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Elton John — Daniel
Album: Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player
Avg rating:
7.6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1161









Released: 1973
Length: 3:50
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Daniel is travelling 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

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 travelling 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
Oh God it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes
Comments (30)add comment
Vintage Elton. Memories of my youth. Music, the great equalizer when life gets in the way ... be well, everybody. /M. 
I was 17yrs old when this came out. I really didn't like it, it was too "soft" for my tastes. Now, that I am old & senile, it grew on me. I like it now.   
I can still hear my mom singing this song while I, as 7 year old kid, was playing in the living room. What great memories. 
 timmus wrote:
Man, it's interesting to think this song was played on popular radio stations back in the 1970s.
 
Now what does FM radio play?  Songs about hos, cash, and ass.  WTF happened between then and now?


We grew up and tastes changed
It's just a perfect song; it means a lot to people everywhere who don't speak English but yet understand that's it's wistful; that's the power of a melody accompanied by lyrics you constantly find yourself tempting to grasp. And then later on in life - you can hold a conversation in English. Merci Bernie & Elton.
Man, it's interesting to think this song was played on popular radio stations back in the 1970s.
 
Now what does FM radio play?  Songs about hos, cash, and ass.  WTF happened between then and now?
Reminds me so much of my childhood. Whenever my mom would play this song on the cassette, I would sing along without knowing what the lyrics were. Love this song!!!!
 MayBaby wrote:

Guess you had to be there. I was 13 years old when this came out -It was formative to my life. Great stuff Elton put out back then.




I was 13, and there as well.  This was one of the LAST songs I wanted to hear on the radio though (WTMA Charleston, South Carolina).
Different story now -
Beautiful, moving tune.

Just gave this a 10
 scrubbrush wrote:

My mom was murdered in when I was 7 in 1977. 
I have a younger brother.
With my limited ability to understand the lyrics of this song, thanks to my age and 1970s car stereo technology, I always thought this was about a kid who's older brother had died and he was saying goodbye. 
This song still brings tears to my eyes every time.




I am so very sorry for your loss.  Thank you for sharing.  Events in my own life do the same. 
My mom was murdered in when I was 7 in 1977. 
I have a younger brother.
With my limited ability to understand the lyrics of this song (thanks to my age and 1970s car stereo technology) I always thought this was about a kid who's older brother had died and he was saying goodbye.  I was terrified to leave my little brother behind.
This song still brings tears to my eyes every time.
 stretcher wrote:

I really don't get all this love for Elton John.  God he bores me to death.
3, and that's a gift.



Speaking of boring.... your rating isn't as much a gift as you think it is.
 kazoo wrote:

If Elton were to sing this at his current age, he might be singing about cataracts. Looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes.




H8ful ageist BS.  Boo!
Written and recorded the same day, in just three takes. Wow.
c.
If Elton were to sing this at his current age, he might be singing about cataracts. Looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes.
Bernie Taupin & EJ are still a force of nature! Just listen, you can hear it too!
 rita_johnson wrote:
How i wish RP would post the name of the writer, along with the lyrics! 
 
I'm curious where you are using RP.  Their web-based player has EJ's wiki page just below the lyrics. 

Further to your point though, I think it's more enjoyable to do my own legwork - Whether a song/artist I love or one I don't care for (such as this one), Googling more about the track gives me far more info about why I love it or why it's not connecting.  Cheers.
Something about this song makes me feel like my chest is being crushed under a great weight.
Rocket Man is an excellent movie about Elton John and Bernie Taupin. If you enjoy the music, you will also enjoy the film.
 rita_johnson wrote:
How i wish RP would post the name of the writer, along with the lyrics! 
 
Composed by Elton John
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
 rita_johnson wrote:
How i wish RP would post the name of the writer, along with the lyrics! 
 
If the composer's name was readily available it would be interesting. Rita J. have you learned that there is usually "however?" Rebecca, Bill, and Co., already have their work cut out, something that often draws acclaim. Therefore, before publicly posting such a request, you might inquire through email to get their personal feedback. 
I loved this song so much when I was a kid. It's amazing how the lyrics just pop right out of my head even though I haven't heard it in ages. 
 NorthernLad wrote:
 

 

Elton John 1972 Honky Chateau Tour Concert Program Programme Book

He was always ahead of his time. Sporting covid-19 haircut back then... 


Stretcher, see Rocketman; it might help. I also recommend his early albums and avoid current live recordings at all cost; Elton can’t sing the way he used to.
 hanssachs wrote:
It must be decades since I've heard this, but it sounds so familiar ...
 
Sounds familiar, feels good, makes you believe that what was presented at the meeting meant something.
 stretcher wrote:
I really don't get all this love for Elton John.  God he bores me to death.
3, and that's a gift.
 
Guess you had to be there. I was 13 years old when this came out -It was formative to my life. Great stuff Elton put out back then.
I really don't get all this love for Elton John.  God he bores me to death.
3, and that's a gift.
How i wish RP would post the name of the writer, along with the lyrics! 

 

 

Elton John 1972 Honky Chateau Tour Concert Program Programme Book
It must be decades since I've heard this, but it sounds so familiar ...