Elton John – I’m Still Standing

About The Song

“I’m Still Standing” is a song written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin, from John’s 1983 studio album Too Low for Zero. It was the lead single from the album in North America, but released as the second single in the UK.

Helped by a video promoting the song on MTV, “I’m Still Standing” became a big hit for John on both sides of the Atlantic, peaking at No. 1 in Canada and Switzerland, No. 4 in the UK and No. 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Although “I’m Still Standing” is often seen as a statement of John’s resilience, Taupin wrote the lyrics with a specific person in mind.

It’s perhaps one more example of the original idea being interpreted by everyone into something quite different. I think people see it as an anthem based on Elton’s strong sense of survival in the face of adversity. Which, believe me, is perfectly fine by me. In fact, it’s probably infinitely more interesting, perhaps, than what it was initially written about. Which, if my memory serves me correctly, it was a sort of kiss off to an old girlfriend. You know the sort of thing, ‘Don’t you worry about me, I’ll be perfectly fine.’ Unlike George Jones’ ‘She Thinks I Still Care,’ where, in fact, he really did, I really didn’t.”

Video

Lyrics

You could never know what it’s like
Your blood like winter, freezes just like ice
And there’s a cold, lonely light that shines from you
You’ll wind up like the wreck you hide behind that mask you use

And did you think this fool could never win?
Well, look at me, I’m coming back again
I got a taste of love in a simple way
And if you need to know, while I’m still standing, you just fade away

Don’t you know I’m still standing better than I ever did?
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I’m still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life, without you on my mind

I’m still standing, yeah, yeah, yeah
I’m still standing, yeah, yeah, yeah

Once, I never coulda hoped to win
You starting down the road, leaving me again
The threats you made were meant to cut me down
And if our love was just a circus, you’d be a clown by now

You know I’m still standing better than I ever did
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I’m still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind

I’m still standing, yeah, yeah, yeah
I’m still standing, yeah, yeah, yeah

Don’t you know that I’m still standing better than I ever did?
Looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid
I’m still standing after all this time
Picking up the pieces of my life without you on my mind

I’m still standing, yeah, yeah, yeah
I’m still standing, yeah, yeah, yeah
I’m still standing, yeah, yeah, yeah
I’m still standing, yeah, yeah, yeah