Rocket Man (1972) 12/16/20

On December 5th, we highlighted CCR's “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” and mentioned how music critics thought it was about the Vietnam War and how the idealism of the '60s was giving way to the violence of the early '70s...when actually it was about friction between CCR's Fogerty Brothers.

Today we have a somewhat similar case with Elton John's “Great Song of 1972,” “Rocket Man.”

Music critics believed it was about drug use, citing the lyric “I'll be high as a kite by then.” They also concluded that the song was a nod to David Bowie's Great Song, “Space Oddity.”

But according to Elton's collaborator Bernie Taupin, who wrote the lyrics, NONE of that is true. In fact, the song was inspired by science fiction writer Ray Bradbury's short story, “The Rocket Man,” which explored the idea that in the future, being an astronaut would be an “everyday job,” and the problems that might arise from living and working on another planet.

Bernie came up with the lyrics while driving through the back roads of England. Elton wrote the melody, and then went into the studio to play piano and sing it. When he was done, he left...trusting his producer, Gus Dudgeon, to finish up. Everything else you hear on the track was added later—without any input from Elton.

His trust in Gus was rewarded: the song was added to the album, “Honky Chateau,” and released as a single to great success: #2 in the UK, #6 in Canada and #8 in the US.

Rolling Stone Magazine has it at #245 on their list of the “Top 500 Songs of All Time.”

Note: In 1991, Kate Bush recorded a reggae-inspired cover that did very well internationally, including #2 in Australia and #12 in the UK. In the US, it reached #11 on Billboard's “Alternative Chart” (which reflects airplay only and not sales).

William Shatner also recorded a version...which is so incredibly bad, it almost defies description! Click the link below—if you dare!

“Rocket Man:” It's about exactly what it says it's about...and it's a “Great Song of 1972” (and 1991).

Elton John:

Kate Bush:

William Shatner: