Elton John is celebrating his 74th birthday on March 25th and he’s marking the occasion by giving fans a very special gift.

The  legendary performer is releasing six rare songs on streaming services for the first time, including ‘Scarecrow,’ the first tune of his long-time songwriting collaboration with Bernie Taupin in 1967. 

The other songs being released digitally includes “Holiday Inn,” “Keep It A Mystery,”  “Smokestack Children,” “Two of a Kind,” and “Conquer the Sun”.

The six rare songs were included in the eight-disc box set Elton:Jewel Box, which was released last November.

Now they will be included in the digital version of the box set which features his songs from 1965 to 2019. 

As for what the rock star did for his big day? According to his Instagram account, he quietly celebrated at home with his husband David Furnish and their two sons – not surprising since we’re still in the throes of the pandemic.

But once lockdown is over, it looks like lift off for the septuagenarian Rocket Man. He’s hoping to continue his Farewell Yellow Brick Road concert tour after the pandemic ends. His website list dates for performing in Toronto and Montreal next February 2022.