Elton John has sung his last 'pop' song

Music lovers may have heard the last original pop recording of Sir Elton John who plans a return to his roots of American soul and country rather than compete with younger "divas" like Lady Gaga.

The 63-year-old singer-songwriter whose career is dotted with seven UK chart toppers, told GQ magazine that although he would not give up music there would be no more pop singles from the vocalist whose hits include Candle in the Wind, Tiny Dancer, and Bennie and the Jets.

The singer's announcement coincides the release of his new album, The Union, co-written with Leon Russel, reported The Guardian.

An American singer-songwriter, Russel was John's hero in the early 1970s when his career was taking off. The album is being promoted with the punchline "welcome back to real music."

"I'm not going to compete with JLS (British boyband Jack the Lad Swing) or Lady Gaga," he told the magazine in an interview. "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. It was OK when I was 25 or 26, but not any more. 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."

John had recently been quoted as saying he would consider returning to his musical roots of American soul, country and gospel.