THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.
946-Elton John-Crocodile Rock.
1972-Number 5 single.
Best Bit-At 1.57.Elton name checks the Bill Haley song ‘Rock Around the Clock,’ surely ‘See You Later Alligator’ is more appropriate.
As with the majority of their songs, the lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin, and the music by Elton John (see also best songs 481-237 and 62.) In America the song gave them their first Number 1 on Billboard, it would be a further four years until they topped the chart in the UK.
Elton and Bernie Taupin do not shy away from the fact that this song borrows heavily from the music of the late 1950’s, and early 1960’s, in fact it was recorded that way on purpose. If you listen to Del Shannon’s 1962 song ‘Cry Myself To Sleep,’ or The Diamonds 1957 hit ‘Little Darlin,” you will hear where the inspiration for the ‘La, La, La’ refrain comes from. In 1974 Buddy Kaye the composer of Speedy Gonzales’ filed a lawsuit against John and Taupin, a settlement was agreed out of court. If you listen closely to the intro of the song, it is practically identical to ‘Let’s Dance’ by Chris Montez, from 1962.
The song sees the narrator longing to return to the days of his youth, when he would dance with his girlfriend Suzie, to a dance routine they called the ‘Crocodile Rock.’ As time passed by Suzie left him for someone else, and music tastes changed. He now reminisces of those wonderful days.
‘Oh Lawdy mama, those Friday nights, when Suzie wore her dresses tight.’
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