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The film stars Welsh actor and singer Taron Egerton as Elton John. The 2019 biographical musical film Rocketman about the life of Elton was inspired by the title of this track. Taupin himself once said that song inspired the lyrics of “Rocket Man”. That song was released by a psychedelic folk band from America called Pearls Before Swine. Prior to Elton’s “Rocket Man”, there was another song titled “Rocket Man” which came out in 1970. However, in their 2010 list, it dropped a few spots to number 245.
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In 2004, the Rolling Stone magazine placed “Rocket Man” at number 242 on its list of the “ 500 Greatest Songs of All Time“. Besides Elton himself, the label signed the likes of Cliff Richard, Blue, Kiki Dee and Neil Sedaka. In 1973, Elton John founded the record label The Rocket Record Company. He used the song during a lot of his political rallies. One of the most notable commercials featuring this track was the Volkswagen Passat commercial which came out in 2011. The song has been used in several commercials since its release in the 1970s. It was a single from Elton’s fifth studio album titled Honky Château. On 14 April, 1972, the track was officially released. His tragic death came exactly three decades after producing this song. FYI: Dudgeon died tragically in 2002 along with his wife in a car crash. Producer Gus Dudgeon produced this track all by himself. The latter wrote the lyrics of the song whereas Elton composed the music.
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The official and full title of this song is “Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long, Long Time)”.Įlton John wrote this song along with Bernie Taupin. Based on these facts, it’s likely Elton and his songwriting partner Taupin might have been inspired by “Space Oddity” to write theirs. Dudgeon produced Bowie’s “Space Oddity” before producing “Rocket Man” a few years later. In addition to that, “Space Oddity” was released a few years before “Rocket Man”.Īnd as if all that isn’t enough, the English record producer Gus Dudgeon produced both songs. It is noteworthy that both songs have quite similar themes. Taupin and Elton have denied the accusations. Many have accused Elton and Taupin of “stealing” the idea for “Rocket Man” from the lyrics of the 1969 song “Space Oddity” by David Bowie. Accusations of ripping off the song “Space Oddity” by David Bowie It was from the above lines that Taupin developed the story of the astronaut missing his family. “She packed my bags last night, pre-flight He then quickly drove to their house and wrote down the following lines: According to him, he was around his parents’ house when the idea popped into his mind. Taupin has said on multiple occasions that he came up with the famous opening lyrics of the song while driving. Bernie Taupin got the lyrics of song’s opening lines while driving However, neither Elton nor Taupin has confirmed this interpretation as the real meaning of “Rocket Man”. Many analysts have referred to the lyrics of the tune as telling the sad story of how in the real world, musical artists (especially very successful rock stars) are forced by their work to constantly be away from their families and friends. Rocket man burnin’ out his fuse up here alone” Interpretation of the lyrics of “Rocket Man” ‘Til touchdown brings me ’round again to find “And I think it’s gonna be a long, long time It is noteworthy that Taupin himself has confirmed the inspiration of his lyrics came from Bradbury’s short story. The story above acted as the main foundation and inspiration for Elton’s “Rocket Man” whose lyrics were penned by Elton’s long-time songwriting partner Bernie Taupin. In so doing, the pair end up becoming nocturnal. His wife and son become so overcome by sorrow that they spend the rest of their lives avoiding the sun. Sadly, during the trip, the rocket he’s flying in crashes into the sun killing him instantly. But before doing so, he decides to go on one final trip to space. But one day, he summons the courage to quit. However, his obsession for the stars wouldn’t let him. On multiple occasions, the astronaut tries quitting his beloved job to spend time with his wife and kid (Doug). He dearly wants to be with his family yet he loves the stars in space. Bradbury’s story is about an astronaut who is torn between going to space and being with his family. The lyrics of this iconic song were heavily inspired by a 1950s short story titled “The Rocket Man” by the late American author Ray Bradbury.
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