Is this an Elton John BANGER?! | College Students' FIRST TIME REACTION! 

Thanks to Keeps for sponsoring this video! Head to keeps.com/andyandalex to get 50% off your first order of hair loss treatment. Let us know what Elton song we should hit next!!! And what are you thoughts on this song, a bit much, or classic Elton?!

The lalala was in fact meant to be reminiscent of that '50s doowop sound which is in fact what the song is primarily referencing so I think it's a very clever and appropriate touch, the fact that you don't like it is a different issue entirely but it definitely fits with the theme of the song.

The Crocodile Rock was a dance craze that never existed. Nostalgia for something that never was. The 50s style was intentional. Fun song

"Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" is a certified banger! It is the hardest rocking out of all Elton's hits.

"Someone Saved My Life Tonight" is a must. From the 1st album in history to debut at #1 on Billboard. If you want more of a rocker try "Bitch Is Back"

I understand the criticism of this song, including those who think it’s pop “fluff.” But those people forget that this song is an homage to early rock and roll, which was heavy on pop fluff. Loved this song as a kid. Don’t like it as much as I used to but any criticism of the song should be tempered by an understanding of the song is trying to be.

"Philadelphia Freedom" is a true banger from Elton, with production elements way ahead of its time. Plus it's the best song ever written for/about a professional tennis team. 🎾

Elton appeared on The Muppet Show in the 70’s and did this , it was perfect. The Laaaa bits were done in perfect muppet fashion. Well worth checking out on RU-vid

Y'all need to hit "Saturday Night's Alright For Fightin'", arguably Elton's rockinest song. Also hit "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" an excellent ballad and such an intriguing title.

Elton’s funnest song. I just saw him 2 weeks ago at Giants Stadium and this was one of the highlights with the crowd singing “La La La “ without the band. Great concert!!!

I loved this song when I was in third grade. Now that I'm 59, not so much. Understanding the historical context is helpful. When this song was released in the early 70s, there was an oldies revival going on. Sha-Na-Na appeared at Woodstock, Grease won a Tony award, the movie American Graffiti was popular, oldies format radio stations became a thing, and the TV show Happy Days debuted. So this song was in sync with that phenomenon. As you note, this was an homage to 1950s rock-n-roll, in the same way that the Carpenters' song, Yesterday Once More, was.

When this came out in the early 70s, a 50s revival was in full swing. This song addressed it amazingly well. I sang in a 50s tribute band at the time and we also covered this song. There were no sexual connotations in the lyrics, just an homage to the 50s.

Alex: I guarantee you'll like "Bell Bottom Blues" a lot more then "Crocodile Rock." You'll actually hear Eric Clapton singing in falsetto. A must listen.

This brings back some memories. To a lot of us this song was our first introduction to Elton John. Way before the the Sir. Philadelphia Freedom, a banger. Elton just get a better with time. Alex totally got the song.Thanks again for this smile.

"Honky Cat" or "Take me to the Pilot" would be good rockers to hit. If you looking for a potential S tier from EJ that you haven't hit, that would be "Madman Across the Water". Also...Andy, it sounds like you are saying "ell in" John... anyone else hear this, or is it just me?

Strange to think this song was released only 12 years after the 50's ended. It seemed an eternity.

The title of the song is actually a shout out to Bill Haley who wrote, See you later Alligator. With more shout outs to early rockers. Elton was accused of plagiarism for the lalalala parts because of Pat Boones song called Speedy Gonzales.... The whole tune is just saying early rock is better than the new rock...

This was a nostalgia piece for those who grew up in the 50's.

Great song. Throwback. Not one of my faves of his, but he does rock it live. Quite the crowd-pleaser. Brings the whole house to their feet. Need to check out "Someone Saved My Life Tonight".

A couple months ago, Madman Across the Water was a very close 2nd in the community poll. This song is a must listen, certainly one of Elton's best.

Two deeper cuts on the same album, "Teacher, I Need You", and "Elderberry Wine" are also well worth a listen.

Fun reaction! Next - “Madman Across the Water,” the version from the album of the same name. Have a great weekend! 🐊🎶🎵

Please React to " Someone Saved My Life Tonight " Excellent Song !!

I was 12 and at my 6th grade graduation when they played this song. That was it, all of us hit the dance floor and just danced. Didn't care who was who. We just had a great time. So blessed to be in a time that played great music.

Try "Take Me To the Pilot" from the 11-17-70 album - it was a live version, very raw, and done for a radio studio introduction to him in general. He and his band absolutely knock you out!

