Crocodile Rock

"Crocodile Rock" is a nostalgic ode to the early days of rock and roll and the innocence of youth. The song's lyrics, penned by Bernie Taupin, tell the story of a man reminiscing about his teenage years in the 1950s and a fictional dance craze called the Crocodile Rock. Through the narrative of his relationship with a girl named Susie and their shared love for this dance, the song captures the carefree and exhilarating spirit of that era. The 'Crocodile Rock' itself is a metaphor for the fads and cultural moments that define a generation, seeming all-important at the time but eventually fading into memory. The song also touches on the bittersweet nature of nostalgia, acknowledging that while those joyful times are gone, the memories remain a cherished part of one's life. The line "But the years went by and the rock just died, Susie went and left us for some foreign guy" introduces a sense of loss and the inevitable passage of time. Ultimately, "Crocodile Rock" is a celebration of the enduring power of music to transport us back to our youth and evoke the emotions of a bygone era.

The song is a nostalgic recollection of the early days of rock and roll, seen through the eyes of the narrator. He remembers a time when he and his girlfriend, Susie, were young and carefree. They would spend their time together holding hands, skimming stones, and enjoying the freedom that came with having his own car, an old gold Chevy, and a place of their own. A central part of their youth was a fictional dance craze called the 'Crocodile Rock.' While other kids were enjoying the mainstream 'Rock Around the Clock,' he and Susie were captivated by this unique dance, finding immense joy and excitement in it. The chorus emphasizes the electrifying feeling of the Crocodile Rock, a dance so infectious that it was impossible to keep still. The narrator declares that he never knew a better time in his life and doubts he ever will, highlighting the significance of these memories.

As the song progresses, a sense of melancholy and loss is introduced. The years have passed, and the rock and roll era of his youth has faded away. Susie has left him for someone else, and the vibrant social scene they were a part of has disappeared. The narrator is left with a deep sense of longing for the past, spending long nights by the record machine, dreaming of his old Chevy and blue jeans. Despite the passage of time and the changes it has brought, the memory of the Crocodile Rock and the feelings associated with it remain powerful. He believes that these cherished memories and the spirit of that time can never be completely extinguished. The song concludes with a final, energetic repetition of the 'la-la-la' chorus, a joyful yet poignant echo of a time that is gone but not forgotten. This ending serves as a celebration of the enduring power of youthful memories and the music that defined a generation.

"Crocodile Rock" was written by Elton John and his longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin. It was recorded in the summer of 1972 at the Château d'Hérouville studio in France, the same location where they had previously recorded the album Honky Château. The song was released as a single on October 27, 1972, in the UK and November 20, 1972, in the US, preceding the 1973 album Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player. It became Elton John's first number-one single in the United States, holding the top spot for three consecutive weeks in early 1973. The song was intentionally created as a pastiche of early rock and roll songs that John and Taupin grew up with. John has stated that the song is a "rip-off" and "derivative in every sense of the word," meant to pay homage to artists like Bill Haley, Little Richard, and the Beach Boys. A specific inspiration for the song was the Australian band Daddy Cool and their hit single "Eagle Rock," which John encountered during his 1972 tour of Australia. In the album artwork for Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player, Bernie Taupin can be seen wearing a "Daddy Who?" promotional badge. John himself has expressed a certain ambivalence towards the song in later years, calling it "a kind of joke" and "disposable pop," though he continues to perform it due to its popularity with fans.

The rhyme scheme in "Crocodile Rock" is relatively simple and consistent, primarily using couplets (AABB) in the verses, which contributes to its catchy, nursery-rhyme-like quality. For example, 'I remember when rock was young / Me and Susie had so much fun' and 'Holding hands and skimming stones / Had an old gold Chevy and a place of my own.' This straightforward rhyme scheme makes the lyrics easy to follow and sing along to. The rhythm of the song is a driving, upbeat 4/4 time signature, characteristic of early rock and roll. The tempo is brisk, encouraging dancing and movement. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is a key component of the song's energy. The vocal melody often features syncopation, playing against the steady backbeat of the drums and bass. The chorus, with its repetitive 'la-la-la' refrain, is rhythmically simple and highly infectious, creating a powerful hook that is central to the song's appeal.

