Brooke Martin
Like a candle in the wind is a lyric from the Elton John song Candle in the Wind, originally written about Marilyn Monroe and later performed in tribute to Princess Diana. The phrase is a metaphor for the fragility of life and the inevitability of death, as a candle in the wind will eventually be blown out. The lyric paints a picture of someone whose life was cut short, leaving a lasting legacy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Elton John |
| Song | Candle in the Wind |
| Year | 1973 |
| Album | Goodbye Yellow Brick Road |
| Songwriter | Bernie Taupin |
| Tenor | Princess Diana's life |
| Vehicle | A candle in the wind |
| Theme | Fragility of life |
| Symbolism | Innocence, delicacy, light in the darkness |
| Inspiration | Marilyn Monroe's life |
Explore related products
$9.99 $12.99
What You'll Learn
The song 'Candle in the Wind' by Elton John
"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 in honour of Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier. The song's opening line, "Goodbye, Norma Jean", refers to Monroe's birth name.
The song's lyrics are a sympathetic portrayal of Monroe's life and contain many metaphors. One of the most prominent metaphors in the song is the comparison of a person's life to a "candle in the wind", representing the fragility of life and the certainty of death. This metaphor implies that a person's life is delicate and can be extinguished at any moment, just like a candle flame blowing in the wind.
The original version of "Candle in the Wind" also includes other metaphors and imagery related to Hollywood stardom and the pressures of fame. For example, the line "they set you on the treadmill" represents the expectation to lose weight and comply with a created image. The song also describes those in Monroe's life as "crawling out of the woodwork", portraying them as insects with negative implications.
In 1997, Elton 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, who had passed away that year. This version of the song peaked at No. 1 in the United Kingdom and several other countries, becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time. The new lyrics retained the "candle in the wind" metaphor, now applied to Princess Diana's life, symbolising the delicacy and fragility of her life and the impact of her untimely death.
Baptism Candles: How Many for a Greek Ceremony?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The fragility of life
"Like a candle in the wind" is a phrase that has been popularised by the Elton John song of the same name. The song, written by Bernie Taupin, was originally inspired by the life of Marilyn Monroe and later repurposed in memory of Princess Diana. The lyrics contain many metaphors, with the central one being a reference to the delicacy and fragility of Princess Diana's life.
The phrase "like a candle in the wind" is a metaphor that highlights the fleeting and fragile nature of life. A candle, when placed in the wind, is susceptible to being blown out at any moment. This image evokes a sense of vulnerability and impermanence. Just as a candle's flame can be easily extinguished, so too can a person's life be cut short, unexpectedly and tragically.
The metaphor also conveys a sense of helplessness and powerlessness in the face of life's challenges. The wind represents the obstacles and difficulties we face, which can be gentle breezes or strong gusts, mirroring the ups and downs of life. The candle, like a person, is at the mercy of these forces, struggling to stay alight and upright.
In the context of Princess Diana, the metaphor takes on a poignant significance. Princess Diana, often referred to as "England's Rose", embodied innocence and symbolism for the citizens of England and the world. Her untimely and sudden death left a profound impact, emphasising the fragile nature of life and how even the brightest lights can be extinguished too soon.
The song "Candle in the Wind" serves as a reminder of our own mortality and the preciousness of life. It encourages us to reflect on the fleeting nature of our existence and to appreciate the light we can bring to the world during our time here. The metaphor "like a candle in the wind" has become a powerful expression of the delicate balance between life and death, capturing the essence of our transient journey.
Candling Pine Trees: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Metaphor: ReFantazio - Standard Edition - Xbox & Windows 10 [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Glm6SpCdL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The certainty of death
The phrase "like a candle in the wind" is a metaphor that captures the fleeting and fragile nature of life. The image evoked is of a candle, representing life, burning brightly but vulnerable to the gusts of wind that could snuff it out at any moment. This metaphor has been used by poet Carl Sandburg and popularised in the eponymous song by Elton John, "Candle in the Wind".
The song, originally written about Marilyn Monroe, was later performed at Princess Diana's funeral, reflecting the tragic and untimely deaths of two iconic women who embodied beauty, complexity, and subversion in the face of societal expectations. The metaphor speaks to the certainty of death, reminding us that our lives are delicate and transient, much like a candle flame that can be easily extinguished.
