Per composer Bernie Taupin, "The story was about a guy that went back to a small town in Texas, returning from the Vietnam War. They’d lauded 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 wanted to write something that was sympathetic to the people that came home."
I have heard this my whole life and always thought it was about someone missing their brother that went away on a plane.You learn something new everyday lol.
@@nealm6764 well, that’s the truth… the record company wanted it to be shorter, so they took out the last verse. Daniel was a ‘brother’ in the military sense, and he was going to another country to get away from home after not feeling ‘at home’.
A radio staple in the 70's and beyond. Elton John truly was Captain Fantastic! There are so many great flavors of 70's music, and Elton's brand was unique, and there was nothing else like it.
Now everytime I hear this song which came out when I was in high school, I think of my late younger brother Daniel, who died 2 years ago. I really can't get through this song anymore.
Daniel returns from war. Everyone treats him like a big hero but he just wants to go back to his life from before the war. His younger brother wants the old Daniel back, too, but the experience of war has changed him.
One of the sounds of my high school years. There's really no way to describe what it was like to have grown up when great songs like this one were just coming out and you were hearing them for the first time!
Great song ..Daniel is a guy who left America for Spain after serving in Vietnam and couldn't find peace at home...Bernie and Elton where unstoppable in the seventies and into some 80..Great reaction keep spreading the music around ❤️
I seem to remember reading somewhere that this was Elton's favourite song that he and Bernie Taupin wrote. It sure is beautiful, especially when you read Bernie's explanation of the lyrics.
"Daniel" is from the album "Don't shoot me I'm only the piano player", IMO one of the unique gems from the early years of the Elton John- Bernie Taupin collaboration. Would also recommend "Blues for Baby and Me" and "High Flying Bird" as high points on this masterpiece.
This song reminds me of when my sister boarded a jet plane and flew to military training/boot camp. We were so close and she was missed. This was back in the 70s.
The music from "Daniel" always reminded me about winter vacation in the Caribbean. It is only missing steel drums. Hearing Lex's similar interpretation was strangely reassuring.
It's that synthesizer that you hear giving you that shopping vibe... "Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime" is the song you're relating the sound to.
I always took this song literally, as if a blind older brother was traveling to Spain - again - and "although your eyes have died", "you see more than I" and "Daniel says it's the best place he's ever seen" and "the pain of scars that won't heal" all seemed both literal and metaphorical. But even as a Vietnam vet, I never connected the song to the war in any way, as Bernie Taupin later explained. I still revert to my original interpretation when I hear the song, though I accept the author's word on his intent.
I haven't been in an elevator in a long time, I don't like tall buildings, but I never heard music this good in any elevator I was ever in. Sir Elton doesn't do "elevator muzak", just great songs.
I love how you guys get into deep discussions about y'alls individual opinions about the song . It gets so deep going into both of you...it's so much fun.
There is a great video of Elton John, Steve Wonder, Gladys Night, Dieon Warwick, ( which is Whitney Houstons Aunt)...singing That's What Friends are For... High School Memories 🤗
I hear the steel drums too and understand why you would get vacation vibes from the melody. But the lyrics. NOT vacation at all. One great literary device is dramatic tension, and that is what I get from this song, then tension between the peaceful, pretty music and the emotionally devastating lyrics.
Per Songfacts The lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin, Elton's writing partner. He explained the inspiration on his web site: "I'd seen this article in Time magazine on the Tet Offensive. And there was a sidebar next to it with a story about how many of the soldiers that were coming back from 'Nam were these simple sort of down home country guys who were generally embarrassed by both the adulation and, depending on what part of the country you came from, the animosity that they were greeted by. For the most part, they just wanted to get back to a normal life, but found it hard, what with all the looky loos and the monkeys of war that they carried on their backs. I just took it from there and wrote it from a younger brother's perspective; made him disabled and wanting to get away. I made it Spain, basically, because it rhymes with plane." When Elton wrote the music for this song, he chopped off the last verse because he thought the song was already too long. The deleted verse explained that "Daniel" was a Vietnam vet who returned home to the farm after the war, couldn't find peace, and decided to leave America and go to Spain. With the last verse chopped off, it became a fairly vague story of two brothers who part ways, although Bernie Taupin says that losing the verse wasn't a big deal. Said Taupin: "We had that whole thing about the missing verse that everybody seems to believe explained the true meaning of the song. I think that's just an urban legend. It didn't really explain anything. Sure, it was cut out. But that used to happen all the time with our songs. I would often overwrite, and Elton felt it necessary to edit somewhat. But believe me, it didn't say anything that the rest of the song didn't say."
