THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

946-Elton John-Crocodile Rock.

1972-Number 5 single.

Best Bit-At 1.58. Elton name checks the Bill Haley song ‘Rock Around the Clock,’ (see also best songs 628) surely ‘See You Later Alligator’ is more appropriate.

‘Crocodile Rock’ was, as with the majority of their songs, co-written by Elton John, (music) and Bernie Taupin (lyrics) (see also best songs 481-237 and 62.) The song was the first of two singles released from Elton John’s sixth studio Album ‘Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player,’ from January 1973, with production by Gus Dudgeon (1942-2002.) The Albums title came from Elton’s friend, the actor/comedian Groucho Marx (1890-1977.) Elton was playing the piano at a party at Groucho’s home, Groucho, who referred to him as ‘John Elton’, held out his middle and index finger in the style of a pistol. Elton then raised his hands and said ‘Don’t shoot me, I’m only the piano player’ at Marx’s gun imitation.

‘Crocodile Rock’ and it’s parent Album were produced by Gus Dudgeon, who was born Angus Boyd Dudgeon, on September 30th, 1942, in Woking, Surrey, England, in total Dudgeon worked on nine studio Albums with Elton John, seven of which reached Number 1 on Billboard in America. Dudgeon also worked with several other high profile artists during the course of his career including Joan Armatrading, Elkie Brookes, and Chris Rea. Dudgeon was also the producer of David Bowie’s 1969 single ‘Space Oddity.’ Tony Visconti (see also best songs 386-302-209 and 118) who had produced the songs parent Album ‘David Bowie (Space Oddity,’) didn’t want to produce ‘Space Oddity’ as he saw it as only a ‘novelty’ song. On July 21st, 2002, Gus Dudgeon and his wife Sheila died when their vehicle veered off the motorway between Reading and Maidenhead, in England. The inquest recorded a verdict of accidental death, noting that he was intoxicated and had possibly fallen asleep at the wheel while driving well in excess of the speed limit. He and his wife both suffered severe head injuries, and were trapped in the car which landed in a storm drain, and may they have drowned.

‘Crocodile Rock’ gave Elton John the first of his nine American Billboard Number 1 singles in 1972, enabling him to go on and become the best selling singles artist worldwide in the 1970’s decade. Both Elton John, and Bernie Taupin do not shy away from the fact that ‘Crocodile Rock’ borrows heavily from the music of the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, in fact it was recorded that way on purpose. For example if you listen to the Del Shannon 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 the 1961 song ‘Speedy Gonzales,’ filed a lawsuit against John and Taupin, a settlement was agreed out of court. It is also worth taking a listen to the intro of the 1962 song ‘Let’s Dance’ by Chris Montez, to hear where further inspiration was taken. Another song that had inspired Elton John was ‘Eagle Rock,’ by the Australian band ‘Daddy Cool.’ Elton John heard the song and the group on his 1972 Australian tour, and was greatly impressed by it. A photo included in the ‘Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player’ Album packaging features Bernie Taupin, wearing a ‘Daddy Who?’ promotional badge. Incidentally ‘Eagle Rock’ would go on to become the best selling single of the 1970’s in Australia, with sales in excess of 1 million copies, and spending 10 weeks at Number 1 on the ‘Aria’ chart.

Neither Elton John or Bernie Taupin see ‘Crocodile Rock’ as amongst their best works, with Elton having described the song as ‘Disposable Pop.’ Bernie Taupin has said,’I don’t want people to remember me for ‘Crocodile Rock.’ I’d much rather they remember me for songs like ‘Candle In The Wind’ and ‘Empty Garden,’ songs that convey a message. Well, they don’t really need to convey a message, as long as they can convey a feeling. But there are things like ‘Crocodile Rock,’ which was fun at the time, but it was Pop fluff. It was like, ‘Okay, that was fun for now, throw it away, and here’s the next one. So there’s a certain element of our music that is disposable, but I think you’ll find that in anybody’s catalogue.’

‘Crocodile Rock’ sees the narrator longing to return to the days of his youth, when he would dance with his girlfriend Suzie to a dance routine that 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.

‘Well Crocodile Rocking is something shocking when your feet just can’t keep still, I never knew me a better time and I guess I never will. Oh Lawdy mama those Friday nights when Suzie wore her dresses tight, and the Crocodile Rocking was out of sight.’