SONG OF THE WEEK: Hold Me Closer - Elton John and Britney Spears

Expectations were high – at least until Elton John, dressed in what looked like a pair of pajamas, grabbed the mike at La Guérite restaurant in Cannes for an impromptu karaoke preview of his forthcoming duet single! Those poor diners, trying to tuck into their pâtes aux langoustes without the Rocket Man bellowing into the house PA!

Fortunately when the single Hold Me Closer dropped today, it proved a much slicker, more digestible affair. A breezy, buoyant bop of a song with a slyly-irresistible disco baseline, it feels like an effortless smash by the two global superstars.

Fusing lyrics from Elton’s back catalogue, The One opens the song before the iconic chorus of Tiny Dancer kicks in. Rather sweetly the cover of the single features old photographs of a young Elton at the piano and a young Britney as…a tiny dancer!

The vocoderific vocals thread through the vaporous synths and echoing guitar strains. What is joyous is to hear Britney riffing spontaneously in parts of Hold Me Closer. Truly a free Britney.

The track is a catchy as Omicron BA. 5 and a damn sight more welcome. Look out for it surpassing Cold Heart, Elton’s double platinum smash with Dua Lipa.

It’s been a while… but it’s lovely to have Britney back recording and music veteran Elton singing her praises.