King Charles and Sir Elton John joke about getting older in surprise appearance on ‘Rocket Hour’

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The King and Sir Elton John joked about getting older during a special radio broadcast marking the monarch’s 78th birthday.

Charles joined the musician on Rocket hourhis Apple Radio show, recalling poignant “magical” memories of the Beatles’ “All You Need Is Love,” and choosing Sir Elton’s hit “I’m Still Standing” for its “message of resilience.”

The exchange highlighted the key role of music in the work of the King’s Trust, which is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, as Charles told Sir Elton: “We and the Trust are definitely still standing. »

However, Sir Elton, 79, laughed and joked: “But I’m still sitting now”, with the king laughing: “With occasional bits falling out here and there. I know it’s a terrible problem as we get older.”

Referring to the lyrics of ‘Your Song’, another popular track, the King said: “I think, to borrow the lyrics from another famous song of yours, I hope you don’t mind, but I would like us to play one of your own tracks which takes us back to 1986 and the rock gala at Wembley Arena for the 10th anniversary of my Trust. »

Charles added: “I suspect no one present that night in 1986 could forget your rendition of ‘I’m Still Standing.’

“I know that people in all kinds of circumstances find this song inspiring, not only for its wonderful spirit, but also for its message of resilience. And certainly, 40 years after this remarkable concert, we and the Trust are definitely still standing”

The duo selected 14 songs including Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog,” Lenny Kravitz’s “It Ain’t Over ‘Til It’s Over,” which the king described as “pretty beautiful,” Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight” and Sir Rod Stewart’s rendition of “Handbags And Gladrags.”

The king chose “Giant” by Calvin Harris and Rag’n’Bone Man as the song that he said 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’s “Feeling Good,” Skye Newman’s “Hairdresser,” Raye’s “Joy” and Nectar Woode’s “Wine Into Water,” with Sir Elton on piano.

Rising star Woode has been supported by Sir Elton since the start of his career when she sent him a demo, while Raye met the king during an engagement with Apple in 2024.

Sir Elton asked Charles: “I know you are a huge music fan. 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 music 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.

Charles said: “Well, surely there can be nothing more meaningful than love.

“The next song, ‘All You Need Is Love’ by The Beatles, takes us back to 1967, when it was the anthem for ‘Summer of Love’ – remember a number one on both sides of the Atlantic and a huge hit around the world.”

He remembers seeing the cover of the single showing John, George, Paul and Ringo “all sporting magnificent moustaches”.

The King said: “I will never forget the magic of witnessing a simply unforgettable performance of ‘All You Need Is Love’ for my late mother’s golden jubilee at the Party At The Palace concert with Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart and Joe Cocker, and I think with Phil Collins on drums, Brian May and Eric Clapton on guitar and an all-star choir.

“It really is a totally timeless song with a timeless message.”

Sir Elton said, in the conversation recorded last month at Apple Music Studios in Battersea Power Station, south London, that he was lucky to have met and known all the Beatles.

“They all became my friends. I couldn’t believe it because when I was little I remember riding my bike to buy Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Group. So when you become friends with your idols, it’s pretty amazing.

They also chose Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary” as their opening song, with the king praising the late star for her “electrifying character” and describing how, after her death, the Buckingham Palace guard played her hit “Simply The Best.”

“It was, I hope, a small way of thanking her for the many times she has performed for my charities and of course for the joy she has brought to millions of people,” the king said.

Sir Elton said Elvis Presley’s ‘Hound Dog’ changed his life when his mother came home with the record.

“I had never heard anything like that before,” he said, adding that “it set me on a career path because from that point on, all I wanted to do was play that kind of music.”

The King said: “But it gave birth, didn’t it, in the end to the most wonderful, and still the most fantastic, number of Elvis lookalikes performing anywhere.”

Charles, describing his contacts with musicians over the years, said, “I had the pleasure of meeting some of the greatest Motown artists. »

He revealed that Sir Elton and Sir Rod both shared a penchant for pranks and introduced the track ‘Handbags And Gladrags’, saying: “This is Rod’s rendition and I can’t help but think that this incredibly distinctive voice has never sounded better.”

He thanked Sir Elton for being “my guide and companion” on a “fascinating musical journey”, adding: “I hope listeners have heard some old favorites here and perhaps found some new favorites too.” »

The full episode of Elton John’s Rocket Hour premiered Saturday at 9 a.m. on Apple Music 1.

There are additional opportunities to listen to it for free on Apple Music 1 on Saturdays at 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., and Sundays at 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., and on Apple Music 1 and Apple Music Hits at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sundays.

It will then be available for listening or downloading from the Apple Music platform.

What songs were played?

Here is the full list of songs chosen by the King and Sir Elton: