Elton John Glows with Joy as Metallica Unleashes a Breathtaking Tribute
Metallica and Elton John might represent very different musical worlds, but at this year’s Gershwin Prize celebration they met in spectacular harmony. With Elton seated proudly in the front row, Metallica honored him by taking on two of his most beloved works, turning the evening into a genre-bridging spectacle. They opened with a fierce reimagining of “Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding” from the iconic Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, drawing stunned reactions from the audience around the hall.
Rather than simply covering the classic, Metallica transformed it. Their version pulsed with power and urgency, reshaping the medley into something undeniably theirs. Longtime admirers of Elton, the band poured that respect into every moment. James Hetfield’s unmistakable grit gave the song a new weight, reminding listeners of why his voice has become one of the most recognizable in rock and metal alike.
The crowd responded with enthusiasm, witnessing metal giants salute a pop icon in their own distinctive fashion. Elton John looked visibly touched as he watched Metallica balance reverence with reinvention. Hearing the dramatic sweep of “Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding” carried by Metallica’s intensity created a striking contrast, and the atmosphere inside DAR Constitution Hall turned electric—charged with nostalgia, gratitude, and admiration.
Check out the performance below—and if it resonates with you like it did with those in the hall, be sure to share it with friends who will appreciate this unforgettable meeting of music legends.
Recorded at Washington, DC’s historic DAR Constitution Hall on March 20, 2024, the live tribute quickly made waves online. Since its release on April 12, Metallica’s fiery rendition has already racked up more than 1.3 million views. Many longtime fans pointed out that the performance echoed the raw energy of their mid-’90s era, with some even saying it would sit comfortably alongside the darker, moodier tracks from the Load period.
This wasn’t the first public sign of admiration between the two. Back in 2021, during an appearance on The Howard Stern Show, Elton surprised Metallica by calling in to praise “Nothing Else Matters,” describing it as “one of the best songs ever written.” Hetfield’s emotional reaction quickly became headline news, highlighting just how genuine the bond between these artists has always been.
This year’s Gershwin Prize honored Elton John and his lifelong collaborator Bernie Taupin, celebrating a songwriting partnership that defined entire generations of pop and rock music. The evening included dazzling 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 their own unique interpretation to Elton and Bernie’s enduring legacy.
Among their vast catalog, the medley “Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding” stands out as a particularly dramatic showcase. As the opening track of 1973’s double LP Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, it set the tone for one of Elton’s most celebrated albums, establishing a sweeping, cinematic mood that remains a landmark in popular music history.
The origins of “Funeral for a Friend” lie in Elton’s own musings on mortality—he imagined what music he would want to hear at his own funeral. Its elaborate, eleven-minute structure was unconventional for singles, but its emotional resonance helped it become a staple of radio and live shows. Watching Metallica inject their own energy into that emotional canvas only reinforced the timeless power and adaptability of the piece.
