Elton John Beams with Pride as Metallica Delivers a Stunning Performance

Metallica and Elton John may come from different corners of the musical world, but at this year’s Gershwin Prize celebration they met on common ground in unforgettable fashion. In front of Elton himself, seated prominently in the first row, Metallica took on two of his most moving songs and turned the moment into a cross-genre showcase. They opened with a thunderous take on “Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding” from the landmark Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, drawing stunned reactions throughout the hall.

True to form, Metallica didn’t simply mimic the classic—they reimagined it. Their treatment pulsed with muscle and momentum, reshaping the medley into something unmistakably their own. The band has long expressed admiration for Elton John, and that respect shone through in every choice. James Hetfield’s vocals came in with a gritty authority, lending the piece a fresh edge and reminding everyone why his delivery is so instantly recognizable.

The audience responded immediately, witnessing heavy metal titans salute a pop legend in a style only Metallica could deliver. Elton John looked visibly pleased, taking in a tribute that balanced fidelity with reinvention. Hearing the soaring lines of “Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding” carried by Metallica’s surging instrumentation created a striking, beautiful contrast. The atmosphere inside DAR Constitution Hall felt electric—charged by both nostalgia and sincere admiration.

Catch the performance below—and if it hits you like it did the crowd, pass it along to friends and fellow music fans who’ll appreciate this meeting of musical worlds.

The live taping took place at Washington, DC’s historic DAR Constitution Hall on March 20, 2024. Since the clip went online on April 12, Metallica’s fiery rendition has quickly climbed to 1.3 million views. Fans who love the band’s mid-’90s aesthetic noted the familiar bite in their approach, with some saying this interpretation would slide comfortably alongside material from the Load era.

It wasn’t the first time Metallica and Elton John publicly expressed mutual respect. In 2021, during an appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Elton phoned in unexpectedly to praise “Nothing Else Matters,” calling it “one of the best songs ever written.” James Hetfield’s emotional reaction made headlines, underscoring the genuine admiration flowing between the artists.

This year’s Gershwin Prize for Popular Song honored Elton John alongside his longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin, recognizing a songwriting partnership that helped shape modern pop and rock. The ceremony featured tributes from a stellar lineup—Joni Mitchell, Garth Brooks, Brandi Carlile, Charlie Puth, Annie Lennox, Maren Morris, Billy Porter, and Jacob Lusk of Gabriels—each adding a distinctive voice to the celebration.

Among their many classics, the medley “Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding” stands out as a dramatic showpiece in the John-Taupin catalog. It famously opens 1973’s double LP Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, setting a sweeping, cinematic tone for one of Elton’s most acclaimed and enduring albums.

“Funeral for a Friend” grew from a deeply personal idea: Elton envisioned the music he would want played at his own funeral. Its elaborate structure and considerable length—over eleven minutes—meant it was never a natural fit for a single, yet its emotional reach made it a radio staple and a fan favorite in concert. Hearing Metallica reframe that emotion through their lens only reinforced the song’s lasting power.