Sara Bareilles gave a fresh twist to an Elton John classic, and it was pure magic! The American singer turned the beloved ballad “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” into something completely new—dark, powerful, and full of emotion.
She performed the song at The Kennedy Center in 2024, starting with a haunting piano melody that sent chills down the audience’s spine. Then, as she began to sing, her angelic voice filled the room, creating a deep, emotional mood in the verse. But when she reached the chorus, everything changed—the music lifted like the sun breaking through stormy clouds.
The National Symphony Orchestra added a breathtaking touch, with the wind instruments and strings weaving between the dark and light moments of the song. It’s not easy to take such a legendary hit and make it feel brand new, but Bareilles did just that. One of the most unforgettable moments of the performance came after the three-minute mark, when she hit soaring high notes that took the song to an epic climax. If you haven’t heard it yet, you need to!
PBS uploaded Bareilles’ cover of “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” on December 30, 2024, and it has already passed one million views. Fans are absolutely loving it! The comment section is filled with praise, with people saying things like:
- “Who agrees this is a masterpiece?”
- “Wow. Her vocal technique is rock solid. She makes singing this incredibly difficult song seem like a walk in the park. Her artistry. She’s one in a million.”
And this isn’t the first time Sara Bareilles has wowed audiences with a live performance. One of her most unforgettable moments happened when she sang her emotional ballad “Gravity” at The Warfield in San Francisco. It was just her and a piano, creating a truly magical atmosphere. A special moment happened after the 2:30 mark, when the crowd started singing the chorus back to her in perfect harmony. Then, at 3:20, she hit an incredible high vocal run that left everyone speechless. What a talent!
Of course, the original “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” holds a legendary place in music history. Elton John released it on September 7, 1973, as the second single from his seventh album, and it quickly became one of his biggest hits. The song, with lyrics written by Bernie Taupin, is considered one of John’s greatest masterpieces.
Rolling Stone even ranked it at number 390 on their 2010 list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It has sold millions of copies, gone double Platinum in the US, and remains one of John’s most-streamed songs on Spotify, with over 486 million plays.
Decades later, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” still captures hearts—and thanks to Sara Bareilles’ breathtaking cover, a whole new generation is falling in love with it all over again.
