Daniel

The harmony of Daniel is defined by Elton John's use of secondary dominants to color a basic C major framework. The E7 chord specifically provides a poignant pivot to A minor, mirroring the lyrical themes of distance and loss. While the song stays largely in the primary key, the movement to the major II (D7) in the chorus adds a sophisticated melodic lift that distinguishes it from more basic three-chord pop songs of the era.

Written from the perspective of a younger brother, the song tells the story of a Vietnam veteran named Daniel who was blinded in the war. Although he is celebrated as a hero upon his return, he does not feel like one and wishes to be left alone, eventually traveling to Spain to find peace.

Released in 1973 on the album 'Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player', 'Daniel' became one of Elton John's most enduring hits. The song combines Bernie Taupin's lyrics about post-war displacement with a melodic, synth-enhanced arrangement that defined the era's soft rock sound.