Hear ‘Watching the Planes Go By,’ One of the Earliest Elton John + Bernie Taupin Songs (‘Jewel Box’ Out 11/13)

“Watching the Planes Go By” is one of the earliest known musical collaborations between Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Recorded on Feb. 6, 1968, the song has been unearthed and shared on Friday as a preview of the new Jewel Box collection, which will be released on Nov. 13 in a variety of formats:

8-CD Super Deluxe (Click here to pre-order from our Rock Cellar Store)
2-LP And This Is Me (Click here to pre-order from our Rock Cellar Store)
3-LP B-Sides and Rarities (Click here to pre-order from our Rock Cellar Store)
4-LP Deep Cuts (Click here to pre-order from our Rock Cellar Store)

Stream the song and watch its animated video below:

More, per the song’s description:

The song highlights the ache of a (possibly broken) long-distance relationship, with a hint of the wide-eyed wonder of Lincolnshire-based Bernie looking up at these far-off aeroplanes, years before foreign travel and international communications were commonplace. With chiming lead guitar from Caleb Quaye and chorus backing vocals from Dee Murray, the incredibly strong song was chosen as the closing track on Elton’s never-released debut album, Regimental Sgt Zippo.

Elton John has shared a handful of tracks in recent weeks leading up to the full Jewel Box release. Here’s “Here to the Next Time”:

And “Regimental Sgt. Zippo”:

All told, Jewel Box features 148 songs spanning 1965 to 2019. More than 80 tracks are receiving their first-ever digital release, while 60 of those haven’t ever been unearthed in any official format. So this is packed with plenty of material for dedicated Elton enthusiasts, to say the least.

As you might expect given its name, the Super Deluxe Edition (click here to pre-order a copy) brings together a dense collection of material that makes up the Jewel Box:

An in-depth exploration of Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s extensive catalogue including early rarities and deep cuts personally curated by Elton. The release the fans have been waiting for. With an eye watering amount of previously unheard and unreleased tracks this is a treasure trove for Elton John fans. The eight disc  box set will be a beautiful hardcover book with discs housed in the back, wrapped in an outer slipcase. The collection spans the period 1965 to 2019.

• DISC 1 / DISC 2: Deep Cuts – A selection of personal favorites, curated by Elton.  The box set book includes a track by track written commentary by Elton John with Alexis Petridis.
• DISC 3 / DISC 4 / DISC 5: Rarities 1965 -1971 – Elton’s much sought-after 1960s and early 1970s demos and music that cemented the foundations of the iconic John-Taupin writing partnership. The compelling, previously unreleased, missing piece in his illustrious story. Daryl Easlea narrates this fascinating story with contributions from those who were there at the time.
• DISC 6 / DISC 7: B-Sides 1976-2005 – Flipsides, never before compiled together. Those B-Side gems that are now given another chance to sparkle – many never previously available digitally.
• DISC 8: And This Is Me – To coincide with the release of the updated paperback edition of ‘Me’, the final collection celebrates the songs mentioned by name by Elton in his acclaimed book, closing ‘Jewel Box’ with the 2020 Academy Award winning “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again”.