Elton John And Brandi Carlile ‘Swing For The Fences’ On New Single

With half a century in music and an unbeatable massive catalog of work, Elton John could easily rest on his laurels and enjoy his status as an icon without releasing any new material. But the “Rocketman” crooner hasn’t taken his foot off the gas in recent years, collaborating with newer artists like Dua Lipa and Lady Gaga. For his latest intergenerational endeavor, he’s joining forces with Brandi Carlile for the joint album Who Believes in Angels?, set for release next month.

The duo gave a first taste of the project last month with the album’s title track, and the new single “Swing For the Fences” shows the two artists from disparate backgrounds in seamless musical sync. “Go on and swing for the fences / Take a shot at the moon / A dandelion that dances / Takes chances and fancies every little light in the room,” they sing on the track.

John might have dozens of albums to his name, but he admitted that this new project presented some new challenges for the legendary entertainer that resulted in a satisfying payoff. For him, the album isn’t a late-stage cap on his career, but the beginning of a new chapter as he approaches his second half-century in the industry.

“This record was one of the toughest I’ve ever made, but it was also one of the greatest musical experiences of my life. It has given me a place where I know I can move forward,” he said in a statement, per Stereogum. “Who Believes In Angels? feels like going into another era and I’m pushing the door open to come into the future. I have everything I’ve done behind me, and it’s been brilliant, amazing. But this is the new start for me. As far as I’m concerned, this is the start of my career Mark 2.”

Carlile, for her part, counts the experience of working with John as one of the most valuable experiences of her life. “I’m still reeling from the fact that I got to do it,” she confessed. “I think all ships rise with Elton John’s standards for songwriting, and it was an incredibly challenging and inspiring environment to work in, everybody throwing in ideas, everybody listening to everybody else’s ideas. It felt like a family.”

Through making Who Believes in Angels?, the two artists formed a close bond that went far beyond a working relationship. “When she came to the studio, I actually fell in love with her, and we’ve been soulmates ever since,” John stated plainly in a new interview with Them. “We’ve done holidays together with our kids, and she’s just one of my favorite people in the whole world. And also musically, she’s one of my favorite people in the whole world.”

Who Believes in Angels? is out April 4.