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According to Elton John's songwriting collaborator, Bernie Taupin, today's "Great Song of the '70s" is "the most misinterpreted song they'd ever written."
So what is "Daniel" really about?
Bernie wrote the lyrics after reading an article in Time Magazine about soldiers returning home from Viet Nam who were praised in some circles and hated in others. A sidebar to the article mentioned that many of these veterans were embarrassed by the attention--both good and bad--and just wanted to return to their pre-war lives.
The fourth verse explained things a bit more clearly--but wait, "Daniel" doesn't have a fourth verse! Elton thought the song was a bit too long, so he didn't record it!
Bernie was okay with that. He figured the song told enough of the story without the fourth verse...and maybe he was right. Or maybe not!
It all depends on what YOU think it's about!
Either way, "Daniel" was a huge hit in 1973, making the Top 10 in 11 countries. In the US, it went to #1 on the Easy Listening Chart and #2 on the Top 40. In Canada, the numbers were the same, only flipped: #1 (Top 40) and #2 (Easy Listening).
Bernie and Elton also won Britain's Ivor Novello Award for "Best Song-Musically and Lyrically"
Skipping ahead to 1991, a rarity: Wilson Phillips recorded a cover version that appeared on the Elton/Bernie tribute album, "Two Rooms." This time, "Daniel" reached #7 on the Adult Contemporary Charts in both the US and Canada--without ever being released as a single!
"Daniel:" definitely a "Great Song of 1973 (and 1991)!
Elton John:
Wilson Phillips:
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