Solar Prestige A Gammon

Album: Caribou (1974)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Don't look for meaning in this one: The words are just a collection of nonsense sounds strung together. Some are real words, others not:

    Hair ring molassis abounding
    Common lap kitch sardin a poor floundin
  • In Elizabeth Rosenthal's biography His Song: The Musical Journey of Elton John, it is revealed that this song was inspired by "Sun King" from The Beatles Abbey Road album. Elton said: "I thought it would be great to write a song with English words that didn't mean a thing, but that sounded fantastic when put together." >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander - London, England
  • This is the kind of song that might get removed from the album under scrutiny, but when Elton made Caribou, he didn't have the luxury of time. The entire album was written and recorded in just 10 days, so there was no time to second guess.

Comments: 9

  • Deejaydon from Canadanever, cared if it was about anything. I, just, liked the melody, the synthesizer and, Sir Elton's vocals(lead and, bg).
  • Bruce Morton from New YorkI always thought this was meant as sort of mock French, probably written in an alcoholic haze after watching a French movie on TV. (The accordion was a dead giveaway, at least to me.)
  • Geoff from Brisbane, Queensland, AustraliaSo, all these years (and there's been a lot of them) I was singing this song correctly all the time. Hoodathunkit?
  • Linda C from Linda From San Diego, CaliforniaI love this song, I thought I was singing in another language! I’m glad you put it on the album! One of my favorites
  • Ray Stoll from CaliforniaAs I SEE it in reading the lyrics, the song reeks of fish! It's all about turbert - salmon - herring - sardine - flounder - cod. Check it out.
  • Dalton from Phoenix, AzHave that song memorized to this day! I found another great song that means nothing by Italian Adriano Celentano called Prisencolinensinainciusol. This is from the same year I believe that Elton's song came out, around '73. You can find it on Youtube under that name. Really catchy tune.
  • Fernando Gonzalez from Coconut Creek, FloridaIncredible song, heard something once it was inspired by a Beatles song although that sounded weird to me. I literally live on Beatles since i was a child, but could never imagine it could be Sun King.... In the end, there could very well be true. Solar Prestige ... Is indeed a great song by the John-Taupin team for sure... This info sheds a whole new light on it. Thanks!!
  • Chezchez from New York, NyLoved this song even though i have no clue what the heck its about. Again Elton and Bernie kick ass. - chezchez, bronx, ny
  • Tony from Red Deer, AbI heard that this song was actually a "friendly" competition between Elton John and Bernie Taupin, in which Elton bet his buddy that he could make a song sound good musically, even if the lyrics were absolute gibberish.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)

Steve Cropper (Booker T & the MG's, Blues Brothers)Songwriter Interviews

Steve Cropper on the making of "In the Midnight Hour," the chicken-wire scene in The Blues Brothers, and his 2021 album, Fire It Up.

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman Jack

Have Mercy! It's Wolfman JackSong Writing

The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.