Yes, Elton is singing that "La la la la la". In the 50's, singers used to use a lot of falsetto and people like Frankie Valli would sing in that tone. It's a nod to the 50's.
For those of us who are old enough to have listened to a lot of music in the 1950s and 60s, there's nothing unusual about those high-pitched "la-la-la's" that Elton sings. It's just nostalgic, since so many pop songs of that era included singing like that. "Crocodile Rock" has always taken me back in time, ever since it was first released. My fav Elton songs are "Tiny Dancer" and "Your Song."
Ah, good old Elton. I can't tell you how many miles I drove, just cruising to nowhere, listening to this guy's music. I used to make my own "Best Of" compilation tapes of his songs and drive for hours into the wee hours of night on every highway, by way and back road that beckoned me. Those were some sweet times. 😎💕💖
One of my favorite Elton John songs. A lot of people forget that Elton only wrote the music and sang it. A guy named Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics. Also Asia the handheld instrument you’re thinking of is a kazoo. 😂 It does kind of sound like that!
It's an homage to when "rock was young", Bill Haley and the Comets big hit was 'Rock Around the Clock', and the music featured a lot of singing high notes.
My favorite version of this is still from when Elton John was on the Muppet Show as a guest and performed this with the "crocodiles" performing the la la la's. That was the best! I'm sure there is a clip on RUclips somewhere!!!
The song was talking about when rock n roll was young so late 50"s when they also had a genre called do -wop.the style and la LA's match that.like the del Shannon run around sue that you just did is do-wop.
I saw Elton John when he did a concert for a corporate event, just him and a piano. When he played Crocodile Rock, folks went crazy, and when the La La La part came, all the ladies took over that part. He loved it, called out “ladies” when that part of the song came, and just added calls in between the La La Las.
This is Bernie and Elton's tribute to the innocent Rock & Roll of the 1950s and early 60s, especially to the sound of The Beach Boys. In the 1980s a double-record album was released, called "Two Rooms". It had the world's best known singers and bands, each covering a different song by Bernie Taupin (lyrics) and Elton John (music). The band who covered "Crocodile Rock" was, fittingly, The Beach Boys.
He's done SO many great songs: Rocket Man, Your Song, Sad Songs, Tiny Dancer, I'm Still Standing, Circle of Life - tons of great songs. *Side Note:* I think he's heading down to your neck of the woods later in the year and he does a GREAT live show - I've seen him twice and he's worth going to - especially since he's prolly not gonna be touring too much longer, catch him while you can
Asia, I think you're thinking about a kazoo for that sound :) Next Elton John definitely should be Philadelphia Freedom. HUGE hit, and written for his friend, tennis star Billie Jean King, who was a member of the pro tennis team, the Philadelphia Freedoms at the time. If you want to hear some more amazing falsetto, check out Frankie Valli in "Sherry". But actually, you really need to react to Frankie Valli singing the theme song to the movie Grease. The Bee Gees wrote the song specifically with him in mind, and told the producers that if HE didn't sing it, they wouldn't put it in the movie.
Elton puts on a hellva show!!! For more great rockin' songs check out "Street Kids", "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting", "Bennie & The Jets" or "Yell Help".
That sound you were hearing was a kazoo & a piano together. I always wondered what it was too!! Saw him do it in concert he had a kazoo. It was amazing!!
It was Elton's voice in this recording. However, he hasn't been able to achieve his falsetto since '87 when he had throat surgery, so that may explain why you saw a kazoo being used at a show.
I remember when this song was released in 1973 when I was a kid. We used to blast it on the AM radio in my Dad's 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass with the vinyl roof and big hubcaps! Classic and takes me back.
Sweet memory!!!! When this first came out I became engaged at 17 and married an Air force airman and everybody sang Jenny went left us that foreign guy ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Sweet 70s music
While the other kids were dancing to Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock", Susie and he were digging Bill Haley's follow-up hit "See You Later Alligator (After a While, Crocodile)". Oh, and if you listen to the Diamonds' "Little Darlin'", you'll hear where the "la la"s come from.
It sounds like when we as children took a comb and wrapped a piece of paper (the kind you put between layers of food in a lunch bag) a blow on it. It is exactly that sound.
Of course it’s his voice! The whole song seems an homage to the dawn of what would eventually become Rock & Roll. He mentions “Rock Around The Clock” by Bill Haley & His Comets. My mom’s era but I grew up listening to these classics songs.