Its about a Vietnam Vet, Elton threw away the last refrain, said all he needed was the hook. Basically Daniel was blinded or he died and a guy is reminiscing about his brother because he saw someone who looked like him climb on a plane headed for Spain, thus the "God It looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes" I think Daniel is dead brother and in those days Brother could be a friend, so it might be someone Bernie knew.
One of his best, I love his voice. You got to check out.. Mad man across the water, Rotten Peaches, Indian Sunset. Congratulations guys, what a lucky Lil soul to have you two for parents, do we know boy/girl?
Funny how Brad hears this as "elevator" music. Fifty years ago, it reached #4 on the U.K. charts and was #2 in the U.S., and teen-agers like me were loving this song. I'll forgive Brad this time, lol!🎶🎹🎤
@@KC-pc8ou So every time a slower song with pretty instruments is heard, or older jazz, certain metal heads who want faster louder music and flashy guitar solos only, as if that's the only kind of music there is, [except pop opera divas], trapped in one lane on the wide highway of music, designate this kind of music into categories of elevator music, or the overused "old school" catch phrase. "Oh no, here comes Beethoven and Bach or Gershwin..or...gulp.. Sinatra... quick! Get off the elevator! Oh God now it's Duke Ellington....help help...let me out of this elevator." ...well boohoo...😂
@@thomastimlin1724 they play Led Zeppelin in grocery stores now, who knows what elevator music is like these days, it’s been a long time since I’ve been in one.
This song always reminded me of my uncle Reginald (Elton John’s) real name. He was an uncle but only 8 or 9 years older than me so he was more like an older brother.
Daniel is the older brother and he has returned from war, I believe Viet Nam. He returned as a different person than when he left. It's lamenting the loss of who his brother used to be. He travels to Spain because he experiences less stress there. The song never fails to bring a tear to my eye. But when I read about the real meaning... Yeah I can't hold beck the tears. Do you still feel the pain of the scars that won't heal? Your eyes have died but you see more than I The scars that won't heal are often a reference to mental scars. Followed up with eyes that died. people who return from war are often said to have a far away stare like they aren't looking at anything but seeing everything. Exposure to extreme violence opens their eyes to the worst aspects of humanity.
Time period-Bernie Taupin, lyrics and Elton John, music, and the war. Bernie wrote the lyrics to honor vets returning home. Elton has said it's a fav of his. One of mine too!! Lex's ability to translate music to black Friday is...(struggling to find a word...) 😂🤣😂🤣
Funny, I don't have a brother named Daniel, I don't have a brother at all, but the song still chokes me up a little every time I hear it. I can't even sing along without a little crack here and there.
Since we are on the subject of Elton John. There was a group called the "Village People" and the song was "Its fun to stay at the YMCA". They share the similar sweet style. If you can find it on YOU TUBE you may want to react to it, because it is different.
"Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics 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 came back home."
You absolutely...absolutely have to check out the version of this song done by a band named Fuel. Totally drives home the meaning and feelings behind the song.
Your eyes have died and you've seen more than I... is a reference to the loss of innocence. You know how kids have a sparkle in their eyes before they face adult situations? That's what he's talking about.
this song is very special to me back in the seventies I had friends they were two brothers one was older than the other and they were both a part of the militia. they worked around boats and submarines and one day they went out on a scuba diving practice session. they had to rent the equipment and while they were diving the older Brothers equipment malfunctioned filling his lungs up with air and shooting him out of the water the younger brother in the boat got a hold of him with one arm but because of the wetsuit could not hold on and the older brother died. the oldest brother's name was Daniel so this whole song is a metaphor to me about what happened that day.
