Hercules

Elton John's song 'Hercules' delves into the complexities of love, masculinity, and self-worth. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a man grappling with feelings of inadequacy and jealousy as he watches his love interest be enamored with a more traditionally 'tough' and muscular man, referred to as 'Hercules.' This character symbolizes the archetypal strongman, embodying physical strength and traditional masculinity, which contrasts sharply with the narrator's more sensitive and perhaps less conventionally masculine persona.

The song opens with the narrator describing his own vulnerabilities, likening himself to a 'busted wing and a hornet sting' and an 'out-of-tune guitar.' These metaphors suggest a sense of brokenness and imperfection. In contrast, the woman he loves is depicted as having 'Hercules on her side' and 'Diana in her eyes,' invoking images of strength and divine beauty. This juxtaposition highlights the narrator's internal struggle and feelings of inferiority.

Throughout the song, the narrator expresses his disdain for the 'tough-man routine' that Hercules embodies. He finds it difficult to accept that his love interest is drawn to this type of masculinity. The repeated lines about 'living and loving with a cat named Hercules' emphasize his frustration and helplessness. Despite his own preferences for a simpler, grittier life, symbolized by 'washing in a bucket of mud,' he feels overshadowed by the more glamorous and powerful image of Hercules.

Elton John's 'Hercules' is a poignant exploration of the themes of love, jealousy, and the societal pressures of masculinity. It captures the emotional turmoil of feeling inadequate in the face of societal ideals and the pain of unrequited love.