ELTON JOHN DANIEL REACTION | My first Elton reaction!

[@thebobsful]

My brother is called Daniel. He moved to New York (from the UK) 25 years ago. We are still in touch - we see him so infrequently now. I love this song. I miss my Daniel.

[@patricknicolucci5073]

per Bernie Taurpin The story was about a guy that went back to a small town in Texas, returning from the Vietnam War. They'd lauded him when he came home and treated him like a hero. But he just wanted to go home, go back to the farm, and try to get back to the life that he'd led before. I wanted to write something that was sympathetic to the people that came home."

[@joelliebler5690]

Very nice sentiment!👍🏻❤️😢

[@thebillryan]

@@joelliebler5690 Thank you Patrick.

[@JamesLachowsky]

Was he blinded? "Your eyes have died but you see more than I."

[@ajogg]

Yeah, obviously Bernie Taupin didn't know how American Soldiers were treated after coming home from the Vietnam War, but Bernie could have written it about WWII or another war. Great song. I heard someone else say it was about an older brother who had moved to Spain (supposedly he is blind) - with the line "your eyes have died, but you see more than I". I agree Patrick.

[@patricknicolucci5073]

Bernie could be describing PTSD the 2 thousand yard stare ! his eyes have died, witnessing the horror of war but retains its memory but you see more than I ,the younger sibling doesn't know war has never seen it. Daniel goes to Spain to convalesce. its a stretch . I posted what he said in an article I read. .

[@timmistorey5989]

This always hits hard. My dad was in Vietnam went in at 18. Married my mum , and came home for good at 22. Addicted and full of demons that tormented him most of his life. He was a brave man , and then we lost my brother when he was 16 it took it out of my dad , this is an 😭 song

[@martyemmons1859]

Elton John simply dominated the mid 1970's. And "Daniel" is a perfect example of why.

[@happymethehappyone8300]

ELTON JOHN "LEVON" AN ABSOLUTE MUST HEAR.

[@kimberlyianaro3774]

My obscure favorite.

[@jdenino6022]

I loved this song since I heard it in junior high school, great song by Elton John. Love the organ sound on it. 💎💎💎

[@AK_J.Reed24]

Elton is an amazing artist & performer, even today. I was lucky to be able to see him up close 1st row in 2019 in his farewell tour. He & his concert were SO Amazing that we went back a second night.

[@alfrede.neuman1257]

"Your eyes have died but you see more than I" This is a Vietnam era song.. "Do you still feel the pain of the scars that won't heal" etc.

[@mysterymac38]

I think Daniel was a war veteran suffering from PTSD trying to find himself again.

[@ronaldalagia9211]

my brother came back from vietnam with a mental disorder and those two things drove him to suicide to stop the voices in his head. this song always makes me think of him.

[@thomastimlin1724]

@@ronaldalagia9211 ❤

[@davidhohn9106]

@@ronaldalagia9211 My condolences on your family's loss.

[@patricknicolucci5073]

@@ronaldalagia9211 your brother was a hero God Bless RIP

[@kmach1000]

It's a sad song, indeed. Elton John was the music of my youth. A rabbit hole. You can't go wrong with him. Please, discover more treasures of him! Your song, Candle in the wind, Tiny dancer are some examples.

[@MusicLover-dt7ic]

Haven't heard this in so long Thanks for doing this one. You don't know what you been missing with Elton. Huge catalog of great legendary songs.

[@RicoBurghFan]

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road please! So many great Elton songs, I could spend the next 8 hours listing them all.

[@adamharris7383]

You're totally right- this song can be interpreted sincerely in so many different ways. Personally I always saw it as a song about growing up and losing touch with family and close friends. Perhaps you meet those people down the road and life has changed them (and you) so much that things are just not the same and the times you knew are just a memory. For a bit more info on the "true" meaning - This song is famous for having a third verse which Elton omitted from the final recording. He's talked before about how that third verse explains the context for the entire song. Daniel is a Vietnam war veteran who has returned home and is praised as a hero, but he just wants to be left alone to the life he once knew. He can never recapture his former life because in strangers' eyes he is "The Hero", "The War Veteran" etc. So he travels abroad to find some peace. That's a rough idea of what lyricist Bernie Taupin was trying to capture in his original draft of the lyrics. There's a video which Elton uses as the background to most of his live performances of Daniel nowadays which does make the story a little clearer. You can see it here if you like- kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXXWgGVtgJhkbsk&ab_channel=MAMusic

[@art2736]

"God it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes." and "Daniel you're a star in the face of the sky" always took those lyrics to mean that Daniel was actually dead.

