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"Daniel" was associated with wounded Vietnam Vets and their struggles. Daniel left the country. PTSD, blindness. Next up, "Levon".

Back when music actually had empathy for other people.

Don't let the sun go down on me. Someone saved my life tonight.

I cry every time I hear this....a Veteran's mom who is a Daniel. My only child and son. He came home on leave from combat in middle East and had to go back to combat. It ripped my heart out to see the change come over his body language and eyes. He was trying to be brave for me but when he turned back the last time and looked at me I saw the fear in them. The anxiety welling up and he tried to smile then turned away. Actually feel to my knees and sobbed because I just wanted to grab him and run. I'll never forget that look...7 years he served with distinction and honor. I won't say what his mos was but he like many went threw and saw he'll on earth. I'm a PROUD and lucky mom to have him back. My Danny. Complete strangers ran to me in that desperate broken moment and. I will never be able to thank them enough. This song is very personal to me and his 4 younger siblings. I prayed to God and he gave him back to us. I was lucky but he like so many have unseen scars along with shrapnel bits list hearing and battered knees. War takes such a toll.

Cannot hear this song without getting a few clouds in my eyes.

This song holds a deeply personal meaning for me. My dad was a critically wounded Vietnam Vet (Special Forces-Green Beret). I'll never forget the day the Army Chaplain came to our house to deliver the news. We were shattered; miraculously he survived. He came home a different man. Dad passed away 5 years ago. Thanks for doing this song 🙏

Elton John is a damn legend! All his albums from the 70's are master pieces!

"Daniel" was written by John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin. "'Daniel' had been the most misinterpreted song that we'd ever written," explained Taupin, in the Two Rooms tribute project. "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." - Source - Wikipedia.

My brother Daniel lost his vision passed away from AIDS in July 92 and it hits me in the feels real hard every time I hear it

My dad served in Vietnam and this song was always close to his heart. He passed almost 2 years ago from Agent Orange related multiple myeloma. My dads birthday is tomorrow. Thank you for listening to this. ❤️ I miss you daddy

Elton has a heartbreaking song about losing John Lennon called "Empty Garden", worth a listen.

My mother and I used to sing this song together whenever we'd hear it. Her brother David died in the Vietnam War. We'd put David's name in place of Daniel. Beautiful reaction Jamel! Thanks.

This song came to be identified with the Vietnam war for many Americans Jamel. Means a lot to many people.

My brother Dan passed away 10 years ago, "he was older than me" this song is very emotional.

“Your eyes have died, but you see more than I” references the look you see in the eyes of someone traumatized. In military, it is called the “thousand yard stare” or “two thousand yard stare”. The blank, unfocused gaze of those in combat. There are paintings and photographs about this.

My brother, Daniel, died of a heart attack at the age of 28, totally unexpected and totally devastating. Hearing this song has torn me up ever since even though he was my younger brother. I think what makes it worse is that none of us ever got to say goodbye.

I have a hard time listening to this song. A childhood friend who's actual name was Daniel passed away a few years ago. His younger brother sang this with an acoustic guitar at the funeral. Really tough listen now. RIP Brother. 🙏

"Empty Garden" is another beautiful yet sad song Elton John wrote in tribute to John Lennon after his death. Very moving lyrics and melody.

The thing that amazes me about these songs is the fact that the lyrics were FIRST written by Bernie Taupin, and LATER set to music by Elton. Talk about a marriage made in heaven. The catalog of great music they've given us is staggering. I love that you're celebrating these timeless gems. Thank you Elton and Bernie. God bless you Jamel !

I once had a brother-in-law named Daniel who was 7 years old when I first met him in 1975. When he was 18 he took his own life. Can’t hear this song without thinking about him. Heart breaking.

I saw my dad crying to this song when I was a kid. It’s always affected me.

“Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding” is one of the greatest as well as “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road”. Thanks Jamel!!

Someone Saved My Life Tonight by Elton John. The lyrics are just so real. Not a hit, but I feel it's his masterpiece!

