Tyler Brooks
Candle in the Wind is a song by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, originally written in 1973 about Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier. The song's opening line, Goodbye, Norma Jean, refers to Monroe's real name, and the lyrics portray her life sympathetically. However, Taupin has since stated that the song was not specifically about Monroe, but rather about the idea of fame and youth being cut short. In 1997, John performed a rewritten version of the song as a tribute to Princess Diana, who had died that year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song | Candle in the Wind |
| Performer | Elton John |
| Songwriter | Bernie Taupin |
| Originally written in | 1973 |
| Tribute to | Marilyn Monroe |
| Year of tribute's death | 1962 |
| Age at death | 36 |
| Year of song's release | 1974 |
| Chart position | No. 11 in the UK |
| Year of rewritten version | 1997 |
| Tribute to | Princess Diana |
| Year of tribute's death | 1997 |
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What You'll Learn
The song was originally written about Montgomery Clift
The song "Candle in the Wind", written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, was originally about Marilyn Monroe. However, according to Taupin, the song was actually first inspired by actor Montgomery Clift, who ""died young". Taupin explained that he saw the film "The Misfits" and was "fascinated" by Clift, but he worried that not enough people would know who Clift was, so he chose the more famous Monroe as the subject of the song instead.
Taupin has expressed that the idea that he was a ""rabid Marilyn Monroe fanatic" is a common misconception. He clarified that the song could have just as easily been about numerous other actors, musicians, or writers who ""died young and became an iconic picture of Dorian Gray". He specifically mentions James Dean, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Sylvia Plath, and Virginia Woolf as possible subjects.
In an interview with Andy Cohen, Taupin discussed rewriting the song in 1997 for Princess Diana, who had recently died in a car crash. He expressed surprise at how the song took on a new life after Diana's passing and noted that he couldn't recite the new lyrics despite writing them.
While the song "Candle in the Wind" is widely associated with Marilyn Monroe, and even includes lyrical references to her, such as the opening line "Goodbye, Norma Jean," Bernie Taupin has revealed that the song's origins lie in his fascination with Montgomery Clift and the idea of a life cut short in its prime.
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Taupin chose Monroe as she was a better-known icon
While :"Candle in the Wind" is widely believed to be about Marilyn Monroe, the song's lyricist, Bernie Taupin, has clarified that it was not originally inspired by the late actress. In an interview with Graham Norton, Taupin revealed that the song was initially inspired by actor Montgomery Clift, who died young. However, Taupin felt that a more well-known icon was needed for the song, and thus, Marilyn Monroe was chosen as the subject.
Taupin explained that Monroe was a more recognizable figure than Clift, and people would perceive her as a “much more fragile character," making her more indicative of the "candle in the wind." He stated: “Otherwise, history would have been very different." This decision to choose Monroe as the subject of the song was primarily driven by her status as a better-known icon, ensuring that the song would resonate with a wider audience.
The original version of "Candle in the Wind," written and performed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, was released in 1973, eleven years after Monroe's death. The song's lyrics sympathetically portray Monroe's life, with the opening line, "Goodbye, Norma Jean," referring to her real name. The phrase "candle in the wind" itself represents someone who is fragile, vulnerable, and whose life was cut short in their prime.
Taupin has also noted that the theory that he was a “rabid Marilyn Monroe fanatic" is a misconception. He explained that the song could have just as easily been about other iconic figures who died young, such as James Dean, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Sylvia Plath, or Virginia Woolf. The song, therefore, captures the idea of fame, youth, and the untimely death of a celebrity, rather than being specifically about Marilyn Monroe.
In 1997, Elton John performed a rewritten version of "Candle in the Wind" as a tribute to Princess Diana, who had died in a car crash that year. This version, titled "Candle in the Wind 1997" or "Goodbye England's Rose", peaked at No. 1 in the UK and became one of the best-selling singles of all time.
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The lyrics portray Monroe sympathetically
The iconic song "Candle in the Wind," written by Bernie Taupin and composed by Elton John, is indeed a heartfelt tribute to the legendary actress and model Marilyn Monroe. The original version of the song, released in 1973, laments the tragic life and untimely death of Monroe, offering a sympathetic portrayal of her struggles and impact on the world.
The lyrics paint a picture of a fragile and misunderstood woman who was exploited and let down by those around her. It acknowledges her beauty and talent while also recognizing the intense pressure and scrutiny she faced, ultimately leading to her untimely demise. The song serves as a reminder of the dark side of fame and the vulnerability of even the most celebrated icons.
