You probably know the hits. Bennie and the Jets gets everyone on the dance floor, and Candle in the Wind still makes people reach for their tissues. But tucked away on the second disc of the 1973 masterpiece Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is a track that feels like a dusty, Technicolor dream. It's called "Roy Rogers," and honestly, it’s one of the most revealing things Elton John ever recorded.
People often wonder if Elton John and Roy Rogers were best friends or if they ever toured together. The truth is a little more grounded but way more interesting. It wasn’t a Hollywood bromance; it was a love letter to a version of America that was already disappearing when Elton was just a kid named Reginald Dwight.
The Song That Most People Miss
When you listen to Roy Rogers, you aren't hearing a country-western parody. It’s actually a pretty heavy song about a guy who hates his life. The lyrics, written by Elton's longtime partner Bernie Taupin, describe a man living a "nine-to-five" existence where the carpet is paid for and the only excitement is a ham sandwich.
Basically, the song is about escapism.
The character in the song shuts out the lights and turns on the TV to watch the "great sequin cowboy." It’s a classic Taupin theme: the contrast between the grimy, boring reality of the UK and the glittering, cinematic myth of the American West. Bernie has always been obsessed with the frontier. He grew up on a farm in Lincolnshire, dreaming of Wyatt Earp and the O.K. Corral. For him, Roy Rogers wasn't just an actor; he was a "savior" from a dull life.
📖 Related: Dragon Ball All Series: Why We Are Still Obsessed Forty Years Later
Did Elton John and Roy Rogers Ever Meet?
This is where the trivia gets a bit murky for casual fans. Despite the song being a staple for "deep cut" lovers, there isn't much evidence of a massive public friendship between the two men. Roy Rogers was a massive star in the 1940s and 50s, the "King of the Cowboys" who appeared in over 100 films. By the time Elton was the biggest rock star on the planet in the 70s, Roy was mostly retired, living in Apple Valley, California, and running his museum.
However, Elton has always called Roy one of his "genuine heroes." Think about it—Roy Rogers and his wife, Dale Evans, basically invented the "rhinestone cowboy" look. They wore these incredible, flashy suits designed by Nudie Cohn, covered in sequins and embroidery.
Does that sound like anyone else we know?
Elton’s entire stage persona—the glasses, the sequins, the theatricality—draws a straight line back to the "Great Sequin Cowboy." While they didn't record a famous duet in the 70s, the influence of Roy’s aesthetic is baked into Elton’s DNA. Interestingly, John Lennon actually told Elton’s friend Lena that he wished he had suggested a duet of the song "Roy Rogers" when he joined Elton on stage at Madison Square Garden in 1974. That would have been legendary.
👉 See also: Down On Me: Why This Janis Joplin Classic Still Hits So Hard
Why the Song Matters in 2026
If you’re digging through Elton’s catalog today, this track stands out because it lacks the "stadium rock" polish of his other hits. It features:
- Davey Johnstone on a beautiful, weeping steel guitar.
- Del Newman’s sweeping orchestral arrangements that feel like a movie score.
- A vocal performance from Elton that is surprisingly tender and vulnerable.
The song has lived a long life. Elton performed it at his 60th birthday concert at Madison Square Garden in 2007, and it’s been a recurring favorite in his solo sets. It’s a reminder that even when he was at his most famous—wearing ostrich feathers and platform boots—he was still just a guy who wanted to sit in a dark room and lose himself in a story.
A Few Things Fans Get Wrong
A lot of people assume the song is a tribute to Roy Rogers after he died. It definitely isn't. Roy Rogers lived until 1998, a full 25 years after the song was released. It wasn't an elegy; it was a celebration of an icon who was still very much alive.
Another misconception is that it's a "gay anthem" because of the "sequin cowboy" line. While Elton’s life and the themes of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road certainly touch on queerness and identity, Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics about his own childhood idol. It’s more about the "Old Hollywood" illusion than anything else. As Bernie once said, he’d rather have "ham in my sandwich than cheese," but complaining wouldn't do any good. That’s just pure, working-class frustration.
✨ Don't miss: Doomsday Castle TV Show: Why Brent Sr. and His Kids Actually Built That Fortress
How to Appreciate the Elton John and Roy Rogers Connection Today
If you want to really "get" why this song is so special, don't just stream it on a loop. Take these steps to see the full picture:
- Watch a clip of the Roy Rogers Show: Look for the 1950s TV intro. When you see Roy on his horse, Trigger, and notice the flashy Western shirts, the lyrics "Oh the great sequin cowboy" will suddenly make perfect sense.
- Listen to the "Live at the Rainbow" version: A recently released 2025 version from the BBC archives shows a much more raw, stripped-back take on the song that highlights Elton's piano work.
- Check out Nudie Cohn’s designs: Search for "Nudie Suits." You’ll see exactly where Elton (and later stars like Post Malone and Taylor Swift) got the idea that country music and sequins belong together.
- Read the lyrics while listening: Pay attention to the second verse. It’s a masterclass in songwriting that captures the "quiet desperation" of a normal life better than almost any other pop song.
The connection between the British rock star and the American cowboy is a bridge between two worlds. It shows that no matter where we come from, we all have those "evergreen heroes" we turn to when the world feels a little too grey. Elton John didn't just sing about Roy Rogers; he took the cowboy’s sparkle and turned it into a career that defined an era.
Next Steps:
Go back to the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album and play "Roy Rogers" immediately followed by "Harmony." The transition between the escapism of the cowboy and the loneliness of the final track is the best way to understand the headspace Elton and Bernie were in during their peak years.