🎵 ​Elton John - Rocket Man REACTION

Thanks for checking out our Elton John reaction. Rocket Man was a popular request during our Space live stream.
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[@Kari_B61ex]

I was raised on Elton John and Bernie Taupin music - my darling dad was a massive fan, I heard their music every day of my life and watched my dad playing 'air piano'. Dad died far too young at 48 (I was in my early twenties) I know that he will be up there in heaven smiling down on me knowing that this still brings a smile to my face. He was my Rocket Man - and I will always be his Tiny Dancer.

[@Bee-28]

Mehh, you just made me tear up! Bless you & your dad!

[@dene39]

X

[@jimfracasso7435]

Love that music comforts us in grief, along with celebrating our triumphs. My father past when I was 25, and now hearing certain songs it's almost as if I can feel him hug me!

[@IshwaraYogaNET]

💕

[@lewis9702]

Sorry to hear about your Dad's early passing.

[@frankpentangeli7945]

Doesn't matter what genre this is. It's just beautiful music, that's the only important thing. If you get caught up trying to figure out what genre it is or what the song means, you miss the emotional impact of it. Back in the early 70s people couldn't care less about genres anyway. The 60s taught us that in music anything goes. The 70s took that idea and ran with it. Back then on any one FM radio station you could hear all kinds of new and different stuff, from Black Sabbath to Elton John to Yes to Deep Purple to Cat Stevens to Pink Floyd to Bob Dylan and Stevie Wonder. We didn't care ... it was all fantastic and new! Especially if you were high. The DJs themselves were wasted half the time, and sometimes just forgot to change the record so that we heard the repetitive click of the needle on the turntable reaching the end of one album side for 5 minutes at a time while the DJs were out smoking a joint or had simply fallen asleep in their chair. Man, those were the days! There's no genre to describe that experience.

[@bellodrade]

I hear ya. I like these reactions but I have a big point of contention with them. It's that there is no real time context. These songs were the soundtrack to our lives. You have to be in the moment to fully appreciate their impact and beauty. Your pointed it out cleary- the music was wide and varied. And the times were different. Can't magically transfer those feelings and attitudes to anyone not of that period. All these reactors have is historical perspective. And that is a shame.

[@donnawoods8039]

That's true... in the 70's we listened to everything. I remember listening to Disco and loving it, Soul and loving it, Rock and loving it. Even Big Band.

[@robs715]

It’s shit

[@crazyfingers19]

Yeah baby. I remember wrapping the antennae of my old stereo in aluminum foil so I could barely pick up Starview92 from about 30 miles away. early “Album Oriented Rock (AOR)” stations were so cool. Not only did they spin the most eclectic mix of jams in their full album glory but the stayed on all night and really hit the deeps cuts overnight. Good time to be alive, at least from that perspective.

[@525569andrea]

That’s so funny ☺️ one of my good friends is 65 (big age difference but we music brings us all together) and he’s been collecting vinyls since he was six (has over 15k) and he was a DJ throughout the entire era, and still is! And he has so many stories from DJ’ing 70s 😊 always brings a smile to my face!

[@chrislegner4816]

The mark of true musical greatness. A song you've heard a million times that still never gets old.

[@jakerazmataz852]

Pretty much every song I grew up with, born in '62. 😁

[@larryh.5229]

This song was one of two Elton John songs for a classmate's funeral our senior year in 1986. The other was "Daniel". Rest in Peace Rocky, you are still in our thoughts.

[@ashleydixon4613]

Oh, Daniel-another great song by Elton!

[@_MOORE_1986]

Daniel is my name and I was born in 1986. Just thought I would share lol

[@jessicaelliott827]

Daniel is my fav

[@kennethgoin628]

Please forgive me, but are you talking about Rocky Dennis by chance?

[@Yotraj]

Ya gotta remember... it was 1969 when We put the first man on the moon... and this song was released in 1972. Putting a man on the moon was a really big deal to all earthlings back then. This is kinda an homage song to the astronauts of the day.

[@friderckcougher97]

Kennedy's most irresponsible public act- putting a deadline on something involving human lives is not something to gamble with- Could have been worded much nobler by saying we are dedicated to landing a man on the moon and putting all resources unto it.

