Chloe Adams
Candle in the Wind is a song written by Bernie Taupin and Elton John, and performed by John. The song was originally written in 1973 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier. In 1997, John performed a rewritten version of the song as a tribute to Princess Diana, who had passed away that year. The new version, titled Candle in the Wind 1997 or Goodbye England's Rose, featured new lyrics written by Taupin and became an iconic anthem that touched the hearts of millions worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song | Candle in the Wind |
| Lyricist | Bernie Taupin |
| Performer | Elton John |
| Original Release Year | 1973 |
| Original Inspiration | Marilyn Monroe |
| Original Message | Sympathetic portrayal of Marilyn Monroe's life |
| Original Opening Line | Goodbye, Norma Jean |
| Original Album | Goodbye Yellow Brick Road |
| Original Single Release Year | 1974 |
| Original Single UK Chart Ranking | 11 |
| Rewritten Version Release Year | 1997 |
| Reason for Rewrite | Tribute to Princess Diana |
| Time Taken to Rewrite | 30 minutes |
| Number of Times Taupin Heard the Rewritten Version | Twice |
| Title Inspiration | Russian writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's play of the same name |
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What You'll Learn
- Bernie Taupin rewrote 'Candle in the Wind' in tribute to Princess Diana
- Taupin wrote the original lyrics in 1973, inspired by Marilyn Monroe
- Taupin was influenced by Clive Davis' description of Janis Joplin
- Taupin and John's collaboration on the song
- Taupin's lyrics reflect universal themes of fame and vulnerability
Bernie Taupin rewrote 'Candle in the Wind' in tribute to Princess Diana
"Candle in the Wind" is a threnody-style ballad written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin. It was originally written in 1973 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier.
In 1997, following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, John and Taupin rewrote the song as a tribute to her. The new version, titled "Candle in the Wind 1997" or "Goodbye England's Rose", featured new lyrics that drew parallels between the lives of Diana and Monroe, who had both died at the age of 36. Taupin has described the process of rewriting the song, stating that it took him around half an hour to complete and that the rest of the lyrics "fell into place" after he wrote the first few lines.
The 1997 version of "Candle in the Wind" was performed by John at Diana's funeral and released as a single, becoming a commercial success and John's fourth No. 1 single in the United Kingdom. The song's proceeds were donated to charitable causes that were close to Diana's heart, and it has since been listed as the second-best-selling single in the world by Guinness World Records, with 33 million copies sold.
Taupin has reflected on the universal themes of vulnerability and the fleeting nature of fame in the song, allowing it to resonate with audiences regardless of the individual it was written for. Despite being one of Taupin and John's most famous collaborations, Taupin has expressed surprise at the song's enduring impact and claims that he cannot recall the lyrics he wrote for the 1997 version.
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Taupin wrote the original lyrics in 1973, inspired by Marilyn Monroe
Bernie Taupin is a lyricist known for his work with Elton John, including the song "Candle in the Wind". While the song was written and composed by John, Taupin wrote the original lyrics in 1973. The song was inspired by Marilyn Monroe and her turbulent life, which was destroyed by her stardom. Taupin has clarified that he was not a rabid Monroe fan, but rather saw her as a "metaphor for fame and dying young".
The original lyrics of "Candle in the Wind" were written by Taupin and released in 1973. The song appeared on Elton John's album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". The lyrics were inspired by Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier, and the phrase "candle in the wind" used by Clive Davis in tribute to Janis Joplin. Taupin has said that he was fascinated by the concept of a "candle in the wind" and how it captured the fragility of human existence. He wanted to explore the impact of fame on both the celebrity and the average person.
In an interview, Taupin revealed that the song could have easily been about other icons who died young, such as James Dean, Jim Morrison, or Kurt Cobain. He also suggested it could have been about authors like Sylvia Plath and Virginia Woolf, emphasizing that the song captures the tragic lives of those who become immortalized at a young age.
In 1997, Taupin and John rewrote the song as a tribute to Princess Diana, who had passed away that year. The new version, titled "Candle in the Wind 1997" or "Goodbye England's Rose", became an iconic anthem and touched the hearts of millions worldwide. Taupin has stated that he wrote the new lyrics in half an hour and has since forgotten them.
"Candle in the Wind" stands as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of life and fame, with its universal themes resonating deeply with audiences. The original lyrics by Bernie Taupin in 1973, inspired by Marilyn Monroe, set the foundation for a song that has taken on a life of its own, evolving over time to pay tribute to other tragic icons.
