The mini-biopic, set to his 1970 hit Your Song, shows how one present can change a life and ends with a four-year-old Elton unwrapping his first piano on Christmas Day in 1951.
The £7million advert then cuts to the emotional 71-year-old playing the same instrument while thinking about his mother Sheila, who died last year aged 92, followed by the slogan: 'Some gifts are more than just a gift'.
The advert, released online this morning, has divided opinion with stars including James Corden, Richard Bacon and Susanna Reid declaring they 'absolutely love it' while others have branded it a 'plug' for Sir Elton's upcoming biopic movie and farewell tour.
Some fans were disappointed that cuddly stars such as Montie the penguin and Moz the monster have been jettisoned for a celebrity-endorsed campaign.
Viewers are taken back through key moments in his life with scenes of the star on stadium tours, travelling on a private jet, recording Your Song, playing the piano in a local pub and performing in a school recital.
Sir Elton said his mother Sheila (pictured together at his 50th birthday party in 1997) was an inspiration to him - but they had an eight-year feud before having a reconciliation two years before she died last December
It ends with Sir Elton - then little Reg Dwight - running down the stairs on Christmas morning to see his grandmother Ivy and his mother, who brought him up together because his father, Stanley, was largely absent.
John Lewis has said the advert is 'inspired by real events' but admits the finale involves 'some creativity' because the singer was never gifted a piano at Christmas, but he had learned to play at his grandmother's house - and denied claims they paid him £5million to take part.
Shoppers might be disappointed to learn that there will be no plush toys available in Sir Elton's likeness this year, with the retailer instead selling four pianos - two uprights for around £800 and two keyboards starting at £150 - and a range of vintage tour t-shirts.
It is also the second of the retailer's Christmas ads to feature Your Song after singer Ellie Goulding recorded a cover for the 2010 campaign.
The advert's nod to Elton's mother and the influence on his career comes almost a year after her death last December.
Two years before she passed away the star found the courage to apologise to her after an eight-year feud that culminated in her inviting an Elton John impersonator to perform at her birthday party because she missed him so much.
Elton severed all contact with her after a catastrophic argument where she blamed Elton's husband, David Furnish, for turning him against her.
She was also upset the Candle In The Wind singer demanded she cut all ties with her longtime friends Bob Halley and John Reid, who had both been fired from his entourage after decades working for him.
But on her 90th birthday he sent Sheila a large bouquet of white orchids for her milestone birthday and also shelled out £30,000 for Sheila to undergo a double hip replacement.
When she died two years later he spoke of his grief - but happiness that they had become close again.
In September rumours emerged that Sir Elton had agreed to take part - but John Lewis has denied he was paid the £5million fee being mooted. They also said some of his fee was donated to charity.
The musician said today: 'The John Lewis Christmas campaign has so many warm memories for me and my family.
'It's been a lovely opportunity for me to reflect on my life in music and the incredible journey I have been on, and how first playing my grandmother's piano marks the moment when music came into my life.
'The ad is absolutely fantastic and I've truly loved every minute of being a part of it.'
His husband David Furnish, who was involved in producing the advert, said: 'I think Elton has enjoyed the process of making this tremendously. I think, you know, emotionally he is thinking about the journey he’s been on as an artist, and that moment, you know, when music came into his life at a very young age when he was encouraged by his mother and his grandmother with his piano'.
MAilOnline
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