In the context of the song, the candle represents the individual whose life is being commemorated. The wind symbolises the forces that ultimately led to their demise, whether it be the pressures of fame, the fragility of their existence, or the unforeseen circumstances surrounding their death. The metaphor conveys a sense of helplessness and vulnerability in the face of life's challenges and the inevitability of its end.
The phrase "like a candle in the wind" also conveys a sense of time passing. Just as a candle's flame slowly diminishes as it burns, so too does our allotted time on Earth gradually elapse. The longer the candle burns, the closer it comes to its inevitable end, mirroring the progression of a life span.
Ultimately, the metaphor "like a candle in the wind" serves as a poignant reminder of life's fleeting nature and the certainty of death. It captures the delicate balance between existence and non-existence, illuminating the beauty and tragedy of lives cut short, and the enduring legacy they leave behind.
Repairing Deep Candles: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Princess Diana
"Candle in the Wind" is a song 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 (also spelled "Norma Jean" and "Norma Jean").
In 1997, John performed a rewritten version of the song, “Candle in the Wind 1997”, as a tribute to Princess Diana of Wales, who had died in a tragic car accident that year. The original version was one of Princess Diana's favourite songs, as she identified with the sentiment expressed in the song about how the press always hounds public figures, even after death.
The lyrics of "Candle in the Wind 1997" were adapted to suit the circumstances of Princess Diana's life and death. The opening lines of the original version, "Goodbye Norma Jean / Though I never knew you at all", were changed to "Goodbye England's rose / May you ever grow in our hearts". The song drew parallels between the lives of Princess Diana and Marilyn Monroe, who both died at the age of 36.
"Candle in the Wind 1997" was released on 13 September 1997, exactly a week after Princess Diana's funeral, where John first performed the song. The single peaked at No. 1 in the United Kingdom and several other countries, becoming John's fourth No. 1 single in the UK and his ninth (and final) No. 1 single in the US. The song has sold over 33 million copies worldwide and is listed as the second-best-selling single in the world.
The phrase "candle in the wind" was first used by Clive Davis in tribute to Janis Joplin, who died of a heroin overdose in 1970 at the age of 27. Taupin has said that Monroe was “just a metaphor for fame and dying young, and people sort of overdoing the indulgence, and those that do die young".
Setting Off Roman Candles: A Beginner's Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Marilyn Monroe
"Candle in the Wind", written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, is a tribute to the life and untimely death of Marilyn Monroe. The song's opening line, "Goodbye Norma Jean", refers to Monroe's birth name, Norma Jeane Mortenson, and sets the tone for the song's exploration of the pressures of fame and the fragility of life.
The metaphor of a "candle in the wind" captures the idea that Marilyn Monroe's life was fragile and could be easily extinguished, just as a candle's flame is vulnerable to the wind. This vulnerability is further emphasised in the lyrics "never knowing who to cling to when the rain set in", alluding to Monroe's struggles with loneliness and her search for solace despite her immense fame.
The song also addresses the influence of Hollywood and the public on Monroe's life, as well as the intense media scrutiny she faced, as reflected in the lyrics "they set you on the treadmill" and "the press still hounded you". The image of a candle in the wind captures the sense of a life that is fragile, susceptible to outside forces, and ultimately cut short before its time.
While the song is specifically about Marilyn Monroe, it also speaks to a broader theme of the early demise of celebrities and the impact of fame. Bernie Taupin, the lyricist, has stated that the song could have been about other iconic figures who died young, such as James Dean or Jim Morrison. The song's message and metaphor, therefore, transcend the specific figure of Marilyn Monroe and speak to a broader cultural conversation about fame, vulnerability, and mortality.
Sparkler Candles: Blowing Out Safely and with Style
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, "like a candle in the wind" is a metaphor.
The metaphor "like a candle in the wind" refers to the fragility of life and how it can be blown out at any moment, just like a candle in the wind.
The phrase "like a candle in the wind" was popularised by Elton John's song "Candle in the Wind", which was originally written about Marilyn Monroe and later repurposed as a tribute to Princess Diana.
Beyond the metaphor of the candle representing the fragility of life, the song also includes other metaphors. The lyric "Goodbye Norma Jean" refers to Marilyn Monroe's birth name, alluding to how she gave up her name and privacy for fame. The song also addresses the manipulative nature of Hollywood stardom and the pressures of fame.
Princess Diana's life, particularly her untimely death, is likened to a candle in the wind. The metaphor highlights the delicacy and fragility of her life and the impact she had on the world, especially in England, despite her life being cut short.
