 greatest songs from the last decade.

I Want Love

Arguably, I Want Love is the best song Elton John has written since the mid 70s. It is classic Elton John. The song is splendid and beautiful. The Beatles inspired number is a cross between John Lennon's "Imagine" and The Beach Boys "Forever." I Want Love, which was the first single off the 2001 Songs From The West Coast album was also accompanied by a popular MTV music video. The video starred Robert Downey Jr walking around and empty house lip-syncing the song. It was a simple premise but the artistry of the video clicked with the young fans. It was a great time for Elton, and the beginning of his return to form.

Best Lyric: "I want love that won't break me down, won't break me up, won't fence me in."

This Train Don't Stop There Anymore

Along with I Want Love, the song This Train Don't Stop Anymore was one of the standout tracks on the Songs From The West Coast album. Which says a lot. Of the albums' twelve songs, eleven of them were good to great. Elton John described the song as an ode to Gilbert O'Sullivan. Maybe the structure of the song was inspired by Gilbert O'Sullivan, but this was pure Elton John. The strong voice and heavenly painted lyrics by Bernie Taupin were unmistakable. The song was also popular on MTV. The video starred Justin Timberlake as a young Elton John. Timberlake, as John, walked around backstage at a 70's concert, where he interacted with people like Cher and John Reid. This Train Don't Stop There Anymore is the 21st century version of Don't Let The Sun Go Down To Me.

Best Lyric: "You may not believe it, but I don't believe in miracles anymore. And when I think about it, I don't believe I ever did for sure."

The Captain And The Kid

The Captain and the Kid album was the sequel to Elton John and Bernie Taupins 1975 album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy. And though the 2006 album wasn't as good as the 1975 masterpiece, there were some really great tunes on the album. The best track on the album, and one of Elton John's 10 greatest songs of the last decade, is the title track, The Captain and the Kid. The song starts off right where the original song ends. It's a mid tempo countrified trip down memory lane. Elton lends conviction to the song to. In it, Elton basically says 'I can't be the 70s star you want me to be. But I'll still write new music." It's a bittersweet ode to Captain Elton John and the kid, Bernie Taupin.

Best Lyric: " Asked the gypsy what she sees in the palm of my hands. She saw a mountain and a wild deer running, a crazy kid becoming a better man."

And The House Fell Down

In the 1980's, Elton John gave us I'm Still Standing. In the 90's, he gave us Made In England. And in the last decade, he gave us And The House Fell Down. Though the song is generally bouncy and fun, the song touches on Elton's sore spot. His addiction to drugs and alcohol. The lyrics are blunt at times, but the music keeps the listener from getting down trotted. Though five minutes in length, it feels really quick and it breezes across your ears like a crisp wind.

Best Lyric: " And I don't recall who said it at the time. That your enemies grow strong on what you leave behind."

American Triangle

The first song that Elton John wrote for the 2001 hit album Songs From The West Coast was the song American Triangle. It was a song about the tragic and senseless murder of Matthew Sheppard. Sheppard was a homosexual from Laramie, Wyoming who was lured to a field by two heterosexual males, and then beaten to death. In a 2001 interview, Elton John said he sat down and stated "if I can't write a good melody to this, I shouldn't be writing at all." American Triangle is a somber ballad about the tragedy. The lyrics will strike a nerve with the public, as it questions how people can treat each other in such a disgusting manner. The chorus is haunting, with the background vocals being done only by Elton himself. Elton John gets a lot of flack for writing songs about the deceased. But the song is more situational than personal. And it sheds light on an issue that should be addressed.

Best Lyric: "Been there drinking on that front porch. Angry kids, mean and dumb. Looks like a painting, that blue skyline. God hates fags where we come from."

I Should Have Sent Roses

Although the song was written by Leon Russell, Elton John did collaborate with Russell on the song. The two released the song as part of the critically acclaimed album The Union. I Should Have Sent Roses was one of the first songs previewed by radio stations. And the astounding reviews got the general publics attention. I Should Have Sent Roses led the album to enter the Billboard Charts at number three. It was the most successful Elton John album since 1976.

Best Lyric: "Well if I were you, I'd throw rocks at the moon. I'd say damn you, wherever you are."

Gone To Shiloh

Gone To Shiloh could've been taken directly off 1971's Tumbleweed Connection album. Teaming with Elton John on this emotional masterpiece is Leon Russell and Neil Young. The song is about a father who has to leave his family and farm to go fight in the war. Unlike other war songs like Billy Joel's "Goodnight Saigon, " the song isn't overblown and dramatic. It remains simple and stripped down. The lyrics are powerful and provide enough detail and story that the listener can see the scenes play out in front of him. Gone To Shiloh is music cinema for the mind.

Best Lyric: "Gone to Shiloh for the union. Shoulder to shoulder, side by side."

The Best Part Of The Day

The Best Part Of The Day is one of the best parts of The Union. The Elton John song really shines as an uptempo mid range tune. It flows along strongly. Additionally, it encompasses the perfect combination of pop tune and folk song. The lyrics are a tad bit unorthodox, which is a reason why it wouldn't;t work on the radio. But for fans of classic rock, folk music or 70's era Elton John, The Best Part Of The Day is prime.

Best Lyric: "I hear ya singing I shall be released. Like a chainsaw running through a masterpiece."

When Love Is Dying

When Love Is Dying is the type of track you would expect from Elton John in 2010. It's grandiose, over dramatic and contains a lot of "ooohs" by the baritone Elton. But its a good grandiose. Unlike songs like "I Can't Keep This From You" off the Peachtree Road album, When Love Is Dying seems genuine. The music and vocals don;t sound forced. In addition, the lyrics are very relatable. We've all been in a relationship that is slowly ending and the love fades. It sucks. And this song is a great example of the depressing emotions we feel when we lose love.

Best Lyric: "Nobody ever tells you, when love is dying. When love is dying. It just gets a little colder and we stop trying."

Right Before My Eyes

The musical Lestat was a failure. Despite writing hit music for Billy Elliot, Aida and The Lion King, Elton John failed at producing his musical Lestat. The majority of the music fit the dark vampire play. They music was dull, drawn out and drivel. Save for one song. Right Before My Eyes. On episodes of The Today Show and Ellen Degeneres show, Elton premiered the song. And it was one of the best solo songs Elton John had written in years. It's very similar to 1970's Michelles Song and 1971's Tiny Dancer. The song is easy listening and pure bliss. Of course, the song is about a man kissing another man, so you probably won't ever hear it mentioned beyond this article. Regardless, its one of his best songs of this decade.

Best Lyric: " One savage kiss is all he needs, so change his life and make this night victorious."

After 40 years in the music business, Elton John's music may not be as popular as it once was, although his celebrity is. And truthfully, nothing will ever compare to the 1970's output. But he still makes some of the greatest music in the world. And he doesn't seem to want to stop. Which is a blessing for everybody.