Crocodile Rock - wikipedia Crocodile Rock `` Crocodile Rock '' Single by Elton John from the album Do n't Shoot Me I 'm Only the Piano Player B - side `` Elderberry Wine '' Released UK 27 October 1972 US 20 November 1972 Recorded June 1972, Château d'Hérouville, France Genre Rock and roll Length 3 : 58 ( album version, US 45 version ) 3 : 23 ( single version ) Label MCA ( US ) DJM ( UK ) Songwriter ( s ) Elton John, Bernie Taupin Producer ( s ) Gus Dudgeon Elton John singles chronology `` Honky Cat '' ( 1972 ) `` Crocodile Rock '' ( 1972 ) `` Daniel '' ( 1973 ) `` Honky Cat '' ( 1972 ) `` Crocodile Rock '' ( 1972 ) `` Daniel '' ( 1973 ) `` Crocodile Rock '' is a song written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and recorded in summer 1972 at the Château d'Hérouville studio in France ( it was listed as `` Strawberry Studios '' in the album 's credits ), where John and his team had previously recorded the Honky Château album. It was released on 27 October 1972 in the UK and 20 November 1972 in the U.S., as a pre-release single from his forthcoming 1973 album Do n't Shoot Me I 'm Only the Piano Player, and became his first U.S. number - one single, reaching the top spot on 3 February 1973, and stayed there for three weeks. In the U.S., it was certified Gold on 5 February 1973 and Platinum on 13 September 1995 by the RIAA. In Canada, it topped the chart as well, remaining at No. 1 on the RPM 100 national singles chart for four weeks from 17 February -- 10 March. It was the first song released as a single on the MCA label ( catalogue # 40000 ) after MCA dissolved its Uni, Decca, Kapp and Coral labels. ( John had previously been with the Uni label. ) `` Crocodile Rock '' is dominated by a Farfisa organ, played by John. The lyrics take a nostalgic look at early rock ' n ' roll, dating and youthful independence of that era. Elton John band members, including Davey Johnstone on guitars, Dee Murray on bass and Nigel Olsson on drums, were also performers on the song. Elton John, however, did all the vocals, including the falsetto backing vocals. Contents 1 Inspiration 2 Personnel 3 Chart performance 3.1 Weekly charts 3.2 Year - end charts 4 See also 5 References 6 External links Inspiration The song was inspired by John 's discovery of leading Australian band Daddy Cool and their hit single `` Eagle Rock '', which was the most successful Australian single of the early 1970s ( with 1,000,000 sold ), remaining at No. 1 for a record of 10 weeks. John heard the song and the group on his 1972 Australian tour and was greatly impressed by it. A photo included in the album packaging features John 's lyricist, Bernie Taupin, wearing a `` Daddy Who ? '' promotional badge. The song also appears to have been strongly influenced by songs from the late 50s - early 60s ( `` when Rock was young '' ), including Del Shannon 's 1962 `` Cry Myself to Sleep '', and `` Little Darlin ' '' ( recorded in 1957 by The Diamonds and The Gladiolas ), and lyrically by `` Rock Around the Clock '' by Bill Haley and his Comets ( `` While the other kids were rocking around the clock... '' ). The opening riff heavily resembles `` Let 's Dance '' by Chris Montez, and the chorus resembles `` Speedy Gonzales '' by Pat Boone. In a 1974 lawsuit filed in the US District Court of Los Angeles by Attorney Donald Barnett on behalf of `` Speedy Gonzales '' ' composer Buddy Kaye, it was alleged that defendants Elton John and Bernie Taupin illegally incorporated chords from `` Speedy Gonzales '' which produced a falsetto tone into the Crocodile song co-written by defendants. The parties reached an amicable settlement between them and the case was then dismissed. Bernie Taupin also stated in an interview with a magazine that `` Crocodile Rock '' was a funny song in that he did n't mind creating it, but it would n't be something he 'd listen to ; it was simply something fun at the time. Elton John has dismissed criticism of the song that it was `` derivative '', quoted in the booklet for the 1995 reissue of `` Do n't Shoot Me... '' as saying, `` I wanted it to be a record about all the things I grew up with. Of course it 's a rip - off, it 's derivative in every sense of the word. '' John has played the song