The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
I remember when rock was young
Me and Suzie had so much fun
Holding hands and skimming stones
Had an old gold Chevy and a place of my own
But the biggest kick I ever got
Was doing a thing called the Crocodile Rock
While the other kids were Rocking Round the Clock
We were hopping and bopping to the Crocodile Rock
Well Crocodile Rocking is something shocking
When your feet just can't keep still
I never knew me a better time and I guess I never will
Oh Lawdy mama those Friday nights
When Suzie wore her dresses tight
And the Crocodile Rocking was out of sight
La lalalala la lalalala la lalalala la
But the years went by and the rock just died
Suzie went and left us for some foreign guy
Long nights crying by the record machine
Dreaming of my Chevy and my old blue jeans
But they'll never kill the thrills we've got
Burning up to the Crocodile Rock
Learning fast as the weeks went past
We really thought the Crocodile Rock would last
Well Crocodile Rocking is something shocking
When your feet just can't keep still
I never knew me a better time and I guess I never will
Oh Lawdy mama those Friday nights
When Suzie wore her dresses tight
And the Crocodile Rocking was out of sight
La lalalala la lalalala la lalalala la
I remember when rock was young
Me and Suzie had so much fun
Holding hands and skimming stones
Had an old gold Chevy and a place of my own
But the biggest kick I ever got
Was doing a thing called the Crocodile Rock
While the other kids were Rocking Round the Clock
We were hopping and bopping to the Crocodile Rock
Well Crocodile Rocking is something shocking
When your feet just can't keep still
I never knew me a better time and I guess I never will
Oh Lawdy mama those Friday nights
When Suzie wore her dresses tight
And the Crocodile Rocking was out of sight
La lalalala la lalalala la lalalala la
La lalalala la lalalala la lalalala la
La lalalala la lalalala la lalalala la
Me and Suzie had so much fun
Holding hands and skimming stones
Had an old gold Chevy and a place of my own
But the biggest kick I ever got
Was doing a thing called the Crocodile Rock
While the other kids were Rocking Round the Clock
We were hopping and bopping to the Crocodile Rock
Well Crocodile Rocking is something shocking
When your feet just can't keep still
I never knew me a better time and I guess I never will
Oh Lawdy mama those Friday nights
When Suzie wore her dresses tight
And the Crocodile Rocking was out of sight
La lalalala la lalalala la lalalala la
But the years went by and the rock just died
Suzie went and left us for some foreign guy
Long nights crying by the record machine
Dreaming of my Chevy and my old blue jeans
But they'll never kill the thrills we've got
Burning up to the Crocodile Rock
Learning fast as the weeks went past
We really thought the Crocodile Rock would last
Well Crocodile Rocking is something shocking
When your feet just can't keep still
I never knew me a better time and I guess I never will
Oh Lawdy mama those Friday nights
When Suzie wore her dresses tight
And the Crocodile Rocking was out of sight
La lalalala la lalalala la lalalala la
I remember when rock was young
Me and Suzie had so much fun
Holding hands and skimming stones
Had an old gold Chevy and a place of my own
But the biggest kick I ever got
Was doing a thing called the Crocodile Rock
While the other kids were Rocking Round the Clock
We were hopping and bopping to the Crocodile Rock
Well Crocodile Rocking is something shocking
When your feet just can't keep still
I never knew me a better time and I guess I never will
Oh Lawdy mama those Friday nights
When Suzie wore her dresses tight
And the Crocodile Rocking was out of sight
La lalalala la lalalala la lalalala la
La lalalala la lalalala la lalalala la
La lalalala la lalalala la lalalala la
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This song seemingly tackles the methods of deception those who manipulate others use to get victims to follow their demands, as well as diverting attention away from important issues. They'll also use it as a means to convince people to hate or kill others by pretending acts of terrorism were committed by the enemy when the acts themselves were done by the masters of control to promote discrimination and hate. It also reinforces the idea that these manipulative forces operate in various locations, infiltrating everyday life without detection, and propagate any and everywhere.
In general, it highlights the danger of hidden agendas, manipulation, and distraction, serving as a critique of those who exploit chaos and confusion to control and gain power, depicting a cautionary tale against falling into their traps. It encourages us to question the narratives presented to us and remain vigilant against manipulation in various parts of society.
Holiday
Bee Gees
Bee Gees
@[Diderik:33655] "Your a holiday!" Was a popular term used in the 50s/60s to compliment someone on their all around. For example, not only are they beautiful, but they are fun and kind too ... just an all around "holiday".
