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“Daniel” by Elton John

    The lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin, Elton’s writing partner. When Elton wrote the music for it, he chopped off the last verse because he thought the song was already too long. This completely changed the meaning of the song, as the deleted verse explained that “Daniel” was a Vietnam Vet who returned home after the war, lost his eyesight, and decided to leave America and go to Spain. With the last verse chopped off, it became a fairly vague story of 2 brothers who part ways.

    This was written and recorded the same day. Taupin wrote the lyrics one morning at the recording studio and brought them downstairs to Elton, who put music to it and recorded with the band that day.

    Here are the lyrics :

    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

    Difficulty: Easy – Intermediate

    Intro

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    Fingerings

    Solo

     

    Resources

    Complete Transcription To “Daniel” (PDF)

    Complete Transcription To “Daniel” (Power Tab)