It was 1974. Elton John was essentially the biggest star on the planet, but he was also exhausted. He was grumpy. He was, by his own admission, being a bit of a diva. That’s when Maxine Feibelman—who was married to Elton’s lyricist Bernie Taupin at the time—looked at him and uttered the words that would become rock and roll history: "Oh, the bitch is back."
Bernie loved it. He didn't just love it; he wrote an entire song around it.
Elton John The Bitch Is Back isn't just a catchy riff or a provocative title. It’s a self-parody that eventually turned into a personal anthem. While many fans today associate Elton with the sweeping ballads of The Lion King or the emotional weight of "Candle in the Wind," this track reminds us of the high-octane, hard-rocking Elton that ruled the mid-seventies with a sequins-covered fist.
The Story Behind the Snark
Most people think the song is an insult directed at someone else. It's actually the opposite. It is a self-inflicted jab. Bernie Taupin has always had a knack for observing Elton’s moods and crystallizing them into verse. In this case, he captured the sheer "extra-ness" of Elton's celebrity lifestyle—the tantrums, the fashion, the relentless energy of a man who was then releasing two albums a year.
The recording took place at the famous Caribou Ranch in Colorado. This wasn't some polished L.A. studio. It was a high-altitude retreat where the air was thin and the vibes were intense. You can hear that grit in the recording. The "bitch" in question wasn't a villain; it was the persona Elton inhabited when the lights went up.
Who Actually Played on the Track?
The song is a masterclass in glam-rock production, thanks in large part to producer Gus Dudgeon. But the credits reveal a "who’s who" of 70s talent that many casual listeners miss:
- The Horns: That punchy, aggressive brass section? That’s the Tower of Power horn section. They brought a soul-infused weight to the rock riff.
- The Backing Vocals: If the "bitch is back" refrain sounds particularly soulful, it’s because Dusty Springfield is back there in the mix. Yes, that Dusty Springfield.
- The Guitar: Davey Johnstone’s guitar work here is arguably some of his best. It’s nasty, distorted, and drives the song forward with a momentum that piano alone couldn't achieve.
The Radio Bans and the "B-Word" Controversy
You have to remember how different things were in September 1974. Today, we hear much worse on the radio by noon. But back then, the word "bitch" was a genuine problem for programmers.
In the United States, several radio stations flat-out refused to play it. The program director at WPIX-FM in New York famously told Billboard that they would play "suggestive" records but drew the line at Elton’s title. It didn't matter. The song was too big to kill. It hit Number 1 in Canada and Number 4 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Elton’s response to the censorship was classic Elton. He basically called the stations "puritanical" and moved on. Honestly, the controversy probably helped. Nothing makes a teenager want to buy a record more than being told the local DJ is too scared to say the title.
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A Hidden Anthem for the Community?
While the lyrics parody his lifestyle, many music historians, like Adam Block, have noted that Elton John The Bitch Is Back functioned as a "wink" to his gay fanbase.
In 1974, Elton hadn't officially come out (that wouldn't happen until his 1976 Rolling Stone interview), but the campiness of the song was a beacon. Using a traditionally feminine slur as a badge of honor and power was a bold move. It reclaimed a word used to put people down and turned it into a declaration of presence. When he performed it live, he would often ride around on the shoulders of his bodyguard, Jim America. It was pure, unadulterated theater.
Musical Structure and "The Riff"
Technically, the song is fascinating because it’s one of the few Elton hits where the piano takes a backseat to the guitar.
It was originally written in A-flat major, though if you see him perform it live nowadays, it’s usually dropped a half-step to G major to accommodate his deeper, mature vocal range. The song’s energy comes from the "push" of the rhythm section—Nigel Olsson on drums and Dee Murray on bass. They were a locked-in unit by this point, having played hundreds of shows together.
Legacy and Cover Versions
It’s a hard song to cover because so much of it relies on Elton’s specific brand of cheekiness. However, Tina Turner famously took it on. She didn't just cover it; she practically colonized it. She performed it during her live shows in the late 70s and eventually dueted with Elton at the VH1 Divas Live event in 1999.
Miley Cyrus also took a swing at it for the Restoration tribute album in 2018. It fits her "rock-rebel" persona perfectly, proving that the song’s attitude is timeless. It’s not about gender; it’s about a state of mind.
What Most People Get Wrong
There is a common misconception that the song was a sign of a rift between Elton and Bernie. People assume Bernie was venting his frustrations about Elton’s behavior through the lyrics.
In reality, they were at their creative peak. Caribou was their fourth consecutive Number 1 album in the US. The song wasn't a complaint; it was a celebration of the chaos. Elton has often called it his "theme song." He knows he can be difficult. He knows he’s a diva. And he’s perfectly fine with you knowing it, too.
Key Takeaways for the Superfan
If you’re looking to truly appreciate the track, keep these details in mind for your next trivia night:
- The B-Side: The single’s B-side was "Cold Highway," a much moodier, often-overlooked track.
- The Movie Connection: It’s the opening number in the Rocketman biopic, used to set the tone for Elton's entry into rehab.
- The Label: It was released on Elton’s own Rocket Record Company in some territories, showing his move toward total industry independence.
Elton John The Bitch Is Back remains a staple of his live sets for a reason. It’s the moment in the show where the costumes don't matter as much as the raw, distorted energy of a rock band firing on all cylinders. It’s a reminder that beneath the pop sensibilities and the Disney soundtracks, there is a rock star who isn't afraid to be a little bit "bitchy" if it means staying true to the performance.
Actionable Insights for Listeners:
- Listen to the 1995 Remaster: To truly hear the separation between the Tower of Power horns and Dusty Springfield’s backing vocals, skip the original vinyl rips and head for the 1995 digital remaster.
- Watch the 1974 Live Footage: Look for clips of the Caribou tour. Seeing Elton in his prime, wearing the flamboyant outfits while pounding out this specific riff, provides the necessary context for the song's "theatrical" weight.
- Check out the "Two Rooms" Tribute: Compare Tina Turner’s version to the original to see how the song’s DNA changes when the piano is replaced with a more guitar-heavy arrangement.