"Honky Cat" is a song from the 1972 Elton John album Honky Château, the album's lead-off track.[1][2]
"Honky Cat" reached the Billboard top 10 when released as a single, but only reached #31 in Britain - and 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 1972. The album title "Honky Chateau" is a reference to where it was recorded, the Château d'Hérouville, about 30 miles outside of Paris.[3]
A live version was released on the Here side of the Here and There live set in 1976 (and its expanded CD version in 1995), and a solo piano version appeared on the EltonJohn.com "Live in Madison Square Garden" Vol. 1 limited edition CD, recorded in October 1999.[citation needed]
Personnel[edit][]
- Jacques Bolognesi – trombone
- Jean-Louis Chautemps – saxophone
- Alain Hatot – saxophone
- Elton John – electric piano, acoustic piano, vocals
- Davey Johnstone – banjo
- Ivan Julien – trumpet
- Dee Murray – bass
- Nigel Olsson – drums