Elton John, Diana Krall & Elvis Costello Turn “Makin’ Whoopee!” into a Night to Remember
On a cool evening in 2009, under the warm lights of Spectacle: Elvis Costello with…, three of music’s most beloved voices—Elton John, Diana Krall, and Elvis Costello—came together for a rendition of “Makin’ Whoopee!” that felt impossibly intimate yet grand. It was one of those moments where time seems to fold in on itself—heartbeats slow, breaths catch, and the song becomes more than just notes and lyrics.
Elton John, in his signature flair, brought playful elegance to the stage. His piano opened the song with that familiar line, coaxing the audience into a flirtatious dance of anticipation. Then Diana Krall’s voice entered—smooth, smoky, sultry. Her jazz sensibility lent the tune a languid sway, as if she were telling secrets under jazz club dim-lighting. And when Elvis Costello stepped in, it wasn’t just as a guest: his presence shifted the texture of the performance. His vocal inflections, that slightly rough edge tempered by years of lyrical mastery, merged with Krall and Elton to create harmony layered not only in tone, but in emotion.
“Makin’ Whoopee!” is not a new song, and it’s certainly not untouched by covers. But in their hands, it became somehow fresh, meaningful, a reminder of why classics endure. There were playful asides, wink-and-nods to the audience, but also moments of vulnerability—when Diana Krall allowed the notes to linger, or when Costello’s voice trembled just a little before recovering, as though acknowledging the fragility beneath the swagger. Elton, ever the showman, held it all together, grounding the performance in both confidence and tenderness.
After the last piano flourish, the applause was immediate and sustained. More than praise for virtuosity, it was recognition: that they had all shared something rare. Fans online and those lucky enough to watch live later spoke of chills, of goosebumps, of wishing to rewind just one more time. Even listeners who knew the song by heart said this version made them hear it anew.
It’s moments like this that remind us: music isn’t always about showing off. Sometimes it’s about stepping back, letting voices converse, letting imperfections add beauty. In “Makin’ Whoopee!”—with Elton John’s sparkle, Diana Krall’s jazz soul, and Elvis Costello’s poetic edge—there was a gathering of three artists who didn’t just perform a song, they invited us in, to feel a little more alive.