This Frequently Misinterpreted Elton John Song From 1973 Was Actually Written About Vietnam Veterans

Bernie Taupin wrote Elton John’s 1973 song “Daniel” about a Vietnam veteran returning home and struggling with the attention and memories of war. The song’s story is told by Daniel’s younger brother, and its meaning offers context for lyrics that can otherwise sound like a more general tale of a wounded man leaving for Spain.

An additional final verse originally made Daniel’s status as a veteran and his reason for leaving clearer, but John removed it because the song was too long. Taupin later said the verse did not reveal anything essential that the rest of the song failed to convey, and described the idea that it explained the song’s “true meaning” as an urban legend.