Released: 1973
Elton John’s ‘Crocodile Rock’ is a nostalgic tribute to the early days of rock ‘n’ roll. It’s a fond look back at the simpler times of youth, love, and the thrill of discovering new music. The song captures the essence of the era with vivid imagery and infectious energy.
The opening lines, ‘I remember when rock was young, Me and Susie had so much fun,’ set the stage for a trip down memory lane. Elton John is reminiscing about his youth, a time when rock music was still fresh and exciting. ‘Susie’ is a common name used in rock songs to represent the girl-next-door archetype, symbolizing young love and innocence.
‘Holding hands and skimming stones, Had an old gold Chevy, and a place of my own,’ these lines further paint the picture of his youthful days. Skimming stones is a classic pastime, symbolizing carefree and simpler times. The ‘old gold Chevy’ is a nod to the American dream of the 50s and 60s, a time when owning a car was a symbol of freedom and independence.
‘But the biggest kick I ever got, Was doing a thing called the Crocodile Rock,’ Here, Elton John introduces the ‘Crocodile Rock,’ a dance that encapsulates the spirit of the era. It’s a metaphor for the joy and excitement that rock ‘n’ roll brought to the youth of that time.
‘While the other kids were rocking ’round the clock, We were hopping and bopping to the Crocodile Rock,’ These lines highlight the uniqueness of the ‘Crocodile Rock’. While everyone else was following the mainstream, Elton and Susie were doing their own thing, setting them apart from the crowd.
‘Crocodile rocking is something shocking, When your feet just can’t keep still,’ This line emphasizes the infectious energy of the ‘Crocodile Rock’. It’s so exhilarating that you can’t help but move to the beat.
‘Oh, lawdy mama those Friday nights, When Suzie wore her dresses tight, And the Crocodile rocking was out of sight,’ These lines encapsulate the excitement of youth, of Friday nights filled with music, dance, and young love. The phrase ‘out of sight’ is a 60s slang term meaning ‘amazing’ or ‘impressive’.
‘But the years went by and the rock just died, Suzie went and left me for some foreign guy,’ Here, the song takes a melancholic turn. As time passes, the rock ‘n’ roll era fades, and so does his relationship with Suzie. The ‘foreign guy’ could symbolize the changing times and tastes.
‘Long nights crying by the record machine, Dreaming of my Chevy and old blue jeans,’ Elton John is now alone, reminiscing about the good old days. The ‘record machine’ and ‘old blue jeans’ symbolize his longing for the past, for the simpler times when rock was young and he was in love.
‘But they’ll never kill the thrills we’ve got, Burning up to the Crocodile Rock,’ Despite the changes, the memories of the ‘Crocodile Rock’ remain. The thrill and excitement of those times are immortal, forever etched in his memory.
In the end, ‘Crocodile Rock’ is a celebration of the past, a tribute to the early days of rock ‘n’ roll. It’s a song that captures the spirit of an era, the joy of youth, and the timeless power of music.
