Elton John · 1983
It's 1983 and Elton John is supposed to be finished.
'I'm Still Standing' is exactly what the title says — a survival anthem.
The track reached #4 in the UK, #12 on Billboard. 275 million YouTube views and still climbing.
Shot on the French Riviera in Nice, directed by Russell Mulcahy.
The famous scene at 0:48 — Elton surrounded by body-painted dancers — became an iconic MTV image.
F major at 89 BPM. A midtempo that feels faster than it is.
The production marked Elton's pivot from 70s piano-rock to 80s synth-pop.
'Don't you know I'm still standing better than I ever did.' No metaphor. Just a declaration.
The lyrics function as a public letter — to critics, ex-lovers, and Elton himself.
F major is a moderately common key — used by about 9% of Billboard hits.