Elton John at Glastonbury.

 Elton John at Glastonbury.

The sun was setting over the rural heartlands of Somerset. Away in the distance, bright, amber coloured clouds settled on the hills of cider country and the birds flew off to explore yet more pristine fields of green. The English countryside had never looked more picturesque, pictorial or prettier. Then, as if by magic, a legendary 76 year old musician and immensely gifted singer and songwriter was doing what he's always done best. This was the right setting at the right time. We applauded him rapturously because we knew we'd been in the presence of greatness, excellence and an extraordinary talent who just happened to be retiring from the world of pop music.

It is hard to believe that Sir Elton John is now calling it a day, gracefully withdrawing from a life of celebrity, unfortunate notoriety at times but still giving it all for one last, massive gig. The life and times of Sir Elton John have been extensively well chronicled since Sir Elton has never shied away from the dazzling glare of publicity, a man of style, delightful flamboyance, hilarious glasses, a whole wardrobe of outlandish clothes and an image that was unmistakable in its uniqueness.

Last night John or Reg Dwight as his parents and close family must have called him, went for the burn, a face radiating enthusiasm and huge enjoyment, the happiest of smiles playing almost constantly around his mouth and eyes. Elton John may have been dreading this moment but there was nothing at all to worry about since he was in good, wildly appreciative company and besides he didn't have to get up at the crack of dawn anymore and the memories would keep him warm for an eternity.

After an extensive tour of the world and his final farewell to those fiercely devoted fans around the globe it was time to take it easy for this spectacular entertainer, a witty and humorous but at times quite serious and business like man who cherishes the privacy of his family and no little solitude. By his own admission he has been on one of the most gruelling and demanding of roads since a teenager and his body could no longer take any more. Sometimes genius can manifest itself almost immediately and Elton must have known that as soon as he sat down at the piano as a kid, the song writing was on the wall.

We all now remember the biopic film of Elton John. Rocket Man was a splendid and revealing insight into the life of a man who must have appealed to all demographics and classes. For a moment or two you wonder what he must have made of punk rock, that loudly anarchic movement who disapproved of everything from royalty to the British government. But John rose above the chaos and mayhem of the Sex Pistols, the Clash, Sham 69 and the Undertones with a grace and acceptance of the inevitable that lifted the soul no end. 

The film Rocket Man of course highlighted all of the career highs and lows of a life lived in the fast lane with a generous helping of sex, drugs and rock and roll just as an aperitif. The main course, as we all know, was one of  furious arguments, the tormented sexuality, the disclosure of a gay man inside of a persona who we must have thought  was perfectly straight but was nothing of the sort. Nowadays of course homophobia has become a virulent disease that none of us should ever tolerate. But for Sir Elton John, the recognition of who he really was may well have been doing far more damage to him than he could possibly have imagined.

His life has embraced the whole spectrum of emotions ranging from frustration, heartache, bewilderment, tragedy and delirious delight when the all night parties were in full flow. Of course there were the celebrations, the shameless hedonism and debauchery, the flaming rows with John Reid, the man whose very public relationship with Elton John became headline news. Then there was Bernie Taupin, the man who penned most of his lyrics. Taupin would become his closest of friends, a kindred spirit John would always confide in and trust when things were hurtling out of control. Taupin was John's chief creative, the inspiration behind everything John would turn his hands to and still is.

And so last night was very much an effusive celebration of Sir Elton John, his mastery of the well crafted song, his homage to everything he valued above everything. When the darkness finally fell at Worthy Farm in Glastonbury we knew we'd rubbed shoulders with craftsmanship, a natural adroitness with the written word on the page, a man in complete control of all human feelings and a very real identification of what mattered to him most on the night. The fans were almost idolatrous at times and the appreciation was so mutual that everybody seemed to be singing from the same hymn sheet.

Yes the Glastonbury crowds, the ocean of faces, the hundreds and thousands quite possibly thousands more who just couldn't quite get onto the sprawling fields. All had gathered to acknowledge star quality, now a seasoned trooper but quite the most stunning talent. There were the outrageous glasses, the heart shaped glasses and then innumerable rows of people wearing glasses who were just swept away by the immensity of the occasion. You often felt as if you were watching some record breaking cultural event, an iconic spectacle, perhaps religious in its intensity but quite astonishing to behold.

