Music collaborations usually feel like business deals. You know the vibe—two famous people stand in a room, sing a hook they didn't write, and their managers trade checks. But something weird happened when Dua Lipa and Elton John linked up. It didn't feel like a corporate merger. It felt like a genuine, glitter-soaked friendship that managed to revive a legend’s chart career while cementing a pop princess as a timeless heavyweight.
Honestly, the story of how "Cold Heart (PNAU Remix)" became a global juggernaut is kinda ridiculous. It wasn't born in a high-rise studio. It started during the pandemic, over Zoom calls and Instagram Live chats about Studio 54.
The FaceTime That Changed Everything
You've probably heard the "Cold Heart" remix a thousand times in grocery stores or at a wedding, but the origin story is surprisingly personal. Dua Lipa was actually hanging out by her pool when her phone buzzed. It was a FaceTime call from Elton John. Just casually.
He had this idea for a mashup of his 70s and 80s hits—"Rocket Man," "Sacrifice," "Kiss the Bride," and "Where’s the Shoorah?"—and he wanted her to be the glue that held it together.
Dua has been vocal about how she felt. She basically said it was "meant to be" because "Rocket Man" was already her go-to shower song. Most artists would be terrified to touch a classic like that, but she just jumped in. The track was spliced together by the Australian trio PNAU, who had previously worked with Elton on the 2012 project Good Morning to the Night.
The result was a synth-pop fever dream.
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Why "Cold Heart" Smashed Records
When the song dropped in August 2021, the industry wasn't sure if it would stick. Was it too retro? Too weird? It took nine weeks to hit Number 1 in the UK, but once it got there, it stayed. It eventually topped the charts in over 10 countries, including Australia, where Elton became the oldest artist to ever hit the summit.
Here is the thing: Elton John hadn't had a UK Number 1 since 2005’s "Ghetto Gospel."
Dua Lipa, meanwhile, was riding the massive wave of Future Nostalgia. By joining forces, they bridged a massive generational gap. You had Gen Z discovering the "Rocket Man" melody through a dance beat, and Boomers realizing that the girl from "Levitating" could actually sing. It wasn't just a hit; it was a cultural bridge.
The Royal Albert Hall and That Dodger Stadium Farewell
The friendship didn't end with a digital file. Elton John is notoriously loyal to the artists he likes. He invited Dua to headline his AIDS Foundation Oscars party, and she returned the favor by bringing him out during her "Studio 2054" livestream.
But the real "did that just happen?" moment was November 2022.
Elton was wrapping up his "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" tour at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. It was his final North American show ever. The stakes were massive. He brought out Brandi Carlile and Kiki Dee, but when Dua Lipa walked out in a sleek black gown to perform "Cold Heart," the energy shifted. It felt like a passing of the torch.
Even as recently as late 2024, they were still at it. During the An Evening with Dua Lipa special recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, Elton made a surprise appearance. She called him her "most chic and fabulous friend." You can't fake that kind of chemistry on stage.
What Most People Miss About the Collab
Most critics look at the charts, but the real impact was on Elton's The Lockdown Sessions album. It proved he wasn't a legacy act ready for the bargain bin. He was still a session player at heart.
- Remote Production: They recorded a lot of it via Zoom or behind glass screens.
- Animation: Because of the pandemic, they didn't even film a live-action video together initially; they used those trippy animated versions of themselves.
- PNAU’s Role: The Australian producers actually spent 15 years working with Elton before this "overnight" success happened.
What’s Next for the Duo?
It’s 2026, and while Elton John has officially retired from the grueling "on the road" lifestyle, he hasn't stopped making music. He recently teased a new record coming later this year. Will Dua be on it? Nothing is confirmed, but given their track record, it’s a safe bet they haven't finished their creative partnership.
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Dua Lipa is currently deep in her Radical Optimism era, which is heavily influenced by London's 90s Britpop and rave culture. That retro-modern blend is exactly what made "Cold Heart" work.
What you can do next:
If you want to understand the DNA of their sound, go back and listen to the PNAU album Good Morning to the Night. It’s the blueprint for how they reimagined Elton's catalog before Dua Lipa ever entered the frame. Also, check out the Live from the Royal Albert Hall album released in December 2024—the orchestral version of their duet is arguably better than the radio edit.