Let’s pivot slightly from Duran Duran for a moment to delve into one of the most jubilant, visually stunning, and iconic music videos of the 1980s: Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing,” released in 1983. This video is not just a visual treat; it’s a testament to resilience and the flamboyant spirit of the era.
Directed by Russell Mulcahy, the mastermind behind many iconic 80s music videos, including Duran Duran’s “Rio,” “I’m Still Standing” shares a similar stylistic DNA. Think vibrant colors, pop-art inspired imagery, and a loose, narrative-light approach. Much like “Rio,” the video prioritizes visual spectacle and energy over a complex storyline.
Sir Elton, radiating charisma and style, cruises along the picturesque French Riviera in a convertible, belting out the anthemic lyrics. Throughout the video, he showcases a dazzling array of wardrobe changes and an enviable collection of sunglasses. This extravagance is quintessential Elton – a man known for traveling with both a formal and a casual tiara. In the spirit of Elton, one might be tempted to don a tiara and perhaps even sip champagne while exploring this masterpiece of a music video.
Elton John iconic sunglasses in Still Standing music video
Elton arrives at the luxurious Carlton Hotel in Cannes, where he’s greeted by an entourage of dancing, shirtless bellboys and a troupe of dancers adorned in body paint. Cannes and the Carlton Hotel become the stage for this visual feast. One might hope that a visit to the Carlton today would include bellboys with a similar flair, though perhaps with slightly more conventional attire.
Elton John arrives at Carlton Hotel Cannes in Still Standing video
At the hotel entrance, Elton encounters a particularly memorable bellboy, played by none other than Bruno Tonioli, now famous as a judge on Dancing with the Stars. Elton tips him with gold dust, adding to the video’s surreal and opulent atmosphere. Tonioli’s role, as he described to The Sun, was to embody the “campest hotel bellboy,” complete with a cap, Y-fronts, and a studded belt, focusing on energetic and suggestive dance moves.
Bruno Tonioli as flamboyant bellboy in Elton John's Still Standing
Russell Mulcahy himself affectionately described the “I’m Still Standing” video as “super, super gay” in I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution. This description captures the video’s exuberant and liberated spirit, a celebration of freedom and self-expression that resonates throughout.
Body painted dancers in Elton John Still Standing music video
However, the video’s appeal isn’t limited to any single audience. It playfully incorporates heterosexual themes as well, featuring scenes of beachgoers engaging in synchronized, humorous movements on the sand, broadening its playful exploration of human interaction and joy.
Synchronized beach dancers in Elton John I'm Still Standing video
Adding to the video’s slightly cheeky and of-its-time nature, there’s a moment where Elton playfully interacts with a woman on the beach. This scene reflects the cultural context of 1983, when Elton publicly identified as bisexual, before later coming out as gay.
Elton John playful beach scene in Still Standing music video
The visual similarities to Duran Duran’s “Rio” are undeniable, particularly in shots featuring Tonioli that could easily be transposed into the “Rio” video without feeling out of place. This visual echo highlights Mulcahy’s signature style and his impact on the aesthetic of 80s music videos.
Director Russell Mulcahy's style in Elton John Still Standing video
Imagine if Bruno Tonioli and his studded underwear had made a cameo in “Rio”—would it have elevated an already iconic video even further? It’s a fun thought experiment, highlighting the similar energy and visual language of both videos.
Visual comparison to Duran Duran's Rio music video style
David Buckley’s biography, Elton: The Biography, recounts a memorable encounter between Elton and Duran Duran in Cannes during the video shoot. A few martinis led to legendary 80s chaos. Marcelo Anciano, Mulcahy’s assistant director, described Simon Le Bon getting Elton “absolutely pissed,” resulting in Elton returning to set and performing impromptu stripteases, demanding the cameras keep rolling while changing into increasingly outlandish costumes.
Elton’s own recollection of the event is equally colorful: waking up with cuts and bruises, a destroyed hotel room, and a hazy memory of the video shoot, humorously blaming Duran Duran for the mayhem. He admitted, “I can’t really remember the rest of the video,” underscoring the wild, spontaneous nature of the production.
Mulcahy, in Music Video Exposed, aptly described working with Elton as “more of an event,” capturing the larger-than-life personality that permeates every frame of “I’m Still Standing.”
Dancing beach scene in Elton John Still Standing music video featuring Bruno Tonioli
In a surprising twist, the iconic video we know was almost entirely improvised. Bruno Tonioli revealed that Mulcahy’s original plan involved “cars crashing through windows,” a far cry from the beachside exuberance of the final product. However, when an expensive camera was lost in the Cannes pier, filming was halted. Upon resuming, Mulcahy scrapped his initial concept and spontaneously created the video we celebrate today.
Elton John playing piano in Still Standing music video impromptu shoot
“I’m Still Standing” became a hit, reaching number twelve on the Billboard chart and solidifying its place as a timeless anthem of resilience and one of Elton John’s most beloved songs. Its music video, a happy accident of improvisation and 80s excess, remains a vibrant and joyous celebration of standing strong, “looking like a true survivor, feeling like a little kid.”
