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Scattershot: Life, Music, Elton, and Me
** NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER**
An evocative, clear-eyed, and revealing memoir by Bernie Taupin, the lyrical master and long-time collaborator of Elton John
“I loved writing, I loved chronicling life and every moment I was cogent, sober, or blitzed, I was forever feeding off my surroundings, making copious notes as ammunition for future compositions. . . . The thing is good, bad, or indifferent I never stopped writing, it was as addictive as any drug.”
This is the memoir music fans have been waiting for. Half of one of the greatest creative partnerships in popular music, Bernie Taupin is the man who wrote the lyrics for Elton John, who conceived the ideas that spawned countless hits, and sold millions and millions of records. Together, they were a duo, a unit, an immovable object. Their extraordinary, half-century-and-counting creative relationship has been chronicled in biopics (like 2019's Rocketman ) and even John's own autobiography, Me . But Taupin, a famously private person, has kept his own account of their adventures close to his chest, until now.
Written with honesty and candor, Scattershot allows the reader to witness events unfolding from Taupin's singular perspective, sometimes front and center, sometimes from the edge, yet always described vibrantly, with an infectious energy that only a vivid songwriter's prose could offer. From his childhood in the East Midlands of England whose imagination was sparked and forever informed by the distinctly American mythopoetics of country music and cowboy culture, to the glittering, star-studded fishbowl of ’70s and ’80s Beverly Hills, Scattershot is simultaneously a Tom Jones- like picaresque journey across a landscape of unforgettable characters, as well as a striking, first-hand account of a creative era like no other and one man’s experience at the core of it.
An exciting, multi-decade whirlwind told in a non-linear yet grounded narrative, Scattershot whizzes around the world as we ride shotgun with Bernie on his extraordinary life. We visit Los Angeles with him and Elton on the cusp of global fame. We spend time with him in Australia almost in residency at an infamous rock 'n' roll hotel in an endless blizzard of drugs. And we spend late, late night hours with John Lennon, with Bob Marley, and hanging with Frank Sinatra. And beyond the world of popular music, we witness memorable encounters with writers like Graham Greene, painters like Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali, and scores of notable misfits, miscreants, eccentrics, and geniuses, known and unknown. Even if they're not famous in their own right, they are stars on the page, and we discover how they inspired the indelible lyrics to songs such as “Tiny Dancer,” “Candle in the Wind,” “Bennie and The Jets,” and so many more.
Unique and utterly compelling, Scattershot will transport the reader across the decades and around the globe, along the way meeting some of the greatest creative minds of the 20th century, and into the vivid imaginings of one of music's most legendary lyricists.
An evocative, clear-eyed, and revealing memoir by Bernie Taupin, the lyrical master and long-time collaborator of Elton John
“I loved writing, I loved chronicling life and every moment I was cogent, sober, or blitzed, I was forever feeding off my surroundings, making copious notes as ammunition for future compositions. . . . The thing is good, bad, or indifferent I never stopped writing, it was as addictive as any drug.”
This is the memoir music fans have been waiting for. Half of one of the greatest creative partnerships in popular music, Bernie Taupin is the man who wrote the lyrics for Elton John, who conceived the ideas that spawned countless hits, and sold millions and millions of records. Together, they were a duo, a unit, an immovable object. Their extraordinary, half-century-and-counting creative relationship has been chronicled in biopics (like 2019's Rocketman ) and even John's own autobiography, Me . But Taupin, a famously private person, has kept his own account of their adventures close to his chest, until now.
Written with honesty and candor, Scattershot allows the reader to witness events unfolding from Taupin's singular perspective, sometimes front and center, sometimes from the edge, yet always described vibrantly, with an infectious energy that only a vivid songwriter's prose could offer. From his childhood in the East Midlands of England whose imagination was sparked and forever informed by the distinctly American mythopoetics of country music and cowboy culture, to the glittering, star-studded fishbowl of ’70s and ’80s Beverly Hills, Scattershot is simultaneously a Tom Jones- like picaresque journey across a landscape of unforgettable characters, as well as a striking, first-hand account of a creative era like no other and one man’s experience at the core of it.
An exciting, multi-decade whirlwind told in a non-linear yet grounded narrative, Scattershot whizzes around the world as we ride shotgun with Bernie on his extraordinary life. We visit Los Angeles with him and Elton on the cusp of global fame. We spend time with him in Australia almost in residency at an infamous rock 'n' roll hotel in an endless blizzard of drugs. And we spend late, late night hours with John Lennon, with Bob Marley, and hanging with Frank Sinatra. And beyond the world of popular music, we witness memorable encounters with writers like Graham Greene, painters like Andy Warhol and Salvador Dali, and scores of notable misfits, miscreants, eccentrics, and geniuses, known and unknown. Even if they're not famous in their own right, they are stars on the page, and we discover how they inspired the indelible lyrics to songs such as “Tiny Dancer,” “Candle in the Wind,” “Bennie and The Jets,” and so many more.
Unique and utterly compelling, Scattershot will transport the reader across the decades and around the globe, along the way meeting some of the greatest creative minds of the 20th century, and into the vivid imaginings of one of music's most legendary lyricists.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 2023
566 people are currently reading
2020 people want to read
About the author
Bernie Taupin
133 books27 followersBernard John Taupin is an English-American songwriter, singer and visual artist. He is best known for his long-term collaboration with musician Elton John.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 402 reviews
July 17, 2023
My thanks to Hatchette books, Bernie Taupin and Netgalley.
I have always loved Bernie. I've never known him, except through his and Eltons songs, and that was enough for me!
I enjoyed the shit out of this book, and I'd totally recommend it for anyone who is a fan of the music 🎶.
As an addendum, one thing that I forgot to say is that Bernie and Elton made the best music. My very first album was Goodbye Yellow Brick road.
Actually, I stole It from Hastings, way back in nineteen seventy fucking something! A kabillon decade's ago! Good shit, Maynard! Good shit!