The opening lines set the tone: "Goodbye Norma Jean,/ Though I never knew you at all,/ You had the grace to hold yourself/ While those around you crawled./ They crawled out of the woodwork/ And they whispered into your brain./ They set you on the treadmill/ And they made you change your name." Here, Taupin references Monroe's birth name, Norma Jeane Mortenson (or Baker), and hints at the exploitative nature of the entertainment industry that surrounded her.
The song continues to highlight the contrast between her public image and private struggles: "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." These lyrics convey a sense of sadness and regret, acknowledging that despite her fame and impact, Monroe's life was cut short before she could find true happiness or stability.
The sentiment is further emphasized in the bridge: "You were the kiss of death to all who loved you./ Your lonely flame burned out before/ The fire in your eyes./ But your greedy flame burned out/ In loss and lies." Here, the writers suggest that Monroe's intense fame and the pressures that came with it ultimately led to her downfall, leaving behind a legacy of unfulfilled potential and a cautionary tale of the dangers of unchecked celebrity culture.
Overall, "Candle in the Wind" offers a poignant and empathetic reflection on the life and death of Marilyn Monroe. It serves as a reminder to look beyond the glamorous facade of celebrity and recognize the human vulnerabilities and struggles that even the most iconic figures can face.
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The song was rewritten for Princess Diana
"Candle in the Wind", written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin, was originally composed 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 (or more commonly spelled Jean) Mortenson.
However, in 1997, John performed a rewritten version of the song, titled "Candle in the Wind 1997" or "Goodbye England's Rose", as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales. Princess Diana had died in a tragic car crash in Paris on 31 August of the same year. The new version of the song featured modified lyrics to honour Diana's life and legacy. Taupin, the lyricist, revealed that the remake was created swiftly, taking only about five to ten minutes to rewrite.
The original version of "Candle in the Wind" was included on John's 1973 album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and was released as a single in 1974. The song's lyrics sympathetically portrayed Monroe's life and her struggle with the pressures of fame. Taupin has clarified that the song is not specifically about Monroe but rather the idea of fame, youth, and untimely death. He mentioned that it could have been about other icons who died young, such as James Dean, Jim Morrison, or Kurt Cobain.
The 1997 version of "Candle in the Wind", dedicated to Princess Diana, peaked at No. 1 in the United Kingdom and several other countries. It became John's fourth No. 1 single in the UK and the second-best-selling single globally, according to Guinness World Records. The song sold 33 million copies worldwide and is recognised as the highest-selling single since the 1950s.
The impact of the rewritten song extended beyond its commercial success. John performed "Candle in the Wind 1997" at Princess Diana's funeral, and the song has since been closely associated with her memory. However, it is worth noting that John has not performed this version live since the funeral, and it has been absent from his subsequent compilation albums.
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Taupin was surprised by the song's new life after Diana's death
"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 (or more commonly spelled Jean) Mortenson.
In 1997, John performed a rewritten version of the song, "Candle in the Wind 1997", as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, who had died in a car crash that year. Taupin reworked the lyrics as a favour to John, who was very close with Diana. Taupin himself had no relationship with her and paid little interest to her day-to-day life.
The new version of the song became an enormous success, peaking at No. 1 in the United Kingdom and several other countries. It became the biggest song in Billboard's history at the time, spending 14 weeks atop the American chart. It also won John a Grammy in 1998 for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance. The single became the best-selling single since the 1950s in the UK and US, with total sales exceeding 33 million units.
Despite the song's massive success, Taupin expressed surprise at its new life after Diana's death. In an interview on the Graham Norton Show, he clarified that the song was not originally inspired by Monroe, but by actor Montgomery Clift, who died young. Taupin felt that Monroe was a more fragile character and a better fit for the song's theme of a "candle in the wind." He acknowledged that choosing Monroe instead of Clift significantly changed the song's impact on history.
Taupin's comments highlight the evolving nature of artistic creations and their interpretations. While the original song honoured Monroe, the revised version became an iconic tribute to Diana, reflecting on her life and untimely death. The song's enduring popularity and ability to resonate with audiences in different contexts contributed to its lasting legacy.
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Frequently asked questions
The song 'Candle in the Wind' was written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin.
The song was originally written in 1973 in honour of Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier.
Yes, the song was rewritten in 1997 as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, who had died in an automobile crash.