To Andy's question, a couple of other rock songs that remember having Elton has from his classic period are "The Bitch is Back" and "Pinball Wizard" - Elton's version of "Pinball" rocks a lot harder than the Who's imho (and The Who probably my favorite band of all-time).

'Don't let the sun go down on me' should be next

PLEASE - if you want to hear one of Eltons BEST rockers do the song "Saturday nites alright for fightin" - its a great Elton jam, a 70's CLASSIC rocker and probably the biggest banger of his career far as in his heyday.

The la la's were taken from a 50's banger called "Little Darlin" by the Diamonds. They were a Canadian group who were very popular in the states and the Brits loved early Rock & Roll. Elton was no exception.

Not one of Elton's personal favorites from his catalog, but I have to say I love it. Makes me "remember when rock was young," or at least much younger. Wish we could go back to those days.

Crocodile Rock was the song that got me into Elton John when I was 8. First 2 albums I saved my allowance to buy. First concert when I was 10. But I grew out of it by the time I was 12 and today, it’s his most throwaway popular song from the height of his career (1976 and earlier). Don’t hate it, but ...

This was the first song I ever really got into when I was a kid. This and Let'em In.

The bassline slaps, the double-tracked vocal on the third verse sounds great, and it’s just plain fun. Elton’s homage to the ‘50s rock that filled his childhood. Not meant to be taken to seriously but it’s absolutely great.

One of my favorite songs from a legendary illustrious catalog. So fun! Please do someone saved my life tonight next! Very personal song If you want more fun, try Honky Cat. And then Philadelphia freedom

GOOOOOOOD MORNING A&A FAMILY!!! ☮️💟♾️

This is far from my favourite Elton John song but in concert it's so much fun. It's a concert staple for Elton

Burn Down the Mission is a very good song that Elton John frequently used as an encore in his concerts.

Saturday Night’s Alright is a great Elton John “banger”.

Solid A song. Not one of my personal favorites but it is certainly catchy. I suggest Levon or Madman Across the Water next. Also Daniel, Border Song, and Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me.

When the la la la's started, I knew Alex would hate it lol

Crocodile rock was a supposed fantasy dance, nothing more and its a great crowd song they love it and sing along, I saw him once in St. Louis MO and the audience just automatically chimed in with just a wave from Elton, a great night. Im 62 and grew up with Elton on the radio and in my record collection, you couldnt turn a corner without hearing Eltons hits in the 70's and 80's

You've got to go back to older songs like Take Me To The Pilot, Madman Across the Water, Burn Down the Mission or Where to Now St. Peter to appreciate how much EJ was a rocker in the early part of his career.

I’ve been singing this song with my dad since I was years old. I’m still doing it in my early 50’s it’s such a fun song 👏🏻🎵 love Elton

Major shout-out to Elton's band (Nigel, Dee, and Davey), who really boosts his wonderful songs. Next for me would be Philadelphia Freedom.

Loved this as a kid it was actually the first Elton John song I ever heard

I just checked the Poll History. You are correct! It WAS supposed to be Bell Bottom Blues today. Not DIO, he’s next week.

As you expand your education, you may need to go back further into the 50s, because a lot of the "throwback" songs of the 70s and 80s were heavily, heavily influenced by this birth of rock era. (Billy Joel, David Bowie, and John Lennon all did entire records that were homages to that era, if not straight up covers.) So this song depends somewhat (especially that driving piano, and the la la las) on the rock/rockabilly/origin of rock time period - and there were classics of their kind among them that are probably important foundational stones for really "getting" this kind of thing, like Great Balls of Fire (which I think you covered) and a whole lot of Jackie Wilson (Which I don't think you have covered?) Anyway, rant over. But perhaps your educations have only started, padawans.....

Essential EJ would be "Madman Across the Water", the version from the Tumbleweed Connection album. Another EJ banger is "Burn Down the Mission" from Tumbleweed Connection as well.

During the time this came out there was a big push on the radio back in those days and they called 50's oldies and goldies so it was his homage to that style of music. Similar to "Old Time Rock and roll" by Seger or "You're 16" by Ringo.

Just a fun homage to the long gone days of early rock 'n roll. Figured that Alex would dislike that focus of the song. I know that (and Andy) would like another of Elton's most fun songs from this era, *Honky Cat* - I know Andy said that "Rocket Man" had the best instrumentals of any Elton song he'd heard so far, but he may rethink that with Honky Cat.

This song starts up quickly and just keeps the pace all the way through! So FUN!