[@sarahzentexas]

“Oh I miss Daniel, I miss him so much” 😢

[@stephanieo2509]

I've always felt that way, too.

[@thomastimlin1724]

ME too. Today, "Daniel my brother," who was "younger" not "older" than me, is dead, for almost a year. SO I now I can't bear to listen to this song all the way through.

[@HarriBestReactions]

Thats what i thought as well

[@pauld9948]

Your eyes have died but they see more than I... Seems clear from that one line?

[@llschnitz]

One of the most beautiful and Unusual arrangement of any Elton song. Its the acoustic guitar, mellotron keyboard, maracas, and electric piano. Wish he had done more like this. Its mellow and beautiful.

[@BuffaloC305]

A favorite song and always has been... it's a wonderful piece of imagined fiction, too, with Taupin writing about a character he'd read a brief bit about in the news, a Vietnam vet who struggled with the attention he received back home.

[@victoriajohnson5461]

This song reminds me of my late brother . Beautifully written and song.😪

[@becksullivan4796]

One of my favorite Elton John songs. Lovely.

[@bethcrumpton476]

Two of his best lesser known songs are Harmony and Where To Now Saint Peter.

[@Ocrilat]

Wow yes...two great songs. There are tons of great Elton songs that were not released as singles, though.

[@davidhohn9106]

@@Ocrilat Yes. His pre-73 albums are a gold mine that no one seems to pay any attention to.

[@Ocrilat]

@@davidhohn9106 Yes. The first record I ever heard was a very worn copy of 11-17-70. At that point my musical background was limited to mostly classical (I was raised in my grandparent's house, and modern music...wasn't there lol). I was looking for my own sound...and the record blew me away. I was still not with the times (being in high school in the 80s and listening to Crosby Stills and Nash and Elton). I'm still hooked. It's the complex music...the layers and it going to weird, unexpected places that gets me. That's why I love the original band so much too. Nigel Olsson, Dee Murray and Davey Johnstone are incredible too.

[@cathyortiz1280]

I love Harmony. I'd play it over & over again with headphones on. The whole "Yellow Brick Road" lp is brilliant though! His best one.

[@Ocrilat]

@@cathyortiz1280 Harmony is amazing in headphones. Another one is 'The Wide-eyed and Laughing' from Blue Moves...a decent song that becomes amazing listening to it like that.

[@kellywann3794]

What a great Elton John song to begin with. I hope there’s more to come. And happy birthday to your friend.

[@dumdumadam8960]

You should listen to Empty Garden, its an Elton John song about John Lennon. Some background on their friendship: John developed a fear of playing in front of an audience, but when he lost a bet to Elton John, he came out onto a stage with him for the first time in years. When John died, Elton and Bernie wrote Empty Garden for him

[@bkm2797]

Late to the party here, but I hope you take a listen to one of the most moving tune 'Indian Sunset', every time I take a listen my eyes fill with a tear, Bernie, Eltons lyricist wrote this song as if he was there, it just blows me away. Thanks Harry, you certainly are finding the gems.

[@LeonelEnriquez-bs7vo]

Bellísima canción 😊

[@cog4life]

Wow!! You’ve got some catching up to do! You’re missing this extraordinary catalogue! Levon, I’m still standing, your song, candle in the wind, soooo much more

[@kassandrariemersma7902]

This is one of my favorite song in the world

[@stephenqualtrough7322]

Harri Daniel is a war Vet according to Bernie Taupin who writes and meant to symbolise the then current situation . It's an oblique reference to Viet Nam. Daniel is going off to Spain to recover from his war injuries including maybe sight loss ( Your eyes have died ) He is off to heal in the sun but he has gained wisdom from his life experience which is a positive. Great Harri. This is sad but very very beautiful More Elton please

[@dana_brooke_27]

I love this song.. And I love "Friends" nobody does that one. Elton was an only child until his father remarried. He had no relationship with his siblings sadly.

[@unstrung65]

Always loved the song and the album Friends.

[@SK56McEntyre]

Bernie Taupin was inspired to write this song after he had read an article in a newspaper about a Vietnam War veteran from Texas who just wanted to return to normal life after war without too much attention he was receiving when he went back home and everyone treated him as a hero.

[@suzanneprock7286]

Love Elton John, he had so many hits, brings back so many great memories of my teenage years.

