"Crocodile Rock" is a song from Elton John.
He wrote it along Bernie Taupin and recorded it at the Chateau d'Herouville, in 1972. The inspiration came after listening the song "Eagle Rock" from the Australian group Daddy Cool. He first heard it during a tour in Australia, while the song was a major hit in there, topping the charts for ten weeks. He was also inspired by Pat Boone's "Speedy Gonzales", The Diamonds and The Gladiolas' "Little Darlin" and Del Shanon's "Cry Myself To Sleep".
He recorded it in June 1972, in France, and released it October 27th, 1972 in the United Kingdom and on November 20th, the same year, in the United States. The US' version had a duration of 3:58 minutes, being the album one, while the single version ran a duration of 3:23 minutes.
The rock and roll song was part of Elton's album "Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player". The album was re-released in 1995.
"Crocodile Rock" was released through MCA in the United States and through DJM in the United Kingdom. It was produced by Gus Dudgeon.
Elton John has performed the song live on various occasions during his concerts. He even sang a piano version of the track at the Greek Theater, in 1994, along Ray Cooper. An audio version of the song dating from 1974 and a live one were issued on the LP "Here And There" and also on the re-released "Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player" from 1995. Also, a video concert version appeared on the DVD "Elton 60- Live AT Madison Square Garden".
Throughout the time, numerous other artists have covered "Crocodile Rock": Teddy Robin covered it in 1971 and included it on "Melody Chain"; The Beach Boys recorded it in 1991 for the tribute album "Two Rooms: Celebrating The Songs Of Elton John and Bernie Taupin"; Cliff Richard recorded it for his album "Rock Medley On The Live Japan Tour 74"; Alvin And The Chipmunks covered it particularly for the TV special "Rockin' Through The Decades"; Baha Men recorded it for the 2002 film "The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course";
Elton John's version appeared on the film "Four Weddings And A funeral", it also appeared in the television series "Rules Of Engagement", the episode "Singing And Dancing"; in video game "Lego Rock Band", in "Bob The Builder: The Album"; John covered the song with Nelly Furtado in 2002 for the soundtrack of the movie "Gnomeo and Juliet"; the cast of VeggieTales sang it on the album "Bob And larry Sing The 70's"; in "The Vicar Of Dibley", for the episode "Community Spirit".
"Crocodile Rock" is a timeless rock song and worth listening anytime. If you want to learn how to play it on the piano, we provide you with a free piano sheet that you can use.
