Delta digs deep for her heroes
IT’S PAYBACK TIME AS GOODREM PENS AN ODE TO ELTON’S FRIENDSHIP
Elton John has a career full of songs embraced by others; Delta Goodrem returns the favour on her new album Bridge Over Troubled Dreams. In Dear Elton, Goodrem addresses the superstar not only lyrically, but musically, with a bombastic piano solo inspired by his mastery of the instrument.
“It had to be epic,” Goodrem tells SMARTdaily of the solo, unlike any she’s committed to record in a career now seven albums deep.
“It’s an ode to Elton but still with my fingerprints on it.”
Back in 2003, an 18-year-old Goodrem was enjoying major success here and the UK with her debut album Innocent Eyes when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Elton sent flowers and a note to her in hospital, then called the day after she left to recover from treatment.
“He reached out to me when I was just starting out as an artist, then as fate would have it he called me on the first day of my chemotherapy treatment. That stayed with me. I was very impressionable, and people like Elton and Olivia (Newton-John) teach you what it is to be a great artist and a great mentor.
“Elton’s continued support of the community and younger artists helped make me who I am today, and it’s important for me to support and be kind to artists because there’s plenty of room for everybody.”
Dear Elton also doubles as a letter to Goodrem herself. She questions choices made in her life their impact on her career (“it sends shivers through me, I don’t think I’ve ever been so brutal to myself in a song”) while finally forgiving herself.
“I’m someone who continues to work on themselves to be better, like an athlete. I’m definitely speaking to myself in this song, but really owning my story.”
At the end of 2019 Goodrem saw Elton on his farewell Australian tour just as she was midway through writing and recording Bridge Over Troubled Dreams.
“It was overwhelming, I had happy tears the entire show.”
Months later she emailed Dear Elton to the superstar, detailing the connection she’s felt with him musically and personally.
“I got a note back that I’ll treasure forever,’ Goodrem says. “His words will stay with me, I’m so thankful for the kindness he continues to show.”
Another new song, Everyone’s Famous, also moves away from what many may expect. It reflects on the modern desire for fame and ends with a chaotic explosion of guitar and vocals that recalls Jeff Buckley. “Jeff is a genuine inspiration, Grace is one of my favourite albums of all time,” Goodrem says. “It gets quite primal in that song. I enjoy letting loose and being imaginative. Hopefully people can start to see me as the artist I am in my heart.”
Other influences on the album, which was recorded with a full live band, include Coldplay’s Ghost Stories as well as Adele, Tori Amos, Joe Cocker, Bishop Briggs, Annie Lennox and Stevie Nicks.
“I had to allow myself to be authentic, to be challenged,” she says. “I learned more on this record than I had in many years, from going back to basics and being in a space of truthfulness. I wasn’t trying to chase trends or find something that was the right tempo for everyone. I wanted to be true to the inspirations I love, tap back into the music that really sets my heart on fire.”
Bridge Over Troubled Dreams, the album and book, are out now. National tour starts September 24, see deltagoodrem.com for tickets and details