1991 George Michael And Elton John: Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me

A cover version/re-recording of Elton's own 1974 single, 'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me' wasn't written as a duet and trying to cram it into that format strains the seams until they split. John's original was no wallflower in the angst stakes, but its piano led sparsity at least let in some warmth via some Beach Boys harmonies on the chorus. This take amplifies the soft rock bombast and gives it a going over with the drama brush but it only serves to abandon the intimacy of the lyric in the process. George honks the first verse, Elton honks the second then they swap alternate lines before coming together for a united honk of a finale blow-out - this isn't so much interpretation as a performance, an exhibition bout between two former prize fighters past their prime. The song and the performers inject a sense of gravitas and occasion whilst the 'all proceeds to charity' angle extends a hand of goodwill, but really.....'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me' in this incarnation is a ornamental white elephant, cast in plaster and sat cumbersomely on a mantelpiece with its only visible purpose being to gather dust.