[@damiandiaz6727]

The song is actually a metaphor about addiction

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

A timeless classic. You'll probably have noticed that Elton John, David Bowie, and other artists were singing about space at this time... the early 1970s were the time of Apollo space flights to the moon, so it was very much in public consciousness. Also, lots of excuses to mix lyrics about the reality of outer space and being affected by other types of "high". And yes, as far as genre is concerned "Elton John" just about covers it.

[@caperboy1169]

It was inspired by stories written by Ray Bradbury

[@dickhutchinson2010]

Spaceman by Harry Nilsson

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

@@caperboy1169 "The Martian Chronicles", presumably?

[@bellodrade]

Bernie and Elton created a timeless classic with this one.

[@carolynnewcomb2153]

I think Lex got the idea right of just moving to the music and enjoying the beautiful melody. Bernie Taupin’s lyrics have always been a little hard for me to understand- but it’s often like poetry.

[@Ou81gi812]

It IS poetry…set to music!!! Good observation.

[@deltabravo287]

The melody of the chorus of this song is just a masterpiece - the whole song is great - but that part is just extra fantastic. Elton John has so many songs that are just incredible.

[@glennburch1081]

Saw him 5-6 years ago in Virginia Beach. He can't hit the high notes anymore, but he CRUSHED this song. One of the best songs, live, that I have ever heard performed. As usual, great reaction guys,TY.

[@JohnJohn-qv4mg]

Brillant song from a famous depressed musician about how it feels to be a famous depressed musician. Lonely, no one knows how he truly feels, etc etc etc

[@jsipler]

Well said’ I was looking for the words to say this.... it would have taken me 3 paragraphs and not come close to how easy you said it. Good iob

[@djl9919]

Such a great song, thank you Elton & Bernie. Rock on Brad & Lex

[@bobschenkel7921]

Early Elton, like with most artists, is the best Elton. Usually, after some success, the artist starts chasing success, instead of being true to him or her self. Lately, Elton comes and goes, but it is always listenable.

[@1234uz]

Got to see him in concert in 2012 and his Live Shows are Kick Ass, He does 4 Hours NON STOP no breaks and plays all his own songs . He had the Staple Sisters as his back up Vocals as well .

[@scottcahoon1669]

Seen this song in concert 🔥! Elton John was 61 yrs old an still rocking!!!!

[@adgato75]

Elton is an amazing entertainer. Always in the conversation for one of the best ever.

[@doomhunter697]

The lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin, who wrote most of Elton's lyrics. He was the 'invisible' half of the team. The song is based upon a short story of the same name by Ray Bradbury. Written in the 1950's, he was envisioning a time when ''Rocket Men" (the term astronaut was not being used yet) would become mundane, and the long trips were a lot like those sailors went on- extended time away. Bernie had read the story, and it inspired him to write the song.

[@RhettAnderson]

At the time this was considered "rock" and "pop". Rock was a much bigger category than it is today. Rock ballads were very common.

[@Filbi]

Yeah, I think this fits solidly in the category of "soft rock".

[@LynnThompsonAuthor]

This is a classic! Came out when I was in junior high school (now called "middle school") and was on the radio all the time. Everybody knew every word to it and could sing along. Early Elton John music was amazing! Less mainstream and predictable than his later stuff. Bowie had just come out with the song "Space Oddity" a few years before this song came out (same year as the first moon landing), and we were all still pretty obsessed with space in the early '70s. There were still moon missions going on then. This song tapped into all of that with a catchy chorus and a sense of ennui that may have been the experience of some who worked in the space business.

[@clownzzz4837]

I was in 8th or 9th grade. So many great songs.

[@1BEAST1775]

Elton did alot of great songs but one of my all time favorite songs period was " I guess that's why they call it the blues" always reminds me of cruising around my hometown at night while it was raining 🌧

[@DaveThomson]

was my moms favorite Elton song. Definitely the one that gets to me the most.

[@gizzy2403]

My favorite too, but doesn't get much recognition. He has soooo many awesome songs

[@markharris1125]

It's nice to look back at the 80s but of course he stopped recording in 1975. Well, according to reaction channels, anyway.