So Sir Elton John sat down respectfully at his Yamaha piano, the piano that had almost become an integral part of his personality, faithfully following him around the world, the piano that had turned into a reliable friend. Then he found a comfortable seat and the red tinted glasses gazed across admiringly to the rest of his illustrious band. This was a much more sober, more mellow and reflective Elton John, a far cry from those crazy days of relentless orgies and showbusiness parties.

You remembered for a while the mid 1970s when life was all about those giant American stadiums where John would stride onto stage wearing quite the most amazing baseball gear complete with cap. Then there were the massive platform shoes and boots glittering in the mid day sun. Who could ever forget the wonderfully camp dresses with feathers and frills, yet more glasses that were so hard to believe that if you didn't know it was Elton John you could have sworn he was about to join the greatest fancy dress party of all time?

Then there were the years of social conscience when John, who had formed a close bond with the late Princess Diana, would display an even kinder and more compassionate side to his nature. There was the Aids Foundation that he would become enduringly associated with and his commitment to that cause would almost define his character. The 1980s would become a decade to pause for breath, a time of personal introspection, a chance to slow down and ponder his life most thoughtfully.

And so the songs came thick and fast. John opened with the instantly recognisable Pinball Wizard, a song so rousing and stirring that you had to remember the film from which the song came. Here was a hard driving, punchy rock number that you could still see the Pinner born maestro, complete with glasses and shoes, flicking a silver ball around a pinball machine like the kid at the seaside who just doesn't want the day to end.

This was followed swiftly by The Bitch is Back, which as the title would suggest, hasn't the highest opinion of women. Still, this was another rollocking, rocking almost infectiously catchy number that reminded us why we were so emotionally swept away by this larger than life showman. The song is gossipy, emphatic and adamant. In many ways the song was almost self explanatory but perhaps he just wanted to create a stir. Most of us could recognise where he was going to so it didn't really come as a surprise.

Benny and the Jets was another honky tonk, plinkety  plonk, piano related song oozing gallons of charm and character, the kind of a song you'd listen to over and over again in your local pub and never tire of hearing. We were never told who Benny was nor did we ever question the reference to the Jets but this was another classic that although released as a single, never quite reached the giddy heights. Still, it was a wonderfully enjoyable set and one we could sing along to in the shower for quite a while.

Next up was the engaging sentimentality of Daniel, a song so warm and reassuring that you almost felt as if you knew who Daniel was and where he came from. Daniel is an enchanting story about a man travelling the highways and byways in a Chevrolet with the sun roof down and looking out for new adventures. Somehow you believed that he would find his destination because here was a man with purpose and self motivation.

Then there was the ultimate and somehow quintessential Elton John, a song written for the ages and a song that had a golden hallmark on it, a song of such touching simplicity that it was almost timeless. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, the title of the album, was a magnificent nod to the nostalgia and reminiscence we all indulge in from time to time. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road sounds like some affectionate tribute to the way life used to be and his heartfelt farewell to the old.

Moving forward rapidly to the 1980s Elton gave us I Guess That's Why They Called Blues. Perhaps the distinctive harmonica in the song represented his transition to another phase of his life. You can well imagine the blues element and the rich discovery of something else rather than hard rock. Still, there is a delightful innocence about the track that makes you want to hum it over and over again. But decades later the ditty still tells you everything you need to know about Sir Elton John.

In Philadelphia Freedom, as Sir Elton so eloquently described it last night, here is a song about his Philadelphia years during the 1970s. Here he introduces a funkier, more soulful beat, the smooth cadences of Philly where John finds complete liberation of the soul. This was the first genuinely American sounding track and although still heavily layered with rock there is something very sophisticated and life affirming about Philadelphia Freedom.

At roughly the same time as Philadelphia Freedom, John would release another song that bore striking similarities to the aforesaid song. Are You Ready For Love lay dormant for decades in a draw and although you might have vaguely heard of it, the recent re- release of the song was immortalised in a TV advert several years ago. Once again there is that instantly recognisable Philly sound, a fusion of cool orchestrations and rhythmic verses.

Sad Songs (Says So Much) is a reflection of the way John must have felt about bittersweet and melancholy tunes which can be so uplifting when your day has been stressful in the extreme. In many ways sadness has accompanied much of his journey although light has always been at the end of tunnel. But it still sounds as fresh and original as the day of its release and for that reason, holds up beautifully to the discerning ear. 

Someone Saved My Life Tonight, from the award winning Captain Fantastic, was another exemplary composition that pretty much says what it does on the tin. While the world was falling apart around him and the drug parties became progressively wilder and worse, there was Bernie Taupin who read the riot act to him in Rocket Man. While Elton was recklessly throwing himself into champagne filled baths and then sticking two fingers up at convention, Taupin was always there to catch John in the safety net.