This song was huge and LaLaLaLaLa is iconic, go to party for people my age and everyone will sing along and rock out

He has so many songs that I would recommend over this one. At least 50. This is alright. It was a huge hit. Great fun at the concert I went to in 1974. Indian Sunset is a great deep cut. You’d dig it.

A 70's homage to the 50's. I LOVED this song as a kid when it was new and on the radio! My favorite Elton John tune is the much quieter and sadder Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word. And darn, I typed homage before I heard you say homage........

It helps to remember, this song was released in late 72. The Broadway show Grease debuted in early 72. The film American Graffiti was released in the Summer of 73. The Love American style pilot for Happy Days aired in 72 and the Happy Days show began in 74. Laverne and Shirley was a spin-off of Happy Days that began in 76 and lasted 8 seasons. The 50s tribute band, Sha Na Na formed in 69 and developed a big enough following to land their own variety TV from 77 to 81. 50s artists like Chuck Berry had their careers revived in the 70s. The Beach Boys produced the double album, 15 Big Ones in 1976. It was their best selling album since 1965 and it included several 50s cover songs along with new originals. The point I'm trying to make is that, unless you lived through the 70s it's impossible to overstate the enormity and the impact of 1970s, 50s Revival. This was no passing fad. This was a cultural phenomenon that lasted more than a decade (late 60s the early 80s). In high school, I hung out with at least four people, including myself who owned 50s Chevy cars or trucks. My friend still has his 55 Chevy Bel Air coupe from high school and a few years ago, he had it restored to match the Hot Rod style it had when he bought it in the mid 70s. Rootbeer brown with yellow and orange flames, beautiful restored chrome and a 283 mouse power motor. This song and every 50s style or cover song from the 70s represents a cultural experience that will probably never happen again. Not that big and for that long. I mean, think about it. Back to the Future came out in 1987 and we still had not completely shaken the 50s out of our systems yet. Even the rolled up, short sleeve, button up shirts, popped collars and cuffed jeans were a nod to the 50s and that lasted through most of the 80s. We're talking about almost a 20 year "fad" if you can call it that.

I first heard this some in grade 7 (1973) when our cool music teacher taught us to sing this song while he played piano. Memories.

Always holds a place in my heart as it was the first rock & roll song to register with me as a child. Someone gave me the 45 because they thought it was too corney. It broke me out of my KTel Goofy Greats fever. I'm sure my parents were grateful to never hear Guitarzan and The Monster Mash ever again.

One of my favorites as a child but not so much now. I prefer his edgier stuff now.

You guys have got to hit Madman Across the Water. It's an absolutely stunning song with one of the coolest string arrangements I've ever heard.

"Saturday Night's Alright for a Fight" is the rockingest Elton song I can think of.

Okay guys... The Ides of March: " Vehicle" . Do it, you won't regret it!

So many other great Elton John songs. LEVON IS A BANGER.

No one ever seems to mention the great, driving bass line that underpins this song. Thanks for doing it. I was just a little kid listening in amazement to this when it was all over the radio.

This song rocked, ROCKED, when he performed this on The Muppet Show!! 70's Elton was a muppet himself, LOL! Automatic A+!!

Levon is a must. Absolutely cannot wait to have your guys dissect the lyrics. Also Someone Saved My Life Tonight, which is prob my fave EJ song. But then again: Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters; All The Girls Love Alice; Love Lies Bleeding/Funeral For a Friend; Goodbye Yellow Brick Road; and…. So Many More!

Throwbacky? Absolutely! Intentional. And we *loved* the nostalgia craze in the 70’s. Sock hops, saddle shoes, even poodle skirts. Think about this song if you ever play a theme or riff from the seventies in your own music. 😉

Oh this song is insane live, especially if you are in the crowd singing your lungs out during the lalala parts.

You Both Will Truly Enjoy Discussing & Analyzing The Lyrics & Story Behind This Classic,, Elton John "Levon"

I'm a fan of Elton & love his music, but my absolute favorite Elton song is "All the Young Girls Love Alice" from the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album

I agree with Alex! It’s not one of my favorite E J songs. However Sir Elton doesn’t have any bad songs!

I have seen Elton John 17 times since the early 80s can’t go wrong with any of his music 🎶. My double bonus was seeing Elton John with Billy Joel in concert together for almost 4 hours that was musical heaven

You have to know the context of the time that the song came out. This came out during a time when in the States, we were in the midst a '50's revival. Grease was on Broadway, American Graffiti was in the theatres, Sha-Na-Na had a summer replacement variety show on TV and Happy Days was in development. This song was part of this homage to all things '50's.

This is a great album. I would pick almost any songs on it over this one. Do Blues For Baby And Me or High Flying Bird.