He's saying goodbye too brother who is going to Spain too war and he misses him so much say bye to his older brother. The clouds in his eyes are tears for his brother going off to war
It sounds like it’s about someone lamenting their brother, who’s passed away. He says, “It looks like Daniel, Must be the clouds in my eyes.” Sounds like he’s imagining seeing his brother because he misses him. Also, the line, “Your eyes have died but you see more than I.” Sounds like the afterlife. Much love to you, Brad and Lex. Congratulations! Very happy for you guys
The line 'Your eyes have died' for me refers to the 'light' in his eyes. Apparently the record company needed a shorter song, so they removed the verse making it clear he was a returning veteran of Viet Nam.
Lexi is thinking about the "Summer Vacation" Feelings and how this gives more of a "Winter Vacation" type of Vibe... Iced Tea vs. Hot Chocolate or The View from a Beach vs. a warm lit fireplace.
Lots of variations - but the way I heard it was that "Daniel" came back from the Vietnam war, was treated miserably (see "Rambo" ) And so he wanted to escape to Spain.
this song is so beautiful! it i was so scared because i was like 10 years old and that my brother would get drafted to go to war. and i really up to him.
It's about a man who was a famous circus performer and was most acclaimed in Spain. But in an accident where he's fired from a cannon into a net, he's blinded and must struggle to get his courage back to get in the cannon again, even without sight. The singer is his brother, who originally showed him the ropes of the circus and now feels guilty about it.
“Your eyes have died but you see more than I.” That describes a blind man, who still has more wisdom than the one who can see with his eyes. I don't know why people think it's a dead man.
The thousand-yard stare or two-thousand-yard stare is a phrase often used to describe the blank, unfocused gaze of combatants who have become emotionally detached from the horrors around them. It is sometimes used more generally to describe the look of dissociation among victims of other types of trauma.
@@toddbaker1574 thank you for guiding the literalist hordes out there. did no one have a teacher or friend to discuss poetry? people read lyrics like instruction manuals or road travel directions. it's wearisome, so I'm about to go quietly into the day
"Daniel" was a Vietnam vet who lost his eye sight in the war. He returned home to the farm after the war, couldn't find peace, and decided to leave America and go to Spain. The song is from his younger brothers perspective.
This song is simply, a tribute to Vietnam Veterans.
I never thought that
I lost my Brother Danny in a motorcycle accident, many verses i can relate to losing him, Spain could be a metaphor for Heaven, Stars in his eyes….
🙏 ✌ ❤ Danny
You should listen to Fuels cover of Daniel. The guitarist Carl covered it in memory of his brother who drowned.
Per composer Bernie Taupin, "The story was about a guy that went back to a small town in Texas, returning from the Vietnam War. They’d lauded 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 wanted to write something that was sympathetic to the people that came home."
I have heard this my whole life and always thought it was about someone missing their brother that went away on a plane.You learn something new everyday lol.
A viet nam vet farmer from Texas who traveled often to Spain... right.
More made up internet lore passed off as fact.
Are you sure that quote isn’t referring to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road?
Apparently there is another verse that Elton left out that explains everything.
@@nealm6764 well, that’s the truth… the record company wanted it to be shorter, so they took out the last verse.
Daniel was a ‘brother’ in the
military sense, and he was going to another country to get away from home after not feeling ‘at home’.
A radio staple in the 70's and beyond. Elton John truly was Captain Fantastic! There are so many great flavors of 70's music, and Elton's brand was unique, and there was nothing else like it.
This is a long shot but, 1966, miami, lake, scouts, cypress, soccer.
This one, "That's Why they Call It the Blues" and "Sacrifice." Back when pop music had taste.
Ahhh, Sir Elton John. There is nobody else like him. A true blessing to the universe.