[@MySherry10]

This is just beautiful , just enjoy the music this is what its about, its a easy listening wonderful song love the inflections in his voice

[@danalyntuthill1538]

This was pure pop. Rock is harder. And as time went on people started blending genres and creating new sounds. Don't worry about the genres but do you like it. Back in the' 70s radio was not segregated. You would hear different styles of music on one radio station. It hasn't been that way for a long time.

[@Day0One]

The song can be interpreted as a symbol of how rock stars are isolated from their friends, family, and from the real world by those with power in the music industry. Some lyric analysis as part of the rock star isolation theory...

[@doomhunter697]

And flat out wrong. Its based on a short story by Ray Bradbury of the same name.

[@Nikita-ez4ko]

@@doomhunter697 they did say that you can interpret it, not that it's factual. Yes it is inspired from the story of "The Rocketman" but a lot of people like to think of it as a story of loneliness.

[@stevemariman8769]

Elton John definitely has a sound of his own. "Philadelphia Freedom" or "The Bitch Is Back" were from around that time too, and very catchy.

[@jamesrobertson2361]

When William Shatner went to space it gave him the feeling of endless time and a vision of death. It emphasized the uniqueness of earth and its life. All space science fiction seems to incorporate this element and Elton and Bernie's song does it in music.

[@ignatzmuskrat3000]

Bill covered Rocket Man and its a hoot. SO campy.

[@yakkodawakko9387]

Always loved Eltons voice when he was young. Felt like it had so much emotion behind it. Great reaction

[@mredible475]

His early songs are soo good.

[@s.mcpherson6354]

I think she means it felt *expansive*. It was like the final repeated lines in the song where a quasi-Doppler effect, getting quieter as his rocket ship got further and further away, hence the sense of size and scale it gave Lex.

[@blackwolf6082]

When Ozzy wrote about a werewolf (Bark at the moon) do you think he was speaking from personal experience? Rocket Man is a journey of what it might be like.

[@metetural9140]

Hey atleast he didn't say "I think it's about drugs."

[@marjolewis9405]

I think Ozzy really is a werewolf.

[@Katsem]

Ozzy didn’t write Bark at then Moon. He is not a songwriter, he contributes to the songs he takes full credit for writing, except possibly where Randy Rhoads was concerned. Ozzy hums a bit, maybe comes up with a line, leaves the lyrics and music to the others. In the case of Bark - Bob Daisley wrote the lyrics, and Jake E Lee the guitar. They both have interview where they talk about never getting credit.

[@sourgir-wh6xd]

Anything by Elton John is going to be amazing😍🎤🎧

[@michaelbriefs9764]

The genre is Rock/Pop, but it's more specifically the "Singer/Song Writer" genre. He's in the company of other S/SW artists like Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Joni MItchell, Paul Simon and others.

[@seanlynch1185]

Can you really say EJ was a singer song-writer when he didn't write the lyrics?

[@michaelbriefs9764]

@@seanlynch1185 yes. In Elton’s case, he was part of a team/collaboration with the lyric writer. Elton wrote the music and sang the songs and Bernie penned the words.

[@chrisa4695]

Elton John’s music during the first 5 years of his career is pure gold. That combination of his piano playing, singing those great Bernie Taupin lyrics, and that incredible band was something special. I was 9 or 10 years old when my mom brought home Elton John’s greatest hits. I had never heard of him but loved it. Years later I bought the cassette and later the CD.

[@simpleiowan3123]

It’s an allegory for the loneliness and desperation which is born from addiction. Heavy stuff. Another great reaction 👍

[@lindazee]

Of all the explanations on meaning, this one seems the most plausible.

[@darrendixon3191]

Lex, you are so onto this song. He made it sound like space and distance. So far away. They way the composed music in the 70s is legendary.

[@vickieray]

One of the best concerts I’ve ever been to in my entire life, Elton John, Charlotte NC 1977 ♥️🎶🔥♥️ I’ll never forget it 🥰

[@JamaisCascio]

For Lex: Yep, Mars is *very* cold. At its warmest, it's just about freezing. Most of the time it's well below zero.

