Analysis

Elton John, otherwise known as  Reginald Dwight, was born on March 25, 1947, in the working-class suburb Pinner, Middlesex. As an early child, Reggie Dwight, as he became to be known, showed a heightened musical talent on the piano, and eventually got a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Music at age 11. Although trained in classical music, Elton John had a growing interest in rock and roll, and he eventually joined R&B Band "Bluesology" as the keyboardist. After venturing on his own along with Bernie Taupin, a lyricist and one of Dwight's closest friends to date, Elton John, as he now went by, began to hit the United States top hit lists.

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This project intends to analyze how the media described Elton John during the years in which he obtained Number 1 hits in the United States. While Elton John at one point accounted for an estimated 5% of global record sales, this project exclusively focuses on his success within the United States. Elton John's songs would eventually lead him to have nine Number 1 hits in the United States. As Mark Bego notes in Rocketman: The Life of Elton John, "[Elton John] remains the most remarkably beloved rock and pop artist of rock history."

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"Crocodile Rock," released in 1972, represented the initial boom of Elton John's career and his first Number 1 hit in the United States. To this extent, the media examined Elton John and described him as a promising rock and roll star capable of captivating his audiences. His 1974 and second Number 1 hit, "Bennie and the Jets," parallels with the media's coverage of Elton John and their analyses that he has cemented himself as a rock and roll star. Although, he has not hit super rock and roll start status quite yet. Also in 1974, Elton John's "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" also earned him another Number 1 hit. As with "Bennie and the Jets," the media continued to portray Elton John as a reputable name in rock and roll, rising with every hit. 1975's "Philadelphia Freedom" and "Island Girl" also earned Elton John two more Number 1 hits. The media continues to report Elton John's rising fame, coming closer to his peak fame after his performance at the Dodger Stadium. His last Number 1 hit in the 1970s, "Don't Go Breaking my Heart," has the media beginning to question Elton John's fame and criticize his growing alcohol and drug addictions.

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In the 1980s, one notes a substantial decrease in Elton John's Number 1 hit releases. In fact, the only Number 1 hit he received was for the 1985 release, "That's What Friends are For," a song in which Elton John was only featured. Therefore, one can note that the media viewed Elton John as having burned out and disappeared during the 80s. One can infer this to have occurred due to his peak of drug and alcohol abuse. 

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In comparison with the 1980s, Elton John received his final two Number 1 hits in the 1990s. "Don't Let the Sun go Down on Me," released in 1991, and "Something About the Way You Look Tonight/Candle in the Wind," released in 1997, both showed a transition from Elton John's previous Number 1 hits. The media picked up on this, and in the 1990s described the return of Elton Hercules John. While some media criticized Elton John as the creator and perpetuator of "disposable pop music," others portrayed him as having overcome his addictions and having come out better on the other side.

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To conclude, the media's portrayal of Elton John as seen through his Number 1 hits in the United States shows the development of Elton John's character and performance. During the 1970s, Elton John was presented as a rising star and eventual superstar, however, the late 1970s and 1980s portray Elton John as a dying star, burnt out from his music by drugs and alcohol. Furthermore, the 1990s portrayed Elton John as a survivor of addiction, and while some media outlets criticized his past and music, others congratulated his individual success story.