People have so many meanings for this song. Daniel reminds me of my late brother Roy. Rest in peace dear brother.😪

Elton John ~ "Someone Save My Life Tonight" "Madman Across The Water" "Mad Hatters and Mona Lisa's" "Levon" "Little Jeanie" "Sad Songs"

"Your eyes have died" That's the 1000 mile stare.

Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters is his most underrated song of all time. It's one of his top 5 best songs imo, which is saying a lot coming from somebody who likes almost all Elton John songs

I lost a great friend 2 years ago who was a Vietnam War veteran. He was incredible, an engineer, husband, father and friend. I knew him for 4-5 years before he started speaking about his time in Vietnam. He had paid. At home he was volatile. Sometimes he went to his bedroom for weeks. He wouldn't speak to anyone. Sometimes homelife was hard for his family. Whe talked about the Vietnam War memorial but he kept saying he couldn't go to see it. He finally joined his wife's church. Slowly I started seeing a change in him. The last time I saw him he was telling me he had went to the doctor that week and he was in great shape for his age. The next day he fell dead

As a combat vet with ptsd you’re spot on about sounds being triggers. It’s also different for everyone what will take them there

You are an "old soul" The voices of our ancestors have found you, I know you hear them. Yes, you knew what it was about. Bless you for accepting that message into your heart. This is what WAR does to the men who wage it...just imagine what it's like for the innocent civilians in the countries where WE flight them.

When this song came out I dedicated to my brother in arms (68-69') Daniel Ferutti...we saw the same close arms combat in Hue and a hundred other places, but he fought another war a decade later through an invisible enemy.

The lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin, Elton's writing partner. He explained the inspiration on his web site: "I'd seen this article in Time magazine on the Tet Offensive. And there was a sidebar next to it with a story about how many of the soldiers that were coming back from 'Nam were these simple sort of down home country guys who were generally embarrassed by both the adulation and, depending on what part of the country you came from, the animosity that they were greeted by. For the most part, they just wanted to get back to a normal life, but found it hard, what with all the looky loos and the monkeys of war that they carried on their backs. I just took it from there and wrote it from a younger brother's perspective; made him disabled and wanting to get away.

The vets coming back from Vietnam didn't have the benefit of the mental health services that are available now. They really hadn't even named PTSD back then. Also the war was very unpopular and the soldiers were often spit on and disrespected. This song is so sad.

I played this at my brother's funeral. THAT was challenging.

My grand son's name is Daniel and I have been singing this to him since he was born. He sings with me now🤗

Best concert I ever went to was Elton John. He sang for 3 hours nothing but piano with 1 short break.

“Sorry seems to be the hardest word” is one of my faves.

“Don’t let the sun go down on me” is my favorite, all of his songs are good

This came out the same time I was dumped by my boyfriend Dan... still makes my throat tighten up now almost 50 years later.... Elton's music is beautiful, but a big shout-out to his lyricist Bernie Taupin who wrote the sad beautiful words. It's so amazing how you felt the pain and beauty in the song from the very first notes and words.

This song reminds me of two friends who were shipped overseas to protect our country. Just one of them made it home.

Around 20 years ago Elton John and Billy Joel did a tour together and I was lucky enough see them together singing this on stage and I remember it like yesterday. Great sad song about PTSD and war.

This song I always dedicate to my brother James who fights the war of addiction. I miss him so much!

I remember this song from my childhood. My mother is the world's biggest Elton John fan, so she bought "Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player" as soon as it came out in 1973. I was 8 and thought the whole album was the best thing ever, but this song was my favorite. Thank you for reacting to it, Jamel!

My favorite singer of all time.When I was in high school and I was driving. I would come home after being with some friends. I would sit out in my car 🚗 at night and listen to my Elton John eight track.That man has just so many great songs. This was back in the middle seventies. I graduated from high school in 1976.

"Your Song" was his first hit. "Take Me To The Pilot" is a great one also.

