Ellie Goulding Covers Elton John's "Your Song"

After a rise to fame last year following her hit single "Starry Eyed" it's been a quick game of catch up for British artist Ellie Goulding. The 23 year-old is repackaging her critically acclaimed debut album "Lights" and gone with a cover of the 1970 Elton John's classic "Your Song" as the lead single from her upcoming re-release album "Bright Lights," in stores on November 29. The new tune is already on iTunes, and is set for huge exposure across Britain as it's been scooped up and tipped as a contender for the Christmas No.1 for the popular John Lewis' Christmas TV advert, which explains why Goulding switched her "Bright Lights" first single from "Lights" and "Human" to "Your Song" so suddenly.
"Your Song" was produced by Ben Lovett of Mumford & Sons and was also remixed very well by Ewan McGregor for the 2001 romantic musical film "Moulin Rouge!" Goulding's "Your Song" smartly eschews any bold (and potentially disastrous) stabs at modern re-invention and keeps things simple, the backing arrangement's striking wintry ambiance at the perfect distance to frame and highlight Goulding's thin wisp of a voice. And if Goulding's vocals have never blown you away in the past, they definitely will here, the fragile edges to her soft warble coating these familiar lyrics with the just the right touch of vulnerability and innocence to make you fall in love with the song's tender message all over again.
The video for "Your Song" has a real homely feel to it, and seems to show a real personal side to her, almost as if expressing how she's still human and normal since having been rocketed into fame. None of the passion is lost with her much gentler vocals, a really nice cover in all. I have to say it's beautiful rendition, with a simple but effective video. It's good to hear too Goulding's more vulnerable and organic side, in comparison to her electro-pop alter-ego in songs like "Starry Eyed", where her voice is super distorted. Still, "Your Song" is risky choice to put out as a single. As much as I enjoy her cover, I'm not convinced it's going to be a hit in the UK. I like it muchly and her voice is up to par. I doubt radios give it lots of spins.
Goulding is about to gift us all again with a new re-release of successful debut and she is hoping all of us will gobble up this holiday season. On the revamped version she is not only including six new songs, but is also trying her damndest to pull at the heart stings of us pop culture loving fools. Goulding has been working hard this year resulting in getting a lot of attentions and getting on a lot of persons radar in 2010 and I guess that things payed off. "Your Song" takes on a more whimsical and somewhat lonely nature, a new sound from the other aforementioned tracks, and one that works ridiculously well for Goulding.