The King and Sir Elton John took to the airwaves for a special radio show on the monarch's 78th birthday, sharing poignant musical memories and joking about the problems of ageing.
Charles joined the superstar for Rocket Hour, his regular slot on Apple Radio, and chose Sir Elton's hit I'm Still Standing as one of his favourite tracks because of its "message of resilience". The conversation highlighted the key role of music in the work of The King's Trust, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Ageing jokes and resilience
Charles told Sir Elton: "We and the Trust are definitely still standing." But Sir Elton, 79, quipped "I'm still sitting now, though" giving a large laugh, with the King chuckling: "With occasional bits dropping off here and there. I know this is a terrible problem as we get older."
The King referenced the lyrics of Your Song, another of Sir Elton's much-loved tracks, as he told him: "I think, in the words of another of your famous songs, I hope you don't mind, but I would like us to play one of your own pieces which takes us back to 1986 and the Rock Gala at Wembley Arena for the 10th anniversary of my Trust."
Musical selections and memories
The duo selected 14 tracks including Hound Dog by Elvis Presley, Lenny Kravitz's It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over, which the King described as "rather beautiful", Phil Collins' In The Air Tonight and Sir Rod Stewart's rendition of Handbags And Gladrags. The King picked Giant by Calvin Harris and Rag'n'Bone Man as the song he felt summed up his charity because of its spirit of gaining strength from others.
Bob Dylan's Gotta Serve Somebody and Pete Townshend's Let My Love Open The Door also made the cut, as did Muse with Feeling Good, Skye Newman's Hairdresser, Raye's Joy, and Nectar Woode's Wine Into Water, featuring Sir Elton on piano.
Meaningful songs and Beatles memories
Sir Elton asked Charles: "I know you're a great lover of music. Can you tell me about a song that you find extremely meaningful?" The King said there was "nothing more meaningful than love" and described seeing a "simply unforgettable performance" of Sir Paul McCartney joined by other musical stars playing All You Need Is Love at the finale of the Golden Jubilee concert in the gardens of Buckingham Palace in celebration of his mother Queen Elizabeth II in 2002.
Sir Elton said, in the conversation recorded at the Apple Music Studios in Battersea Power Station, south London, last month, he had been lucky to have met and known all The Beatles. "They all became friends of mine. I couldn't believe it because when I was a young boy, I remember cycling to buy Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. So when you get to become friends of your idols, it's quite amazing," Sir Elton said.
The full episode of Elton John's Rocket Hour premiered at 9am on Saturday on Apple Music 1. There are additional opportunities to hear it for free on Apple Music 1 on Saturday at 5pm and 10pm, and on Sunday at 2am and 6am, and on both Apple Music 1 and Apple Music Hits at 10am and 2pm on Sunday. It will then be available to listen to or download from the Apple Music platform.
