Crocodile Rock – Elton John | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#1 for 3 weeks); 1973
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Ironically, the song that gave Elton John his first #1 conjured up a nostalgic past of dancing and fun, one quite unlike Reginald’s real childhood. Dad Stanley kept a controlling hand on the young lad until his divorce.
Out from under Dad’s influence, 10 year old Reginald was free to pursue his first love: pop music. Playing piano in The Corvettes and then Bluesology, plus session work, kept the teenage boy busy until he teamed up with lyricist Bernie Taupen in 1967.
By now Reginald Dwight was Elton John, after Bluesology members Elton Dean and John Baldry. Elton and Bernie wrote while Elton contributed piano to the Hollies‘ He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother. In 1970 Elton started his own string of hits.
By 1972, with three Top 10 songs to his credit, the former Reginald Dwight was looking for his first #1. On that year’s American tour Elton introduced Crocodile Rock which rocketed to #1, giving Elton the happy times he’d never had as a boy.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- Gus Dudgeon
Lyrics Written by:
- Elton John
- Bernie Taupin
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).