Chris Stapleton Revives Elton John’s Grammy-Nominated Song ‘I Want Love’

(Left) Denise Truscello / Contributor / Getty Images/(Right) Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff / Getty Images

As Elton John geared up to kick off his three-year farewell tour, artists of all genres came together to celebrate his career. It was announced in 2018 that a duo of albums, titled Revamp and Restoration, were being released with covers of John’s iconic songs.

The Restoration album is labeled as a “Nashville Edition” of John’s works. Each song on the album is performed by someone from the country music community, including names such as Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Vince Gill.

Another artist featured on the album is Chris Stapleton. To offer listeners a small taste of the album, Stapleton’s cover was the first track released to the public.

Stapleton was given the honor of covering John’s Grammy-nominated song “I Want Love.” Included on John’s album Songs from the West Coast, the song reached the sixth spot on the Adult Contemporary chart in the U.S.

John’s original recording was done in his distinct style, with plenty of piano. While Stapleton took the song and gave it a country makeover, he kept elements of John’s original style in there. 

If you’re looking to hear Stapleton’s belting vocals like you hear in “Sometimes I Cry,” you won’t get that type of sound in “I Want Love.” Instead, the song allows Stapleton to showcase his voice in a more subdued, softer state.

But that doesn’t mean that his performance wasn’t powerful. If anything, his cover further proves his talent as a singer, showing that he can sing with just as much passion in a softer song as he can when he’s belting out long, mournful notes.

After reading all of that, we’re sure you’re anxious to hear Stapleton’s spin on “I Want Love.” Go ahead and give it a listen in the clip below.

Now that you’ve heard this cover, are there any other Elton John songs you’d like to hear Stapleton sing? We could think of a whole bunch!