A Melody Maker Warm Calypso Praise Published in the UK on January 13, 1973, Melody Maker’s one-page single review “ELTON JOHN: “Daniel”” hailed the track as a warm, attractive song that grows with each hearing. Set to a lilting calypso beat with electric piano and steel drum effects, the review called it a fine song and convincing hit. The Bernie Taupin lyrics about an elder brother who flies away have a cloudy, floating quality, and the old firm (Elton & Bernie) believe it's

A Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Classic Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on January 12, 1973, on DJM Records (catalogue: DJS 271), Elton John’s “Daniel” — backed with “Skyline Pigeon” — was a poignant piano ballad written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin. The single entered the UK Singles Chart on January 20, 1973, remained for 10 weeks, and peaked at No. 4. A timeless Goodbye Yellow Brick Road era gem. It initially appeared as the opening track on John's 1973 album, Don'

Elton's Trident Studio Love Letter Published in the UK on January 16, 1971, Melody Maker’s article “Elton Chooses Trident” featured Elton John discussing his recording preferences, with a focus on why he insisted on London's Trident Studios for his second and third albums (Tumbleweed Connection and the upcoming one in March). Elton John’s second album, released in the middle of last year, possessed a quality of sound with few parallels in the history of pop records. It was cl

An Elton & Bernie Timeless Classic Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on January 8, 1971, on DJM Records (catalogue: DJS 233), Elton John’s “Your Song” — backed with “Into The Old Man's Shoes” — was the breakthrough ballad written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin. Produced by Gus Dudgeon with arrangements by Paul Buckmaster, this tender piano anthem entered the Official Singles Chart on January 23, 1971, peaking at No. 7 for 12 weeks, with a 2002 re-entry peaking at No.