[@debbiechang5781]

I’ve heard varying explanations of these lyrics over the years. Still not sure of what Bernie Taupin intended but it seems to be about a soldier. In any case, that beautiful voice and piano just melt into my soul when he sings. Would love to see you react to “Empty Garden”, which was Elton John’s beautiful tribute to John Lennon. Rock on Harri!! ✌️

[@anneridge9800]

Yes, Empty Garden is so beautifully on target and sad- I recall at the time, it was perfect for some healing to begin after John’s death.❤️😕

[@CamoJan]

I had my headphones on & at the moment Elton sings "I can see Daniel waving good-bye", My son Daniel, on his way to work, popped his head in to say "goodbye". I quick unplugged the headset & had him listen to what line was being sung & he laughed!! When he waved goodbye, I told him I had a cloud in my eye. I could hear him laughing on his way out the door. :-)

[@luim7]

Harry, Spain is a simbolism of Heaven, Daniel passed away that's why he says Your eyes have died but you see more than I, Daniel you're a star in the face of the sky

[@vanhouten7377]

Three Dog Night - Never Been To Spain

[@39thala]

Bernie Taupin's excellent lyric writing

[@Luiz66205]

Great pick on your first reaction to Elton John

[@davem.2191]

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is another great Elton John song. You should give it a listen.

[@josephtingley654]

Sir Elton John.

[@marymargaretmoore9034]

Elton recently retired; what an amazing artist. Please check out his album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road; start with “Funeral for a Friend” and his first hit (and my favorite) “Your Song.” Thanks, Harri!

[@Vicky49610]

My #1 song of all time is Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me!

[@franceshaas8255]

I always thought Daniel's body was returning by plane. He can see "the red tail lights", followed by his memory of Daniel waving good-bye when he left."Daniel, your eyes have died, must be the clouds in my eyes..." because he knows he can't see Daniel anymore.

[@TheWalrusWasPaul23]

This song always gets me emotional. My cousin lost his eyesight in tragic circumstances and the line in this song „your eyes have died, but you see more than I“ always gets me

[@cindiherriott3259]

Harri, I HAD to subscribe to your channel. Why? Because you always have interesting and intelligent comments about the music. Thanks!

[@HarriBestReactions]

Thank you for the kind words and welcome onboard!✌🏾😄

[@heliotropezzz333]

As he says Daniel is a star in the sky I assumed Daniel had died and Elton was imagining him going to Spain, because he explains his sighting of Daniel as being caused by clouds in his eyes, as if he knows it couldn't really be him.

[@jannaromine5908]

Helen, what a lovely interpretation!

[@jannaromine5908]

"Goodbye NormaJean" is one of my favorites. I saw him in Mobile in the early '70's. It was beautiful 💞

[@RAY_L_A]

Now we're talking, and hopefully back to some Beatle's solo songs like, um, John Lennon singing Jealous Guy. Oh,the vulnerability!

[@leannmiller7153]

Yes! I’m always amazed that Jealous Guy isn’t reacted to.

[@RAY_L_A]

@@leannmiller7153 right?

[@RAY_L_A]

@@leannmiller7153 Let's beg Harri to try it out

[@josephtingley654]

I keep asking for this one. My favorite John Lennon song.

[@RAY_L_A]

@@josephtingley654 I'll ask again

[@NathanVeenstra]

I guarantee you will LOVE “Song For Guy”. It’s my personal Elton John favourite.

[@nickperkins8477]

You have a great Elton John song in “Daniel” to be your first Elton John reaction.

[@dreamweaver8913]

You should check out Elton John's song, "Tiny Dancer". It's upbeat and one of my favorites of Sir Elton John (knighted by the Queen).

[@beeseewill2407]

Amazing.

[@johnpiccari269]

here is the the unused last verse (which pulls the song together). elton chose to not use it because he felt the song was too long....at least that's what i read. Daniel had earlier come home from the war. Hoping just to get back to the way that things had been before. But we've all heard you can't come home again. That's why Daniel, took right back off again right-then.

[@jerrisilver2]

Daniel was an older brother that died. Elton imagines he sees his brother on a plane. He says "his eyes have died " but he sees more than Elton from the other side.

[@johnianknox1629]

A goldmine of pop hits harri, went to see Elton in 1970 just before he broke in the UK at the Glasgow Kelvin Hall, didn't know anything about him but the one song I remembered was YOUR SONG which was to become his first big hit. Now he is not my cup of tea but I do admire his musicianship and songwriting, my recommendation from him is TINY DANCER a beautiful song, and there is fantastic footage of this from THE OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST on utube . Take care kid.

[@HarriBestReactions]

Wow! You saw him that long ago?

