The Meaning Behind The Song: Daniel by Elton John
Elton John is one of the most iconic musicians of our time, and his repertoire includes a wide range of hit songs. But perhaps one of his most poignant and thought-provoking works is his 1973 hit, “Daniel.” The song tells the story of a Vietnam veteran who returns home to find a country that is hostile to his experiences in the war. But beyond the surface-level meaning, the song has a much deeper message about the ways in which society fails to support those who have sacrificed for it.
Table of Contents
The Story Behind “Daniel”
“Daniel” was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and released as a single in 1973. At first glance, the song seems to be a tribute to a soldier who has returned home from the Vietnam War. But the true story behind the song is actually somewhat different.
According to Taupin, “Daniel” was actually inspired by a story he heard about a Vietnam veteran who had returned home and was greeted with hostility and disdain because of his experiences in the war. As Taupin explains, “the song wasn’t really about Vietnam or the war so much as it was about the challenges that veterans face when they return home.”
John himself has spoken about the true message behind the song. In an interview with NPR, he explained, “I don’t do songs that are just throwaway. There’s got to be a point to the song. And I thought the point was…to bring attention to the soldiers who were coming home from Vietnam to not exactly the most welcoming of times.”
The Meaning Behind the Lyrics
The lyrics of “Daniel” are somber and poignant, and they paint a picture of a soldier who is struggling to find his place in a country that does not understand him. The opening lines of the song set the tone:
Daniel is traveling tonight on a plane
I can see the red tail lights heading for Spain
Oh, and I can see Daniel waving goodbye
God, it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes
From the very beginning, we get a sense of sadness and loss. The narrator is saying goodbye to Daniel, who is leaving the country on a plane. The imagery of the “red tail lights” and the narrator’s tears suggest that this is a difficult goodbye.
The second verse is where we get a clearer sense of the song’s meaning:
Daniel is traveling tonight on a plane
I can see the red tail lights heading for Spain
Oh, and I can see Daniel waving goodbye
God, it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes
They say Spain is pretty though I’ve never been
Well, Daniel says it’s the best place that he’s ever seen
Oh, and he should know, he’s been there enough
Lord, I miss Daniel, oh, I miss him so much
Here, we learn that Daniel is a soldier who has been to Vietnam and is now leaving for Spain. The narrator has never been to Spain himself, but he knows that Daniel loves it there. The repetition of “Oh, and I can see Daniel waving goodbye” emphasizes the narrator’s sadness and longing.
But it’s the final verse that drives home the true meaning of the song:
Daniel my brother, you are older than me
Do you still feel the pain of the scars that won’t heal?
Your eyes have died, but you see more than I
Daniel, you’re a star in the face of the sky
Daniel is traveling tonight on a plane
Oh, and I can see Daniel waving goodbye
Oh, God, it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes
This verse makes it clear that Daniel is not just any soldier, but the narrator’s brother. The line “Do you still feel the pain of the scars that won’t heal?” is a clear reference to the emotional and psychological toll that war takes on soldiers. And the final line, “Daniel, you’re a star in the face of the sky,” suggests that despite the struggles he faces, Daniel is a hero and a symbol of hope.
The Message for Today’s Society
Though “Daniel” was written in the 1970s, its message is just as relevant today as it was then. Today’s veterans face many of the same challenges as those who returned from the Vietnam War. Many struggle with physical and mental health issues, and too often, society fails to provide them with the support they need.
According to a report by the Department of Veterans Affairs, an average of 17 veterans die by suicide each day. And a recent survey found that nearly half of all veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars believe that their transition back to civilian life was difficult.
In the face of this reality, “Daniel” is a reminder that we need to do more to support our veterans. We need to provide them with the resources they need to heal and reintegrate into society. And we need to honor their sacrifices and acknowledge the toll that war takes on them.
As Elton John himself has said, “The military service is the most important thing that anybody can do, because it’s sacrificing their life for their country. And that should be recognized more than it is.”
The Legacy of “Daniel”
“Daniel” is a classic song that has stood the test of time. It’s been covered by numerous artists, and it continues to resonate with listeners today. But more than that, it’s a powerful reminder of the sacrifices that veterans make and the challenges they face when they return home.
As we reflect on the meaning behind “Daniel,” we should take a moment to honor the men and women who have served our country and to acknowledge the importance of supporting them in every way we can. Ultimately, “Daniel” is a call to action, urging us to do better for the heroes who have sacrificed so much on our behalf.
