Elton John: I Can't Compete With Lady Gaga Or JLS

Sir Elton John has said he is no longer capable of writing songs that will compete with contemporary pop stars.

The veteran singer, who has enjoyed almost 70 top-40 singles, said he now preferred to do side-projects.

"Look, I'm 63, I don't want to be on VH1 or MTV," he told GQ magazine. "I'm not going to compete with JLS or Lady Gaga.

"I'm at that stage where I don't think I can write pop music any more. I can't sit down and do a proper rock song."

Sir Elton added: "I like to do my little side projects like Scissor Sisters and have fun, but I don't think Elton John will be putting any pop singles out."

The singer performed with Plan B at the Roundhouse in London last week as part of the BBC Radio 2 Electric Proms.

His new album 'The Union', with Leon Russell, debuted at number 12 on the UK album charts at the weekend.

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