Anything from Elton John is a hit! A performer, a singer who gave us a lot of different things in his catalog, so happy I got to see him twice in my life in person. His concerts are amazing I’m sure they still are
Bernie (lyrics) & Elton (music) with Crocodile Rock -- they were doing a nostalgic homage to rock & roll's origin and the innocence of the 50's & early 60's.
One of my favorite by Elton! Of course their are about 100 more of his songs that I love. This tune is from one of his great early albums with the song Daniel, Teacher I Need You,And Blues For Baby And Me!
The song is a great throwback of the 1950's when rock and roll was making its way into young teenage hearts from their ma and pa standards Its the first time I heard Elton John.I became a fan of his 70s hits..Fun to dance to.
I grew up with the music of Elton John & had a lot of his records. He was really big in the 70's-80's. He collaborated with Bernie Taupin since 1967 on more than 30 albums. They were one of the best song writing teams. Bernie wrote the lyrics & Elton supplied the melody. They had so many great hits together such as "Your Song", "Levon", "Honky Cat, "Daniel", "Candle In The Wind", "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting", "The Bitch Is Back", "Someone Saved My Life Tonight", "Island Girl", "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" etc.
YEAH SO THIS WAS JUST 1 OF MANY MANYYYY TOP ROCK HITS FOR ELTON AND BERNIE :) THIS COMES OFF OF HIS 73 MULTI PLATINUM ALBUM ( DON'T SHOOT ME I'M ONLY THE PIANO PLAYER ) THE OTHERRR HUGE HIT WAS : DANIEL :) ENJOY THE BEST IN MUSIC GUYS!
Elton John - candle in the wind (wrote and sung for american actress Marilyn Monroe). Later performed for the death of princess Diana Also, "circle of life" (its one of the original lion king songs by Elton John). "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" by Elton for The Lion King, is also really good.
great fun song. you should try Eagle Rock by the old Australian band Daddy Cool. from about 1970/71 ish. Black n white filmclip. it gets everybody singing along (in Oz anyway)
I think that what Asia was talking about is a Kazoo . Truth is this bit of the song is 'borrowed' from Speedy Gonzalez by Pat Boone a song from the early 60`s
this great song is a hommage to the 50's and 60's rock n roll music. the high notes in the chorus are N O T a cartoon voice. many doo wop groups or singers used this falsetto voice in their songs. this song is clearly adapted from Del Shannon's song "cry myself to sleep" and Lou Christies "Mr. Tenor Man". Give it a listen, then you will understand
Bernie and Elton's tribute to early rock and roll and the Brill building era of US music - until "Susie went and left us for some foreign guy", which I always thought referred to the British Invasion of the 1960s. Anyway, not only does the la-la-la vocal acknowledge Doo-Wop but the guitar work at that point in the song is very 50s ballad.
Hey guys, for a fun and different version of this song, you should watch Elton's live version from the Muppet Show, there is also Rita Moreno and Animal doing the song Fever, that's hilarious, Animals various drum battles with Buddy Rich, Dave Grohl and Harry Belafonte. Speaking of Harry Belafonte, you two have to react to Jump in Line and Day-O the Banana Boat song.
Asia, are you talking about Helium, sometimes people would have some in a balloon and you would inhale and your voice would sound like mini mouse,lol. I do believe that is Elton singing in that strange pitch. Fun song though from a fun album. Thanks Asia and BJ, always good to see you.
Yes, Elton is singing that "La la la la la". In the 50's, singers used to use a lot of falsetto and people like Frankie Valli would sing in that tone. It's a nod to the 50's.
Exactly this. It was a very big thing used in 50's bop music
Kind of "Du Wap".
Yes aka Neil Sedaka
No, those are actual crocodiles singing that part. At least, they were when Elton performed the song on The Muppet Show.
That’s not just vocals creating that weird sound, it’s a Farfisa organ, too.
Yep, that's him singing that.
"While the other kids were 'Rock Around The Clock". Was a Bill Haley & The Comets song.
The song was "Rock Around the Clock" but he is referencing that song here.
"Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" is among his best songs.
Please!
My son absolutely LOVED this song when he was little. He’s 37 now. Man, it flies by.
I loved this song as a kid. Honestly, still do. I’ll be 36 at the end of August. Your son is in good company 🤙🏼
Asia & BJ, his "Your Song", "Philadelphia Freedom" and "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" are next for you!
