"Daniel" | ||||
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Single by Elton John | ||||
from the album Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player | ||||
B-side | "Skyline Pigeon" | |||
Released | 26 March 1973 | |||
Format | Vinyl record (7") | |||
Recorded | June 1972, Château d'Hérouville, France |
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Genre | Soft rock | |||
Length | 3:54 | |||
Label |
MCA (US) DJM (UK) |
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Writer(s) | Elton John, Bernie Taupin | |||
Producer(s) | Gus Dudgeon | |||
Elton John singles chronology | ||||
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"Daniel" is a song and ballad by Elton John. It appeared on the 1973 album Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player. It was written by John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin. In the United Kingdom, the song reached no. 4 in the official chart. In the US the song reached No. 2 on the pop charts (only held from number one by "My Love" by Paul McCartney & Wings) and No. 1 on the adult contemporary charts for two weeks in the spring of 1973. In the United States, it was certified Gold on 13 September 1995 by the RIAA. In Canada, it became his second No. 1 single, following "Crocodile Rock" earlier in the year, holding the position for two weeks in the RPM 100 national singles chart. Writers John and Taupin received the 1973 Ivor Novello award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically.
Donatella Versace named her son after this song.
"Daniel" is the story of two brothers. The narrator is already missing his brother Daniel, who is leaving town for his favorite place, Spain. The narrator thinks he has seen Daniel on the plane, but it is actually "the clouds in (his) eyes". According to the song, of all of Daniel's scars that won't heal, but spiritually sees more than his narrator/brother. The narrator still looks up having "faith of the sky" in Daniel.
Bernie Taupin wrote "Daniel" after reading an article in either Time or Newsweek about a Vietnam War veteran who had been wounded, and wanted to get away from the attention he was receiving when he went back home. A verse in the original draft was cut from the final version, which has led to some speculation on the contents.