[@ericskivers6643]

I don’t see anything in the comments about blindness . “ the scars that won’t heal, your eyes have died , but you see more than I “ my mom was blind , so I’ve always loved that part

[@stuartharrison165]

Thanks for finally doing Elton , great one to start with . I was obsessed with him from 71 to 77 when The Jam and punk changed everything . But I still love his early stuff , great voice , songs , and band . 🇦🇸

[@fatcoyote2]

Song's about a Vietnam veteran who came back home but never adjusted. His mind is still in Vietnam, and he's traveling the world, especially Spain, to try and find what he's lost.

[@christophersimons128]

You may or may not know, Elton and John Lennon had a man crush on each other. If you haven't already, check out Eltons' tribute to John, "Empty Garden", from 1981. But only listen when you're in a good place.

[@charlesturner3688]

Elton John Captain Fantastic and the Brown Cowboy Sacrifice Nikita

[@1herbert100]

Elton was asked about the meaning of this song and he said even he didn't know what it was about. It was just a song.

[@phillydog17]

Early Elton the best!

[@garym2015]

I spent a lot of hours listening to Elton growing up I want to suggest a couple songs I don't think anyone else has done a reaction for and I believe some of his best work also some of his early stuff never got much play 1. 60 years on, 2 The King Must Die, 3 the greatest discovery. I hope you check them out thanks Gary

[@mizofan]

This is Stevie Wonder's favourite Elton song. My own Elton favourites: Curtains Candle in the Wind (1973) Someone Saved my Life Tonight Rocket Man Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding High Flying Bird Tiny Dancer Your Song Original Sin Indian Sunset Daniel The Last Song Captain Fantastic Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Come Down in Time I Don't Wanna Go On With You Like That We all Fall in Love Sometimes Bennie and the Jets Skyline Pigeon (1972) The One Believe Sacrifice Levon Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters Tonight Gone to Shiloh Where to now St Peter Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word I've Seen That Movie Too Empty Garden Madman across the Water (Tumbleweed Connection bonus track version) Mandalay Again

[@kristinabushnell3652]

Love Elton John!! Seen him in concert a few years ago and he was still absolutely amazing. If you get a chance check out his song Blessed. It's so beautiful. Great song pick and reaction!! 🙂

[@najiaansari6483]

Better late than never ! 😊 Hope to see more Elton John reactions in the near future 😄

[@rosmeeker1964]

*mentions that he has never been to Spain*-- *sings* Well I never been to Spain But I kinda like the music Say the ladies are insane there And they sure know how to use it They don't abuse it Never gonna lose it I can't refuse it

[@llschnitz]

Taupin read a newspaper article about a soldier coming home from Vietnam to his home in a small town in Texas. The citizens wanted to give him a parade; he just wanted to forget about his experience in the war and be left alone. Don't know what on earth that has to do with the lyrics, but its a sad song about a brother coming home from war.

[@keymack2477]

If you don't already know the songs, some great Elton tunes to react to would be Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Levon, Tiny Dancer, Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters and Your Song!! Cheers!!

[@paulm.5979]

Nice, you need to do Empty Garden a tribute to John Lennon his friend. He has so many songs to check out, and no one does the more modern songs like Runaway Train, The One, Believe are so powerful.

[@Jay-Kaizo]

I was thinking that too. Although for Runaway train you need the video because the lyrics repeat so much. That specific song popped in my head the other day watching these.

[@bobdelp2023]

AND JUST SO YOU KNOW HARRI, HE HAD THAT HIGH HIGH VOCAL PITCH AND RANGE FOR A GOOD SOLID 20 YEARS BEFORE HIS OPERATION! ( 70-90 ) JUST AWESOME AND EVEN 25 YEARS AFTER HE STILL HAD THAT DISTINCT VOCAL SOUND! :)

[@HarriBestReactions]

I remember he lost his voice and was very husky for a while

[@danielfardella1622]

Daniel is a Vietnam veteran trying to get away from the US and all the memories of Vietnam ... The idea for the song was from an article written about a man who experienced this, presume that, like me (I'm a vet too) his name was Daniel. - Daniel Fardella

[@johnandrews3151]

Elton is great live but his studio works are even better! Elton John/Honky Cat ALBUM VERSION

[@jannaromine5908]

LEVON

[@davidhohn9106]

He speaks of Daniel in the present tense, 'Daniel says...', so I assume that physically, he's still there, but his personality has changed after terrible things.

[@stephenmichalski2643]

Wonderful melancholy easy flowing yet lovely work......Elton has a catalog of hit gems longer than a comets tail......I would like to suggest 2 much overlooked epic compositions......"Madman Across the Water" and "Indian Sunset"....for your ears heart and soul to enjoy and ponder on.