I have always loved Bernie. I've never known him, except through his and Eltons songs, and that was enough for me!
I enjoyed the shit out of this book, and I'd totally recommend it for anyone who is a fan of the music 🎶.
As an addendum, one thing that I forgot to say is that Bernie and Elton made the best music. My very first album was Goodbye Yellow Brick road.
Actually, I stole It from Hastings, way back in nineteen seventy fucking something! A kabillon decade's ago! Good shit, Maynard! Good shit!
September 18, 2024
3.5 stars
Drat! I wanted more from this.
In my younger days I was not only a huge Elton John fan, but also a huge fan of Bernie Taupin’s lyrics. To me they were poetry, especially all the gems from the first few albums.
He hasn’t lost anything with this autobiography. His writing remains impressive and intelligent, and I didn’t mind that it jumped around, but I need to name up my shallowness and admit I was hanging out for more dirt and hype.
Drat! I wanted more from this.
In my younger days I was not only a huge Elton John fan, but also a huge fan of Bernie Taupin’s lyrics. To me they were poetry, especially all the gems from the first few albums.
He hasn’t lost anything with this autobiography. His writing remains impressive and intelligent, and I didn’t mind that it jumped around, but I need to name up my shallowness and admit I was hanging out for more dirt and hype.
September 21, 2023
The Words You Know, The Tune You Hum
Bernie Taupin’s “Scattershot” delivers insight into one of rock music’s most visible unknowns. Known as Elton John’s lyricist, his photos were on a number of the 1970’s albums… but anything else could pretty much be fabricated with interpretation of his lyrics. The wide-eyed innocence of “Your Song” was a landmark and melded perfectly with Elton’s unforced piano work. From there… a long, extraordinary road.
I can never get enough rock biographies— until I read one. Music has been a huge part of my life, both as an entertainment and as a livelihood. Casey Kasem’s countdown shows were always a must and to this day I possess wonderfully pointless trivia neutrons lounging in vital brain cells. All that being said, worthwhile music biographies have been illusive in my pursuits. Keith Richards’s book was surprising with its profound and illuminating insights. The recent Ricki Lee Jones bio was enjoyable, and the stories Robbie Robertson told were (from his angle, at least) amazing. On the less worthwhile side, Chuck Negron’s Three Dog Night story was mostly one of a heroin tragedy. I found Donovan’s to be so self-aggrandizing I wanted to sic ‘Superman or Green Lantern’ on him. Most of the other accounts were hit or miss, pretty tepid “as told to” tales of drugs, groupies, two-year peaks and crashes.
In the Author’s Note, Bernie warns us this is not a straight-forward biography, not a strictly chronological tale. It is going to be “Scattershot,” perhaps haphazard in its form. If a scholarly document is desired, this is not the place to look. The book takes off from there. The initial, well known telling of the Elton-Bernie collaboration is covered, there are the early struggling years, and the career breakthrough Troubadour performances. Much of this was covered in Elton’s book, “Me,” and the hyper-glitzy film “Rocketman.”
“Scattershot” is not limited to Elton’s adventures with his sidekick. We do get insights into their relationship and there are passages like Elton’s suicide attempt and how that is transformed into “Someone Saved My Life Tonight,” but Bernie stresses the differences in their personalities and how they have found their own separate paths to happiness. He is not just one of the Captain Fantastic posse as he travels on tour, he claims his job is to be a witness.
“I’m a complete voyeur when it comes to my ideas. I always have been, from day one. I think if there’s anything you could put on my tombstone, it could be: HE WAS AN OBSERVER.” – Bernie in a Vanity Faire interview.
Is this a “tell all” book? It is a “tell some” with entertaining anecdotes about people like Cher, Nilsson, John Lennon, John Belushi, Bob Marley, Frank Sinatra— even encounters with Salvador Dali and author Graham Greene. He pulls no punches as he blasts Chevy Chase, John Bonham and Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant. Fun stuff.
Songwriters are often grilled on the meaning of the lyrics. One of the big reveals is that he was never a Marilyn Monroe fan, that “Candle in the Wind '' was not originally about her, and that while he did adapt the lyrics for Princess Di’s memorial, he was never particularly a royal family follower. There are a few instances where Bernie reveals his inspiration, but he includes Lou Reed’s quote, “Just because I wrote it doesn’t mean I know what it’s about.” Then he adds, “Don’t rely on me– I’m liable to make things up.”
Bernie’s life is much more than songwriting. The ‘Brown Dirt Cowboy’ has been an accomplished equestrian, a successful restaurateur, and a celebrated artist. While these areas show a great deal of diversity, there is much more detail here than necessary and could have been edited down.
Finally: I do not hold it against “Scattershot” that Mr. Taupin was responsible for writing “We Built This City.” There must be a statute of limitations on that crime. Oh, “Island Girl,” too.
“I’m just a hack writer who drinks too much and falls in love with girls.” – Holly Martins from “The Third Man” as quoted by Bernie.
I do recommend “Scattershot: Life, Music, Elton, and Me” for its entertaining reveal of a pop life we could only imagine. It rises above the average rock bio, thankfully.
Thank you to Hachette Books and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Bernie Taupin’s “Scattershot” delivers insight into one of rock music’s most visible unknowns. Known as Elton John’s lyricist, his photos were on a number of the 1970’s albums… but anything else could pretty much be fabricated with interpretation of his lyrics. The wide-eyed innocence of “Your Song” was a landmark and melded perfectly with Elton’s unforced piano work. From there… a long, extraordinary road.
