Introduction
It’s rare to hear Metallica and Elton John mentioned together, but this year’s Gershwin Prize ceremony made that unexpected pairing unforgettable. On March 20 at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., the legendary metal band delivered a thunderous interpretation of “Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding,” the dramatic opening medley from Elton John’s 1973 masterpiece Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. Elton himself watched from the front row as Metallica brought the song to life with their own powerful flair.
Rather than simply covering the classic, Metallica reinvigorated it. James Hetfield’s raw, gravelly vocals blended seamlessly with the band’s heavy, propulsive instrumentation, creating a version that felt both fierce and deeply moving. Listeners familiar with Metallica’s mid-’90s era will notice echoes of their Load sound shaping this rendition—and it clearly struck a chord, garnering over 1.3 million views on YouTube since its April 12 debut.
Their Gershwin Prize tribute wasn’t Metallica’s first encounter with Elton John. In 2021, the two icons crossed paths on The Howard Stern Show, where Elton surprised the band with a live call. He praised “Nothing Else Matters” as “one of the best songs ever written,” leaving Hetfield visibly touched by the unexpected accolade.
This year’s award honored not only Elton John but also his longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin, celebrating the duo’s remarkable creative partnership. The star-studded evening featured performances by Joni Mitchell, Garth Brooks, Brandi Carlile, and many others, each offering their own homage to the craft of songwriting. Amid those stellar tributes, Metallica’s bold, hard-charging take stood out as one of the night’s most unforgettable moments.
“Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding” highlights the enduring power of John and Taupin’s collaboration. Originally conceived by Elton as a somber, cinematic prelude—far too expansive for a standard single—the 11-minute piece still found its way onto the airwaves and into the hearts of listeners worldwide. Metallica’s scorching adaptation served as a vivid reminder of just how timeless and transcendent that music remains.