Interview in October 4th, 1997 issue of Billboard magazine:
Timothy White: What was the inspiration for the title track of “Madman Across the Water”?
Elton John: Bernie comes up with these ideas first, and I never know, I never ask him. He just gives me the lyrics, we never bother to discuss it. [Chuckles] That’s why we’ve lasted these years, we don’t get on each other’s nerves. We don’t dissect each other! I have no idea, and that’s the honest truth.