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Taupin was influenced by Clive Davis' description of Janis Joplin
Bernie Taupin is the lyricist behind Elton John's "Candle in the Wind". The song was originally written in 1973 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier. In 1997, John and Taupin adapted the song to honour Princess Diana, who had recently passed away. This new version, titled "Candle in the Wind 1997" or "Goodbye England's Rose", became an iconic tribute to the Princess of Wales and peaked at No. 1 in several countries.
Taupin has revealed that the phrase "candle in the wind" was inspired by Clive Davis' description of Janis Joplin. Joplin, an American singer-songwriter, gained prominence after her performance at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. Her powerful vocals, electric stage presence, and flamboyant style made her one of the most iconic and successful rock performers of her era.
In an interview, Taupin shared that the song's lyrics evolved over time, reflecting not only the tragedy of Monroe's death but also the universal fragility of human existence. He emphasised that the song's themes of vulnerability and the fleeting nature of fame allowed it to resonate with audiences, regardless of the individual it honoured.
While the original version of "Candle in the Wind" was released as a single in 1974, Taupin has stated that it was not inspired by Monroe. He clarified that she was a metaphor for fame and dying young, and the song portrayed the sympathetic message of the dark side of fame and overdulgence.
Taupin's lyrical genius, as seen in "Candle in the Wind", has contributed to some of Elton John's greatest hits. The song's powerful message of hope and redemption has made it a hidden gem in their vast catalog of collaborations.
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Taupin and John's collaboration on the song
"Candle in the Wind" is a threnody-style ballad written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin. It was originally written in 1973 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier. The song's opening line, "Goodbye, Norma Jean," refers to Monroe's real name, Norma Jeane (commonly spelled Jean) Mortenson.
Taupin has stated that the song was not inspired by Monroe herself, but rather by the tragic circumstances of her life and death. He explained that Monroe represented a "metaphor for fame and dying young, and people sort of overdoing the indulgence, and those that do die young." Taupin's lyrics evolved over time, reflecting not only the tragedy of Marilyn Monroe but also the universal fragility of human existence.
In 1997, John and Taupin adapted the song as a tribute to Princess Diana, who had recently passed away. This new version, titled "Candle in the Wind 1997" or "Goodbye England's Rose," featured new lyrics and became a poignant farewell to another cultural icon. Taupin described the process of rewriting the song for Diana as quick and effortless, stating that he spent only about 5 to 10 minutes on it and could not recall the lyrics years later.
The 1997 version of "Candle in the Wind" became John's fourth No. 1 single in the United Kingdom and peaked at No. 1 in several other countries. It was produced by George Martin and, according to Guinness World Records, became the second-best-selling single in the world, with 33 million copies sold. John has not performed this version live since Diana's funeral, and it has not appeared on any of his subsequent compilation albums, which instead use the original version.
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Taupin's lyrics reflect universal themes of fame and vulnerability
Bernie Taupin is the lyricist behind Elton John's hit song "Candle in the Wind". The song was originally written in 1973 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier. Taupin has stated that the song was not necessarily a reflection of his admiration for Monroe, but rather a commentary on the pressures and vulnerabilities of fame, as well as the fascination with celebrities who die young. The lyrics portray Monroe as a sympathetic figure, highlighting the accessibility and grace that made her so popular.
In 1997, John and Taupin adapted the song as a tribute to Princess Diana, who had passed away in a car crash. The new version, titled "Candle in the Wind 1997" or "Goodbye England's Rose", drew parallels between the lives of Diana and Monroe, both of whom had died at the age of 36. Taupin emphasised that the song's universal themes of vulnerability and the fleeting nature of fame allowed it to resonate deeply with audiences, regardless of the specific individual it was written for.
The lyrics of "Candle in the Wind" have evolved over time, reflecting not only the tragedies of Monroe and Diana but also the universal fragility of human existence. Taupin described the song as a "great marriage of lyric and melody", conveying a powerful message of hope and redemption. The song's chorus captures the emotional thread of the song:
> "And it seems to me you lived your life / Like a candle in the wind / Never knowing who to cling to / When the rain set in / And I would have liked to have known you / But I was just a kid / Your candle burned out long before / Your legend ever did."
The image of a "candle in the wind" captures the transient nature of life and fame, a theme that remains timeless and relatable to audiences. Taupin's lyrics reflect on the impact of fame and the vulnerability that comes with it, making the song a poignant reminder of the fragility of human life.
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Frequently asked questions
Bernie Taupin co-wrote Candle in the Wind with Elton John.
Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics to Candle in the Wind.
Elton John wrote the music for Candle in the Wind.
Candle in the Wind was performed by Elton John.