[@TroyBoyleAtheistAdvocate]

Mostly. But at the equator, say around where Cuba would be on Earth, Mars can get up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Just a normal Spring temperature in most of the U.S. If our astronauts stayed in the equatorial region, daytime temps would not be bad at all. Still need pressure suits and oxygen, but not so much insulation and padding.

[@xlerb_again_to_music7908]

annnd... no magnetosphere (= no big planetary magnetic field from the core) which means the Sun's solar wind hits and strips off the atmosphere (Earth's magnetosphere forces solar wind around our planet). Mars used to have decent atmos + flowing water; now lost as no protective magnetic shell abt Mars. Oh, the ground is (? either) acidic or alkali so would eat your boots as you stand on it. No place for kids, indeed.

[@Stefan-]

Yeah, it can get as cold as -150 degres Celsius so it can definately be cold as hell.

[@joesmith8725]

Elton John has wonderful music. It's considered soft rock, piano rock.

[@OronOfMontreal]

I disagree, having grown up during Elton's early career. He is a legitimate, bone fide rocker, when he wants to be.

[@matttrone6408]

Billy Joel in the same category as well I believe. Great, amazing music!

[@joesmith8725]

@@matttrone6408 You are correct. Agreed, good music.

[@lantzkeefer6]

This song is so good,Elton had such a huge catalog of incredible music,love this definitely one of my favorites,love Philadelphia Freedom also, great choice.Hey what is going on today is this Space song day,is this on purpose.🙈

[@tvgator1]

Lex is killing it; ALOT of Elton John music is metaphorical. Almost all of it. It’s also some of the most melodically satisfying music ever created. His catalog is gigantic; you two have barely scratched the surface. Try FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND or MADMAN ACROSS THE WATER. He’s got complex songs and lighthearted songs as well. Try CROCODILE ROCK or PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM. There’s so much. And it’s all good stuff. You guys will be blown away.

[@mizofan]

I slightly prefer the Tumbleweed Connection extra track version of Madman across the Water to the one on MATW album itself. Crocodile Rock is not one I, Elton or Bernie like much, though it was his first #1 single in USA!

[@tvgator1]

@@mizofan Oh I like that one; it’s more scaled back with more electric guitar, but overall I pick the original by a hair because of all the symphonic elements. But the Tumbleweed version definitely kicks ass.

[@scotthobson2083]

Prime example of analog recordings of the 70's. Warm.

[@markmiller3101]

What a classic. The sound is so smooth and rolls perfectly. Love the lyrics too. Great Pick guys Thanks!

[@tennwingman3350]

I saw him when he was on the "Yellow Brick Road Tour" in 1973 in Honolulu. He is a true showman. He is so much better live when he was young of course. Keep up the good work.

[@AzaleaLuna]

One of my favorite Elton John songs. He has so many great ones. Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics and Elton John put them to music. Such a great partnership. Genre for this song is soft rock.

[@tomaroni6670]

Lex hit the nail on the head! The genre is Elton John!

[@carollittle1059]

Incomparable Elton John!

[@llschnitz]

The lyricist Bernie Taupin has explained the thoughts behind this song. In 1972 every school boy wanted to be an astronaut - the most exciting job one could ever dream of - an adventurer of the best kind. In the future, Taupin guessed, being an astronaut will be just a mundane every day job. This astronaut in the song is bored with his job, isolated, and alienated from his family. He hates his job. And he doesn't feel like a hero, but just a guy doing a frustrating lonely job. The music, with the synthesizers and the slide guitar technique, are supposed to mimic the sound of a rocket being launched into space and flying around. Its the Wonderful Ambient sound that really gets you on this one. This was only Elton's Second top ten hit, before he became a superstar.

[@steveblankenship1742]

Elton was before my time but this song is absolute perfection. The lyrics and music are absolutely beautiful.

[@jopay142]

So many good songs have you reacted to... You guys rock. Point. I wish you the best!!

[@joesmith8725]

I'd suggest Echo & the Bunnymen "The Killing Moon" (post-punk, new wave) , The Church " Under the Milky way" (post-punk, new wave/alt rock), Smashing Pumpkins "Rocket" ( Alt rock, grunge, shoegaze/psychedelic rock), HUM "Stars" (alt rock, punk/post punk), Muse "Knights of Cydonia" (alt rock, prog rock/space rock) as well to fit the next Space stream !

