Elton John: 10 Best Classic Rock Songs
8. Hercules
When the former Reg Dwight decided to rename himself he took the middle name Hercules. That might sound a bit arrogant until you realise it wasn’t after the mythological figure but the horse from Steptoe And Son.
Hercules was also the title of a stand out rocker on Elton John’s 1972 album Honky Château. The album saw John transitionIng from singer-songwriter to rock and roll bandleader with an overall more uptempo, harder rocking sound.
Record company interference had forced Elton to use session musicians for most tracks on his previous albums. Honky Château saw him backed by his own live band which may have inspired the fuller, rockier arrangements.
Whatever the reason Hercules, never released as a single, remains an overlooked gem worth seeking out.