Элтон Джон – "Crocodile Rock" туралы деректер

1972 single by Elton John

In Canada, it topped the chart as well, remaining at number one on the RPM 100 national singles chart for four weeks from 17 February through 10 March. It was the first song released as a single on the MCA label (catalogue #40000) after MCA was created (John had previously been with the Uni label.) "Crocodile Rock" is dominated by a Farfisa organ, played by John. The lyrics take a nostalgic look at early rock 'n' roll, pop culture, dating and youthful independence of that era. John's band members, including Davey Johnstone on guitars, Dee Murray on bass and Nigel Olsson on drums, were also performers on the song. John, however, did all the vocals, including the falsetto backing vocals.

The song was inspired by John's discovery of leading Australian band Daddy Cool and their hit single "Eagle Rock", which was the most successful Australian single of the early 1970s (with 1,000,000 sold), remaining at No.1 for a record of 10 weeks. John heard the song and the group on his 1972 Australian tour and was greatly impressed by it. Taupin also stated in an Esquire magazine interview that "Crocodile Rock" was a funny song in that he did not mind creating it, but it would not be something he would listen to; it was simply something fun at the time. John has dismissed criticism of the song that it was "derivative", quoted in the booklet for the 1995 reissue of Don't Shoot Me as saying, "I wanted it to be a record about all the things I grew up with. Of course it's a rip off, it's derivative in every sense of the word." Billboard reviewed the single, stating that it "is a clever easy beat rocker with a sound and flavor of the 50's hits." Record World called it a "loving homage to revival rock and roll" with "a solid, infectious beat, funny and clever Taupin lyrics, and brilliant Gus Dudgeon production."

John has played the song numerous times live in concert from 1972 to 1984, and then again from 1998 to present (excluding the ballad version performed from 1993 to 1994, that he performed at the Greek Theater with Ray Cooper in September 1994). Live versions released include an audio version from 1974 on the Here and There original LP and 1995 CD reissue, and a video concert version on the Elton 60 – Live at Madison Square Garden DVD release. In 2021, John revealed that "Crocodile Rock" was "written as a kind of joke" and that he does not enjoy playing the song any more. He has continued singing it in concert because fans enjoy it, but has vowed never to play it again once his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour has ended.

Chart (1973)RankAustralia5Canada5Switzerland7UK49U. S. Billboard Hot 1007U. S. Cash Box4