Any of these please
For those of us who are old enough to have listened to a lot of music in the 1950s and 60s, there's nothing unusual about those high-pitched "la-la-la's" that Elton sings. It's just nostalgic, since so many pop songs of that era included singing like that. "Crocodile Rock" has always taken me back in time, ever since it was first released. My fav Elton songs are "Tiny Dancer" and "Your Song."
Ah, good old Elton. I can't tell you how many miles I drove, just cruising to nowhere, listening to this guy's music. I used to make my own "Best Of" compilation tapes of his songs and drive for hours into the wee hours of night on every highway, by way and back road that beckoned me. Those were some sweet times. 😎💕💖
They were the best of times.
This was the single from the ‘ Don’t Shoot Me Im only the Piano Player ‘ album. Great Album!
Agreed!
That's him singing.
One of my favorite Elton John songs. A lot of people forget that Elton only wrote the music and sang it. A guy named Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics. Also Asia the handheld instrument you’re thinking of is a kazoo. 😂 It does kind of sound like that!
It's an homage to when "rock was young", Bill Haley and the Comets big hit was 'Rock Around the Clock', and the music featured a lot of singing high notes.
It sounds wonderful.....Elton is so talented...the La la's are all him. Great rock song. it's about 50's rock and how things change.
Elton John is so freakin' talented, he could turn your laundry list into a Hit Single in about 15'! A true GENIUS!
Shopping list for the B side 😏
Watched Elton perform this last Wednesday at Bristol Ashton Gate in front of 35,000 fans. Stunning concert! His final tour!
Once you go down the Elton John rabbit hole of songs, you may never get out.
Endless great songs!
Philadelphia Freedom, Some Saved My Life Tonight, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Daniel... all great Elton John songs
Wife here..One of my favorite Elton John songs!!..(heard this song all the time as a very small child)..On heavy rotation then and now!!!
Go Redbirds! ❤️
Elton is my all time fave!!!
Every time I hear this all I can think of is when Elton John was with the Muppets singing this with crocodiles singing the backup vocals.
My favorite version of this is still from when Elton John was on the Muppet Show as a guest and performed this with the "crocodiles" performing the la la la's. That was the best! I'm sure there is a clip on RUclips somewhere!!!
And the Muppet Show is on Disney+ (S2.14 is Elton)
Yes. Came here to mention that. They should definitely have watched that version.
The Diamonds were making, in 1957, that kind of falsetto voice in "Little Darlin'" !
I saw Elton in St Louis MO. Under the Gateway Arch 4th of July weekend 1981. nice hat BJ.
That's the first Elton John song I remember hearing 😎
When I was eight one of my friends told me the "La, La, La" was when Elton got his finger caught in the piano keys
Life-long Elton John fan, having seen him in every decade since 1975. Plus . . . Love the StL hat, being born and raised there.
The song was talking about when rock n roll was young so late 50"s when they also had a genre called do -wop.the style and la LA's match that.like the del Shannon run around sue that you just did is do-wop.
I saw Elton John when he did a concert for a corporate event, just him and a piano. When he played Crocodile Rock, folks went crazy, and when the La La La part came, all the ladies took over that part. He loved it, called out “ladies” when that part of the song came, and just added calls in between the La La Las.
My daughter loved this song when she was a little girl and would dance around the room every time she heard it.
The La la la sound is just like "... the plaintive cry of a young Mexican girl ..." on 'Speedy Gonzalez' by Pat Boone from 1962.
This song was an homage to the doo wap songs of the 50's. Hence the La la's.
This is Bernie and Elton's tribute to the innocent Rock & Roll of the 1950s and early 60s, especially to the sound of The Beach Boys. In the 1980s a double-record album was released, called "Two Rooms". It had the world's best known singers and bands, each covering a different song by Bernie Taupin (lyrics) and Elton John (music). The band who covered "Crocodile Rock" was, fittingly, The Beach Boys.
He’s remembering the songs he grew up with in the 1950’s
WITH ELTON YOU NEVER KNEW WHAT HE WAS WEARING AND WHAT HE WAS SINGING BUT EVERYONE LOVED HIM!!!!😂😂😂😂
Oh man I remember when Elton performed this on The Muppet Show. Our kids and me thought this was so great.
Oldie but goodie! How can u not bop to that!🕺❤💃
He's done SO many great songs: Rocket Man, Your Song, Sad Songs, Tiny Dancer, I'm Still Standing, Circle of Life - tons of great songs.