[@gettingkilt]

Running to Spain to escape the past is pretty much right. The missing third verse by Bernie explains what hurt Daniel so that he had to leave, but I think Elton was right to leave it out. The song relates to more people this way.

[@kingfish4242]

He knew a family member that died in the Nam. Can't respect this more

[@eileenegger1466]

I had always associated this song with Viet Nam,having lived through that time.

[@mattmihall9913]

Patrick Nicolucci's comment has the correct story.

[@dixgun]

Always appreciate your insights. Though Bernie was writing something different from what you heard in the lyrics, it’s along the lines of what I hear as well. One of the things I love about this song is how loud the electric piano is. It reminds me of baubles of light winking either seen through tear filled eyes or through fog or the way light dances on the surface of water.

[@bobdelp2023]

HE WAS IN A SITUATION CLEARLY HARRI 😊 , YOU'RE RIGHT, HE HAD GONE OFF TO WAR 😟 AND THEN RETURNED! OF THE SCARS THAT WON'T HEAL

[@davidwillis691]

Please react to his masterpiece from the 70s. Funeral for a Friend/ Love Lies Bleeding.

[@jannaromine5908]

I agree with happy methehappyone

[@bemused9522]

Oh Harri! If you love this, please listen to "Levon"....I think you will absolutely love it!

[@llschnitz]

According to Taupin, there was another verse, but it got left out of the song.

[@agnetamalmqvist9075]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@kristybird7182]

Hi Harri could you please check out Guy Sebastian Battle Scars re Anzac Day. Definitely worth a watch. Very inspirational 🙂👍❤

[@dalem8332]

♥️♥️♥️🎼🎶🎵

[@kiv_06]

Please react to elton john tiny dancer live (1971)

[@davidtullis2810]

The last verse explained it all but the record label made him drop it because PSD was a taboo subject because alot of people thought it was a made up sickness

[@thomastimlin1724]

Lost my younger brother Dan last year at this time. I almost can't get through this song anymore. Songs take on different meaning when you lose a loved one. He was my only sibling. I am the last one left of the original family. Worse, I am a musician, former music teacher and love to sing this song. How do you explain to someone who requests this song that you can't do it even though you know it?

[@HarriBestReactions]

So sorry to hear this Thomas 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽💙

[@bobdelp2023]

HARD TO BELIEVE MY FRIEND BUT HEYYYYY BETTER LATE THAN NEVER! :) OVER 500 VIDEOS AND NOTHINGGGG FROM THE ABSOLUTE BEST? :( BUT YOU GOT THROUGH NOW AND HE HAS SO SO MANY CLASSICS AND TIMELESS TUNES HARRI SO :) GOOD DEAL

[@greggordon1015]

take it literally and Daniel is his older brother whom he looks up to; put it in the context of Elton John's life after he came out -- even tho Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics -- and it takes on an entirely different meaning. :)

[@betchieharrison5526]

New subscriber here

[@bobdelp2023]

AND ALWAYS REMEMBERRRRR HARRI, THE LYRICS WRITER IS HIS BEST FREIEND ( BERNIE TAUPIN ) :) SO BERNIE WRITES THE WORDS AND ELTON WRITES THE MUSIC TO THOSE WORDS! :) QUITE UNIQUE AND NO OTHER ROCK BANDS DID THAT SO IT'S QUITE ORIGINAL FOR SURE! :)

[@waltercopus1485]

I'm ready to hear Rose Royce I'm Wishing on A Star. Thank me later.

[@HarriBestReactions]

IM.WISHING on a star,to follow where you are 💙

[@waltercopus1485]

@@HarriBestReactions Play it Sam as Bogie says

[@allensaunders449]

Daniel was a scared emotionally speaking war veteran. Trying to recover. A Vietnam war survivor

[@heliotropezzz333]

*scarred. Scared means something else.

[@40205aschneider]

I don't know how you know what this song is about. Even Elton doesn't know.

[@seeuatthepeak]

Elton ain't sayin jack shit in this song. It was written by lyricist Bernie Taupin. He wrote all Elton songs from the beginning through "Yellow Brick Road." Elton John was a gifted pianist and maybe the best voice ever in pop music but he couldn't write a lick of lyrics. That's why he took out an ad in a London paper for a lyricist and Bernie Taupin replied.

[@jdenino6022]

He answered an ad for New Talent and he and Bernie Taupin responded to the ad and the rest is history.

[@kevincummings8853]

the situation was called the Vietnam war

[@RDGOTTS]

during a plane wreck

[@Peter-oh3hc]

I know a lot about this song, but try to just let it wash over me and feel the emotions that come up. I try lot to listen too hard or think too much about it. More of a "tone poem" to me