# In 1973, Elton John wanted to get “the worst organ” sound. Now, it’s one of the biggest hits he ever had

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1973-elton-john-wanted-to-get-the-worst-organ-sound-now-its-one-of-the-biggest-hits-he-ever-had/
- Published: 2026-10-31T16:30:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-31T17:21:54+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1973-elton-john-worst-organ-sound-ever-biggest-hits/
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- “Crocodile Rock” used an intentionally crude organ sound.
- Elton John later called the song silly.
- The track became one of his biggest hits.

## Summary

Elton John was aiming for an intentionally crude organ sound when recording “Crocodile Rock” in 1973, yet the song became one of his biggest hits. The contrast illustrates how a track he regarded as deliberately silly could connect with a wide audience, even as he questioned its musical merits.

John said the band tried to get “the worst organ sound possible”, inspired by the sound of Johnny and The Hurricanes. He described writing this kind of song as difficult because it was easy to overdo it, and later said he was glad not to perform it during his retirement.

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