There's no shortage of pressure in singing a song everyone knows in front of the musical legends who wrote it. This was Kesha's challenge when she took the stage for "Elton John: I'm Still Standing — A GRAMMY Salute" to sing one of Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin's biggest hits, "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road."
The GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter was understandably overwhelmed when we caught up with her just after her show-stopping performance. Her reverence for the man and the moment were very apparent.
"That was insane, having Elton John just watch me perform one of his most famous songs ever. That was thrilling. I'm shaking that was so exciting," said Kesha. "It was an honor."
Kesha recently earned her first two career GRAMMY nominations and delivered one of the most talked-about performances of the 60th GRAMMY Awards with her heartfelt delivery of "Praying" on Music's Biggest Night. For all her success today, the singer still recalls listening to John as a child, and she took a moment to reflect on how performing for him now made her feel.
"He's a legend, he's an icon, he's like a music god. Music for me is my one true love, so having someone I've looked up to since I was a little kid, and listening to his records and studying his melodies like they're the word of god," says Kesha. "And then getting to sing one of his songs is just… kind of having me a little tongue-tied and speechless."
Kesha joins a superstar lineup of artists paying tribute to Elton John at the upcoming television special, including Ed Sheeran, Alessia Cara, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Miranda Lambert, John Legend, Little Big Town, Chris Martin, Maren Morris, Sam Smith, and SZA.
"Elton John: I'm Still Standing — A GRAMMY Salute" concert special airs on April 10 at 9 p.m. ET/PT, only on CBS.
