"Daniel" is a song written by British musician Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin, and performed by John. It was first released on John's 1973 album Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player as its opening track. The original single release was also notable for a re-recorded version of "Skyline Pigeon" (from John's 1969 debut album Empty Sky) on its B-side, which went on to be a popular track in its own right.
In the United Kingdom, the song reached No. 4 in the official chart. In the United States, the song reached No. 2 on the pop charts (only held from number one by "My Love" by Paul McCartney and Wings) and No. 1 on the adult contemporary charts for two weeks in the spring of 1973.
In the US, it was certified gold in September 1995 and platinum in May 2018 by the RIAA. In Canada, it became his second No. 1 single, following "Crocodile Rock" earlier in the year, holding the position for two weeks in the RPM 100 national singles chart. John and Taupin received the 1973 Ivor Novello award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically. The song appeared on the soundtrack of the 1974 film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.
Composition
Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics after reading an article in either Time or Newsweek about a Vietnam War veteran who had been wounded, and wanted to get away from the attention he was receiving when he came back home. The last verse in the original draft was cut from the final version, which has led to some speculation on the contents.
Reception
Cash Box said that the "fascinating lyrics by Bernie Taupin will make you want to listen over and over again." Record World called it "a natural smash, and one of [John's and Taupin's] best pennings in a while."
Personnel
- Elton John – vocals, backing vocals, Fender Rhodes electric piano, Mellotron (flute parts)
- Davey Johnstone – acoustic guitar, banjo
- Dee Murray – bass
- Nigel Olsson – drums, maracas
- Ken Scott – ARP synthesizer
Charts
Weekly charts
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1973)
!Peak<br />position
|-
|align="left"|Canada Top Singles (RPM)
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|-
|align="left"|Ireland (Irish Singles Chart)
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|-
|align="left"| Italy
|align="center"|4
|-
|align="left"|Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)
| style="text-align:center;"|14
|-
|align="left"|Netherlands (Dutch Single Top 100)
| style="text-align:center;"|15
|-
|align="left"|New Zealand (Official New Zealand Music Chart)
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|-
|align="left"|Norway (VG-lista)
| style="text-align:center;"|8
|-
|align="left"|South Africa (Springbok Radio)
| style="text-align:center;"|7
|-
|align="left"|Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)
| style="text-align:center;"|5
|-
|align="left"|UK Singles (OCC)
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|-
|align="left"|West Germany (GfK Entertainment Charts)
| style="text-align:center;"|27
|-
|align="left"|Zimbabwe (ZIMA)
| style="text-align:center;"|2
|}
Year-end charts
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!align="left"|Chart (1973)
! style="text-align:center;"|Rank
|-
|Australia (ARIA)
| style="text-align:center;"|55
|-
|Brazil (Crowley)
| style="text-align:center;"|22
|-
|Canada Top Singles (RPM)
| style="text-align:center;"|19
|-
|US Billboard Hot 100
| style="text-align:center;"|48
|-
|US Cash Box Top 100
| style="text-align:center;"|44
|}
Certifications
Accolades
;Grammy Awards
|-
|1974
|"Daniel"
|Best Pop Vocal Performance – Male
|