JAMEL, Venture off the beaten track! Please react to ”BURN DOWN THE MISSION “ or “FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND/ LOVE LIES BLEEDING” Both are masterpieces by Elton John, and should be Kept Alive!

"Daniel my brother" Song about Daniel returning to a small town in Texas..coming back from the Vietnam War..oh..but if only i could get my hands on those sunglasses I too could be a star!

When my son Daniel went to study in New Zealand, for three years, this song made me cry 😢🙏

Elton John and Bernie Taupin, one of the greatest songwriting teams ever. I'm so here for this Elton John journey.

"madman across the water","Levon","Mona Lisas and mad hatters" are all three Elton John masterpieces ☮️

"Blessed" and "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters", both great songs moving lyrics!

My baby brother was named Daniel. I cry whenever I hear this. He died of a brain tumor in 2001. He was only 29. Seeing him in the hospital....I didn't want to leave him. 😪

“Levon” next by Elton John!

Lost my sweet cousin, Daniel, a couple years ago and this song always makes me think of him 💜 and I’ve always loved this song.

You've just barely scratched the surface. Love Elton John.

20+ years ago, a girlfriend of mine loved this song. Still think of her when I hear it. Great reaction.

Such a beautiful song. Makes me think of my older brother who died in 1975. Always makes me cry.

His library is so vast and diverse I spent the 90’s learning all the great albums he put out... just an amazing collection of music that should be discovered by all!!

My favorite by Sir Elton John. Listened to him a lot in the 70’s with my friends and this reminds me of a neighbor friend who died shortly after graduating high school. He had leukemia and I miss him dearly. We loved Elton John, Supertramp, The Cars Etc. Music sure brings me back to my teen years, God Bless you for what you’re doing on your channel.

It’s a beautiful song that always makes me cry. I always think of my stepson who passed away at the age of 23.

Someone Saved My Life Tonight is, to me, his most raw, emotional song. Bernie wrote it, but it's all about Elton and his near marriage and break up with Linda Woodrow whom he almost married. Sugar Bear is Long John Baldry...who told him not to get married. Song so filled with emotion.

I’ve loved this song since I was a little kid. But I have never realized it was about ptsd from war. The difference in how you hear things as a child vs as an adult.

This song always goes straight to ur ♥ heart.my brother served in Vietnam and Iraq.Jamel u got this meaning right away..I saw Elton sing this. Long time ago..

This is one of my mum’s favourite songs. She’s 87, I’m losing her to Alzheimer’s, and I’m listening to this in tears. I don’t know what I’ll do when she’s gone. I’m watching her asleep in her chair as I type...Dammit, I’ve been strong all day and now I’m falling apart. This is Eltons gift, l swear...look at how many people carry this song in their hearts. I don’t know that I’ll survive this part of my life. I just don’t know.

My favorite EJ song. I always thought this song was about my brother Daniel who passed when I was 7 yrs old. When I heard that song, I thought it was about the angels taking him to heaven on a plane. Thanks Jamel❤️

Elton’s “Mona Lisas and mad hatters” such a great song.

I was 18 when I left my 8 yr old sis to fly off to Germany as an Army wife in 85. She told me 15 yrs later how sad she was that I left her. 🥺 This song gained new, sad meaning for me after that. My "eyes" had seen so much that I knew she never would endure. She was safe and I needed to escape. All good today. ❤

One of my favorite songs from Elton John. I love the song the name Daniel my son my only child is named Daniel. My grandmother would sing this to him as a child because we traveled alot between California and Arizona.

One of my favorite 🎧🎶 Elton John songs

I always enjoyed how they would make sure Nigel Olsson's snare drum was so clean & distinct in the mix...cuts right through and sounds great!

My ALL time favorite artist ever!!! He is so amazing and I have been a fan for over 30 years!

This song always reminds me of my older brother. He wasn’t around much, but he was the best brother. 💗

As a kid, I used to cry listening to this song!

Don't let the Sun go down on me should be next. please.

