Elton John’s Explosive Studio Meltdown Caught on Camera: “It’s a F–king Nightmare!”

Elton John is no stranger to passion and drama, but even for the legendary singer, his latest studio session was a rollercoaster of emotions. Behind-the-scenes footage from his upcoming album, Who Believes in Angels?, reveals the 77-year-old music icon losing his cool in a spectacular tantrum.

The album, which marks John’s first in four years, is a collaboration with Brandi Carlile, producer Andrew Watt, and longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin. Recorded in just 20 days in October 2023, the project was meant to push boundaries. 

Cameras Capture the Chaos

Wanting to document the creative process, John boldly decided to allow cameras into the studio. What they captured, however, was far from smooth sailing. Instead of a harmonious recording experience, fans got a front-row seat to a fiery, tension-filled environment.

“I was a nightmare,” John admitted in a voice-over in the promotional video. And judging by the footage, that might be an understatement.

At one point, frustration boiled over as the “I’m Still Standing” singer tore up sheet music in a rage. In another heated exchange, Watt asked if he was ready to record and John shot back, “Why do you think I am sitting here?” The tension escalated further when Watt, clearly exasperated, snapped, “I am just trying to make the song as best as it can be. You are so impatient!”

“I felt, ‘I don’t want to do it,’” John later confessed, revealing his exhaustion and self-doubt during the project.

Even Carlile struggled to navigate John’s mood swings. “I am having a hard time connecting to Elton,” she admitted in the footage. She later reflected on his unpredictability, saying, “Elton is prone to bouts of insecurity, especially where the stakes are high. There were times when I thought, ‘Why does he want to do this?’”

The most dramatic moment came when John slammed his headphones onto the piano and seethed, “It’s a f–king nightmare!”

The Turning Point

Despite the chaos, John ultimately found his groove. In the documentary, he breaks down in tears at the piano, reflecting on the storm inside him. “The reality is, I was exhausted. I had a lot of doubt. I was a nightmare. I was angry, I was tired, I was irritable,” he admitted.

But walking away was never an option. “There were other people involved, I can’t abandon it,” he said. And just when things seemed at their worst, everything clicked as his creative juices “all started to flow” and the “fog started to lift.”

John’s determination paid off. “I wanted to play better, sing better, write better, and challenge myself at the age I am,” he said. In the end, he was thrilled with the result. “This came out the way I wanted it to come out.”

Fans can learn what the drama was all about by listening to the Who Believes in Angels? album, scheduled for release on April 4. If the recording process was this intense, imagine how powerful the music must be!