Musically, "Crocodile Rock" is a deliberate pastiche of 1950s rock and roll, employing several stylistic techniques to achieve its retro sound. A key feature is the prominent Farfisa organ riff played by Elton John, which gives the song a distinctive, somewhat 'cheesy' sound reminiscent of early rock and roll bands like Johnny and The Hurricanes. The song utilizes a classic I-vi-IV-V chord progression, often referred to as the 'doo-wop progression,' which immediately evokes the sound of the 1950s. John's vocal performance is also stylized, incorporating falsetto 'la-la-la' hooks that are a direct homage to songs like Pat Boone's "Speedy Gonzales." Lyrically, Bernie Taupin employs a narrative storytelling style, creating a vivid picture of a specific time and place. The lyrics are filled with imagery and cultural references that ground the song in the era it's celebrating, such as 'an old gold Chevy' and 'Rockin' around the clock.' The song's structure is a standard verse-chorus form, which makes it highly accessible and memorable. The overall production, by Gus Dudgeon, is bright and energetic, further enhancing the song's upbeat and nostalgic feel.

"Crocodile Rock" had a significant cultural impact upon its release and continues to be one of Elton John's most recognizable songs. It was his first #1 single in the United States and Canada, solidifying his status as a global superstar. The song's nostalgic 1950s rock and roll revival theme resonated with a wide audience and was part of a broader cultural trend of nostalgia for that era in the early 1970s. "Crocodile Rock" has been featured in numerous films, television shows, and commercials, cementing its place in popular culture. A particularly memorable performance was on The Muppet Show in 1978, where Elton John performed the song surrounded by crocodile puppets. The song remains a staple of his live concerts, often with the audience enthusiastically singing along to the 'la-la-la' chorus. While some critics and even John himself have dismissed it as "pop fluff," its enduring popularity and infectious energy have made it a beloved classic. The song has also been covered by other artists and remains a popular choice for karaoke and tribute bands.

The central symbol in "Crocodile Rock" is the fictional dance of the same name. It represents the fads, passions, and cultural touchstones of youth that feel incredibly significant and eternal at the moment but often fade with time. The Crocodile Rock is a metaphor for a specific, joyous period in the narrator's life, a time of innocence, first love with Susie, and carefree fun. The lyrics "we really thought the Crocodile Rock would last" symbolize the youthful belief in the permanence of their happiness and lifestyle. The 'death' of the Crocodile Rock and Susie's departure represent the end of an era and the transition into adulthood, with its accompanying losses and changes. The 'old gold Chevy' and 'old blue jeans' are also symbols of this bygone era, evoking a strong sense of 1950s and early 60s Americana and the freedom and identity associated with youth culture of that time. The song as a whole can be seen as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of youth and the bittersweet ache of nostalgia.

The most prominent recurring phrase in "Crocodile Rock" is the title itself, which serves as the central motif of the song. It represents a specific dance, a period in the narrator's life, and a symbol of youthful joy and innocence. The phrase is repeated in the chorus, reinforcing its importance and making it highly memorable. Another key recurring element is the infectious 'La la-la-la-la' vocal hook, which appears after each chorus. This non-lexical vocable is a classic pop music device that adds to the song's cheerful and carefree atmosphere and encourages audience participation in live performances. The lyrical motif of nostalgia for a bygone era is woven throughout the song, with recurring images of 'an old gold Chevy,' 'old blue jeans,' and reminiscing about when 'rock was young.' The contrast between the past and the present is also a recurring theme, highlighting the bittersweet nature of the narrator's memories.