Lyricist wrote the words after reading an article in Time magazine about the Tet Offensive in the Vietnam War. A sidebar story caught his eye, detailing how wounded soldiers returning to small-town America often felt uncomfortable with the extreme adulation or animosity they received.
One of the reasons the song is so frequently misinterpreted is that Elton John during the recording process. He felt the song was running too long and that the last verse—which more explicitly detailed Daniel’s veteran status—didn't fit the musical flow. This left the narrative more vague, leading listeners to speculate on everything from a plane crash to a metaphorical journey. Recording at the "Honky Château" Elton John - Daniel (1972) With !
The Story of "Daniel": Elton John’s Misunderstood Masterpiece Lyricist wrote the words after reading an article
Taupin chose to write from the perspective of a younger brother watching his sibling, Daniel, leave for Spain to find peace away from the "looky loos" and the "monkeys of war". He chose Spain simply because it rhymed with "plane". The Mystery of the Missing Verse He felt the song was running too long