[@ronparsons8786]

Now we're talking :-)

[@mikephillips8810]

What's always amazed and impressed me about these songs is the way they are written which seems to be unlike the way any other artist/artists write theirs. Bernie Taupin comes up with the lyrics, then Elton John independently works out the music/melody from the lyrics and what music the lyrics inspire in him. Incredible really, they are both musical geniuses in my view. Because they've written great song after great song after great song, and hit after hit after hit.

[@pauljansen1137]

Wow...would you believe I am watching the movie "Rocket Man" at this very moment...😀!

[@BossDM-2]

Actually, I never realized that it's such a beautiful song, both melody and lyrics. I hadn't seriously listened to it for a long while and now I'm glad you made me.

[@TheKnowlege33]

One of my all time favourite songs from Elton John.. I can tell by Lexs expression she really enjoyed this great song..

[@ricdees3495]

This song was well put together. I like how the guitar soars, like your taking a trip in space.

[@leighsaldivar4439]

Love this song. Used to go around singing it as a little kid back in the 70s lol. Lawd I’m old. This music never dies

[@PanarchyInTheUK]

The older I get, the more emotional I feel when I listen to this song.

[@lewellyncrunkmeyer1512]

Sir Elton is a genre all unto himself!

[@oldrth]

Brilliant music, harmonies, lyrics…… so cool. Great memories for me.

[@robertreichle1]

That right there is just one of the greatest pop songs ever released. Hear it once and never forget it.

[@cathyhall1350]

I was in high school when all the Elton John/Bernie Taupin tunes were burning the airwaves! EVERYONE loved Elton! Madman Across The Water is an awesome LP! And this genre is 70s pop rock. 💕🤗🎼✌️

[@dlpowers3898]

This song is so classic...love the vibe and sound of it so much! Bernie Taupin, Elton's long time writing partner always brings the inventive lyrics too! thx for sharing Brad & Lex :)

[@robertbreedon9137]

Sir Elton has so many timeless hits he is in the same vain of those classic composers from the past his music will live forever.

[@slaughery]

Y’all are doing a really good job with your reviews and your entertaining. You make me happy. Thank you.

[@craigteller5933]

Always thought of it was about addiction. Choosing getting high over your family and the depression, loneliness and guilt coming down.

[@mizofan]

It was influenced by a Ray Bradbury book on space. Elton wasn't yet into drugs or addicted at that time. He soon became a cocaine addict though, cleaned up round 1990 (and alcohol too).

[@angelagoodwin5758]

Elton John's music is timeless💜

[@NYVoice]

Elton performed here at Madison Square Garden a few nights ago-his final shows there. Saw him there in 1989. Great showman.

[@kjw1886]

In the 80s, I lived in south Florida. The first time I saw the Shuttle blast off, the local radio station played this song and "Fly like an Eagle" by the Eagles.

[@geronimo19611]

I'm a 61 year old man from Zurich,Switzerland and I love watching young people (re)discover all the great music I was fortunate enough to grow up with. Much love and sympathy from

[@bradgordon3760]

One of the premiere singer songwriters of all time. After The Beatles I can't think of anyone who has a catalogue as large, incredible and diverse.

[@HoughGroup]

Relax kids / just enjoy one of the most classic songs ever written! Lex, love the headband and the jamming smile is simply beautiful.

[@JanS1]

Lex, you have really thoughtful reactions. You really take the music in and think about it.

[@williamjamesayers7719]

My all-time favorite pianist. I love Elton John's music.

[@supertrexandroidx]

Role-playing and metaphors are good descriptors. Although you can interpret it as saying the man in the song is a real astronaut, if you want, I think this is mainly about a man who in his mind, in his dreams, is a lot more than his family thinks he is at home, but being the man in his dreams - being an astronaut living on Mars, for example - isn't exactly conducive to having a family and raising your kids. And he keeps coming back around to those opposing polarities. You get the drift!

