Elton John is the star of the latest Christmas commercial sweeping the internet, tugging at heart strings and delivering all the Christmas magic.
The commercial, an ad for the UK department store chain John Lewis & Partners, launched on YouTube less than a week ago and already has nearly 9 million views.
In 2 minutes and 20 seconds, the short film rewinds the star’s life from present day to early childhood. A series of actors play the younger versions of Elton John as he performs “Your Song” through the various stages of his career.
The commercial ends with a young Elton John receiving his first piano for Christmas, and finally the phrase “Some gifts are more than just a gift.”
Watch the ad in the player below.
It’s unclear if Elton John did in fact receive a piano as a gift as a child. In a statement on his website, John writes “The John Lewis Christmas campaign has so many warm memories for me and my family. It’s been a lovely opportunity for me to reflect on my life in music and the incredible journey I have been on, and how first playing my Grandmother’s piano marks the moment when music came into my life. The ad is absolutely fantastic and I’ve truly loved every minute of being a part of it.”
“Your Song” was released in 1970 and peaked at #8 on the Billboard chart. In 1998, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. It has been covered by various artists including Ellie Goulding and Lady Gaga.
