Little Big Town Blast Off Harmoniously on ‘Rocket Man’

LBT's rendition of "Rocket Man" will be featured as a part of the Restoration disc on the Elton John cover set.

Written by Kelly Brickey
Little Big Town Blast Off Harmoniously on ‘Rocket Man’
NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 30: (L-R) Recording artists Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Schlapman, Karen Fairchild, and Phillip Sweet of Little Big Town perform onstage during 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards - I'm Still Standing: A GRAMMY Salute To Elton John at the Theater at Madison Square Garden on January 29, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for NARAS)

Little Big Town shot for the stars and landed out in the bright atmospheric lights with their cover of Sir Elton John’s “Rocket Man.”

Beginning the tune in an ominous manner complete with subtle radio static leading into the vocal performance, Jimi Westbrook leads the four-person choir along the subject’s journey in space from the opening verse. As the classic drum beat kicks in, so does the rest of LBT with the celestial harmonies of Kimberly Schlapman and Karen Fairchild ringing beautifully to Phillip Sweet’s register behind Westbrook.

“Rocket Man” continues to lift off chorus by chorus, soaring to new heights for the country group. Although their cover practically mirrors that of John’s original recording, they revive the hit with a touch of their low-key twang as well as crisp and clear vocals throughout the entire production.

The official version of “Rocket Man” isn’t the first time that the four have sang out the 1972 hit; in fact, they’ve been known to cover it live in their on-stage performances recently to fans’ great delight.

The quartet is also one of the many artists among all music platforms to contribute a voice to the Elton John: I’m Still Standing—A GRAMMY Salute special airing on April 10 on CBS. Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert, Kesha, Ed Sheeran and many more will sing the hits from the British legend in honor of his sensational career.

Little Big Town’s rendition of “Rocket Man” will be featured on the Restoration disc of the Elton John cover series, which arrives on Friday, April 6.