Your Song is simply a gorgeous ballad that flows from the pen of the one and only Reg Dwight. It might have been a love letter to a girlfriend which might have written on a train heading to New York. It is a classy, straightforward song that might have come to him late at night when the coffee pot was boiling and the piano was tinkling its ivories.

Candle in the Wind assumed a much greater poignancy twice over for Sir Elton. His first recording of the song was his way of expressing a long held admiration of  Marilyn Monroe, the Hollywood icon, who would perish at the hands of domineering film producers and directors. Monroe was simply exploited for all she was worth. Candle in the Wind is all about the fragility of fame and its preciousness. When Princess Diana tragically lost her life it re-discovered a new lease of life.

Tiny Dancer is another film related song that purrs along admirably, sweetly phrased and joyously rewarding for those who love a good, old fashioned sing song. The title would imply that Elton John must have known a dancer from whom he would derive great inspiration. But it is cleverly written and thought provoking, instantly likeable and something to treasure on a long car journey.

In the long and hot summer of 1976 when the mercury soared and temperatures reached a record high, Elton John teamed up with Kiki Dee to record Don't Go Breaking Heart, the number one hit of the summer which dominated the charts. Last night Sir Elton was joined by Rina Sawayama one of the many modern voices John seemed to be championing quite successfully last night. Once again Don't Go Breaking My Heart took you right back to your teenage years and adolescence when the summer of 1976 appeared to last for ever. It had to reach number one and did so for some time.

Crocodile Rock sounds like the kind of record that Sir Elton John when the good times were rolling and eccentricity began to take over. It is another stylish rock number that sounds ridiculous but then becomes much clearer when you realise that in another distant past there was the Bunny Hop. It was music at its funniest and carefree, happy and jolly, a perfect excuse for a bop and another party.

As the concert drew to its climax, Elton began to thank both the band, his husband David Furnish and children, the cherishable friends and family with acknowledgments to everybody who had made life so complete. Out there on Worthy Farm, the vast droves of adoring fans wore their glasses with pride, girlfriends bouncing up and down on boyfriends shoulders and the flags fluttering gently in the Somerset breeze.

Saturday Night is Alright for Fighting is another highly energetic, red blooded and fully charged rock track that was both amusingly irreverent and perhaps Elton's take on pub brawls on a Saturday night. Here was a musician and stylist at the top of his game ready to milk the applause over and over again. Suddenly we were taken back to 1970 something and we were transported back to an era where everybody felt that anything was possible.

Back in the 1980s I'm Still Standing was the most defiant of all statements, a message about negotiating all the setbacks and disappointments of our younger years and still smelling of roses. In the video of I'm Still Standing Sir Elton marches proudly along sun kissed promenades and seaside beaches with a boater hat on his head. Elton remains undefeated and unscathed by the critics and the cynics. It is almost his redemptive song.

The penultimate song of the night showed the legend that he is. Once again referring back to his appreciation of youth, Sir Elton sung Cold Heart, a variation on a theme of  Sacrifice another hit from another time but still impeccably delivered rather like a birthday present to a member of your family. This was Sir Elton John at his most humane, generous and benevolent, a striking reminder to all of his admirers that Elton could still belt out a song.

Don't Let the Sun Go Down was another emotional trip down memory lane for the Pinner maestro. For a moment you thought the tears would flood out of his eyes but then Sir Elton composed himself. He thought for a minute or two about his late friend George Michael and their duo collaboration on the song. He may well have dedicated the song to Michael and if so you could hardly have blamed him.

And then the finale. Rocket Man was such a highly accomplished piece of song writing that it may well have been designed just for him. Rocket Man was quite possibly a throwback to a time when Elton John was still hugely ambitious and idealistic, when the stars could still be reached. It suddenly occurs to you that it might have appealed to the astronaut in him, looking to conquer new territories.

And that was that for Glastonbury just for another year. The tents were dismantled, sleeping bags thrown gleefully into the back of the car, flags presumably preserved for next year. We remembered the incomparable Cat Stevens, who sent out his political anthems about peace and love, a thankyou to the NHS and a whole variety of noble causes. There was Blondie aka Debbie Harry who is now 70 something but still capable of blasting out her back catalogue of punk hits with a flirtatious relish. All in all it was Glastonbury to fondly recall so it'll see you next year at roughly the same time and same place.