I can never get enough rock biographies— until I read one. Music has been a huge part of my life, both as an entertainment and as a livelihood. Casey Kasem’s countdown shows were always a must and to this day I possess wonderfully pointless trivia neutrons lounging in vital brain cells. All that being said, worthwhile music biographies have been illusive in my pursuits. Keith Richards’s book was surprising with its profound and illuminating insights. The recent Ricki Lee Jones bio was enjoyable, and the stories Robbie Robertson told were (from his angle, at least) amazing. On the less worthwhile side, Chuck Negron’s Three Dog Night story was mostly one of a heroin tragedy. I found Donovan’s to be so self-aggrandizing I wanted to sic ‘Superman or Green Lantern’ on him. Most of the other accounts were hit or miss, pretty tepid “as told to” tales of drugs, groupies, two-year peaks and crashes.
In the Author’s Note, Bernie warns us this is not a straight-forward biography, not a strictly chronological tale. It is going to be “Scattershot,” perhaps haphazard in its form. If a scholarly document is desired, this is not the place to look. The book takes off from there. The initial, well known telling of the Elton-Bernie collaboration is covered, there are the early struggling years, and the career breakthrough Troubadour performances. Much of this was covered in Elton’s book, “Me,” and the hyper-glitzy film “Rocketman.”
“Scattershot” is not limited to Elton’s adventures with his sidekick. We do get insights into their relationship and there are passages like Elton’s suicide attempt and how that is transformed into “Someone Saved My Life Tonight,” but Bernie stresses the differences in their personalities and how they have found their own separate paths to happiness. He is not just one of the Captain Fantastic posse as he travels on tour, he claims his job is to be a witness.
“I’m a complete voyeur when it comes to my ideas. I always have been, from day one. I think if there’s anything you could put on my tombstone, it could be: HE WAS AN OBSERVER.” – Bernie in a Vanity Faire interview.
Is this a “tell all” book? It is a “tell some” with entertaining anecdotes about people like Cher, Nilsson, John Lennon, John Belushi, Bob Marley, Frank Sinatra— even encounters with Salvador Dali and author Graham Greene. He pulls no punches as he blasts Chevy Chase, John Bonham and Led Zeppelin manager Peter Grant. Fun stuff.
Songwriters are often grilled on the meaning of the lyrics. One of the big reveals is that he was never a Marilyn Monroe fan, that “Candle in the Wind '' was not originally about her, and that while he did adapt the lyrics for Princess Di’s memorial, he was never particularly a royal family follower. There are a few instances where Bernie reveals his inspiration, but he includes Lou Reed’s quote, “Just because I wrote it doesn’t mean I know what it’s about.” Then he adds, “Don’t rely on me– I’m liable to make things up.”
Bernie’s life is much more than songwriting. The ‘Brown Dirt Cowboy’ has been an accomplished equestrian, a successful restaurateur, and a celebrated artist. While these areas show a great deal of diversity, there is much more detail here than necessary and could have been edited down.
Finally: I do not hold it against “Scattershot” that Mr. Taupin was responsible for writing “We Built This City.” There must be a statute of limitations on that crime. Oh, “Island Girl,” too.
“I’m just a hack writer who drinks too much and falls in love with girls.” – Holly Martins from “The Third Man” as quoted by Bernie.
I do recommend “Scattershot: Life, Music, Elton, and Me” for its entertaining reveal of a pop life we could only imagine. It rises above the average rock bio, thankfully.
Thank you to Hachette Books and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2023
3 Stars @ 33%
I kept thinking of the words "self-indulgent" as I read this book. Loving rock biographies/memoirs and being a casual Elton John fan I thought this would be intriguing. Bernie Taupin is the lyricist for many iconic Elton John hits. Back in the 90s there was a TV special and accompanying CD called "Two Rooms" documenting how Elton John and Bernie Taupin composed songs separately; Bernie would supply Elton with lyrics and then Elton would dash off to pair them with melodies- creating sonic magic.
Bernie reminds me of Neil Peart, the late Rush drummer who wrote lyrics for all their compositions. Like Bernie, Neil was an avid reader. Neil was able to parlay this into becoming a successful writer of books such as "Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road" and "Roadshow: Landscape With Drums", but I don't forsee any such talent in Bernie Taupin's future. Bernie has a writing style that is not exactly free-flowing and easy to read. Some without an expansive vocabulary might need a dictionary to comprehend his passages. If you're reading at bedtime (as I often do) this might not pass for relaxing reading.
He meanders in a rather unstructured fashion into in-depth vignettes and stories about famous people he interacted with while travelling the world. As the "silent partner" who didn't have to perform on stage he roamed around in Paris, New York and Los Angeles, drinking in experiences that hopefully would translate into meaningful lyrics. Upon making it a third of the way into his book, I found myself frustrated and disinterested. I then consulted some reviews to check for shared experiences and found similar complaints, and people that checked out about the same time I did.
Thank you to the publisher Hachette Books for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
I kept thinking of the words "self-indulgent" as I read this book. Loving rock biographies/memoirs and being a casual Elton John fan I thought this would be intriguing. Bernie Taupin is the lyricist for many iconic Elton John hits. Back in the 90s there was a TV special and accompanying CD called "Two Rooms" documenting how Elton John and Bernie Taupin composed songs separately; Bernie would supply Elton with lyrics and then Elton would dash off to pair them with melodies- creating sonic magic.
Bernie reminds me of Neil Peart, the late Rush drummer who wrote lyrics for all their compositions. Like Bernie, Neil was an avid reader. Neil was able to parlay this into becoming a successful writer of books such as "Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road" and "Roadshow: Landscape With Drums", but I don't forsee any such talent in Bernie Taupin's future. Bernie has a writing style that is not exactly free-flowing and easy to read. Some without an expansive vocabulary might need a dictionary to comprehend his passages. If you're reading at bedtime (as I often do) this might not pass for relaxing reading.
He meanders in a rather unstructured fashion into in-depth vignettes and stories about famous people he interacted with while travelling the world. As the "silent partner" who didn't have to perform on stage he roamed around in Paris, New York and Los Angeles, drinking in experiences that hopefully would translate into meaningful lyrics. Upon making it a third of the way into his book, I found myself frustrated and disinterested. I then consulted some reviews to check for shared experiences and found similar complaints, and people that checked out about the same time I did.
