Writers: Bernie Taupin, Elton John
Interpreter: Elton John
Rocket Man is a song about drugs, as was costumary in the 70's. I particularly like this one, though not a fan of Elton John per se - he put out some dreadful stuff.
The song features some key elements I'd like to point out.
Firstly, the ballad chorus progression that is characteristic of pop songs, contrasted with a very interesting (easy listening) piano work complemented by added effects that bring the song a little closer to psychedelic/space rock that was also popular at the time.
Secondly, the lyrics are deceiving in several layers. They relate to drug experimenting but they also tell us a great story of separation, loneliness and acceptance.
In a way, the lyrics go beyond the old "song about drugs that doesn't sound like a song about drugs" that most bands write still today. Instead, they tell us the story of a rocketman; that story is an allegory for drug use; the drug use brings us back to the original story and talks to us about human experience.
The deceptive simplicity of the song seems to me to be also connected with the song structure: a ballad made space-rock made ballad. The same way the added effects bring us closer to the psychedelia of 70's music, they do at the same time reinforce the song's identity as a pop song.
In a way, Rocket Man is to me a thematic triangle made of lyrical imagery resonating with its structural elements and composition. Funnily enough, one person who sees it as I do was William Shatner: "rock it, man!".
Rock it, indeed.
