Daniel

On Don't Shoot Me, I'm Only The Piano Player. Single released in March 1973. Peaked at #2. The Grammy-nominated ballad has been misinterpreted as a gay love song. While composing it, Elton edited lyrics that, according to Taupin, identified Daniel as a blind Vietnam veteran. Inspired by a story in Newsweek about the second-rate treatment of returning soldiers, "Daniel" is told from the perspective of the veteran's younger brother. Elton and Dick James argued over the prospect of it being a single. James and MCA felt it would be a marketing disaster as the album's first release. Elton insisted and James relented, with Elton vowing to pay promotional costs if the song flopped. It was the first song written for the album.

Lyrics:
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

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 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