I think your first comment is closer to being accurate. The singer/song writers state "Millions of eyes can see, yet why am i so blind!? When the someone else is me, its unkind its unkind". I believe hes referring to the girl toying with him and using him. He wants something deeper with her, thats why he allows himself to be as a puppet (even though for her fun and games) as long as it makes her happy. But he knows deep down that she doesnt really want to be serious with him and thats what makes him.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Magical
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
How would you describe the feeling of being in love? For Ed Sheeran, the word is “Magical.” in HIS three-minute album opener, he makes an attempt to capture the beauty and delicacy of true love with words. He describes the magic of it all over a bright Pop song produced by Aaron Dessner.
I like punk, but Elton and Classic Rock are my only exceptions. This and Saturday night are my faves. And of course Tiny Dancer...
Yes stoolhardy, it is a fad dance he made up, but a very good one. I love doing karaoke to this song. Easy and fun. It's about childhood memories of dancing, hanging out with friends (suzi in particular) and enjoying life.
this song is catchy as it is nostalgic, a true example of elton's gift to write wonderful music and taupin's excellent words.
it sounds to me like it's about a guy who went out all the time doing his favourite dance with the girl he liked, but then they all grew up, apart, and they grew out of the rock.
On the surface, this appears to be a song about an old 50's dance called the "Crocodile Rock". Upon closer inspection, this is clearly a song about drugs. Remember, song writers are artists and the words are there for a reason. First of all, let's consider that Elton John was a cocaine addict and was possibly doing crack with his pal Bernie Taupin (co-song writer) in the early 70's "when (crack) rock was young". I realize that crack cocaine was extremely young at the time this song was written so it may be more likely that Crocodile Rock is about Speed or some other stimulant. In fact, Speed became a schedule II drug in 1971, the year before this song was written. The Crocodile Rock was "out of sight" because it was illegal. Anyway, so if all "the other kids were Rocking Round the Clock", why weren't Elton and Bernie? Because they were getting high on amphetamines. I'm sure "holding hands and skimming stones" is tons of fun, but it seems kind of random and doesn't make a whole lot of sense in the context of this song, unless of course "skimming stones" is a reference for "doing drugs". If this is a song about a 1950's rock & roll dance, it sounds like Suzie was a real slut wearing those "tight dresses" back in the 50's. Maybe she's actually an early 70's hooker. I admit that I would certainly be "shocked" if there were a dance that made it so my "feet just can't keep still". Maybe a better explanation for such a phenomenon is drug that causes hyperactivity and restlessness, such as...amphetamine. So after "years went by" of "burning up (smoking?)" and "learning fast (speed?)", the "rock just died". That is to say that he ran out of money and couldn't obtain his "rock" anymore. He mentions that he "had" (past tense) an "old gold Chevy and a place of his own". Drug addiction certainly can cause one to lose one's car and home. He mentions "dreaming of his chevy and his old blue jeans" to re-emphasize the fact that he did, without a doubt, lose everything...even his pants. So when the money was gone, Suzie took off and left "us" (him and his addiction to amphetamine) for "some foreign guy", Suzie's new pimp. At no point in this song does it ever say that the Crocodile Rock is a dance. He only says that he was "doing" a "thing" called the Crocodile Rock. In conclusion, he was "doing" a "thing" called drugs.
Uh, no, it's about a dance called the Crocodile Rock. Nostalgia, Fun. Sex. Sweat. YOUTH!!! You're overthinking it.
@opeth2009 To quote from another rock classic: Still, a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest. You are so far off target that you've probably bumped into yourself by now.
This is a great song that everytime I listen to it I just can't keep still!
Yeah, Tiny Dancer is great! This song is so "nastalgic". Reminds me (not that I lived in that era) when girls wore Buster Browns and had poodles on their skirts and boys wore a lot of mouse in their hair (hm..they still do that tho' ..lol). He's got so much energy. But this song has a slightly sad twist to it. "the rock just died". No, Elton, it's still here, just different.
@LeArtist very late reply, but...<br /> <br /> as the legend goes, Rock n Roll “died” between, say, 1959-60 until The Beatles showed up. I think this is what this line is referring to, because the Croc-Rock is obviously a dance from the early days of rock n roll. Elvis got drafted, Chuck Berry got railroaded into jail on a bullshit Mann Act charge, Buddy Holly died, Jerry Lee married his 13 y/o cousin....the early heroes were almost all nearly brought down. <br /> <br /> But it’s really just a myth, Dion andyhe Belmonts, among many other groups were still making quality rock n roll. And of course, The Beatles (or British Invasion in general) are the “foreign guy” Suzy left them for...
I take it that "Crocodile Rock" is a fad dance that he made up.
this is one of the first elton john songs that i heard, then i bought the gtrestest hits on tape, i listened to other songs and said hey ivwe heard this song. great artist. he gets better with every album that comes out
Easy song to understand. Its a bout a group of friends like St Elmos Fire who used to hang out and dance the Crocodile Rock and as they got older they all went their separate ways and he misses those days.