Island RecordsFollowing the news that a bunch of today’s top pop stars had put their own spins on Elton John’s classic hits for a new album called Revamp, we’ve got our first taste of the project.
It’s a remake of the 1976 #1 hit “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” which Elton recorded with singer Kiki Dee. This time, it’s recorded by Demi Lovato and A Tribe Called Quest frontman Q-Tip, who infuse the bouncy pop tune with a more soulful, reggae groove.
In an interview video, Q-Tip explains that he got involved in the project because Elton played on A Tribe Called Quest’s final album, We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service. As for Demi, she says, “This project with Elton is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up; he’s an icon, a legend.”
“I think the new version of the song is really cool,” she adds. “It’s got more of a soulful take on it, and it’s something I haven’t heard before. I think Q-Tip did a great job.”
“You know, we just wanted to make it a little funkier,” adds Q-Tip.
Neither Demi or Q-Tip appear in the video, which was inspired by the 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning. That film documents the underground LGBTQ “ball culture,” where elaborately dressed participants — many in drag — compete at events called “balls,” which they “walk,” as though on a runway, and are judged by their clothing and dancing or “voguing” ability.
Revamp, which also features Lady Gaga, Ed Sheeran, Miley Cyrus and other stars reworking Elton’s hits, is out April 6.
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