Elton John's Regimental Sgt. Zippo, a previously unheard track recorded in 1968, will finally be released and will accompany a new animated video.
Wrote alongside his long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin, the song finds Elton in a more psychedelic mode than we are used to hearing from the singer.
The song’s melodic flow seems heavily influenced by the Beatles, a connection confirmed by the song’s accompanying press release.
“Recorded and produced at the DJM Studios, the same building that housed the Beatles' publishing company, Northern Songs, 'Regimental Sgt. Zippo' is an affectionate nod to Sgt. Pepper and the era.”
The song was originally to be the title track for John’s debut album. The LP was instead scrapped and the singer made his debut a year later, with his 1969 album Empty Sky.
The track will be fan’s first taste from upcoming 8-disc collection, which features album tracks, demos, B-sides and other rarities from the Rocketman’s legendary career.
"To delve back through every period of my career in such detail for Jewel Box has been an absolute pleasure," John noted in a press release announcing the set. "Hearing these long-lost tracks again, I find it hard to comprehend just how prolific Bernie and I were during the early days. The songs just poured out of us, and the band were just unbelievable in the studio.”
The iconic singer had originally planned to spend 2020 traveling the globe with his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. When the coronavirus pandemic came, John turned his attention to Jewel Box.
As a “devout record collector”, this project is one that really excites John. The collection is “such a carefully curated, lovingly constructed box set” that will surely excite his fans. With 148 songs, featuring previously unreleased material, Elton: Jewel Box chronicles John’s 1965 work in his early band Bluesology, up to his Academy Award-winning song '(I’m Gonna) Love Me'.
Elton: Jewel Box is set to release on November 13th.