numerous times in concert, including a ballad version he performed at the Greek Theater with Ray Cooper in 1994. Live versions released include an audio version from 1974 on the Here and There original LP and 1995 CD reissue, and a video concert version on the Elton 60 -- Live at Madison Square Garden DVD release. Personnel Elton John -- piano, Farfisa organ, vocals Davey Johnstone -- electric guitar Dee Murray -- bass Nigel Olsson -- drums Chart performance This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( January 2018 ) Weekly charts Chart ( 1972 - 73 ) Peak position Australia Belgium Canada RPM Top Singles Germany Ireland 10 Netherlands Dutch Top 40 11 Norway New Zealand Listener Switzerland UK Singles Chart 5 US Billboard Hot 100 US Billboard Easy Listening 11 US Cash Box Top 100 Year - end charts Chart ( 1973 ) Rank Australia 5 Canada 5 Switzerland 7 UK 49 U.S. Billboard Hot 100 7 U.S. Cash Box See also List of Billboard Hot 100 number - one singles of 1973 References Jump up ^ Dean, Maury ( 2003 ). Rock N ' Roll Gold Rush. Algora. p. 46. ISBN 0 - 87586 - 207 - 1. Jump up ^ `` Crocodile Rock ''. Songfacts.com. Retrieved 19 March 2009. ^ Jump up to : Creswell, Toby ; Samantha Trenoweth ( 2006 ). `` Ross Wilson ''. 1001 Australians You Should Know. North Melbourne, Victoria : Pluto Press. pp. 242 -- 243. ISBN 978 - 1 - 86403 - 361 - 8. Jump up ^ `` No. 1 Hits 1971 ''. The Menzies Era. Archived from the original on 15 May 2008. Retrieved 22 February 2009. Jump up ^ Kent, David ( 1993 ). Australian Chart Book 1970 -- 1992. St Ives, N.S.W. : Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0 - 646 - 11917 - 6. NOTE : Used for Australian Singles and Albums charting from 1970 until ARIA created their own charts in mid-1988. Jump up ^ Joel Whitburn 's Top Pop Singles 1955 - 1990 - ISBN 0 - 89820 - 089 - X Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 2016 - 03 - 03. Jump up ^ Steffen Hung. `` Forum - Top 100 End of Year AMR Charts - 1980s ( ARIA Charts : Special Occasion Charts ) ''. Australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 06. Jump up ^ `` Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada ''. Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 06. Jump up ^ Swiss Year - End Charts, 1973 Jump up ^ 1972_in_British_music # Best - selling_singles Jump up ^ `` Top 100 Hits of 1973 / Top 100 Songs of 1973 ''. Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016 - 10 - 06. Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 11 January 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2016. External links 1970s portal Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics Preceded by `` Superstition '' by Stevie Wonder US Billboard Hot 100 number one single ( Elton John version ) 3 February 1973 ( three weeks ) Succeeded by `` Killing Me Softly with His Song '' by Roberta Flack Preceded by `` Last Song '' by Edward Bear Canadian RPM 100 number - one single ( Elton John version ) 17 February 1973 ( four weeks ) Succeeded by `` Danny 's Song '' by Anne Murray Preceded by `` Pazza idea '' by Patty Pravo Italian Singles Chart number - one single ( Elton John version ) 10 February 1973 ( five weeks ) Succeeded by `` Il mio canto libero '' by Lucio Battisti Preceded by `` Ich fange nie mehr was an einem Sonntag an '' by Monica Morell Swiss Music Charts number - one single ( Elton John version ) 27 February 1973 ( three weeks ) Succeeded by `` Mama Loo '' by Les Humphries Singers hide Elton John songs 1960s and 1970s `` Skyline Pigeon '' ( 1968 ) `` I 've Been Loving You '' ( 1968 ) `` Lady Samantha '' ( 1969 ) `` It 's Me That You Need '' ( 1969 ) `` Border Song '' ( 1970 ) `` Rock and Roll Madonna '' ( 1970 ) `` From Denver to L.A. '' ( 1970 ) `` Take Me to the Pilot '' ( 1970 ) `` Your Song '' ( 1970 ) `` Friends '' ( 1971 ) `` Levon '' ( 1971 ) `` Tiny Dancer '' ( 1972 ) `` Rocket Man '' ( 1972 ) `` Honky Cat '' ( 1972 ) `` I Think I 'm Going to Kill Myself '' ( 1972 ) `` Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters '' ( 1972 ) `` Crocodile Rock '' ( 1972 ) `` Elderberry Wine '' ( 1972 ) `` Daniel '' ( 1972 ) `` Teacher I Need You '' ( 1973 ) `` Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding '' ( 