Last night at the 92nd Academy Awards, "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from Rocketman snagged the Oscar for Best Original Song. If you have not seen Rocketman, it depicts the life of musical-legend, Sir Elton John, including his childhood, struggles in his career, abuse of drugs and alcohol, and road to recovery.
Elton John and Taron Egerton (who portrays John in the movie) close the film with this power anthem about self-love after near self-destruction.
In his adolescence, Elton's struggles began with having an emotionally-unavailable father and neglectful mother. Years later, he battles with his sexual identity and physical abuse, causing him to turn to alcohol and cocaine for comfort.
Elton reflects on his time as an addict, quoting,
"...I was a broken man. I finally summoned up the courage to say three words that would change my life: 'I need help'."
After the death of an AIDS patient whom he met, Elton decided to take action and turn his life around. This coming June, Elton will celebrate 30 years of sobriety.
"(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" is not just a good Elton John, it is a necessary and important song for everyone struggling in the picture-perfect society we live in today. Maybe it is drug abuse, childhood neglect, a toxic relationship, the possibilities are endless. We can listen to the lyrics knowing this: we are not defined by our pasts, and our mistakes do not have the power to hinder us from growing and moving past them.
We are allowed to love ourselves again and leave the brokenness behind.
Give "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" a listen below!