Thank you to the publisher Hachette Books for providing an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
October 24, 2023
This is a well-written, entertaining, informative memoir, which is tastefully written, and has wit, humor, and several laugh out loud moments. It vividly describes Bernie Taupin's life and career, and is filled with fascinating facts, numerous celebrity encounters and interactions, and Mr. Taupin's perceptions of these individuals. I listened to the audio version of this book, and the narrator, Mr. John Lee, has a captivating voice and is truly talented. The author's note, in Mr. Taupin's own voice, is enlightening and is truly appreciated.
Note: I received an advance listener copy of this audiobook from Hachette Audio and NetGalley. I also borrowed a copy from the library while awaiting approval. I am grateful to now own a copy of this amazing audiobook.
Note: I received an advance listener copy of this audiobook from Hachette Audio and NetGalley. I also borrowed a copy from the library while awaiting approval. I am grateful to now own a copy of this amazing audiobook.
March 7, 2024
I’ve been a fan of Elton John’s music since the early ‘70s, a time in which he’d release up to three albums in a twelve month period. But it wasn’t until the release of his biographical album Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1975) that I became aware of the close collaboration between Elton, who composed the music, and Bernie, who wrote the lyrics for the songs. Whilst Elton became all glamour and glitz, as the years passed, his song writing partner steadfastly stayed in the shadows. This self-penned story of Bernie’s life therefore throws a good deal of light on a man who’s definitely isn’t the shy and retiring bloke I imagined him to be.
Brought up in the rural eastern English county of Lincolnshire, he walks us through his life in rough chronological order. That said, there are few dates here, so it’s sometimes hard to accurately follow the timeline. He didn’t enjoy school, but always loved music. Eventually he started writing down lines that might later turn into songs. His early influences included American country, R&B, improvisational jazz and even Scottish ‘runt’ Lonnie Donegan. His eventual partnership with Elton John, via an advert in the New Musical Express is, of course, well documented.
Taupin constantly refers to himself as a loner, and yet he’s been married four times, has had a lengthy string of girlfriends and lists a number of close friends, in addition to his best buddy Elton. Included in this list are American singer Alice Cooper and ex-Beatle Ringo Starr. His addictions to booze and what he refers to as the White Lady, or the powder, fuelled many late nights as he made the acquaintance of a seemingly endless stream of well-known singers, actors, artists and writers. He comes across as a wonderer, a man who struggles to settle, who is happy to dine and holiday alone, but who is forever seeking stimuli and is always excited to meet new and interesting people.
I listened to an audio version, narrated by John Lee. There were times when I though his delivery wasn’t quite suited to the material, but his jocular pub raconteur drawl definitely worked for the many hilarious anecdotes that pepper this book. In fact, I really can’t recall when I laughed so much. Like most celebrity bios I’ve come across, it drifts into a list of achievements towards the end, but on the whole this is a fine overview of the life of a gifted man who has actually led a particularly varied and interesting life. Highly recommended.
My thanks to Hachette Audio for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Brought up in the rural eastern English county of Lincolnshire, he walks us through his life in rough chronological order. That said, there are few dates here, so it’s sometimes hard to accurately follow the timeline. He didn’t enjoy school, but always loved music. Eventually he started writing down lines that might later turn into songs. His early influences included American country, R&B, improvisational jazz and even Scottish ‘runt’ Lonnie Donegan. His eventual partnership with Elton John, via an advert in the New Musical Express is, of course, well documented.
Taupin constantly refers to himself as a loner, and yet he’s been married four times, has had a lengthy string of girlfriends and lists a number of close friends, in addition to his best buddy Elton. Included in this list are American singer Alice Cooper and ex-Beatle Ringo Starr. His addictions to booze and what he refers to as the White Lady, or the powder, fuelled many late nights as he made the acquaintance of a seemingly endless stream of well-known singers, actors, artists and writers. He comes across as a wonderer, a man who struggles to settle, who is happy to dine and holiday alone, but who is forever seeking stimuli and is always excited to meet new and interesting people.
I listened to an audio version, narrated by John Lee. There were times when I though his delivery wasn’t quite suited to the material, but his jocular pub raconteur drawl definitely worked for the many hilarious anecdotes that pepper this book. In fact, I really can’t recall when I laughed so much. Like most celebrity bios I’ve come across, it drifts into a list of achievements towards the end, but on the whole this is a fine overview of the life of a gifted man who has actually led a particularly varied and interesting life. Highly recommended.
My thanks to Hachette Audio for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2024
3.5 stars
Songs should be treated not only as escapism but as thought-provoking in the same way as motion pictures or modern art. Take a ride and invest yourself in letting your ears create visuals that are your own invention. Don’t rely on me—I’m liable to make things up.
If you're looking for salacious information, you won't find it here. Although a few well-known singers like Rod Stewart and Grace Slick do deserve little reprimands. Bernie Taupin writes considerably about his passion for music, his solid relationship with Elton John and the different personalities he's encountered over the years.
He's a great storyteller and I loved finding out the true inspirations for some of his most famous songs. It is easy to tell that Bernie gets a kick out of the rumoured inspiration for some of his music. I loved finding out who was the ORIGINAL inspiration for Candle in the Wind( before it was Marilyn Monroe). Also, his John Lennon and Brian Wilson story was my #1 favourite. I am going to enjoy retelling that one.
Why 3 stars? Well, I liked it. That's a fact. But at times, I do feel like I couldn't follow the deep and thoughtful Bernie Taupin throughout all his tales. Maybe it's just me but I felt there were times I forgot what he was talking about in the first place. LOL!
