Composer guide

Elton John

Pop star Elton John has written the music for some of Broadway's biggest hits, starting with Disney's The Lion King. Our library includes three of his shows: The Lion King, Aida, and Billy Elliot.

Elton John musicals in our library

The Lion King (1997)
His first stage musical (1997), built on the songs he wrote with Tim Rice for the 1994 film, and the biggest hit of his theatre career.
Aida (2000)
His 2000 follow-up with Tim Rice, a pop and rock retelling of Verdi's opera that won him the Tony for Best Original Score.
Billy Elliot (2008)
His 2008 Broadway hit with Lee Hall, adapted from the film, which won ten Tonys including Best Musical.

Elton John as a theatre composer

Sir Elton John (born 1947) became one of the best-selling artists in pop history writing songs with lyricist Bernie Taupin, his partner since 1967. In the theatre, though, he has mostly worked with other writers. Tim Rice wrote the lyrics for The Lion King and Aida, playwright Lee Hall wrote the book and lyrics for Billy Elliot, and later shows paired him with Jake Shears and with Shaina Taub and Mark Sonnenblick. Taupin joined him only for Lestat.

His theatre music sounds like his records: big piano-driven melodies, soaring ballads, and touches of gospel, soul, and rock. Billy Elliot showed another side, with brass band anthems and folk-tinged songs rooted in a 1980s mining town.

Elton John's musicals in order

John and Rice wrote the songs for Disney's animated film The Lion King (1994), and Julie Taymor's stage version opened on Broadway in 1997 with additional music by Lebo M and others. Aida, a pop retelling of the Verdi opera, followed in 2000 and ran more than four years.

Billy Elliot opened in London in 2005 and on Broadway in 2008. Lestat (2006), based on Anne Rice's vampire novels, closed after 39 performances. The Devil Wears Prada premiered in Chicago in 2022 and opened in London's West End in 2024. Tammy Faye, with lyrics by Jake Shears and a book by James Graham, began at London's Almeida Theatre in 2022 and played Broadway's Palace Theatre in late 2024, closing after 29 performances.

Legacy, awards, and where to start

John won the Academy Award for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from The Lion King, and a second Oscar for "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from the film Rocketman. Aida won him the 2000 Tony Award for Best Original Score, and Billy Elliot won ten Tonys including Best Musical. With an Emmy in 2024, he joined the small group of artists who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. The Lion King is one of the longest-running and highest-grossing shows in Broadway history.

Start with The Lion King, whose songs most people already know. Then try Aida for his most pop-driven theatre score, and Billy Elliot for the emotional "Electricity" and the Angry Dance.

Elton John: frequently asked questions

What musicals did Elton John write?

Elton John wrote the music for The Lion King, Aida, Billy Elliot, Lestat, The Devil Wears Prada, and Tammy Faye.

Did Elton John win a Tony Award?

Yes. He won the 2000 Tony Award for Best Original Score for Aida, shared with lyricist Tim Rice.

Did Elton John write all the songs in The Lion King musical?

No. He and Tim Rice wrote the film songs, such as "Circle of Life" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," but many songs added for the stage are by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Hans Zimmer, and others.

Is Elton John an EGOT winner?

Yes. He completed the set of Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Awards when he won an Emmy in January 2024.

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