Elton John admits that 'Crocodile Rock' was written as a 'joke'

The song has become a fan favourite over the years, but he hates it

We're big fans of Elton John; alongside his partner Bernie Taupin, he has undoubtedly written some of the greatest pop songs and ballads of the 20th century.

That said, there are one or two bloopers in his back catalogue that we've never quite warmed to.

One of them - although it's a fan favourite - is 'Crocodile Rock', which was released in 1972 and went on to become his first US number one song.

Now, Elton John himself has admitted that he is not a fan of the song despite its success, and in fact it was written as a joke.

He appeared on the Deeney Talks podcast, hosted by Watford footballer Troy Deeney, and said "The last time I have to sing Crocodile Rock I will probably throw a party. It was written as a kind of a joke, like a pastiche."

Nonetheless, he said that he will continue to play it live because he knows how much fans enjoy it. "Who am I to say, 'I am not going to play it?' he said. "Because I play to amuse people and to entertain people.

"But I have to say when the last show is done at the end of the tour I will never, ever sing that song again."

We're with you, Elton.

His final 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road' tour is set to resume later this year, with Dublin dates rescheduled to December 3rd and 4th.