[@jackndan6603]

First concert, 1974 in Vancouver. Still z huge fan. My kids know all the words. Thanks guy's...😁🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@Gordy63]

Wow - Lex nailed the feeling Elton wanted to portray with this song. All time classic song. Older Elton tunes are classics!

[@VIDSTORAGE]

For a long time many like myself many thought it was about an astronaut in an imaginary way, and if you never heard it much it gives you that vibe without thinking about it too much because of that spaced out texture it has ...It is basically about being on the road and traveling too much as in being a like a rocket man and having to propel himself to point a to point b as fast as possible every day...Mars is the metaphor of being in places you really don't know at all and you cannot raise you child in a proper way like that..

[@sattymike0155]

Interesting, I had always kind of thought it was about being a secret addict as a family man but the lyrics don’t all line up with that now that I look at them.

[@lennycook206]

All that and of course the undercurrent of coca cola abuse...

[@VIDSTORAGE]

@@sattymike0155 Yea,very funny ,I can understand that,and I have heard some other one too....More people have wondered about what it meant than any other well known song probably ..I heard what Bernie Taupin actually meant by the song on some video a while back and it is a very basic message about his concerns of living fast and traveling too much..

[@VIDSTORAGE]

@@lennycook206 Maybe getting Coked could be code for the rocket shooting to mars

[@TheWizardKs]

Like nearly all of Elton's music, it is a fantastic song and nearly certain it is about simulating thoughts of an astronaut. And as others pointed out, the songs by him and Bernie were the absolute best.

[@donnawoods8039]

Back in the 70's we liked space men too! LOL.

[@canpfire]

Lex,you are cool,love the way you let music sink into you, especially this classic song.

[@davidmaldonado1111]

This was the song that moved me to buy my first vinyl record album . Elton John Greatest Hits . Re- Rocket Man, I read somewhere that the lyricist Bernie Taupin was influenced by Ray Bradbury's short story "R" Is For Rocket" , if I'm not mistaken.

[@doomhunter697]

It was Ray Bradbury's story in Illustrated Man, title "Rocket Man" that was the inspiration. E is For Rocket is not a story, but a collection of shorts.

[@dr4782]

Elton John is my favorite solo musician of all, and songs like "Rocket Man" are exactly why. I, too, think this song has a very celestial sound, and some of the guitar effects make me think of rockets launching into space and comets shooting by. My five favorite Elton John songs of all are, in chronological order, "Little Jeannie" (1980), "I'm Still Standing" (1983), "Candle In The Wind (Live)" (1988), "Club At The End Of The Street" (1990), and "Simple Life" (1993). Of those five, "I'm Still Standing" is my favorite of all. TRIVIA: Elton John appeared for at least one week in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 for 30 consecutive years, from 1970-1999. This is a record that is not likely to be broken anytime soon, if ever at all.

[@BigRedSpear]

That neon sign was worth 10x whatever you paid for it. The lamp and the lighting and the sign sets the whole production on a different level. Y'all crushed that

[@hog7203]

That's a great song. Been listening to it since it's release and still enjoy hearing it. I've never tried to figure out what it actually means. He's got a lot of songs like that. Always loved his song "Mona Lisa's and Mad Hatters".

[@bianchiveloce1]

Well, growing up as a kid in the '70s, I imagined this song was about the lead character Astronaut Tony Nelson in the television show I Dream of Jeannie. Now, that I'm much, much, much older, when I hear this song today, I think of North Korean Leader Kim "Rocket Man" Jong-un. I tell ya, it sucks to get old and lose your innocence

[@marka8486]

Elton John IS his own sound. I grew up to his music in the ‘70’s. Definitely under the “easy listening” genre…. Timeless and beautiful…..

[@thefatman2780]

LIFE ON THE ROAD AS A ROCKSTAR. AT HOME HE IS JUST HIM. ON TOUR HE IS A ROCKET MAN.

[@bobhenry6159]

"...burning out his fuse up here alone.." He's going crazy.

[@steveyoung2317]

His best song. Next is 'The One'. Always epic don't let sun go down me

[@markharris1125]

I'd go for 'This Train Don't Stop There Anymore' and then 'the One' but thanks for the shout out for the 90s. However, as far as reaction channels go, Elton stopped recording in 1975.