1973 ) `` Saturday Night 's Alright for Fighting '' ( 1973 ) `` Goodbye Yellow Brick Road '' ( 1973 ) `` Step into Christmas '' ( 1973 ) `` Candle in the Wind '' ( 1974 ) `` Bennie and the Jets '' ( 1974 ) `` Harmony '' ( 1974 ) `` Do n't Let the Sun Go Down on Me '' ( 1974 ) `` The Bitch Is Back '' ( 1974 ) `` Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds '' ( 1974 ) `` Philadelphia Freedom '' ( 1975 ) `` I Saw Her Standing There '' ( 1975 ) `` Someone Saved My Life Tonight '' ( 1975 ) `` Island Girl '' ( 1975 ) `` Grow Some Funk of Your Own '' ( 1976 ) `` I Feel Like a Bullet ( In the Gun of Robert Ford ) '' ( 1976 ) `` Pinball Wizard '' ( 1976 ) `` Do n't Go Breaking My Heart '' ( 1976 ) `` Cage the Songbird '' ( 1976 ) `` Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word '' ( 1976 ) `` Bite Your Lip ( Get Up and Dance ! ) '' ( 1977 ) `` Crazy Water '' ( 1977 ) `` The Goaldiggers Song '' ( 1977 ) `` Ego '' ( 1978 ) `` Part - Time Love '' ( 1978 ) `` Song for Guy '' ( 1978 ) `` Are You Ready for Love '' ( 1979 ) `` Mama Ca n't Buy You Love '' ( 1979 ) `` Johnny B. Goode '' ( 1979 ) 1980s `` Little Jeannie '' ( 1980 ) `` Sartorial Eloquence ( Do n't Ya Wanna Play This Game No More ? ) '' ( 1980 ) `` Dear God '' ( 1980 ) `` Whatever Gets You thru the Night '' ( 1981 ) `` Nobody Wins '' ( 1981 ) `` Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever '' ( with Kiki Dee, 1981 ) `` Blue Eyes '' ( 1982 ) `` Empty Garden ( Hey Hey Johnny ) '' ( 1982 ) `` Ball and Chain '' ( 1982 ) `` All Quiet on the Western Front '' ( 1982 ) `` I Guess That 's Why They Call It the Blues '' ( 1983 ) `` I 'm Still Standing '' ( 1983 ) `` Sad Songs ( Say So Much ) '' ( 1984 ) `` Passengers '' ( 1984 ) `` Nikita '' ( 1985 ) `` That 's What Friends Are For '' ( 1985 ) `` Wrap Her Up '' ( 1985 ) `` Take Me to the Pilot '' ( 1988 ) `` I Do n't Wanna Go on with You Like That '' ( 1988 ) `` Town of Plenty '' ( 1988 ) `` Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters ( Part Two ) '' ( 1988 ) `` Healing Hands '' ( 1989 ) `` Sacrifice '' ( 1989 ) 1990s `` Club at the End of the Street '' ( 1990 ) `` You Gotta Love Someone '' ( 1990 ) `` Do n't Let the Sun Go Down on Me '' ( 1991 ) `` The One '' ( 1992 ) `` Runaway Train '' ( 1992 ) `` The Last Song '' ( 1992 ) `` Simple Life '' ( 1993 ) `` True Love '' ( 1993 ) `` Shakey Ground '' ( 1994 ) `` Ai n't Nothing Like the Real Thing '' ( 1994 ) `` Can You Feel the Love Tonight '' ( 1994 ) `` Circle of Life '' ( 1994 ) `` Believe '' ( 1995 ) `` Made in England '' ( 1995 ) `` When the Money 's Gone '' ( 1995 ) `` You Can Make History ( Young Again ) '' ( 1996 ) `` The Madness of King Scar '' ( 1997 ) `` Something About the Way You Look Tonight '' ( 1997 ) `` Candle in the Wind 1997 '' ( 1997 ) `` Written in the Stars '' ( 1999 ) 2000s `` I Want Love '' ( 2001 ) `` This Train Do n't Stop There Anymore '' ( 2002 ) `` Original Sin '' ( 2002 ) `` Are You Ready for Love '' ( 2003 ) `` Ghetto Gospel '' ( 2005 ) `` Electricity '' ( 2005 ) `` The Bridge '' ( 2006 ) `` Joseph, Better You than Me '' ( 2008 ) `` Tiny Dancer ( Hold Me Closer ) '' ( 2009 ) Related articles Albums discography Videography Book : Elton John Category : Elton John Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Crocodile_Rock&oldid=827342399 '' Categories : 1972 songs 1972 singles Billboard Hot 100 number - one singles Elton John songs The Beach Boys songs Number - one singles in Italy Number - one singles in Switzerland Songs with music by Elton John Songs with lyrics by Bernie Taupin Song recordings produced by Gus Dudgeon Songs about music DJM Records singles MCA Records singles Songs about dancing Hidden categories : Use British English from August 2011 Articles with hAudio microformats Articles needing additional references from January 2018 All articles needing additional references Use dmy dates from August 2011 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Dansk Deutsch Español Français Italiano 日本 語 Norsk Norsk nynorsk Português Русский Svenska 4 more Edit links This page was last edited on 24 February 2018, at 04 : 41. 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Question: what year did elton john song crocodile rock
Answer: 1972