"It sounded shocking, but your feet just can't keep still..."

In a career full of so many heart-wrenching ballads and dramatic musical statements, Elton and Bernie have been a bit bemused by the success of the song “Crocodile Rock.”  It was only supposed to be a send up of all the music they loved as kids.

It’s got the “la-la-la-la-la” chorus from a Pat Boone hit called “Speedy Gonzales.”  (Check out the break at 1:18.)

It’s got the cheesy organ that’s reminiscent of Johnny & the Hurricanes’ instrumental hit, “Red River Rock.” 

It’s got those high vocals that bring back memories of Del Shannon’s biggest hit. 

And the title?  Well, with lyrics that give a nod to Bill Haley’s “Rock Around the Clock,” it’s not hard to imagine that Bernie might have also been inspired by another Bill Haley hit by the name of “See You Later, Alligator.”

Elton and his band made no attempt to hide their influences for the song “Crocodile Rock.”  In the book Elton John: The Definitive Biography, the singer says honestly, “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.”

But you can’t deny that “hopping and bopping to the Crocodile Rock” is sure a lot of fun!