I love the early stuff by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Played all his songs on the piano; always wanted to have a son so I could name him Daniel. I have a son and his name is Daniel. I told him never to let anyone call him Danny, only Daniel. And what do his friends call him? What does he call himself? Dan! Loved your reaction to it. You totally got it, without even looking it up. I've gained a new perspective on a lot of the songs I grew up with, by just watching your reaction. Love it! Keep up the love for the music, and please ignore the haters. They have no clue.

Jamel... PLEASE listen to "Funeral For A Friend/Love Lies Bleeding"... the studio version from the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album. It is a musical masterpiece and I guarantee you will be taken on an amazing journey!

Lost my brother years ago. Can't believe I still tear up after all these years. This song gets to you. Thanks Jamal, I needed this

I still suggest, a great deep cut by Elton John... "Madman Across the Water"...

My husband fought during the TET Offensive in Danang. He can't listen to this song but I listen to it and weep for him.

I am a Daniel. I wasn’t in Nam, but was in the Army and did take that plane to my unknown fate, so to speak. I absolutely love Elton John. He is a musical genius. Everything from the 70’s, anything Bernie Taupin. Grew up to Madman, and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. They were the best collaboration ever.

"'Daniel' had been the most misinterpreted song that we'd ever written," explained Taupin, in the Two Rooms tribute project. "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. www.songfacts.com/facts/elton-john/daniel

This song is about a Vietnam vet. Elton read an article in a magazine about this vet who had returned home, and the powers that be wanted to use him as a poster boy for that conflict. But as Elton was writing the music, he cut the last verse of lyrics, which explained the song. Elton explains this in a doc, think it’s called The Red Room.

I know everyone is out there singing along to this one, and I still goosebumps singing to this cut. My 2nd fav Elton John

Feeling the song hitting like that and seeing it hitting you like that, it makes for such a connection. It's powerful stuff. Thank you so much for having this channel.

This song was written in part about a Vietnam vet who returned home but just wanted the comfort and quiet of the life he knew before the war. All the attention, and later the controversies, made him just want to escape from it all. I'm assuming that Spain was a common layover for troops on their way to Vietnam. I'd always assumed that this song was a personal story that Elton was telling about his own life. But then again this song is so beautifully written that anyone who's suffered the loss of a loved one far from home can relate and find meaning and an outlet for the grief that while it grows more infrequent over time, never really goes away.

My son, Daniel died a few months ago. This is a tough one to hear again.

So many great Elton songs to choose from. He was the first concert I saw at eight years old. His older stuff is best. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road is a masterpiece as well as Madman Across the Water.

His first hit: " Your song", then: Tiny dancer", Goodbye yellowbrick road!! Rocket man!!

"Daniel" is such a beautiful song!!!

I cry every time I hear this....reminds me of my big brother, Danny....R.I.P. Danny, miss you so much man...✌️❤️

This song reminds me of my two older brother's that passed. Especially my brother that was only two years older than me that passed three years ago. He lived in Georgia and was cremated there. I miss him every day he was in more pain than he let on I believe. RIP my brother.

Elton John = Our modern-day Mozart. eEverything. Absolutely beautiful. Sweeps me away to another zone.

This will always be my favorite song out of all of my favorite Elton John songs. Lol!

I just love Jamel’s reactions because they are so genuine! Actually...I really love generaly .. He seems like a genuinely good man.

This song was released when I was in early college, and I listened to it endlessly. It's still one of my favorites from Elton.

My late mother’s FAVORITE song!! I sang it for her the day before she passed away. 🕊♥️🕊

"Harmony" "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" "Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting"

"Beautifully sad." Jamel, your words capture the essence of what the ancient Greeks called "catharsis." Tragedy so profoundly represented in art that it is spiritually fulfilling.

Daniel Was the Tears in his Eyes...The Pain & Scars are from War...He Flew home In a Casket.... Fabulous Song...Much Love Elton John...💕💕😔🙏✌🇺🇸