What if we choose NOT to celebrate a Sodomite who sexualizes children?
Posted on 01/29/2023 11:48:21 AM PST by SamAdams76
A half century ago, a song with the silly title of "Crocodile Rock" moved into the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Elton John's first number one hit in the United States, and yes, he had a number of hits before that but this was his first U.S number one.
This song heralded the beginning of Elton's complete domination of mid 1970s FM radio that would continue until around the middle of the Bicentennial year of 1976, culminating with the number one duo hit with Kiki Dee called "Don't Go Breaking My Heart."
After that, Elton became more of a MOR (Middle of Road) artist, spawning soft rock radio friendly hits like "Little Jeannie" and "Sad Song (Say So Much)" that were not much different than what Dr Hook and Air Supply were putting out at the time.
But between 1973 and 1976, Elton was mostly a rocker who pretty much ruled the pop/rock world with his private jet, far out costumes, and various other rock and roll excesses. Documented (not so accurately) in the recent movie "Rocketman."
Elton could play the piano, that is for sure. Sure, he's a weirdo but definitely talented in the way of music. One cannot deny that.
Born Reginald Kenneth Dwight in 1947, one can see why he changed his name. Can anybody imagine him being as successful if he put out "Crocodile Rock" under the name of Reginald Dwight?
Sometimes a change in name makes all the difference in show business. Consider Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. as another example.
Elton John is so much cooler than Reginald Dwight. That name change put him into the same company as Elvis Presley and Evel Knievel. A masterstroke by his publicist.
"Crocodile Rock" was actually sort of a throwaway song that Elton recorded for the "Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player" sessions. It was influenced by a massive hit down in Australia by an artist named Daddy Cool called Eagle Rock
While Elton dismisses the song as a lark, I actually consider it one of Elton's finest songs. Even today, a HALF CENTURY later, it reminds me of my youth, my first dates, a carefree spirit about life in general.
Yes, the lyrics are mostly stupid and cliche: "Susie wore her dresses tight", "Had an old gold Chevy and a place of my own", etc. And trust me, Elton was not into Susie with the tight dresses if you know what I mean. But it did make for a rather memorable song in early 1973.
A half century ago. Yes, we are getting old. As for Elton, he's 75 years old right now and looks like my spinster great-aunt on a bad hair day.
Elton John is so much cooler than Reginald Dwight. That name change put him into the same company as Elvis Presley and Evel Knievel. A masterstroke by his publicist.
That’s from the original article. Makes no sense to me.
Quick, without looking: What was Elvis’ brother’s name?
I will never forget when Elvis and Elton released Jailhouse Crocodile Rock.
Jesse was stillborn.
I prefer his original name, although "Reggie Dwight" sounds like a name for a tailback. "Elton John" sounds odd--it would sound normal if the names were in reverse order.
Shitty song.
Guitar in “Love Lies Bleeding” and “Saturday Nights AllRight for Fighting”…
Just wow. Just shreds.
We used to play both of those in one of our cover sets; always brought folks to their feet.
Fagodile Rock Yipee
That song always reminds of the song Disco Duck.
RumpHumper Rock
“If it weren’t for Bernie Taupin, Reginald would still be playing Happy Hours at the Ramada Inn.”
I can name a ton of hit songs with nonsensical lyrics and good music. Can’t think of many hit songs that had lousy music, regardless of lyrics.
Long John Baldry’s tale of going before the magistrate is pretty hilarious.
Yes it is...I’m going to listen to the whole album later. It’s been a while.
When I first heard this I was 13 and fifty years earlier the most popular song was when my granny was in her twenties and “Toot toot tootsie(goodbye)” and “ My Mammy” both by Al Jolson was the rage.
Now this. Gad I feel old.
I met Kelly Hansen at the Monterey Plaza Hotel. He approached me and asked if I was there for the tryouts for the band. My girlfriend thought that was cool. I told her it would have been cool if the band was Velvet Underground.
This was playing on WRKO 50 years ago when I was learning to drive.
They went all talk in the 1980s and got really into Gene Burns and Jerry Williams for a while.
Here's an aircheck from March 1977. Brings back memories.
Give that man a box of Waleco candy bars.
An obscure reference which I’m certain you will get.
I love the “Don’t Shoot Me ....” album but I always skip that song.
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