Now everytime I hear this song which came out when I was in high school, I think of my late younger brother Daniel, who died 2 years ago. I really can't get through this song anymore.
🙏 ✌ ❤ Daniel
Just seeing this now - I cannot understand how deeply personal this song is for you. Sorry for your loss.
Brad & Lex, you'll love his "Philadelphia Freedom", Funeral for a Friend / Love Lies Bleeding and "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me!!!
Hi, I agree.. On "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me", I like the duet with Mr. George Michael, the one where they are on scaffolds singing.. ♠W.G.
One of the most beautiful songs ever in human hustory
Such a gorgeous song ... deserves far better than to be seen as elevator music ... must be the clouds in my eyes!
Played at my littlle bros funeral. Every time I hear it, I replace "Daniel" with "Carlos" RIP brother miss you.
"Captain Fantastic" album is phenomenal. Every single cut on it is exceptional.
Very few can boast that.
Daniel returns from war. Everyone treats him like a big hero but he just wants to go back to his life from before the war. His younger brother wants the old Daniel back, too, but the experience of war has changed him.
It's more about somebody leaving and never coming back.
One of the sounds of my high school years. There's really no way to describe what it was like to have grown up when great songs like this one were just coming out and you were hearing them for the first time!
Great song ..Daniel is a guy who left America for Spain after serving in Vietnam and couldn't find peace at home...Bernie and Elton where unstoppable in the seventies and into some 80..Great reaction keep spreading the music around ❤️
I seem to remember reading somewhere that this was Elton's favourite song that he and Bernie Taupin wrote. It sure is beautiful, especially when you read Bernie's explanation of the lyrics.
Both Early MUST HEAR Classics,, Elton John "Levon" & "Madman Across The Water"
I absolutely love vintage Elton John
Elton was my first concert. 1974 Van B.C.😃🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦
Must do SOMEONE SAVED MY LIFE TONIGHT by Elton. Even though Bernie wrote the lyrics as usual, they are about an actual event in Elton's life.
Such a lovely song, always a little bit of a tear jerker for me.
Yes same here
Me too!!!! Everytime I hear it. Such an emotional song🎵 🎶 🎵
Yes same here.
Lex's take on songs is, uh, really unique 😂. That's why we love her! 💯👍🏾🌈♥️
Yep. I thought she was going to say they play this to calm shoppers down on Black Friday. :D
That story seemingly has nothing to do with the written lyrics, but ok
Well she did compare a Steely Dan song to a reuben sandwich 😆
Lmao!! 😂🤣
Right!! 👊🏽❤
Yes, let's go with unique.
😁😆
Elevator music! Thems fightin' words, son!
My absolute favorite of Elton’s.
One of the most beautiful songs from Elton and Bernie
"Daniel" is from the album "Don't shoot me I'm only the piano player", IMO one of the unique gems from the early years of the Elton John- Bernie Taupin collaboration. Would also recommend "Blues for Baby and Me" and "High Flying Bird" as high points on this masterpiece.
To me it’s about the death of a loved one who you still think you see or are reminded of by everyday things. I find it very sad but beautiful
This song reminds me of when my sister boarded a jet plane and flew to military training/boot camp. We were so close and she was missed. This was back in the 70s.
Beautiful song
If you want a winter vacation vibe try Dan Fogelberg "Same Old Lang Syne" it's a classic 👌
The music from "Daniel" always reminded me about winter vacation in the Caribbean. It is only missing steel drums. Hearing Lex's similar interpretation was strangely reassuring.
its about loss of a brother whom he loved. he is pained but clearly misses his bro.
I hear you on the winter vacation song, those chords are very merry lol, Such cool people you both. Love the vibes. Y'all got great taste in music.
It's that synthesizer that you hear giving you that shopping vibe... "Paul McCartney - Wonderful Christmastime" is the song you're relating the sound to.
One of my favs😍
Played this many times solo over the years 👍😎👍
I love it when Elton John plays Rhodes EP instead of a standard piano.
