Elton John’s “Daniel” is a song that, despite its seemingly simple melody and heartfelt lyrics, has been shrouded in mystery and misinterpretation since its release in 1972. While initial speculations suggested it was a veiled narrative about a gay friend, fueled by Elton’s then-private sexuality, or simply a song about brothers, the true story behind “Daniel” is far more profound and rooted in the socio-political landscape of the early 1970s. To truly understand “Daniel Elton John,” we must delve into the lyrical genius of Bernie Taupin and the historical context that inspired this enduring ballad.
The legendary songwriting partnership of Elton John and Bernie Taupin is a testament to the power of contrasting personalities and creative synergy. Celebrating over 50 years of collaboration, Elton, hailing from Pinner, Middlesex, and Bernie, from Sleaford, Lincolnshire, first connected through a 1967 NME advertisement seeking talent, placed by Liberty Records’ A&R representative, Ray Williams. Despite their differing musical backgrounds – Elton’s piano influences ranging from gospel to classical, and Bernie’s fascination with the American Wild West – they forged an immediate and lasting bond. This unlikely pairing has gifted the world 64 of Elton’s 88 UK hit singles to date, with “Daniel” marking Elton’s fifth chart success, arriving two years after his breakthrough hit, “Your Song.”
Contrary to popular assumptions, “Daniel” is not a song about familial relationships or coded personal experiences, but a poignant narrative about a disillusioned Vietnam War veteran. Elton John himself clarified that the song was “a grown-up ballad about a disillusioned Vietnam veteran and was inspired by an article Bernie had read in Newsweek magazine.” Bernie Taupin, however, recalls the inspiration stemming from a Time Out article on his website. Regardless of the exact publication, the core inspiration remains – the often-overlooked experiences of Vietnam veterans returning home to a society grappling with the war’s complexities.
In the 1991 documentary Two Rooms, Bernie Taupin elaborated on the song’s true meaning, stating, “Daniel had been the most misinterpreted song that we’d ever written.” He explained the narrative centered around a Vietnam veteran returning to his small Texas hometown. While initially lauded as a hero, the veteran yearned for normalcy, desiring to return to his pre-war life on the farm. Taupin’s lyrics capture the ambivalent reception many Vietnam soldiers faced – “embarrassed by both the adulation and, depending on what part of the country you came from, the animosity that they were greeted by.” Bernie wrote from the perspective of a younger brother, adding the detail of a disability to emphasize the veteran’s desire to escape. The line, “Your eyes have died but you see more than I,” is intended to be taken literally, signifying Daniel’s blindness caused by his war service. The setting of Spain was chosen simply for its rhyme with “plane,” highlighting Taupin’s often-esoteric and poetic approach to lyric writing.
An often-discussed element of “Daniel” is the missing verse, which was ultimately cut by Elton during the music composition process due to length concerns. This excised verse explicitly stated Daniel’s Vietnam veteran status, his return home, his inability to find peace, and his decision to seek anonymity in Spain. While some believe this verse held the key to understanding the song’s true meaning, Bernie Taupin dismisses this as an “urban legend.” He maintains that the missing verse was not crucial and its removal was a common occurrence in their songwriting process, where Elton often edited Bernie’s sometimes-overwritten lyrics for conciseness.
The musical arrangement of “Daniel” features Elton’s signature musicians: Davey Johnstone on guitars, banjo, sitar, and mandolin, Dee Murray on bass, and Nigel Olsson on drums. Davey Johnstone recounted a humorous anecdote about the missing verse, recalling Elton’s bewilderment at a line supposedly about “a ship’s dog named Paul,” leading Elton to decisively remove the verse. Elton himself described “Daniel” as a “calypso-type number with Everly Brothers-type harmonies,” showcasing the song’s blend of melancholic lyrics with an uplifting melodic structure.
“Daniel” became the opening track of Elton John’s chart-topping 1973 album, Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only The Piano Player. The album title itself originates from a humorous encounter with Groucho Marx, who playfully insisted on reversing Elton’s name. During a party, Groucho’s relentless teasing prompted Elton to jokingly exclaim, “Don’t shoot me, I’m just the piano player,” which later became the iconic album title.
Despite its eventual success, “Daniel” faced initial resistance as a single release. Elton’s publisher, Dick James, and his American record label, MCA, initially deemed it a potential “marketing disaster,” considering it too long and somber for mainstream appeal. They favored “Crocodile Rock” as the lead single. However, Elton passionately advocated for “Daniel,” even offering to personally cover promotional costs if it failed. Despite limited record company promotion, Elton’s faith in the song’s appeal proved correct, as “Daniel” outperformed “Crocodile Rock,” reaching number four in the UK and number two in the US.
The experience with “Daniel” might have solidified Elton’s drive for artistic control, arguably contributing to the establishment of his own Rocket record label. While Kiki Dee’s “Amoureuse” was the first charting act on the label in 1973, it was Elton’s collaboration with Kiki Dee on “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” two and a half years later that granted Rocket Records its first UK number one hit, marking a significant milestone in Elton John’s career and his journey towards greater creative autonomy. “Daniel Elton John,” therefore, stands not only as a beautifully crafted ballad but also as a testament to artistic vision overcoming industry skepticism, and a poignant reminder of the often-misunderstood experiences of Vietnam veterans.