Publication Date 12/09/23
Goodreads Review 24/03/24
* I had originally received an ARC through NetGalley and Hachette Books but it was archived before I could download it. My review and highlights are from a recent Kindle purchase of the published book. *
Songs should be treated not only as escapism but as thought-provoking in the same way as motion pictures or modern art. Take a ride and invest yourself in letting your ears create visuals that are your own invention. Don’t rely on me—I’m liable to make things up.
If you're looking for salacious information, you won't find it here. Although a few well-known singers like Rod Stewart and Grace Slick do deserve little reprimands. Bernie Taupin writes considerably about his passion for music, his solid relationship with Elton John and the different personalities he's encountered over the years.
He's a great storyteller and I loved finding out the true inspirations for some of his most famous songs. It is easy to tell that Bernie gets a kick out of the rumoured inspiration for some of his music. I loved finding out who was the ORIGINAL inspiration for Candle in the Wind( before it was Marilyn Monroe). Also, his John Lennon and Brian Wilson story was my #1 favourite. I am going to enjoy retelling that one.
Why 3 stars? Well, I liked it. That's a fact. But at times, I do feel like I couldn't follow the deep and thoughtful Bernie Taupin throughout all his tales. Maybe it's just me but I felt there were times I forgot what he was talking about in the first place. LOL!
Publication Date 12/09/23
Goodreads Review 24/03/24
* I had originally received an ARC through NetGalley and Hachette Books but it was archived before I could download it. My review and highlights are from a recent Kindle purchase of the published book. *
October 17, 2023
I do love a good celebrity memoir, and this is a good rock n roll story. It is not your typical autobiography, it jumps around and tells Bernie’s story, Bernie’s way.
First of all, this is not a book about Elton John. If you want that, read Me. Bernie is most famous for being Elton’s songwriting partner but there is so much more to him. In saying that, he talks about Elton, his best friend, and their connection and relationship.
But Scattershot is a mixture of stories about Bernie Taupin. About his rock and roll lifestyle. His many famous friends, how he wasn’t so much in the limelight so he could get away with more. He drank, he took drugs, he messed up relationships. His love of horses and his family, he travelled and saw so many things in the world. The songs he wrote with and for other people. I had no idea he wrote We Bukit This City that was a hit for Starship.
He is quite critical of many things, no love lost with the Royal family. He did make me laugh at times.
This is a book for music lovers. It was so interesting and a book that you just want to keep reading .
Thanks so much to Hachette Australia for this surprise bookmail, thoroughly enjoyed it.
First of all, this is not a book about Elton John. If you want that, read Me. Bernie is most famous for being Elton’s songwriting partner but there is so much more to him. In saying that, he talks about Elton, his best friend, and their connection and relationship.
But Scattershot is a mixture of stories about Bernie Taupin. About his rock and roll lifestyle. His many famous friends, how he wasn’t so much in the limelight so he could get away with more. He drank, he took drugs, he messed up relationships. His love of horses and his family, he travelled and saw so many things in the world. The songs he wrote with and for other people. I had no idea he wrote We Bukit This City that was a hit for Starship.
He is quite critical of many things, no love lost with the Royal family. He did make me laugh at times.
This is a book for music lovers. It was so interesting and a book that you just want to keep reading .
Thanks so much to Hachette Australia for this surprise bookmail, thoroughly enjoyed it.
December 9, 2023
A captivating memoir by "the one who writes the words for Elton John".
Spanning over the past fifty years Bernie Taupin takes us around the world describing his extraordinary life. We read about his many ups and downs, famous and not so famous people he spent time with and his love of the art world including writers, painters and artists in many forms.
A truly captivating read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hatchette Books for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Spanning over the past fifty years Bernie Taupin takes us around the world describing his extraordinary life. We read about his many ups and downs, famous and not so famous people he spent time with and his love of the art world including writers, painters and artists in many forms.
A truly captivating read!
Thank you to NetGalley and Hatchette Books for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
December 30, 2023
They say never meet your heroes…
A memoir is realistically, the closest I’ll ever come to meeting the man who penned many of my all-time favourite songs, legendary songwriter for Elton John, Bernie Taupin. And unfortunately, having now ‘met’ the man, well yeah, I kind of wish I hadn’t. What a disappointment!
This memoir and I just didn’t gel. It was rambly & written with language that could be read as either poetic or pretentious - take your pick. Mysteries abound and many things are alluded to but never stated outright, leaving this reader often wondering, “what are you actually saying?”
Obviously, if you want to read about Elton John, then you should read Elton’s memoir. This isn’t a book about Elton, but having such a close & successful working relationship for so many decades, I did expect far more content about him than SCATTERSHOT provides.
I think most readers picking up this book will expect to read about what Bernie is famous for - his songwriting. His decades of work surely would have provided ample fodder to explore his inspiration, favourite works, and his thoughts on the secrets to great songwriting. But again, all that remains a mystery. The writer shares that songwriting comes easily to him and that, unfortunately, is my main takeaway.
Reading Mr Taupin’s book & watching some promotional interviews he did when it launched, I’ve just been left disappointed. From his views on his past relationships & marriages, and what I perceive as a refusal to focus on the topic the masses want most - his songs, I just didn’t find him endearing at all.
Awfully disappointed by this book that’s left my hero worship of the man pretty tarnished.
I’d love to hear from readers who enjoyed the reading of this book or gained lots of insight from it - let’s chat!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
A memoir is realistically, the closest I’ll ever come to meeting the man who penned many of my all-time favourite songs, legendary songwriter for Elton John, Bernie Taupin. And unfortunately, having now ‘met’ the man, well yeah, I kind of wish I hadn’t. What a disappointment!
This memoir and I just didn’t gel. It was rambly & written with language that could be read as either poetic or pretentious - take your pick. Mysteries abound and many things are alluded to but never stated outright, leaving this reader often wondering, “what are you actually saying?”
Obviously, if you want to read about Elton John, then you should read Elton’s memoir. This isn’t a book about Elton, but having such a close & successful working relationship for so many decades, I did expect far more content about him than SCATTERSHOT provides.
