“Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long, Long Time),” written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, was released in 1972.

The full lyrics describe the thoughts and feelings of an astronaut on a long space mission, including missing Earth and their wife, and the feeling of isolation.

The song draws inspiration from Ray Bradbury’s short story “The Rocket Man,” which explores an astronaut’s conflict between family and space travel.

The lyrics touch upon themes of isolation and detachment, and are sometimes seen as a metaphor for the loneliness of fame or having a dual identity.