I always took this song literally, as if a blind older brother was traveling to Spain - again - and "although your eyes have died", "you see more than I" and "Daniel says it's the best place he's ever seen" and "the pain of scars that won't heal" all seemed both literal and metaphorical. But even as a Vietnam vet, I never connected the song to the war in any way, as Bernie Taupin later explained. I still revert to my original interpretation when I hear the song, though I accept the author's word on his intent.
So many great songs mean something completely different to people than the artist intended.
I haven't been in an elevator in a long time, I don't like tall buildings, but I never heard music this good in any elevator I was ever in. Sir Elton doesn't do "elevator muzak", just great songs.
I love how you guys get into deep discussions about y'alls individual opinions about the song . It gets so deep going into both of you...it's so much fun.
I miss my older son, Daniel, so much. I'm crying right now. He moved out of state and my younger son misses his brother, too.
There is a great video of Elton John, Steve Wonder, Gladys Night, Dieon Warwick, ( which is Whitney Houstons Aunt)...singing
That's What Friends are For...
High School Memories 🤗
Wonderful suggestion !
I hear the steel drums too and understand why you would get vacation vibes from the melody.
But the lyrics. NOT vacation at all.
One great literary device is dramatic tension, and that is what I get from this song, then tension between the peaceful, pretty music and the emotionally devastating lyrics.
"Your eyes have died" there's no light in them anymore from all he's seen.
True MUST HEAR Classics By Her,, Carole King
"I Feel The Earth Move" & "Smackwater Jack"
...Nuff Said.
My cousin Danny always liked that song. I never knew what it was about either, but I know all the words.
Elevator music, I am sure Elton would be pleased to hear that. Come on guys!!
Such a beautiful song. Thanks!
Elevator Music???
Whatever elevator plays Elton and other awesome hits I wanna move into it.
Congratulations on your upcoming blessing(s).
Per Songfacts The lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin, Elton's writing partner. He explained the inspiration on his web site: "I'd seen this article in Time magazine on the Tet Offensive. And there was a sidebar next to it with a story about how many of the soldiers that were coming back from 'Nam were these simple sort of down home country guys who were generally embarrassed by both the adulation and, depending on what part of the country you came from, the animosity that they were greeted by. For the most part, they just wanted to get back to a normal life, but found it hard, what with all the looky loos and the monkeys of war that they carried on their backs.
I just took it from there and wrote it from a younger brother's perspective; made him disabled and wanting to get away. I made it Spain, basically, because it rhymes with plane."
When Elton wrote the music for this song, he chopped off the last verse because he thought the song was already too long. The deleted verse explained that "Daniel" was a Vietnam vet who returned home to the farm after the war, couldn't find peace, and decided to leave America and go to Spain. With the last verse chopped off, it became a fairly vague story of two brothers who part ways, although Bernie Taupin says that losing the verse wasn't a big deal.
Said Taupin: "We had that whole thing about the missing verse that everybody seems to believe explained the true meaning of the song. I think that's just an urban legend. It didn't really explain anything. Sure, it was cut out. But that used to happen all the time with our songs. I would often overwrite, and Elton felt it necessary to edit somewhat. But believe me, it didn't say anything that the rest of the song didn't say."
This is a beautiful Song by Elton John.
So weird to think of this song as the background to shopping. This is poetry and soul.
The sadness in the music was what I always felt...haunting and sad.
Its about a Vietnam Vet, Elton threw away the last refrain, said all he needed was the hook. Basically Daniel was blinded or he died and a guy is reminiscing about his brother because he saw someone who looked like him climb on a plane headed for Spain, thus the "God It looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes" I think Daniel is dead brother and in those days Brother could be a friend, so it might be someone Bernie knew.
One of his best, I love his voice.
You got to check out.. Mad man across the water, Rotten Peaches, Indian Sunset.
Congratulations guys, what a lucky Lil soul to have you two for parents, do we know boy/girl?
