Lyricist wrote the words after reading an article in Time magazine about the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War. A sidebar story caught his eye, detailing how wounded soldiers returning to small-town America often felt uncomfortable with the extreme adulation or animosity they received.
Released in early 1973, "Daniel" remains one of Elton John's most enduring and poignant ballads. While often mistaken for a song about a family dispute or even a gay anthem, the track is actually a deeply sympathetic look at the struggles of a returning war veteran. The Inspiration Behind the Lyrics Elton John - Daniel (1972) With !
The Story of "Daniel": Elton John’s Misunderstood Masterpiece Lyricist wrote the words after reading an article
Taupin chose to write from the perspective of a younger brother watching his sibling, Daniel, leave for Spain to find peace away from the "looky loos" and the "monkeys of war". He chose Spain simply because it rhymed with "plane". The Mystery of the Missing Verse While often mistaken for a song about a