*Side Note:* I think he's heading down to your neck of the woods later in the year and he does a GREAT live show - I've seen him twice and he's worth going to - especially since he's prolly not gonna be touring too much longer, catch him while you can
Great song!! Philadelphia Freedom was the 1st Elton song I ever heard and it's STILL my favorite!!!
Asia, I think you're thinking about a kazoo for that sound :)
Next Elton John definitely should be Philadelphia Freedom. HUGE hit, and written for his friend, tennis star Billie Jean King, who was a member of the pro tennis team, the Philadelphia Freedoms at the time.
If you want to hear some more amazing falsetto, check out Frankie Valli in "Sherry". But actually, you really need to react to Frankie Valli singing the theme song to the movie Grease. The Bee Gees wrote the song specifically with him in mind, and told the producers that if HE didn't sing it, they wouldn't put it in the movie.
Elton puts on a hellva show!!! For more great rockin' songs check out "Street Kids", "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting", "Bennie & The Jets" or "Yell Help".
“Street Kids” is a highly underrated rocker, love it
That sound you were hearing was a kazoo & a piano together. I always wondered what it was too!! Saw him do it in concert he had a kazoo. It was amazing!!
It was Elton's voice in this recording. However, he hasn't been able to achieve his falsetto since '87 when he had throat surgery, so that may explain why you saw a kazoo being used at a show.
I remember when this song was released in 1973 when I was a kid. We used to blast it on the AM radio in my Dad's 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass with the vinyl roof and big hubcaps! Classic and takes me back.
Love early Elton, one of his best songs. It's not an instrument, he's singing it.
A friend of mine was hit by a train 30 years ago. This was her favorite song. I always think of her when
I hear it. RIP Michele Gagne.
Me and my sis loved dancing and singing with this in our room. Over 50 yrs ago!!! Can see us so well in my mind right now!!!🎉😂❤...
Sweet memory!!!! When this first came out I became engaged at 17 and married an Air force airman and everybody sang Jenny went left us that foreign guy ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤Sweet 70s music
It's a shout out to 1950s Doo Wop.
Fun song. Elton is an act that will not be repeated.
Elton's ode to the 50's, few have done that this good....I think what Asia is talking about that you blow into is a Kazoo
While the other kids were dancing to Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock", Susie and he were digging Bill Haley's follow-up hit "See You Later Alligator (After a While, Crocodile)". Oh, and if you listen to the Diamonds' "Little Darlin'", you'll hear where the "la la"s come from.
Guys you must do "Saturday nights alright for fighting" or "The bitch is back".
It sounds like when we as children took a comb and wrapped a piece of paper (the kind you put between layers of food in a lunch bag) a blow on it. It is exactly that sound.
Of course it’s his voice! The whole song seems an homage to the dawn of what would
eventually become Rock & Roll. He mentions “Rock Around The Clock” by Bill Haley &
His Comets. My mom’s era but I grew up listening to these classics songs.
Anything from Elton John is a hit! A performer, a singer who gave us a lot of different things in his catalog, so happy I got to see him twice in my life in person. His concerts are amazing I’m sure they still are
Hi 👋 the music 🎶 rocked when we were growing up.
I bought this single on its release, 1972, I was 10 years old! Still love this song.
Bernie (lyrics) & Elton (music) with Crocodile Rock -- they were doing a nostalgic homage to rock & roll's origin and the innocence of the 50's & early 60's.
Lalala is a tribute to 50s style of "Doo Whop"
I used to bartend at a bar called Crocodiles and we played this every night at closing. They were the best times, lol!
Have to watch him sing this when he was on The Muppet Show.
One of my favorite by Elton! Of course their are about 100 more of his songs that I love. This tune is from one of his great early albums with the song Daniel, Teacher I Need You,And Blues For Baby And Me!
Nope that's him singing that la la la la la la, lol
Next - watch Elron performing "Crocodile Rock" on The Muppet Show. I'll never forget his back-up singers were crocodile Muppets. So cute.
No other artist from the 70"s has the appeal to today's youth as does Elton John.
Loved this song when growing up in the 70s. Also, that’s a right smart looking ball cap you have on there BJ. Much love from STL MO.
He is do homage to old time rock and roll with singers in background singing in falsetto called dowop!
Yeah, he was singing with a nasally falsetto voice. Maybe you were thinking of a “kazoo!” Thx y’all!
The song is a great throwback of the 1950's when rock and roll was making its way into young teenage hearts from their ma and pa standards Its the first time I heard Elton John.I became a fan of his 70s hits..Fun to dance to.
