Elton John and Dua Lipa has just unveiled their new collaboration ‘Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)’ along with a music video released today. The track is available now here.
‘Cold Heart’ was made possible after Dua invited Elton for an Instagram live discussing his experiences with Studio 54 ahead of her remix album ‘Club Future Nostalgia.’ After that, both got their friendship blossomed which saw Elton appeared as a guest on Dua’s record breaking Studio 2054 live stream while Dua subsequently performed at The Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party. Driven by the restrictions of lockdown and a renewed passion for collaboration, Elton reached out to Dua to work on new music together remotely.
‘Cold Heart’ is at once instantly recognisable and yet thoroughly contemporary – a modern dance floor filler based on four of Elton’s classic tracks expertly spliced together by Australian electronic band and producers PNAU – ‘Kiss The Bride’ (originally from 1983 album Too Low For Zero), ‘Rocketman’ (from 1972’s Honky Chateau), ‘Where’s the Shoorah?’ (from 1976 double album “Blue Moves”) and ‘Sacrifice’ (from 1989’s Healing Hands). PNAU previously achieved an acclaimed UK number 1 in 2012 with the Elton Versus PNAU album ‘Good Morning to the Night’.
Elton John says: “The last 18 months have been hard, but being off the road has meant that I’ve actually had time to get back to my roots as a session player and collaborate with some wonderful artists. And having the opportunity to spend time with Dua, albeit remotely has been incredible. She’s given me so much energy. She’s a truly wonderful artist, and person, absolutely bursting with creativity and ideas. The energy she brought to ‘Cold Heart’ just blew my mind.”
Dua Lipa says: “Ever since we first “met” online, we totally clicked. Elton is such an inspirational artist and also has the naughtiest sense of humour – a perfect combination. It has been an absolute honour and privilege to collaborate on this track with him. It’s so very special, with some of my very favourite Elton John classic songs combined – I loved being part of such a creative and joyous experience. Can’t wait to hear it everywhere this summer.”
PNAU say: “Setting a stage for the two greatest performers in the world today Sir Elton John and Dua Lipa, we knew we had to go in deep, take them into our world, the psychedelic lazer black lit club. Where all of us can meet on the dance floor, forget the outside and lose ourselves in the healing waters of music and love eternal.”
The single’s music video is created by Hamburg based animator and director Raman Djafari. The video sees animated versions of Elton and Dua stepping into a dynamic and euphoric world before separating as their planets drift apart. A beautifully drawn, wistful and, at times, trippy parallel to the last year and a half in lockdown, the video reaches its moving and joyous climax as the characters are reunited.
What do you think of Elton John with Dua Lipa’s ‘Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)’? Let us know in the comments!