I think most readers picking up this book will expect to read about what Bernie is famous for - his songwriting. His decades of work surely would have provided ample fodder to explore his inspiration, favourite works, and his thoughts on the secrets to great songwriting. But again, all that remains a mystery. The writer shares that songwriting comes easily to him and that, unfortunately, is my main takeaway.
Reading Mr Taupin’s book & watching some promotional interviews he did when it launched, I’ve just been left disappointed. From his views on his past relationships & marriages, and what I perceive as a refusal to focus on the topic the masses want most - his songs, I just didn’t find him endearing at all.
Awfully disappointed by this book that’s left my hero worship of the man pretty tarnished.
I’d love to hear from readers who enjoyed the reading of this book or gained lots of insight from it - let’s chat!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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January 2, 2024Some quick thoughts because I'm so behind on reviews after the chaotic time of year... I may even skip some reviews 😆.
This is a pretty long audiobook that I didn't feel was giving much. It seemed a bit of a brag of name dropping, i.e. just too much on the royal family, too much about celebrities met, but without much substance.
There were interesting comments about songs written, where ideas came from and I loved that aspect but was honestly hoping for a lot more of it.
I thought the narrator was good and engaging as much as can be for the content.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my audio-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is a pretty long audiobook that I didn't feel was giving much. It seemed a bit of a brag of name dropping, i.e. just too much on the royal family, too much about celebrities met, but without much substance.
There were interesting comments about songs written, where ideas came from and I loved that aspect but was honestly hoping for a lot more of it.
I thought the narrator was good and engaging as much as can be for the content.
Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my audio-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 18, 2023
Scattershot is a good title for this memoir. Some parts caught my attention, others just let my mind wander.
July 29, 2024
So I was not going to read any more rock memoirs…my appetite for debauchery had its limits, but Taupin was the songwriter so I was intrigued.
Well, he’s a far better writer…almost to a fussy degree…but there’s still the louche, the drugs, the excuses papering over what was a ridiculously splendid life of beaches, beauties, and famous folk.
This book is more a travelogue and a who’s who…so again I say I will read no more works of the oh so tortured but immensely wealthy rock denizen who always manages to find true love after countless beautiful women…oh and the fact that they’re now growing old has nothing to do with their Paul like conversion.
P.s. but there is perhaps room for a Dylan bio…since I’ve never understood his iconography.
Well, he’s a far better writer…almost to a fussy degree…but there’s still the louche, the drugs, the excuses papering over what was a ridiculously splendid life of beaches, beauties, and famous folk.
This book is more a travelogue and a who’s who…so again I say I will read no more works of the oh so tortured but immensely wealthy rock denizen who always manages to find true love after countless beautiful women…oh and the fact that they’re now growing old has nothing to do with their Paul like conversion.
P.s. but there is perhaps room for a Dylan bio…since I’ve never understood his iconography.
January 17, 2024
This is a book about Bernie and his working relationship with Elton John as well as his friendship spanning over many decades. We play alot of music in our household so I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Candle in the Wind is one of my favourite Elton John songs. I loved hearing about his experiences with Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, John Lennon , Cher and Bob Marley and Robin Williams . I loved the added surprise of finding out he is a book collector and reader.
June 11, 2023
Lou Reed said, "Just because I wrote it doesn't mean I know what it's about."
The opening paragraphs promised a very good read, however that was not to be the case. Though thoughtful and smart, Bernie failed to deliver anything of note to capture and keep my interest. It isn't enough to be a great lyricist. And just like Neil Young, it doesn't make you a good memoirist.
...I had in me a deeper desire to search for something different, a wider range of what was out there, not exactly hiding in plain sight, but evidently existing off the radar somewhere. It was my crusade, an archeological adventure, that became a lifelong quest...
And just as those words above are the likely ones to demonstrate his creative impetus, Bernie still managed to segue off to retelling his Hollywood drinking and drugging adventures with the musical and acting elite. Not impressed.
...it was Dylan, a man who has never concerned himself with losing out in order to remain contrary...
And it still is Bob Dylan doing what it is that makes a story interesting. And Bernie...I had to quit reading him for the same reasons Bernie tried to make about art and authenticity.
The opening paragraphs promised a very good read, however that was not to be the case. Though thoughtful and smart, Bernie failed to deliver anything of note to capture and keep my interest. It isn't enough to be a great lyricist. And just like Neil Young, it doesn't make you a good memoirist.
...I had in me a deeper desire to search for something different, a wider range of what was out there, not exactly hiding in plain sight, but evidently existing off the radar somewhere. It was my crusade, an archeological adventure, that became a lifelong quest...
And just as those words above are the likely ones to demonstrate his creative impetus, Bernie still managed to segue off to retelling his Hollywood drinking and drugging adventures with the musical and acting elite. Not impressed.
...it was Dylan, a man who has never concerned himself with losing out in order to remain contrary...
And it still is Bob Dylan doing what it is that makes a story interesting. And Bernie...I had to quit reading him for the same reasons Bernie tried to make about art and authenticity.
September 25, 2023
Super-disappointing. I'd been looking forward to a Taupin autobiography for years - I'd always been fascinated with the other half of the most unlikely songwriting duo in pop music history and I should have just left myself with that mystery. One of the dullest memoirs that I can remember.
September 28, 2023
I've been an Elton John/Bernie Taupin fan since the early 70's. So was really looking forward to reading this one!
Sad to say, this book was was very disappointing. Slow, boring, rambling, pretentious.
Sad to say, this book was was very disappointing. Slow, boring, rambling, pretentious.
February 7, 2025
1.5 stars ...
UGH ... that was quite a chore!😣
I have one ... precisely one ... icon.
That would be one Elton John.
So, of course, I was going to read
Bernie's side of the story!
First of all,
this has little to do with
his working relationship
or friendship with Elton.
There's a bit of that but
that's not what this is ...
fair enough.
