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By Michael Gisick

Around the office, a lot of people think Elton John is passé.

"I'm too young for Elton John," says one headphones-wearing co-worker.

I guess I used to think Elton John was passé, or just ridiculous. At any rate, I used to take myself seriously enough to pretend I didn't like someone who dressed like Liberace and sang as sentimentally as a late-'80s version of Bette Midler.

Elton John lacks irony, the crutch of my emotionally stunted generation. After all, he's a knight.

Not that he doesn't have a sense of humor. He was on South Park back in 1999, appearing in a flashback as a struggling young singer of beautiful songs with silly lyrics.

"Oh, oh, you're my cheddar cheese girl, you're soft but firm and you go well with wine," one song went.

Chef, the South Park character voiced by Isaac Hayes, told the young cartoon Elton John that a "retarded monkey" could write better lyrics, and hooked the singer up with lyricist Bernie Taupin.

The moment when I stopped taking myself seriously enough to dismiss Elton John happened about the same time that episode aired.

I was working as an undercover loss prevention officer at a JC Penney's in the mall off a highway in Central Massachusetts.

I felt ridiculous following around housewives all day to see if they'd stick a sweater in their baby stroller, so after the loss prevention supervisor blew out his knee, I quit trying. I spent most of my time flirting with the sales girls and humming along to the 12-song rotation on the store's Muzak.

You guessed it. My favorite was Elton John's great, sad but sort-of hopeful ballad, "I Guess That's Why They Call it the Blues."

"Time on my hands," I'd sing, carrying my fake shopping-bag-prop around the store, "could be time spent with you . . .

"Laughing like children . . ."

"Living like lovers . . ."

Because I'd fallen in love with the girl who worked at the lingerie counter, I was really feeling those lyrics . . .

"Rolling like thunder, under the covers."

And as the lingerie girl paid me no mind, I guessed: That's why they call it the blues.

By Stephanie Garcia Krenrich

An Elton John song is like a novel about tragedy, love and courage - things to which we can all relate.

The songs he co-wrote with Bernie Taupin are pure gold. Each is a story that pulls at our heartstrings and refuses to let go. They bring back a flood of memories, both good and bad.

Who can forget the heartbreaking tale of "Daniel"? Anyone who's lost someone dear can relate.

"Tiny Dancer" and "Levon" are written eloquently about peculiar characters, people who became familiar to us.

"Still Standing" and "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" are my anthems.

But my love for Elton started with one tune that could be the greatest love song of all time. A song about wanting to give someone the world, but only being able to offer a song, a humble gift of love.

"Your Song" is my song. Now that I've found my husband, the lyrics mean even more to me.

Elton John's songs will always have a special place in my heart. When I hear them, I turn up the volume, sing my heart out and shed a little tear.