British rock icon Elton John is famous for his showmanship, his outrageous costumes, and his eyeglasses. He also is one of the most prolific and enduring musicians in modern history. John has sold more than 255 million records worldwide. He first cracked the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970 and continues to churn out hits more than 50 years later.
To determine the biggest pop hits by Elton John, 24/7 Tempo reviewed performance data on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Songs were ranked based on an inverse score wherein a week at No. 1 is worth 100 points, a week at No. 2 worth 99 points, and so on, up to a week at No. 100 worth one point. Chart data is current through the week of August 20, 2022.
Over his career, John has succeeded in the music genres of soft rock, country, pop rock, and hard rock, evolving from an introspective singer-songwriter into a flamboyant hitmaker who has sold out the biggest venues worldwide.
John’s had his first chart-topper in 1972 with “Crocodile Rock,” and since then, he’s made the top of the Billboard Hot 100 eight more times, making him one of the artists with the most No. 1 hits.
Click here to see the biggest pop hits by Elton John
He’s had hit singles in four separate decades, a testament to his longevity. More than 50 years after his first appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, John collaborated with pop star Dua Lipa on a remix of his song “Cold Heart” in 2021. It rose to No. 7, and spent 51 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, the longest tenure there of any of his hits. (He does well with the long form, too. These are Elton John’s best albums according to Billboard.)
25. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
> Entered Hot 100: November 30, 1974
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 14
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24. Blue Eyes
> Entered Hot 100: July 10, 1982
> Peak position on Hot 100: #12 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 18
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23. Rocket Man
> Entered Hot 100: May 6, 1972
> Peak position on Hot 100: #6 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 15
22. I’m Still Standing
> Entered Hot 100: May 7, 1983
> Peak position on Hot 100: #12 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 16
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21. Nikita
> Entered Hot 100: January 18, 1986
> Peak position on Hot 100: #7 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 18
20. Daniel
> Entered Hot 100: April 7, 1973
> Peak position on Hot 100: #2 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 15
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19. Island Girl
> Entered Hot 100: October 11, 1975
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 15
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18. Circle Of Life (From “The Lion King”)
> Entered Hot 100: August 27, 1994
> Peak position on Hot 100: #18 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 20
17. Mama Can’t Buy You Love
> Entered Hot 100: June 9, 1979
> Peak position on Hot 100: #9 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 18
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16. Sad Songs (say So Much)
> Entered Hot 100: June 9, 1984
> Peak position on Hot 100: #5 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 19
15. I Don’t Wanna Go On With You Like That
> Entered Hot 100: June 18, 1988
> Peak position on Hot 100: #2 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 18
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14. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
> Entered Hot 100: October 27, 1973
> Peak position on Hot 100: #2 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 17
13. Candle In The Wind
> Entered Hot 100: November 7, 1987
> Peak position on Hot 100: #6 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 21
12. Crocodile Rock
> Entered Hot 100: December 9, 1972
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 17
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11. Don’t Go Breaking My Heart (with Kiki Dee)
> Entered Hot 100: July 4, 1976
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 20
10. Believe
> Entered Hot 100: March 11, 1995
> Peak position on Hot 100: #13 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 20
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9. Bennie And The Jets
> Entered Hot 100: February 16, 1974
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 18
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8. I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues
> Entered Hot 100: October 29, 1983
> Peak position on Hot 100: #4 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 23
7. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me (with George Michael)
> Entered Hot 100: December 7, 1991
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 20
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6. Little Jeannie
> Entered Hot 100: May 3, 1980
> Peak position on Hot 100: #3 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 21
5. The One
> Entered Hot 100: June 27, 1992
> Peak position on Hot 100: #9 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 22
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4. Philadelphia Freedom
> Entered Hot 100: March 8, 1975
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 21
3. Can You Feel The Love Tonight (From “The Lion King”)
> Entered Hot 100: May 21, 1994
> Peak position on Hot 100: #4 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 26
2. Candle In The Wind 1997/Something About The Way You Look Tonight
> Entered Hot 100: October 11, 1997
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 14 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 42
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1. Cold Heart (PNAU Remix) (with Dua Lipa)
> Entered Hot 100: August 28, 2021
> Peak position on Hot 100: #7 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 49
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