Watch Joni Mitchell cover Elton John’s 1983 hit ‘I’m Still Standing’

Jack Hobbs
·4 min read
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Folk singer Joni Mitchell honored Elton John and Bernie Taupin with a jazzy rendition of their 1983 hit “I’m Still Standing” at the Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize ceremony on Monday.

Mitchell, 80, was introduced at last month’s ceremony — which later aired on PBS — by Brandi Carlile.

Folk singer Joni Mitchell (second from right) left viewers speechless on Monday when the iconic singer took the stage at the Gershwin Prize ceremony to honor Elton John and Bernie Taupin with a jazzy rendition of their 1983 hit “I’m Still Standing.” Taylor Hill/WireImage
Folk singer Joni Mitchell (second from right) left viewers speechless on Monday when the iconic singer took the stage at the Gershwin Prize ceremony to honor Elton John and Bernie Taupin with a jazzy rendition of their 1983 hit “I’m Still Standing.” Taylor Hill/WireImage
After the introduction, the Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee took the stage wearing a crimson velvet dress and matching beret and managed to stand throughout the entire performance with the assistance of a cane. Taylor Hill/WireImage
After the introduction, the Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee took the stage wearing a crimson velvet dress and matching beret and managed to stand throughout the entire performance with the assistance of a cane. Taylor Hill/WireImage

“She was given the green light by Elton and Bernie to change some of the lyrics to fit her, which is honestly the most Joni Mitchell thing I think I’ve ever heard of,” Carlile, 42, joked, prompting the audience to laugh.

After the introduction, the Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee took the stage wearing a crimson velvet dress and matching beret.

The singer also rocked a pair of dark sunglasses and a pink embroidered jacket.

During the performance, which took place at Washington, DC’s DAR Constitution Hall, both John, 77, and his longtime collaborator Taupin, 73, were seen smiling and waving their hands in the air.

Mitchell, 80, was introduced at last month’s ceremony — which was shown on PBS Monday — by Brandi Carlile who told the audience the hit meant a lot to the “Both Sides Now” singer. Taylor Hill/WireImage
Mitchell, 80, was introduced at last month’s ceremony — which was shown on PBS Monday — by Brandi Carlile who told the audience the hit meant a lot to the “Both Sides Now” singer. Taylor Hill/WireImage
“So much so that she was given the green light by Elton and Bernie to change some of the lyrics to fit her, which is honestly the most Joni Mitchell thing I think I’ve ever heard of,” Carlile joked. Taylor Hill/WireImage
“So much so that she was given the green light by Elton and Bernie to change some of the lyrics to fit her, which is honestly the most Joni Mitchell thing I think I’ve ever heard of,” Carlile joked. Taylor Hill/WireImage

The “Tiny Dancer” singer achieved EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) status this year after winning an Emmy Award for Best Variety Special for his Disney+ show “Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium.“

Several social media users also went wild over the performance.

“I never realized I needed a Joni Mitchell cover of I’m Still Standing until now. How wonderful in so many ways,” one person wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

During the performance, which took place at Washington, DC’s DAR Constitution Hall, both John, 77, and his longtime collaborator Taupin, 73, were seen smiling and waving their hands in the air. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
During the performance, which took place at Washington, DC’s DAR Constitution Hall, both John, 77, and his longtime collaborator Taupin, 73, were seen smiling and waving their hands in the air. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

“It was so great to see you STANDING and doing a fabulous job on this song. You’re the greatest @JoniMitchell,” a second person stated.

“Joni Mitchell’s performance is unbelievable,” a third fan said.

This was not the first time that the “Big Yellow Taxi” songstress has performed live this year.

The award for the duo comes after the “Tiny Dancer” singer (right) achieved EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) status this year after winning an Emmy Award for Best Variety Special for his Disney+ show “Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium.” Taylor Hill/WireImage
The award for the duo comes after the “Tiny Dancer” singer (right) achieved EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) status this year after winning an Emmy Award for Best Variety Special for his Disney+ show “Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium.” Taylor Hill/WireImage

Mitchell made her first-ever Grammys appearance at the 2024 ceremony, where she performed a moving rendition of her 1969 song “Both Sides Now.”

The performance came 56 years after her debut album, “Song to a Seagull.”

Despite winning nine of the coveted gramophones, Mitchell has never received an award for one of the Big 4 categories (Best Album, New Artist, Record and Song of the Year).

Mitchell, who was accompanied once again by Carlile, sang at the Grammys while seated in a gold and white-winged armchair.

Mitchell previously suffered a brain aneurysm in 2015 and had to relearn how to play the guitar.

“I’m learning. I’m looking at videos on the net to see where to put my fingers,” Mitchell explained to “CBS Mornings” in 2022. “It’s amazing what an aneurysm knocks out — how to get out of a chair. You don’t know how to get out of bed. You have to learn all these things by rote again.”