Chloe Adams
Elton John's Candle in the Wind is a popular song that has been re-recorded multiple times and topped charts worldwide. The original version, written by John and Bernie Taupin, was released in 1973 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. In 1997, John re-recorded the song as Candle in the Wind 1997 in memory of Princess Diana, with new lyrics adapted to Goodbye England's Rose. The song's success has sparked debates about its genre, raising the question: Is it an alternative or pop song?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Pop, Ballad, Piano Rock, Soft Rock |
| Songwriters | Elton John, Bernie Taupin |
| Tribute to | Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana of Wales |
| Year of release | 1973, 1974, 1986, 1997 |
| Album | Goodbye Yellow Brick Road |
| Peaked at | No. 11 in the UK charts, No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 on the Canadian Singles Chart, No. 1 on the Australian Singles Chart, No. 1 on the German Singles Chart |
| Awards | Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, Brit Award nomination for Best British Single |
| Lyrics | "Goodbye, Norma Jean", "Goodbye England's rose / May you ever grow in our hearts" |
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What You'll Learn
''Candle in the Wind is a pop ballad
"Candle in the Wind" is a pop 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 was first released on John's album ""Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" in 1973 and was later released as a single in 1974. The lyrics of the song are a sympathetic portrayal of Monroe's life and rise to fame, as well as a critique of the press who "hounded" her.
The original version of the song is in the key of E major, with John's vocals and piano leading the melody, accompanied by Davey Johnstone's guitar and sweeping harmonies from bassist Dee Murray and drummer Nigel Olsson. The song's tempo is kept with a wood block, which produces a soft sound, and a high-hat cymbal, which adds a slight emphasis to the beat.
"Candle in the Wind" has been described as one of the best marriages of lyric and melody by Taupin, and it is considered one of Elton John's classic hits. The song reached No. 11 in the UK charts in 1974 and was ranked No. 347 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in 2004.
A re-written and re-recorded version of the song, "Candle in the Wind 1997", was released as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in 1997. This version became the best-selling single in UK chart history and won John the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 1998.
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Elton John's piano and Davey Johnstone's guitar
Elton John is a prolific English musician with over 30 albums to his name. He is known for his piano-playing skills, which he often showcases during his live performances. "Candle in the Wind", a threnody-style ballad written by John and songwriter Bernie Taupin, is one of his most famous songs. The original version of the song, written in 1973, was a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. John performed a rewritten version of the song in 1997 as a tribute to Princess Diana, titled "Candle in the Wind 1997". This version became the best-selling single in UK chart history and earned John a Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
Davey Johnstone is a guitarist who has been a part of Elton John's band for over five decades. He first saw John perform on TV in 1970 and soon joined his band, playing on John's 1971 album as a 20-year-old. Johnstone has been a constant presence in John's band, serving as the musical director and playing in over 2,000 shows. He is also a multi-instrumentalist, playing instruments such as the banjo, mandolin, violin, and sitar. Johnstone's self-belief and willingness to put himself out there are credited for his success in working with John.
Johnstone's guitar playing is a key component of the "Candle in the Wind" remix, which first appeared as a bonus track on the 30th Anniversary edition of "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". Engineer Greg Penny stripped away all instrumentation except Johnstone's acoustic guitar and the original backing vocal arrangement. This remix showcases the beauty and emotion of Johnstone's guitar playing, complementing John's vocals and piano playing.
The collaboration between Elton John and Davey Johnstone has resulted in numerous successful songs, including "Madman Across the Water" and "Holiday Inn". Johnstone's guitar playing has added a unique dimension to John's music, with his riffs, phrases, and solos standing out. Their creative partnership has lasted for over 50 years, with Johnstone being the sole constant presence in John's band.
In conclusion, Elton John's piano playing and Davey Johnstone's guitar skills have come together to create iconic music that has stood the test of time. "Candle in the Wind" is a perfect example of their collaboration, with John's piano and vocals complemented by Johnstone's acoustic guitar. Their creative partnership and mutual admiration have resulted in enduring songs that have touched the lives of millions of people worldwide.
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The song's lyrics and meaning
"Candle in the Wind", written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, is a threnody-style ballad. The original version of the song was 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 birth name, "Norma Jeane Mortenson".
The song's lyrics were inspired by the phrase "candle in the wind", which Taupin first heard being used by Clive Davis in tribute to Janis Joplin. Taupin has noted that the song is not just about Monroe, but about the pressures and effects of fame on celebrities, and how they are idolised by the public. He has also stated that the song could have been about any number of famous figures who died young, including James Dean, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Sylvia Plath, or Virginia Woolf.
In 1997, John and Taupin re-recorded the song as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, who had died in a car crash. This version, called "Candle in the Wind 1997" or "Goodbye England's Rose", featured new lyrics and was released as a single, with proceeds going towards Diana's charities. The opening line was changed to "Goodbye England's rose / May you ever grow in our hearts", mirroring the original's reference to Monroe's name.
"Candle in the Wind 1997" became a massive commercial success, topping the charts in several countries, including the UK and the US. It became the best-selling single in UK chart history and the best-selling single in Billboard history. The song also won John the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 1998.
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Candle in the Wind 1997
"Candle in the Wind 1997", also known as "Goodbye England's Rose" or "Candle in the Wind '97", is a threnody-style ballad by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin. It is a re-written and re-recorded version of their 1973 song "Candle in the Wind", which was originally written as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. The 1997 version was released as a tribute single to Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in a car crash in 1997.
The song was released on 13 September 1997, just two weeks after Diana's death, and entered at number one on the UK singles chart after only one day of sales. It became the best-selling single in UK chart history and John's ninth US number-one single, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks. The song also topped the charts in several other countries, including Germany, Australia, and Finland.
The 1997 version features Elton John on piano, with atmospheric keyboard textures and bass pedals played by John via MIDI and keyboardist Fred Mandel. The song is in 4/4 time, a common time signature for popular music, and does not include a drum kit to ensure that the tempo does not become too lively. A wood block and high-hat cymbal are used to keep the tempo, with the cymbal adding only a slight emphasis to the beat.
"Candle in the Wind 1997" is considered one of the best-selling singles of all time. According to the Guinness Book of Records, it is the second highest-selling physical single worldwide, behind Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" from 1942. However, it has been named the best-selling single since the 1950s when UK and US singles charts began. The song won John the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 40th Grammy Awards in 1998.
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Chart performance and sales records
"Candle in the Wind" by Elton John was first released in 1973 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. It was released as a single in the UK in 1974, reaching No. 11 in the charts. However, it was not released as a single in the US, where "Bennie and the Jets" was chosen instead.
In 1987, a live version of "Candle in the Wind" was released on the album "Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra" and as a single. It reached No. 5 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
A reworked version of the song, "Candle in the Wind 1997", was released as a tribute to Princess Diana of Wales following her death in 1997. The new version entered at No. 1 on the UK singles chart and became the best-selling single in UK chart history. It also topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks and became the best-selling single in Billboard history. "Candle in the Wind 1997" also topped the charts in several other countries, including Germany, Australia, Canada, and Finland.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, "Candle in the Wind 1997" is the second highest-selling physical single of all time, with 33 million copies sold worldwide. It is recognised as the highest-selling single since the 1950s, when UK and US singles charts began.
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Frequently asked questions
'Candle in the Wind' is considered pop. The song is a threnody-style ballad written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, and performed by John.
Yes, 'Candle in the Wind' was released as a single in the UK on 22 February 1974. However, it was not released as a single in the US.
Yes, Elton John performed a rewritten version of the song, 'Candle in the Wind 1997' or 'Goodbye England's Rose', at Princess Diana's funeral.
