Scattershot

Life, Music, Elton, and Me

De: Bernie Taupin

Narrado por: John Lee, Bernie Taupin

In this New York Times bestseller, experience the 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.

To Know Your Hero or Not

I enjoyed the read. John Lee is the absolute best narrator ever! His narration always feels like I am home by the fireplace with a comfortable friend. This time he told the story of a famous rock and roll legend. A persona I have admired for decades, but not actually known. The man who wrote the lyrics to songs in the background of my life. It's been said that one should never meet one's hero. I am not sure what I was expecting but knowing the truth as written by Bernie left me a bit sad. It is certainly a fascinating story. I appreciate his candid approach. The story does give hope for love and happiness after a life of excess and trials. It's about becoming a better man.
As for the actual writing, may I suggest a dictionary? Bernie's expert level of word-smithing is above my pay grade. I enjoyed the "secrets" revealed in the book. Also, his lively and candid description of his life and interaction with Elton and others. I congratulate him on his early acceptance and inclusive attitude. And to that end, I am glad I "met my hero."

The Eclectic Stories of a Life Well Lived So Far

Most of us know Bernie as Elton Johns friend and song writer but there are such opportunities in this book to get to know him as an individual. This listen has been such a treat and having come to the end of it I wish there were more.

A way with words!

I had to slow the pace of his speech down to much slower, so I could catch every interestingly, phrased sentence, he was saying.
He has quite a way with words, just like his lyrics. Fun stories told in a fun way. And.. all with a British accent!
A fun listen!

A Kaleidoscopic life!

Every turn in this book was an adventure to behold. I truly enjoyed hearing how so many of these experiences molded Bernie into who he is today! Thank you for sharing your story with us!

Lost Opportunity

BT needed to tell this story in his voice. It’s almost an insult to hear this through a Bill Nighy’s exaggerated Love Actually character voice. The narrator might be better fit to some adventurous tale or mystery. Feels like the publisher or BT didn’t really care about this listening experience.