What’s the best Elton John song ever? Here are 10 candidates.

Every Elton John fan has their own selection of favorite tunes, songs fueled by either nostalgia or a simple fascination with art of pop songcraft.

Here are 10 of my picks, a selection heavy on (but not exclusively devoted to) music from his early 1970s heyday.

Some are familiar hits, a few are less familiar album tracks and a couple are forgotten relics.

Some, but probably not all, will be part of the catalog that John pulls from for his final concert in Rupp Arena in Lexington this weekend as part of his “Farewell, Yellow Brick Road Tour.”

How many of these songs have a place in your pop music upbringing?

“Your Song” (from “Elton John,” 1970)

A love song of stunning delicacy and innocence, this was the tune that started it all for John. Over a half century later, it remains one of his most honestly emotive and enduring works.

“Funeral for a Friend”/“Love Lies Bleeding” (from “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” 1973)

A brilliantly paced 11-minute manifesto of prog and straight up rock ‘n’ roll, this medley was never issued as a single. Still, it has been a staple of John’s live shows for decades.

“Saturday Night’s All Right for Fighting” (from “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” 1973)

Released during the summer of 1973, “Saturday Night” stands as the most solid three minutes of rock ‘n’ roll John ever committed to vinyl. And guess what night his Rupp show falls on?

“Rocket Man” (from “Honky Chateau,” 1972)

One of lyricist Bernie Taupin’s more fanciful narratives fortifies an outer space saga with a very human sense of longing and isolation. “I’m not the man they say I am at all. Oh, no, no, no.”

“Simple Life” (from “The One,” 1992)

Stepping out of the ’70s is this lead-off tune to “The One,” a solid pop affirmation buoyed by a colorful harmonica/synth riff. One of the finer tunes from John’s ’80/’90s catalog.

“Tiny Dancer” (from “Madman Across the Water,” 1971)

The most poetic love reverie in John’s catalog next to “Your Song,” the country tinged “Tiny Dancer” was the lead-off tune to what remains his finest album, “Madman Across the Water.”

“One Horse Town” (from “Blue Moves,” 1976)

One of John’s final ’70s recordings with producer Gus Dudgeon, “One Horse Town” was a non-single that blended prog, disco and a typically stunning Paul Buckmaster string arrangement.

“Burn Down the Mission” (from “Tumbleweed Connection,” 1971)

John’s most creatively arranged tune, from its relaxed riverboat piano intro to a breakout blast of Leon Russell-inspired gusto. Buckmaster’s strings underscore, and then detonate, the magic.

“Sacrifice” (from “Sleeping with the Past,” 1989)

Though drenched in dated ‘80s-style synths, “Sacrifice” is a bittersweet pop ballad from one of the darker eras of John’s career retooled to form the core of his recent “Cold Heart” single.”

“Friends” (from “Friends” soundtrack, 1971)

A forgotten song from a forgettable film score, “Friends” was a warm, sparsely arranged slice of pop melancholy and a wonderful snapshot of John’s early music taken before stardom took hold.

Elton John

When: April 9, 8 p.m.

Where: Rupp Arena, 430 W. Vine.

Tickets: Remaining seats are $159-$447. For tickets, go to ticketmaster.com.