‘I was a nightmare’: Elton John shares intense album recording session in new video

Elton John, left, can be seen having an emotional moment while being consoled by Brandi Carlile in a screengrab from the trailer promoting the pair's latest album, "Who Believes in Angels?"

In a trailer released this week promoting his latest album, “Who Believes in Angels?”, music legend Elton John is seen experiencing moments of intense frustration.

The footage captures the 77-year-old singer clashing with producer Andrew Watt, at one point slamming his headphones onto a piano.

In October 2023, John and U.S. singer Brandi Carlile recorded their album in just 20 days. The recording sessions, held at Los Angeles Sunset Sound Studios, also featured collaborations with longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin.

“I wanted this album to be special, but you can’t guarantee when you go in the studio that something is going to be special,” John said in the video.

The video documents the honest and emotional creative process of recording an album. It was the first time John allowed cameras to film him through the music-making process, according to the trailer.

“(The) reality is, I was exhausted. I had a lot of doubt. I was a nightmare,” John said.

Watt can be seen in the studio clashing with John, stating “Dude, I’m just trying to make the song as best it can be,” before referring to John as “impatient.”

“Elton is prone to moments of insecurity especially where the stakes are high,” Carlile said.

Carlile can later be seen voicing her troubles with “connecting to Elton.”

“There were times I thought, ‘Why does he want to do this? Why is he going from Glastonbury to making an album with me?’” she added.

“I’m going home,” John said, ripping up a piece of paper and throwing it, followed by moments of John tearing up and Carlile comforting him with a hug.

Despite the initial tension, the team overcame these challenges, leading to what John described as “one of the greatest musical experiences of my life.”

“I wanted to play better, sing better, write better, and challenge myself at the age I am. In 50 plus years, we’ve never made a record like this,” John said.

The album is set to be released on April 4. You can watch the full trailer below.