A&A, you'll love his "Philadelphia Freedom" and "Honky Cat"!! You should post your reaction to "Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting" from the album review in June.

There was a big 50's revival in the mid-late 70's (Happy Days TV, Grease musical and movie, American Graffiti movie) and this fit right in.

It still amazes me that as long as you guys have been doing these reactions, about 3 years I think, you still haven't heard songs that I take for granted that everyone knows. This is a prime example of that. It's my poor perception. I have just forgotten how much music has been created in the last 75 years and how much of it is crammed in my head somewhere.

I always hated Crocodile Rock, even when it came out when I was a teenager. I thought it was beneath Elton John and his abilities. My favorite song by him: Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters. Great song, you guys should give it a listen. Both lyrics and music are excellent.

It's a fun song - and famous in my family for being played at every party for the past 50 years - but I don't think it's even close to being one of Elton John's best songs.

This might be the first Elton John song I ever heard its probable the most rocking song he ever did.If your dad or mom listened to it you listened to it.

EJ is a great songwriter, singer, pianist. I have heard so much EJ on the radio that personally I can't stand to hear him anymore. Laaaa, la, la, la la la.

Totally campy, but a fun song. You just gotta roll with it.

I thought you were doing "Bell Bottom Blues" today? Oh well, Elton is cool. Not the best song in his repertoire. "Someone Saved My Life Tonight", or "Saturday Nights Alright For Fighting" are my suggestions. Have a great Weekend 🌞

If I remember correctly, this song came out when I was in 8th grade. The first time I heard it was at a party I had. I heard it so MANY times that night I could not stand it forever afterwards.

It's one of the songs that puts you in a time and place if you were a kid in the 70s. It brings back a lot of memories.

What happened to "Bell Bottom Blues " by D & the Ds? Wasn't that supposed to be today? Did I miss that one?

Your new set is so colorful, and I'm color blind with green and red like Alex! 😁 P.S. Andy and Alex give out a lot of A's and A+'s but almost every song they rank was a huge song on the radio for a good reason. It's a nice surprise when occasionally the rating gets something below that, like Alex's today.

In the 1970's there was a lot of nostalgic nods to the 1950's and early 1960's. Just like now is the 1980's and 1990's and even early 2000's. Happy Days, American Graffiti and Grease are examples. Many of these artists grew up during that time.

50s nostalgia was big in the 70s and this song was part of that. Sha Na Na, Grease, American Graffiti. Just a fun pop song that adults at the time would appreciate because it referenced their childhood and kids could dance to.

This was a part of a 50s revival that occurred in the early 70s. The musical Grease came out around this time and servarl others (Frankie Valli, Paul Anka, Neil Sedaka). A fun song, but Grand Funk's re-relase Locomotion (Carole King) version is better. Would be an interesting retrospecive for a poll. Best 50s sttyle song of the 70s.

Not the biggest fan of this one just because it was so overplayed, but I have no criticism of it. I blame the DJ's. A couple good deep tracks from this same album are "Elderberry Wine," "Teacher I Need You" and "Texan Love Song." I'm pretty sure those will get little if any thumb love, because they weren't on the radio, but I think you'll like them a lot.

There are crocodiles in North America and they are found, among other places, in the US. The difference between an alligator and a crocodile is the shape of their snout. In a crocodile, the snout is more triangular coming to a rough point, whereas as an alligator has a broad snout, with a rough rectangular shaped head.

Yep, homage to early rock and roll lol. I always thought the line about Susie leaving them for some foreign guys referred to the Beatles.

The Bitch is Back is a great rocker from EJ.

Its a very good pop tune. cant be denied but its not a favorite of mine in elton/bernie lexicon.

Love Elton. Just saw him a couple weeks ago and at 76 years old, he's rockin...amazing! You gotta react to "Funeral For a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" Multi faceted tune that takes you on a journey

I believe Elton has been quoted as saying that once his farewell tour is over, he never wants to hear this song again, ever.

For me I'm hoping to see you do the Madman Across the Water album by Elton, generally I will go to that one for a listen over Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

I was nine years old when this song came out, and I would've given it an A+ at that point in my life because I loved it, but over the years it's sunk down to around B-. Lots of clever pop hooks and arrangement ideas, but the whole thing seems a bit too cute and poppy for me now.

The early 70's were a big time for 1950's nostalgia in this country -- hence this song, the movie American Graffiti, and the TV show Happy Days.

The lyrics take a nostalgic look at early rock 'n' roll, pop culture, dating and youthful independence of that era.