Bat for Lashes' Natasha Khan is often regarded as the spiritual heir to Kate Bush, and her song "Daniel" from the album Two Suns exemplifies this connection. If Khan is her "Running Up That Hill," then "Daniel" is her exploration of ornate and melodramatic art rock blended seamlessly with accessible electro-pop, creating a track that sounds compelling both on record and over the radio. There is no denying the 1980s worship evident in the arrangement, which brings to mind delicate "Here Comes the Rain Again" string plucks and wispy keyboard treatments, yet the song avoids feeling like a mere pastiche. Instead, it strives to revisit a period when pop music was omnipresent but still infused with an elusive dark mystery, much like Bush and Sinéad O'Connor during the Lion and the Cobra era deliberately sought to create timeless music with the tools available at their time.
Musical and Lyrical Composition
The vocal performance in "Daniel" is both commanding and fragile, with Khan jumping up an octave during the choruses to emphasize a story bursting with emotion and drama. The lyrics paint a vivid fantasy world, filled with sheets of rain, fire, midnight dashes through the darkness, and teary confessions uttered in a "goodbye bed." In this sense, the song transports listeners into a world of heightened emotion and surreal imagery, where reality is secondary to the evocative fantasy that Khan masterfully crafts. This convincing dreamscape is what makes "Daniel" stand out as both a deeply personal and universally relatable piece of art. The arrangement, driven by mystical synths and percussion, signals something grandiose from the outset. The blend of 80s-esque synths, dancey drums, and delayed vocals creates an ethereal, vibrant pop explosion that immediately captures attention.
The lyrics reveal the infatuation and heartbreak intertwined within the song's narrative. Natasha sings of her initial attraction to Daniel, "Daniel when I first saw you / I knew that you had a flame in your heart," expressing her immediate captivation. The verses describe the developing relationship, the signs of impending disaster, and her spiraling feelings as things fall apart. Phrases like "And when the fires came / The smell of cinders and rain / Perfumed almost everything" evoke a sense of loss and chaos. The chorus reflects a desperate hope to recapture the past, with lines like "When I run in the dark, Daniel / To a place that’s vast, Daniel," emphasizing longing and nostalgia.
Influences and Artistic Legacy
It's evident that Khan's work on "Daniel" is influenced heavily by artists like Kate Bush, especially in the detailed and atmospheric world she creates through her music. The song’s haunting echoing of his name, the intricate layering of sounds, and the thematic exploration of love and loss all seem to echo Bush's style, yet with Khan’s unique mystical twist. The song's artistic depth helped it earn nominations for prestigious awards such as the Mercury Prize and Brit Award, attesting to its critical acclaim.
Alternative Versions and Live Performances
Besides the original album version, two other remarkable renditions of "Daniel" have been released, each providing a different emotional dimension. The first is a minimalistic, "lo-fi" take featured on the special edition of Two Suns. Compared to the fuller, electronically driven original, this version offers a more earthy and transcendental feel, emphasizing organic percussion like claps and simple beats. Natasha's synth bass and atmospheric synth strings, along with harmonium and marxophone, create an intimate and otherworldly atmosphere. The absence of the echoing chorus vocals adds to the personal and aching quality of this rendition, as it captures Khan’s raw journey from joy to sorrow in a more visceral way.
The second version, performed live during Radiohead's Nimes tour, marries elements from both the studio and lo-fi versions. It introduces tribal percussion, and Natasha's willingness to incorporate various stringed instruments like the marxophone and autoharp heightens the song’s mystical and arcane essence. The live performance takes on a darker, almost underwater feeling, with watery synths and abstract vocals creating a liminal space where the listener feels suspended in limbo. This version concludes on a minor note, emphasizing unresolved emotion and the ongoing process of loss and longing.
Listening to each version reveals unique emotional textures, with many fans favoring the live performance for its darker, tribal atmosphere that amplifies the song's haunting qualities.
Conclusion
Overall, "Daniel" stands as a testament to Natasha Khan’s mastery of atmospheric storytelling, blending nostalgic 80s sounds with contemporary mysticism. Its evocative lyrics, layered arrangements, and multiple interpretations make it a compelling piece that resonates emotionally and artistically with a wide audience. The song's rich tapestry of sound and imagery continues to captivate listeners, solidifying its place in modern art pop history.