Single:
The Bitch is Back entered the Australian singles chart* on 25 November 1974 and peaked at #53.
Album:
The song is on Caribou which entered the Australian albums chart* on 15 July 1974. It reached #1 on 12 August 1974 and remained there for 10 weeks.
Songwriters:
Elton John, Bernie Taupin
Producer:
Gus Dudgeon
Record label of Australian release:
DJM
*Kent Music Report / Australian Chart Book. See About.
Live in 2000 at Madison Square Garden, New York City
Songfacts:
Elton is the “Bitch.” One day when he was in a foul mood, complaining about anything and everything, Bernie Taupin’s wife, Maxine, saw him and said “Uh-Oh, the bitch is back.” Bernie Taupin, who was Elton’s lyricist, thought it was a great phrase. He wrote lyrics around it and Elton put it to music.
This was the first hit song with the word “bitch” in the title, which was rather risqué in 1974. Many American radio stations refused to play it when it was released, but when it became a hit, most relented and added it to their playlists.
Read more: www.songfacts.com/facts/elton-john/the-bitch-is-back
Lyrics:
I was justified when I was five
Raising Cain, I spit in your eye
Times are changing, now the poor get fat
But the fever’s gonna catch you when the bitch gets back
Click for full lyrics
This song is also on our Spotify playlists Bang a Gong – the 70s and Bang a Gong – rockin’ the 60s & 70s
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