Funny how Brad hears this as "elevator" music. Fifty years ago, it reached #4 on the U.K. charts and was #2 in the U.S., and teen-agers like me were loving this song. I'll forgive Brad this time, lol!🎶🎹🎤
@@KC-pc8ou So every time a slower song with pretty instruments is heard, or older jazz, certain metal heads who want faster louder music and flashy guitar solos only, as if that's the only kind of music there is, [except pop opera divas], trapped in one lane on the wide highway of music, designate this kind of music into categories of elevator music, or the overused "old school" catch phrase. "Oh no, here comes Beethoven and Bach or Gershwin..or...gulp.. Sinatra... quick! Get off the elevator! Oh God now it's Duke Ellington....help help...let me out of this elevator." ...well boohoo...😂
@@thomastimlin1724 they play Led Zeppelin in grocery stores now, who knows what elevator music is like these days, it’s been a long time since I’ve been in one.
My local Kroger plays the Cure! Truly disturbing on so many levels.
@@Yowza78 Seems yesterday's hits are today's easy-listening music. Sometimes I find myself singing along while I shop.😄
Try STURGILL SIMPSON song You can have the crown 👑 live at the sun king brewery 🍺 Daniel is about a returning wounded Vietnam veteran
Very iconic early 70s track by Sir Elton John. Enjoy!
Would love to see y'all do some more Depeche Mode, though :)
I'd like to see Brad react to Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick. What would he make of it?😄
Aloha guys, Mahalo for this one...reminds me of middle school days...a hui hou
Never one of my faves by Sir E...but then, I caught myself totally singing along and knowing all the words
It's been an EJ life, really
This song always reminded me of my uncle Reginald (Elton John’s) real name. He was an uncle but only 8 or 9 years older than me so he was more like an older brother.
Daniel is the older brother and he has returned from war, I believe Viet Nam. He returned as a different person than when he left. It's lamenting the loss of who his brother used to be. He travels to Spain because he experiences less stress there.
The song never fails to bring a tear to my eye. But when I read about the real meaning... Yeah I can't hold beck the tears.
Do you still feel the pain of the scars that won't heal?
Your eyes have died but you see more than I
The scars that won't heal are often a reference to mental scars. Followed up with eyes that died. people who return from war are often said to have a far away stare like they aren't looking at anything but seeing everything. Exposure to extreme violence opens their eyes to the worst aspects of humanity.
you will definitely hear this song playing over the sound system of many stores :)
I love this song and I enjoy your reactions-Love from Montana.
I think I've been waiting for about a year to hear you guys react to this song ,yeah!
This one always gets me in the gut.
If you were around in the 70s when I was a kid listening to this and Brad elevator music can bring you peace brother!
Time period-Bernie Taupin, lyrics and Elton John, music, and the war.
Bernie wrote the lyrics to honor vets returning home. Elton has said it's a fav of his.
One of mine too!!
Lex's ability to translate music to black Friday is...(struggling to find a word...)
😂🤣😂🤣
Love this song so much!
Funny, I don't have a brother named Daniel, I don't have a brother at all, but the song still chokes me up a little every time I hear it. I can't even sing along without a little crack here and there.
Since we are on the subject of Elton John. There was a group called the "Village People" and the song was "Its fun to stay at the YMCA". They share the similar sweet style. If you can find it on YOU TUBE you may want to react to it, because it is different.
"Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics 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 came back home."
You absolutely...absolutely have to check out the version of this song done by a band named Fuel. Totally drives home the meaning and feelings behind the song.
I didn't know fuel covered this song. Thanks, I'll have to check it out.
Your eyes have died and you've seen more than I... is a reference to the loss of innocence. You know how kids have a sparkle in their eyes before they face adult situations? That's what he's talking about.
My fav is ' The One' . Latter portion of his work. It just resonates with me. Slow beginning then escalates.
this song is very special to me back in the seventies I had friends they were two brothers one was older than the other and they were both a part of the militia. they worked around boats and submarines and one day they went out on a scuba diving practice session. they had to rent the equipment and while they were diving the older Brothers equipment malfunctioned filling his lungs up with air and shooting him out of the water the younger brother in the boat got a hold of him with one arm but because of the wetsuit could not hold on and the older brother died. the oldest brother's name was Daniel so this whole song is a metaphor to me about what happened that day.