[@lorirose5343]

Blessed to have seen him play while my time on this earth. ❤🎵🚀

[@seanamcgee3427]

You two are lovely, and smart. Humble. On your ways.

[@historianswag8517]

He is talking about his vicious drug use and living like a rock "star" out in space. He really did miss elements of the life that he had to leave behind to be a star. He also recognized that you cannot raise kids on Mars (ie - you cannot have a normal life when you are in a new city every night and on tons of drugs)

[@willpina]

@@krisfox3537 lmao! nah, it's about being famous and living the fast life.

[@eatonbeaver6972]

According to wiki its about a Mars bound Astronaut's mixed feelings of leaving home to work in space. I like the idea historian points out more however LOL Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics by the way so with that in mind it's easier to see how it actually is about space than stardoms effects.

[@davidvsr]

well said...

[@OutOnTheTiles]

Elton wasn’t using drugs in 72. Where you come up with this shit?!? Talking out of your ass.

[@OutOnTheTiles]

@@willpina no it’s not 😂😂😂😂. Educate yourself. It’s about an astronaut and that’s it.

[@lw3918]

"Rocketman" was the only movie that I went to see in a theater 3 times.

[@philipscoppettuolo1697]

One of the greatest songs by one of the greatest singer songwriters ever

[@gilamonster2020]

I love Elton John! Saw him in concert twice in Tucson back in the 70s. This song pre-dated his “coming out“ as gay. When he says “I’m not the man they think I am at all, I’m a rocket man” you just got a wonder if he wasn’t sending out a hint of what he would later disclose. Lex is right, it was a metaphor.

[@MRoyClark]

The lyrics (like most classic Elton John songs) were by Bernie Taupin, who isn't gay. Cool coincidence in the lyrics. I don't think he was trying to out Elton, though.

[@billofalltrades2633]

Great artist! Love all his music!

[@cpprcrk1833]

You've got to look at Elton John's music in phases or eras . He was one of the top acts in the World in the 70's , then his music fell out of favor . About ever ten years or so , he'd have a big hit ( when Princess Di was killed , every third song played on radio was Candle in the Wind) his career path reminds me of Elvis in it's up and downs . My personal favorite is Madman across the Waters .

[@MRoyClark]

Genre-wise, Elton John Falls under a few different headings. Rock, Pop, Pop/Rock, and Singer Songwriter are the main ones, but when "Rocket Man" was released, early in his career, he was part of the UK Glam Rock (1971-75) movement, alongside David Bowie, T. Rex, Roxy Music, early Queen, Sparks, The Sweet, Slade, and lots of others. "Rocket Man" itself was directly influenced by David Bowie's only pre-Glam hit, 1969's "Space Oddity" but was a hit around the same time as David Bowie's similarly titled UK Glam hit "Starman" which you reacted to today, as well. Several early Elton John songs were major Glam Rock hits, including "Honky Cat", "Crocodile Rock", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", "The Bitch Is Back", "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" (cover, The Beatles), "Bennie and The Jets", and "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting". Elton moved on from UK Glam around 1975-76, when everyone else in the genre moved on. While some acts leaned more toward Rock, much like Bowie and Roxy Music, he started leaning more toward R&B, Soul, Funk, and Disco in the late 70s, and adopted a more synth and drum machine based oriented in the mid-1980s. But at his core, there are always his piano ballads. Some of his best stuff was still coming out in the 1980s, but by the 1990s, it all kinda became Disney-by-numbers soundalike mush (even if he was still cranking out sizeable hits), but for a couple of decades there, he was one of the best and biggest performers around.

[@sourisvoleur4854]

The other space song that was a huge hit at that time was "Space Oddity" by David Bowie. I don't know if you guys have done that one yet, but it's a great pairing with this one. They're so VERY different, even though they are both about an astronaut.

[@alrivers2297]

They have done it

[@allhitstaken6200]

You got it - the genre is Elton John. This is part of why Elton is a legend and why he was knighted Sir Elton John in England. He’s just incredible and unique and a genius. And this is just one of several utterly iconic songs of his. Try his song “Daniel” some time.

[@jamesclapp6832]

Elton had such a terrific voice.