What is the song "Daniel" by Elton John about?

Question

Is it really a brother that died?

Answer 1

"Daniel" is a grown-up ballad about a dissillusioned Vietnam veteran and was inspired by an article Bernie Taupin had read in Newsweek magazine. (Taupin is an English lyricist who worked with Elton John.)

"Daniel had been the most misinterpreted song that we'd ever written" explained Bernie in the "Two Rooms" tribute project. "The story was about a guy that went back to a small town in Texas, returning from the Vietnam war. They'd launded him when he came home and treated him like a hero. But he just wanted to go home, go back to the farm, and try to get back to the life that he'd led before. I just embellished that and like everything I write, I probably ended up being very esoteric, but it is a song that is important to me, because it was the one thing I said about the Vietnam War. I wanted to write something that was sympathetic to the people that came home".

However, the cryptic lyrics left everything to imagination. One early conjecture, which Elton and Bernie found hilarious, was that it was about a homosexual relationship.

Answer 2

Bernie Taupin wrote this song -- Elton only sings it.

The song Daniel is NOT about Bernie or Elton's brother. Or a lover. The song is entirely fictional.

Answer 3

Brad gave the true account of the song. One more thing to add is the last verse Bernie wrote for the song was left out because it was thought that it made the song too long. Had it been left in, it would have explained the meaning of the song.

Answer 4

such a good number of to settle on on. i am going to ought to grant my authentic 10 in no particular order. a million. Tiny Dancer. 2. see you later Yellow Brick highway. 3. Bennie and the Jets. 4. Philadelphia Freedom 5. Take Me To The Pilot (one among his lesser common songs) 6. trust 7. Blessed 8. nonetheless status 9. Blue Eyes 10. Saturday nighttime's all good for battling

Answer 5

I had never really thought about what this song was about. It is just so touching & beautiful I let my own emotions flow over it which is actually the end purpose of most music (even if it does carry a distinct message).....for your own emotions to come forth. For you to really FEEL. It's always interesting to discover the history about what inspired the actual melody & lirics but you have to "be there" too. Thank you everyone here for your feelings & stories & to Brad who gave us the real deal.

Answer 6

I thought it was a brother that watched his brother that was older than him fly to Spain.

Answer 7

Yes, it's a song about his brother who died. Sad, isn't it?

Answer 8

bernie taupins bro i believe

Answer 9

supposedly

:> peace
.