Let me give you a more accurate
"blurb" than the one provided.
Bernie did a lot of drinking ...
which he describes in detail.
Bernie did a lot of drugs ...
which he describes in detail.
Bernie did a lot of women ...
which, fortunately, he
does not describe in detail.
I know ... shocking, right?!? 😲
OH! And he also is/was either
"friends", "good friends", or "pals"
with pretty much everyone
who was anyone since 1970.
Seriously ... the name-dropping
was hilariously ridiculous!
So ... that was fun!😆
RUN ... don't walk ...
to Elton's memoir, 'Me',
(Me) ...
I bought the hardback after
reading the Kindle version ...
but don't waste a minute
on this banality. 😣
UGH ... that was quite a chore!😣
I have one ... precisely one ... icon.
That would be one Elton John.
So, of course, I was going to read
Bernie's side of the story!
First of all,
this has little to do with
his working relationship
or friendship with Elton.
There's a bit of that but
that's not what this is ...
fair enough.
Let me give you a more accurate
"blurb" than the one provided.
Bernie did a lot of drinking ...
which he describes in detail.
Bernie did a lot of drugs ...
which he describes in detail.
Bernie did a lot of women ...
which, fortunately, he
does not describe in detail.
I know ... shocking, right?!? 😲
OH! And he also is/was either
"friends", "good friends", or "pals"
with pretty much everyone
who was anyone since 1970.
Seriously ... the name-dropping
was hilariously ridiculous!
So ... that was fun!😆
RUN ... don't walk ...
to Elton's memoir, 'Me',
(Me) ...
I bought the hardback after
reading the Kindle version ...
but don't waste a minute
on this banality. 😣
January 4, 2024
Hit and miss. His early years and working with Elton John are interesting and well told but once he moves to the USA you tire of the endless parties and celebrities, not to mention the legion of women he had brief relationships with.
By his own admission he recalls little of writing specific songs which is a shame. Worth reading for the gems but in the second half they take some searching for.
Not particularly well written and if the editor had actually edited we might be spared repetitions and ramblings.
By his own admission he recalls little of writing specific songs which is a shame. Worth reading for the gems but in the second half they take some searching for.
Not particularly well written and if the editor had actually edited we might be spared repetitions and ramblings.
September 30, 2024
Je vois beaucoup de commentaires sur le "name dropping"... Vous vouliez qu'il fasse quoi, parler des oiseaux dans sa cour?! Le mec a voyagé partout dans le monde avec l'une des plus grandes stars de la planète, c'est sûr qu'il aura des histoires à déballer avec les plus grandes et grands de ce monde. Perso, je l'ai trouvé très groundé et honnête envers lui-même et les autres, surtout en ce qui concerne les qualités et les défauts. Plein de petites anecdotes hilarantes parsèment le livre, c'est plaisant. Bref, pas aussi engageant que "Me" de Elton, mais une fenêtre qui s'ouvre dans la vie d'une personne qui aura marqué mon éducation artistique au tournant des années 2010.
October 5, 2023
What I enjoy most of some autobiographies is the honesty of them: what lies beneath the presumed glitter and gold. As a child of the 70s, Elton John's music was omnipresent - well, for me, music was always present and still is.
What I liked best was not the breakdown or the behind the scenes of the lyrics, but the stories that inspired; the adventures, the travels, the sights, the sounds, and everything thing in between.
There is a certain bravery in telling the truth, the whole truth, and even those embarrassing truths: it provides an element of humanity that the people we revere are not that much different than the rest of us, but with a lot more talent in their respective fields. They suffer, laugh, cry, and slog through this world like the rest of us - and that is where the humanity exists.
As with any book by anyone involved with music, you have to read them with a notebook handy to jot down and then go discover the music and literature that inspired them - the real pearls of these books.
I highly recommend this to anyone that is ready to climb aboard the tour bus going round the globe and see it through the eyes of a real artist - in word and in physical medium.
What I liked best was not the breakdown or the behind the scenes of the lyrics, but the stories that inspired; the adventures, the travels, the sights, the sounds, and everything thing in between.
There is a certain bravery in telling the truth, the whole truth, and even those embarrassing truths: it provides an element of humanity that the people we revere are not that much different than the rest of us, but with a lot more talent in their respective fields. They suffer, laugh, cry, and slog through this world like the rest of us - and that is where the humanity exists.
As with any book by anyone involved with music, you have to read them with a notebook handy to jot down and then go discover the music and literature that inspired them - the real pearls of these books.
I highly recommend this to anyone that is ready to climb aboard the tour bus going round the globe and see it through the eyes of a real artist - in word and in physical medium.
October 14, 2023
The many celebrities shamelessly name-dropped in this book might find this worth a cursory browse. For others it's a dull read.
February 10, 2025
It’s not often that I abandon a book, but I strongly suspect that this will be one of them. Sorry, Bernie. You’re an amazing lyricist and you’ve no doubt led an amazing life, but this story is written in a ponderously cumbersome literary style. The language used comes across as highbrow rodomontade and it, along with the actual content, appears pompous, narcissistic and, at times, somewhat arrogant. It’s certainly a non-conventional writing style. Anyone speaking that way at any sort of social gathering (which is daily for Bernie) would quickly find themselves standing alone in the crowd.
We all know that he lives and travels among the elite of the entertainment community, but he tells his anecdotes in the fashion of a “wanna be” who seeks approval through name dropping and association. Then again, he won’t be winning any friends with the critical and unforgiving stories he tells about those around him, from girls he dated, to his contemporaries, and right up to the royal family.
The book’s opening talks about poor memory and inability to focus on detail, yet the ensuing chapters are nothing BUT very detailed memories with amazing clarity of recall… of women, drunken binges, celebrities, who ate what, who drank what, who wore what, etc. Amazingly detailed for someone who claims to lack memory and detail.
