Elton John and Brandi Carlile bring ‘Who Believes in Angels’ to SNL

Elton John made a remarkable return to the Saturday Night Live (SNL) stage after a gap of over a decade, marking a significant comeback amid personal health challenges. The April 5, 2025 episode featured John and his collaborator Brandi Carlile as the musical guests, while comedic icon Jack Black hosted the show. Their performance was a celebration of their new album titled Who Believes in Angels? which had just been released a day prior. The album includes notable tracks such as “Little Richard's Bible” and the titular song “Who Believes in Angels?”, both of which John and Carlile performed during the show, captivating the audience with their unique blend of musical talents.

This SNL appearance is particularly noteworthy for John, who last graced the show's stage in 2011 performing as both host and musical guest, with his debut performance on the show dating all the way back to 1982. For Carlile, this was her third SNL stint, having previously appeared in 2021 and 2022. The performance was set against a visually striking starry, neon-lit backdrop with their names prominently displayed, adding an engaging visual element to the evening's musical showcase.

In addition to their SNL performance, the release of Who Believes in Angels? comes during a period when John is navigating a challenging personal health journey. John has been open about his struggles with vision loss due to an eye infection, which has significantly impacted his life and interactions with his family. Despite these challenges, Elton John remains an iconic figure in the music world, demonstrating resilience and perseverance through this collaboration with Carlile. The album itself was crafted alongside long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin and producer Andrew Watt, resulting in a collection of ten vibrant tracks, written in an intensive 20-day creative session. This process, as John described, was one of the most exhilarating in his career, filled with both challenges and the joy of artistic creation.

Fans and fellow artists have lauded John's triumphant return to SNL, highlighting the remarkable nature of his performance given his ongoing health issues. Viewers reacted positively, expressing admiration for his ability to still “rock those keys” at the age of 78, despite his vision impairment. Social media was abuzz with praise, as fans took to platforms like X to share their excitement and support for the legendary performer.

Elton John's collaboration with Brandi Carlile is a testament to their longstanding friendship, which began in 2009 when Carlile reached out to John to collaborate on a track from her album Give Up the Ghost. This partnership has grown over the years, culminating in the creation of Who Believes in Angels? The album and its accompanying performances illustrate a shared artistic vision, filled with energy, humor, and poignant lyricism. John acknowledges that working with Carlile has been essential, refreshing his music career at a time when he felt burnt out from his previous solo efforts.