
From shy boy to flamboyant icon, "Me" reveals Elton John's raw journey through fame, addiction, and self-acceptance. Incredibly, he once wrote three hit songs during a single breakfast. A cultural touchstone that humanizes the legend behind the sparkle.
Feel the book through the author's voice
Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning
Hello, this is my story, the story of how I, Elton John, became the person I am today. Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in 1947 in Pinner, Middlesex, my early life was far from the glamorous world I would later inhabit. I lived with my mother, Sheila, my aunt, and my grandmother, in a small house that was often filled with tension. My parents were difficult; my mother had mood swings, and my father, Stanley, was harsh and often absent. This environment made me try to be as invisible as possible, just to avoid conflict. Music was my escape. I started playing the piano at the age of three and quickly showed a natural talent. My mother encouraged me, and by the time I was eleven, I was attending the Royal Academy of Music on Saturdays. But despite my musical prowess, I didn’t fit the mold of a pop star. I was called Reg Dwight, and I certainly didn’t look like one.
Break down key ideas from Bedtime Biography: Me into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.
Distill Bedtime Biography: Me into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight Pixar’s principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

Get the Bedtime Biography: Me summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.