In 1973, Elton John wanted to get “the worst organ” sound. Now, it’s one of the biggest hits he ever had
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.
In short
- “Crocodile Rock” used an intentionally crude organ sound.
- Elton John later called the song silly.
- The track became one of his biggest hits.
Explained simply
Elton John is a British singer and pianist who made many of his best-known records with lyricist Bernie Taupin. “Crocodile Rock” was released in 1972, during a period when the pair drew on earlier pop and rock ’n’ roll styles.
The song’s organ sound was inspired by Johnny and The Hurricanes, an American group known for prominent, rough-edged organ parts. John later described the track as deliberately silly and said he found this kind of songwriting difficult to get right.
The song became John’s first US number one and remains one of his biggest hits. Its success shows how a playful pastiche could appeal to a broad audience, even when its creator had reservations about it.