It was composed by John, Bernie Taupin and Davey Johnstone.

The music for the song was largely based on a South African folk tune called 'Isonto Lezayoni', which was recorded in 1963 by Phineas Mkhize.

The whistle riff and chorus melody are borrowed from this piece, and Mkhize is given a songwriting credit for the song on this basis.

[4] The music video, directed by Simon Milne, was filmed in St. Tropez, France.

As was the case for many of the songs in this time period, John appears without his trademark glasses, and does not play piano.