Elton John: Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only The Piano Player - 1973
"Crocodile Rock was written as an overt homage to '50s records, and his vocal intentionally mimicked singer Bobby Vee. High Flying Bird was intended to sound like a Van Morrison record, and Midnight Creeper was a tip of the hat to The Rolling Stones" - Elton John
This was the album, released in January 1973, that saw Elton John begin his transition from "mature before his time, bespectacled balladeer" to outrageous glam rocker, still singing many of the same ballads, and interpreting Bernie Taupin's wonderful lyrics, but now with huge platform boots, gold lamé suits and massive novelty glasses.
The music was now not just adult, sincere ballads but was developing a commercial edge. Yes, Your Song and Rocket Man had been huge hits, but they were not upbeat, "glammy" rockers like the exhilarating, singalong fun of Crocodile Rock.
Let's head to Spain.....
The opener, Daniel - the album's other big hit - was this moving song, which although a slow number, had an irresistible hook that made it a perfect single. It serves as a real piece of nostalgia for me. Every time I hear it, it reminds me of lying in bed stricken down with a cold as a teenager, listening to Radio One all day long. Apart from that it is simply a great song.
Teacher I Need You is a rollicking piano-driven rocker of a song with a glorious chorus refrain. It would have made a great single. There had certainly been nothing like this track or the next one on late 1971's Madman Across The Water or also particularly on mid 1972's Honky Château (although there were a few signs of a new direction on that album).
Elderberry Wine is as catchy as the previous track with one hell of a brass section enhancing it. It was one of those songs that just got your attention upon first hearing. That was exactly how it was for me back in 1973.
Now for a change of pace. Blues For My Baby And Me is a throwback to those introspective, mournful, brooding Madman Across The Water ballads, full of Bernie Taupin's Western imagery and a lovely, captivating, soulful chorus part. Just gorgeous. Elton at his mid-seventies best. Uplifting and infectious.
Midnight Creeper is a strident, pumping piece of brass-driven blues rock, with a name check for Tina Turner. Nobody did this sort of funked-up, ballsy and bluesy rock like The Elton John Band in those days. Their sound was quite unique. The horns and guitar interplay is energising. Great stuff. As with some of the Caribou material, I had forgotten how good some of these lesser-known tracks were.Have Mercy On The Criminal is another one that harks back a bit to the Madman album in its bleak subject matter and somewhat inscrutable sound. This one certainly had no commercial pretensions whatsoever. It sits a little incongruously with the rest of the album. I remember at the time, when I heard it, at fourteen, I hated it. Now, in later years, I have reassessed, unsurprisingly. It builds on a lyric first used in Rotten Peaches on the Madman album.
I'm Gonna Be A Teenage Idol is a pounding, brassy number that sounds like Honky Cat in places. The lyrics ruminate on the pop fame Elton was about to have in that witty, self-deprecating way that Bernie could sometimes come up with, a way that suited Elton too. Despite his glammy posturing you get the impression that he knew he was hamming it up, never taking himself that seriously.
Texan Love Song is a whimsical, country ballad with an acoustic backing that has hints of the material from the Elton John album. The lyrics also concern redneck homophobia in considerable detail but this went largely unnoticed at the time. "Goddam it you're all gonna die" sings the bigoted protagonist. A dark song sung over a light, buoyant melody. It had considerable irony.
After the rousing beginning to the album, it was in danger of getting in to a bit of a rut by now, but this is all saved by the lively hit single Crocodile Rock, with its instant, "la-la-la", Speedy Gonzales-inspired chorus and fairground keyboard riff. It is a song that is just so nostalgic for me, bringing back my early teenage years every time I hear those keyboards and Elton telling us about having so much fun with Suzie. I have read some reviewers expressing a dislike for it. Bollocks. It's great - Lordy mama so it is.
High Flying Bird is an inspirational, soaring ballad, with snatches of the piano notes from Candle In The Wind in places. It was one of those songs that seemed to fit being the final track on an Elton John album, like Curtains from Captain Fantastic and All The Nasties from Madman (yes I know it was the penultimate track, but it fits the bill).
Elton John was on the way to flying higher than he had ever done.