He's saying goodbye too brother who is going to Spain too war and he misses him so much say bye to his older brother. The clouds in his eyes are tears for his brother going off to war
It sounds like it’s about someone lamenting their brother, who’s passed away.
He says, “It looks like Daniel, Must be the clouds in my eyes.” Sounds like he’s imagining seeing his brother because he misses him.
Also, the line, “Your eyes have died but you see more than I.” Sounds like the afterlife.
Much love to you, Brad and Lex.
Congratulations!
Very happy for you guys
Fuels cover of this hits even harder. I believe Carl, the guitarist, wanted to cover it in memory of his brother who drowned to death.
A song about his brother, who was in the airforce and it is dedicated to him..
The line 'Your eyes have died' for me refers to the 'light' in his eyes. Apparently the record company needed a shorter song, so they removed the verse making it clear he was a returning veteran of Viet Nam.
For the first half of my life, friends would see me and say "Oh Danny Boy". Thanks to Elton for the next 50 years people now say "Daniel, my brother."
Yessssssssss! This has always been my favorite song from him! I have a bro named Daniel. He's younger than me, though, so I change the lyrics. Lol
I think you were wise to choose the studio version. I've always appreciated the drumming in this song.
Lol Lex has a beautiful mind. I don’t know how she comes up with her explanations but I always seem to understand.
Sounded like he said, "Your eyes have died, but you see more than I, Daniel you're a star..."
So I guess his brother was blind then.
His eyes were dead from ptsd. No light in them.
Hello from Louisiana. This is my favorite.
I was a Vietnam Vet and my brother was a war protester so I reversed everything about this song when i first heard it back in the 70's.
Lexi is thinking about the "Summer Vacation" Feelings and how this gives more of a "Winter Vacation" type of Vibe... Iced Tea vs. Hot Chocolate or The View from a Beach vs. a warm lit fireplace.
Lots of variations - but the way I heard it was that "Daniel" came back from the Vietnam war, was treated miserably (see "Rambo" ) And so he wanted to escape to Spain.
Elton John Daniel 1st time after all these years My God Enjoy!!
Ahhh..SIR ELTON JOHN..One of the best songs... Ever.. Have you heard TINY DANCER LEX? Ya'll will love i!
I saw Sir Elton John in July for my birthday best experience ever
The old Daniel had been replaced by a new post war Daniel. ♥
this song is so beautiful! it i was so scared because i was like 10 years old and that my brother would get drafted to go to war. and i really up to him.
It's about a man who was a famous circus performer and was most acclaimed in Spain. But in an accident where he's fired from a cannon into a net, he's blinded and must struggle to get his courage back to get in the cannon again, even without sight. The singer is his brother, who originally showed him the ropes of the circus and now feels guilty about it.
“Your eyes have died but you see more than I.” That describes a blind man, who still has more wisdom than the one who can see with his eyes. I don't know why people think it's a dead man.
His eyes have died from the horrors of war. He’s not physically blind. Going to Spain is a term for bouts of ptsd
The thousand-yard stare or two-thousand-yard stare is a phrase often used to describe the blank, unfocused gaze of combatants who have become emotionally detached from the horrors around them. It is sometimes used more generally to describe the look of dissociation among victims of other types of trauma.
@@toddbaker1574 thank you for guiding the literalist hordes out there. did no one have a teacher or friend to discuss poetry? people read lyrics like instruction manuals or road travel directions. it's wearisome, so I'm about to go quietly into the day
"Daniel" was a Vietnam vet who lost his eye sight in the war. He returned home to the farm after the war, couldn't find peace, and decided to leave America and go to Spain. The song is from his younger brothers perspective.
Maestro Fresh Wes - Let Your Backbone Slide