This was Elton’s first number one song in America
I grew up with the music of Elton John & had a lot of his records. He was really big in the 70's-80's. He collaborated with Bernie Taupin since 1967 on more than 30 albums. They were one of the best song writing teams. Bernie wrote the lyrics & Elton supplied the melody. They had so many great hits together such as "Your Song", "Levon", "Honky Cat, "Daniel", "Candle In The Wind", "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting", "The Bitch Is Back", "Someone Saved My Life Tonight", "Island Girl", "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word" etc.
Definitely a deep rabbit hole and worth every trip down
You should react to Elton doing Candles in the wind and Tiny Dancer
I never know crocodile's rocked. They must do it at night when know one is looking 😂
YEAH SO THIS WAS JUST 1 OF MANY MANYYYY TOP ROCK HITS FOR ELTON AND BERNIE :) THIS COMES OFF OF HIS 73 MULTI PLATINUM ALBUM ( DON'T SHOOT ME I'M ONLY THE PIANO PLAYER ) THE OTHERRR HUGE HIT WAS : DANIEL :) ENJOY THE BEST IN MUSIC GUYS!
Elton John - candle in the wind (wrote and sung for american actress Marilyn Monroe). Later performed for the death of princess Diana
Also, "circle of life" (its one of the original lion king songs by Elton John). "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" by Elton for The Lion King, is also really good.
Love Reginald Dwight-Elton's real name
It brings back a 50s sound. That la la la
Love it! Every song was different than the last.
you might try his blues song its called thats why they call it the blues
Elton John sounds like a kazoo.
Heard it all now.
To truly hear Elton John 's vocal ability, you need to listen to his song HAVE MERCY ON THE CRIMINAL 🎶 🎵 🎶 intense and powerful 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Oh snap!....Check out the version with the Muppets and Elton John!...Peace!
This song takes me back to high school days. I never knew me a better time and I guess I never will. Go Cards!
it's called Do-Wop....watch songs from the 50's and 60's they all sang like that
great fun song. you should try Eagle Rock by the old Australian band Daddy Cool. from about 1970/71 ish. Black n white filmclip. it gets everybody singing along (in Oz anyway)
IMO one of his Best Songs, good old Rock n Roll.
I think that what Asia was talking about is a Kazoo . Truth is this bit of the song is 'borrowed' from Speedy Gonzalez by Pat Boone a song from the early 60`s
That is definitely him. He I mimicking the Doo Wop style popular in the 59s and 60s that he grew u listening to
It was Elton singing "La la la la..." in falsetto. He has not been able to hit the higher notes since his throat surgery back in '87.
i was never a fan of his other music, but as i kid i loved this song!
It's a Kazoo Asia! But in this case, that's Elton singing. Thank you for the review. Such a fun song.
this great song is a hommage to the 50's and 60's rock n roll music. the high notes in the chorus are N O T a cartoon voice. many doo wop groups or singers used this falsetto voice in their songs. this song is clearly adapted from Del Shannon's song "cry myself to sleep" and Lou Christies "Mr. Tenor Man". Give it a listen, then you will understand
Madman Across the Water.. Levon.. Honky Cat was Elton's first hit
He's imitating singers from the late 50's and early 60's.
Bernie and Elton's tribute to early rock and roll and the Brill building era of US music - until "Susie went and left us for some foreign guy", which I always thought referred to the British Invasion of the 1960s.
Anyway, not only does the la-la-la vocal acknowledge Doo-Wop but the guitar work at that point in the song is very 50s ballad.
That thing that you were talkin'-about, Asia, like what does a duck call, is called a kazoo!
Hey guys, for a fun and different version of this song, you should watch Elton's live version from the Muppet Show, there is also Rita Moreno and Animal doing the song Fever, that's hilarious, Animals various drum battles with Buddy Rich, Dave Grohl and Harry Belafonte. Speaking of Harry Belafonte, you two have to react to Jump in Line and Day-O the Banana Boat song.
You should give St Paul and the Broken Bones a Listen. You will be amazed!
A kazoo, The La Las are from the the music from the fiftys.
I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues is my favorite I think.
Asia, are you talking about Helium, sometimes people would have some in a balloon and you would inhale and your voice would sound like mini mouse,lol. I do believe that is Elton singing in that strange pitch. Fun song though from a fun album. Thanks Asia and BJ, always good to see you.
If you liked this, you need to react to Saturday night's alright for fightin' (the studio version),