Elton John jokes about ‘giving up’ after hearing Aussie teen singer songwriter Ruel

Sir Elton John has flipped over teen Aussie singer-songwriter Ruel, declaring: “It’s astonishing someone so young can write something so good. I give up.” Listen to Ruel now.

Producer M-Phazes and singer-songwriter Ruel.

SIR Elton John has started championing an Australian teenage singer and says the rising star makes him feel like quitting music.

Sir Elton played Don’t Tell Me by Sydney schoolboy Ruel on his Beats 1 radio show this week.

“From Australia, this is a 14 year old boy ... with an amazing track,” Sir Elton said. “It’s astonishing someone so young can write something so good. I give up.”

After the song faded, the Rocket Man gushed: “Amazing record. Wow. All I can say about that is, we’ll be playing more of him, I hope.”

Ruel’s manager, Nate Flagrant, said: “We were pretty amazed. It was a complete shock. The first song Ruel ever learned was (Sir Elton’s 1973 hit) Crocodile Rock.”

Since his debut single, Golden Years, released in April, and new track Don’t Tell Me, Ruel, a Year 8 student, has done record label meetings in the UK, US and Europe.

He also attended a dinner party in New York hosted by Grammy-winning producer Malay (Frank Ocean, Zayn). Added Flagrant: “Eight people, and Malay cooked a five course meal.”

Ruel was discovered by LA-based Australian producer M Phazes two years ago.

“I was captivated from the first listen,” Phazes said. “He’s a pure talent. We’ve been developing him, pairing him with people we trust, and grooming him for the spotlight.”

Listen to Don’t Tell Me