Most artists can probably think of a song or two that their fans seem to love but they themselves are tired of performing over and over again. The same rule applies for Sir Elton John, despite having many hits to choose from. In fact, he has admitted that there are songs that make him think “Ugh, I gotta f***in’ sing that one again.”
When questioned which song he wasn’t too keen on performing he responded: “Probably Crocodile Rock. But the audience love it and y’know, it’s a guilty pleasure, as they say.” The song recorded and released in 1972 was the singer’s first US number-one single reaching the top spot in February 1973 and staying there for three weeks straight. It was ceritifed Gold in the same year and then Platinum in September 1995.
Between its release and Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, the star had performed the song a vast number of times, including at the Greek Theatre with Ray Cooper and when he presented The Muppet Show in 1978. Yet it was decades later that he revealed that he no longer enjoys performing the song.
He also vowed never to play the song again after his tour, which took place between September 9, 2018, and July 8, 2023. Ahead of his sold-out show, Elton John also spoke about other aspects of touring that he won’t miss, including travelling, Smooth Radio reports.
Speaking at a press conference, he said: “I love to play live. I hate the travelling.
“There’s nothing better than going and pleasing an audience. And I’m so lucky as a musician, I get feedback every night from an audience.”
He added: “It must be hard for a movie actor to do movies all the time, and then sneak into the premiere and then sneak out again and never really get feedback. Musicians are so blessed because they get that.”
Of course, every star has had to face some tough crowds in their lifetime but Elton says he doesn’t mind.
He said: “Sometimes you start and some countries are a little colder than others and you have to get them going, but that’s all part and parcel of your craft. And that’s part and parcel of why you’re a professional musician.
“You never give in, you never say, ‘I can’t be bothered. I always wanted the audience to have the best time. And I wanna have the best time.”