Elton John's 'Crocodile Rock': His First No. 1 Hit That Still Captivates Audiences
In 1972, a classic rock song became a huge hit, marking a landmark moment in the history of music. 'Crocodile Rock' became the first Elton John song to ever hit No. 1, and it still holds up more than five decades later.
'Crocodile Rock' Became Elton John's First No. 1 Hit
On November 20, 1972, Elton John released his song 'Crocodile Rock' as a single. It would later appear on his album 'Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player.' Shortly after, on December 9, 1972, the song reached the Billboard Hot 100, later hitting No. 1 on the chart on February 3, 1973. The song would stay on top for three weeks, and it spent 17 weeks on the chart in total.
In August 1970, 'Border Song' became Elton John's first track to reach the Billboard Hot 100, and it went on to peak at No. 92. Over the next year and a half, he had other songs chart, including 'Tiny Dancer,' 'Friends,' 'Levon,' 'Rocket Man,' and 'Your Song.' While all of those songs became hits, none of them topped the chart, making 'Crocodile Rock' the iconic rock star's first no. 1 track ever.
Why 'Crocodile Rock' Still Holds Up
'Crocodile Rock' isn't a timeless classic. Instead, it is something even better. The breakthrough hit is a song that feels like it's decades old, and that is a huge part of its appeal. A throwback tune that makes listeners nostalgic for a simpler time, even fans who were born years after it was released embrace how undeniably catchy it is. When 'Crocodile Rock' is played in public, you will typically see people, young and old, belting out the song's iconic "la-la-la-la-la" chorus along with it. That is the ultimate proof that the song is an example of pop perfection that still holds up.
Every Elton John Song to Reach No. 1, Ranked by How Many Weeks It Stayed on Top:
Elton John Song: | When the Song Reached No. 1: | How Many Weeks it Was No. 1: |
‘Bennie And The Jets' | 4/13/74 | 1 Week |
'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me' | 2/01/92 | 1 Week |
'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds' | 1/04/75 | 2 Weeks |
‘Philadelphia Freedom' | 4/12/75 | 2 Weeks |
'Crocodile Rock' | 2/03/73 | 3 Weeks |
'Island Girl' | 11/01/75 | 3 Weeks |
‘Don't Go Breaking My Heart' | 8/07/76 | 4 Weeks |
‘That's What Friends Are For' (Dionne & Friends, Featuring Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder) | 1/18/86 | 4 Weeks |
‘Candle In The Wind 1997' | 10/11/97 | 14 Weeks |
Next: 1976 Album Ranked as ‘One of the Greatest Albums of All Time' - And It Still Holds Up
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published April 27, 2026 at 1:32 PM.