Honky Cat

Single infobox
Name = Honky Cat


Artist = Elton John
from Album = Honky Chateau
B-side = "Slave"
Released = July 31, 1972
Genre = Pop/Light Rock/Piano rock
Length = 5:10
Label = Uni (USA), DJM (UK)
Writer = Elton John, Bernie Taupin
Chart position =

#8 (U.S. Pop)

#31 (UK)

Last single = "Rocket Man"
(1972)
This single = Honky Cat
(1972)
Next single = "Crocodile Rock"
(1972)

"Honky Cat" is a song from the 1972 Elton John album "Honky Chateau". It is the first song on the album, and had a running time of five minutes ten seconds.

A fast, spirited number (circa 150 bpm) played without any guitar, "Honky Cat" is essentially about the illusion created by city life. The song is dominated by John's piano, but features the most extensive horn section on any Elton John song of the time to provide additional rhythm elements.

"Honky Cat" was his most "soul" like song of his classic period, although, a "New Orleans" style and rhythym would seem to be more appropriate in terms of the style of this track. It would be very easy to imagine someone like Dr. John or Harry Connick Jr. covering this tune.

Honky Cat reached the Billboard Top Ten when released as a single, but only reached #31 in Britain and did not chart in Australia - though it is still a staple of "classic rock" radio. The song hit #8 on the U.S. charts, just as Elton John launched an American tour, in September of 1972. The album title "Honky Chateau" is a reference to where the entire record was made, at Château d'Hérouville, about 30 miles outside of Paris. [Rock Movers & Shakers by Dafydd Rees & Luke Crampton, 1991 Billboard Books.]

References