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Pop singer-songwriter Logan Henderson changes course for a ballad rendition of Elton John’s space opera classic “Rocket Man” to mark the release of the titular biopic tomorrow (May 31).

The “Sleepwalker” singer took a stripped-down approach to the song with a simple guitar and piano arrangement, allowing his vocals and the song’s timeless words to shine through. Henderson follows a lineage of young artists who garnered fame and acclaim early in their careers, and he recalls a story that gives his performance an even deeper, personal touch.

“I met Elton for the first time at his Oscar party a few years ago and had the chance to talk to him and tell him how much he and his music meant to me,” Henderson tells Billboard. “He was so gracious and grabbed me by the face and hugged me and told me how much it meant to him.”

He continues, “Elton has always been a major influence and inspiration for me. It’s an absolute honor and privilege to be able to cover one of my all-time favorite songs. From the cover art to the recording, I only want to be true in honoring a legend.”

Henderson’s take precedes the arrival of Rocketman, the career-spanning biopic for the seminal English performer. The retrospective gives a chance to reflect on the influence of John and those he inspired in the music industry. Henderson was similarly touched to share a sentiment from his idol that has become a fixture of his creative process.

"I like to spend most of my time in the studio making music. It’s where I'm most comfortable,” he says. “I recently heard Elton say that, as artists, one of the greatest gifts we can give is performing live. These words really resonated with me and changed the way I think about making music as a whole."