In one example of his self-importance and name dropping, Bernie felt compelled to mention how he, sitting in a bar with Loudon Wainwright and Kate McGarrigle, was in on the naming of their soon-to-arrive son, Rufus. Despite his declarations of having a poor memory, he goes into tremendous detail about a night of debauchery in Barbados where he lost his car keys and consequently could not drive himself home which, of course, he shouldn’t have considered doing anyway.
I don’t know. There just seems to be a lot of “look at me” going on here, which, along with the writing style, makes for a tedious read.
Maybe I’ll be back, maybe not.
We all know that he lives and travels among the elite of the entertainment community, but he tells his anecdotes in the fashion of a “wanna be” who seeks approval through name dropping and association. Then again, he won’t be winning any friends with the critical and unforgiving stories he tells about those around him, from girls he dated, to his contemporaries, and right up to the royal family.
The book’s opening talks about poor memory and inability to focus on detail, yet the ensuing chapters are nothing BUT very detailed memories with amazing clarity of recall… of women, drunken binges, celebrities, who ate what, who drank what, who wore what, etc. Amazingly detailed for someone who claims to lack memory and detail.
In one example of his self-importance and name dropping, Bernie felt compelled to mention how he, sitting in a bar with Loudon Wainwright and Kate McGarrigle, was in on the naming of their soon-to-arrive son, Rufus. Despite his declarations of having a poor memory, he goes into tremendous detail about a night of debauchery in Barbados where he lost his car keys and consequently could not drive himself home which, of course, he shouldn’t have considered doing anyway.
I don’t know. There just seems to be a lot of “look at me” going on here, which, along with the writing style, makes for a tedious read.
Maybe I’ll be back, maybe not.
April 27, 2024
A real struggle and disappointment for me, as someone that loves the musical result of the Elton and Bernie combo. Perhaps I should’ve expected that a person known for their words would use all the biggest words they possibly could in their autobiography, at the expense of the narrative. Dude, we get it, you’re well-read and know multisyllabic words. Why use a simple description when you can use an esoteric one?
This book took me ages to read as it literally put me to sleep some nights, and I subconsciously found other things to do than read. I even skim read the last 100 pages which is very unlike me.
I also found some of his descriptions of some women he dated or hung around with quite demeaning at times, not overly complimentary, which definitely tainted my view of him.
My favourite parts were definitely when he explained how and why songs came together. I guess it’s on me for hoping that there would be more of that.
This book took me ages to read as it literally put me to sleep some nights, and I subconsciously found other things to do than read. I even skim read the last 100 pages which is very unlike me.
I also found some of his descriptions of some women he dated or hung around with quite demeaning at times, not overly complimentary, which definitely tainted my view of him.
My favourite parts were definitely when he explained how and why songs came together. I guess it’s on me for hoping that there would be more of that.
September 17, 2023
Bernie Taupin's biography is compelling, honest, and hard to put down. Although his is a private person, takes us on his journey of childhood through his life as we learn the man behind the brilliant lyrics. His details and descriptions of his extraordinary life and partnership with Elton John make this an excellent, well-done memoir. As always, I love memoirs and hearing the stories behind the songs. This is especially true for this book, as I was a teenager in the 1970s, and the songs from the musical collaboration of Bernie Taupin and Elton John were part of that era for me. They have remained with me through the present. Hearing these songs performed live by Elton John in Nashville, Tennessee in 2019 is a memory that will last forever.
Thank you to Hachette Books and Net Galley for an advance reader's copy. My thoughts are my own.
Thank you to Hachette Books and Net Galley for an advance reader's copy. My thoughts are my own.
November 30, 2023
Lackluster and disorganized memoir still has some good stories in it, as you'd imagine from the pen of Elton John's excellent lyric writer. Determined to be his own man, apparently, Taupin only occasionally touches on Elton. This book is mostly about his thoughts on cities like New York, Paris and Sydney, literature, his art, a number of his girlfriends, who are invariably described as "petite," his life as a rodeo person and uh, the drugs, which are sometimes taken with people like Ringo, Alice Cooper (a best friend, along with Elton) and others. He likes writers like Graham Greene and Oscar Wilde, and the language in this book is sort of like them but not as good....i.e. it is overly mannered. In the end, I get very little sense of Bernie Taupin the person. Certainly, this book is not in a league with Elton's own book, ME, which is a truly terrific memoir.
Want to read
August 11, 2023Thank you publisher and author for the opportunity to read a free copy of this book for review. I apologize but I could not delve deeply into his tale. May be my fault? I thought it would be more detailed and may I say exciting around very events, but I think what I did was overlay aspects of others’ stories on his. And that was not fair to him and his book. Maybe one day I will pick this up again when I might do a music unit challenge focus, but I just have way too many other books to read right now.
September 13, 2023
I’m going to be so honest, this book wasn’t for me. When it comes to a memoir, I need to feel some connection to the person before I want to go and read it. Unfortunately, I had no connection to Taupin and that definitely impacted how I read the book. If you would like to learn the backstory of the person who wrote some very well known Elton John’s songs and enjoy a non-linear approach to reading, this one is for you.
As this wasn’t for me, I can’t give a solid review as I was not engaged at all.
Thank you @hachetteaus for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
As this wasn’t for me, I can’t give a solid review as I was not engaged at all.
Thank you @hachetteaus for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2023
Format Read: Ebook from NetGalley (releases 9/12/23)
Review: I wanted to love this and think I would have preferred it on audio. It was so long and so drawn out and detailed that my mind drifted often. The lyrics Bernie Taupin wrote are more for me.
Recommended For: Elton John fans will enjoy this.
Review: I wanted to love this and think I would have preferred it on audio. It was so long and so drawn out and detailed that my mind drifted often. The lyrics Bernie Taupin wrote are more for me.
Recommended For: Elton John fans will enjoy this.
June 1, 2023
One of the best written memoirs that I've read. Review to come.
*I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
*I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
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