Ben Carter
Candle in the Wind, a song performed by Elton John and written by Bernie Taupin, was originally written as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, who died 11 years prior in 1962. The song's opening line, Goodbye Norma Jean, refers to Monroe's real name, and the lyrics chronicle her troubled life as a film star and international celebrity. Taupin has stated that the song is about the idea of fame or youth or somebody being cut short in their prime. In 1997, John performed a rewritten version of the song as a tribute to Princess Diana, who had died that year.
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What You'll Learn
The song was originally written for Marilyn Monroe
"Candle in the Wind", performed by Elton John, was originally written for Marilyn Monroe. The song was written by John and his lyricist collaborator Bernie Taupin in 1972 or 1973. It was released in 1974 as a single and reached No. 11 in the UK charts. The song's opening line, "Goodbye Norma Jean", refers to Monroe's birth name, Norma Jeane Mortenson.
The song was inspired by the tragic life of Monroe, who died in 1962 at the young age of 36. Taupin has said that the song is about "the idea of fame or youth or somebody being cut short in their prime". He has also noted that the song could have been about other celebrities who died young, such as James Dean, Jim Morrison, or Kurt Cobain. Taupin has expressed that he was not particularly enamored by Monroe, but rather fascinated by the concept of "candle in the wind", which he first heard used to describe Janis Joplin.
In 1997, John and Taupin rewrote the song with new lyrics as a tribute to Princess Diana, who had died that year. This version, "Candle in the Wind 1997", became an iconic farewell to another cultural icon and sold wildly worldwide.
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Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics
"Candle in the Wind", written by Bernie Taupin and Elton John, was originally a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. The song was written in 1972 or 1973 and released in 1974. Taupin has said that the song is not an expression of fanaticism for Monroe, but rather a commentary on the transient nature of life and fame.
Taupin has clarified that the song is about "the idea of fame or youth or somebody being cut short in their prime". He has also noted that the song could have been about any number of famous figures who died young, such as James Dean, Montgomery Clift, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Sylvia Plath, or Virginia Woolf. Taupin was inspired to write the song after hearing the phrase "candle in the wind" used to describe Janis Joplin, and he felt it was a great way to describe someone's life.
The lyrics of "Candle in the Wind" reflect the tragedy of Monroe's life and the pressures put upon celebrities. The song's opening line, "Goodbye Norma Jean", refers to Monroe's birth name, and the song goes on to address the public's fascination with her, as well as the press who "hounded" her in life and death. The chorus includes the lines: "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".
In 1997, following the death of Princess Diana, Taupin and John adapted the song to pay tribute to her. This version, with new lyrics, became an iconic farewell to another cultural icon.
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Taupin was inspired by the phrase candle in the wind
"Candle in the Wind", performed by Elton John, was written by John and songwriter Bernie Taupin in 1972. The song was originally written as a tribute to Hollywood movie star Marilyn Monroe, who died at the young age of 36 in 1962.
Taupin was inspired to write the song after hearing the phrase "candle in the wind" used by Clive Davis in tribute to Janis Joplin. Taupin said he "just kept hearing this term" and thought it was a great way of describing someone's life. The phrase seemed especially appropriate for Monroe, given her tumultuous life and untimely death. The lyrics of the song are a sympathetic portrayal of Monroe's life, with the opening line "Goodbye, Norma Jean" referring to Monroe's real name.
Taupin has noted that the theory that he was a “rabid Marilyn Monroe fanatic” has been a common misconception. He clarified that the song was more broadly about "the idea of fame or youth or somebody being cut short in their prime" and how society glamorises and immortalises certain individuals. He stated that the song “could just as easily have been about James Dean or Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Sylvia Plath, Virginia Woolf".
In 1997, following the death of Princess Diana, John and Taupin adapted the song to pay tribute to her, resulting in a version that touched the hearts of millions worldwide. The universal themes of vulnerability and the fleeting nature of fame allowed the song to resonate with audiences, regardless of the specific individual it was written for.
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Elton John rewrote the song for Princess Diana
"Candle in the Wind", written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, was originally dedicated to Marilyn Monroe. The song was written in 1973, 11 years after Monroe's death in 1962. The lyrics of the song are a sympathetic portrayal of Monroe's life as a film star and international celebrity, and the pressures she faced as a celebrity.
In 1997, following the death of Princess Diana in a car accident in Paris, Elton John and Bernie Taupin decided to adapt the song to pay tribute to her. The new version, titled "Candle in the Wind 1997" or "Goodbye England's Rose", featured new lyrics and was released as a single, selling widely around the world. John was a close friend of Diana's and performed the song at her funeral.
Taupin has stated that the song was never intended to be specifically about Monroe, but rather about the universal fragility of human existence and the fleeting nature of fame. He has noted that the song could have been about any number of famous figures who died young and became immortalised, such as James Dean, Jim Morrison, or Kurt Cobain.
The process of rewriting the song for Princess Diana was an emotional one for John and Taupin. Taupin has expressed surprise at how the song took on a new life after Diana's passing, and has stated that he would not be able to recite the new lyrics today if he tried.
The rewritten version of "Candle in the Wind" serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of life and fame, and the song's universal themes allowed it to resonate deeply with audiences worldwide.
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The song is about the pressures put upon celebrities
"Candle in the Wind", written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, was originally dedicated to Marilyn Monroe. The song's opening line, "Goodbye Norma Jean", refers to Monroe's real first name. The lyrics of the song chronicle her troubled life as an international celebrity.
Despite being a tribute to Monroe, the song speaks to a wider conversation about the pressures put upon celebrities. Taupin has clarified that the song is about "the idea of fame or youth or somebody being cut short in the prime of their life". He also noted that he was not a "rabid Marilyn Monroe fanatic", and that the song could have been about any celebrity who died young and became an iconic picture of Dorian Gray.
The song's chorus hits upon this emotional thread:
> "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."
The lyrics also take to task the press who "hounded" Monroe in life and death, as well as those who "set you on the treadmill" and "made you change your name".
In 1997, following the death of Princess Diana, Elton John and Bernie Taupin adapted the song to pay tribute to her, resulting in a version that touched the hearts of millions worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
The music for "Candle in the Wind" was written by Elton John, and the lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin.
The original version of "Candle in the Wind" was written about Marilyn Monroe.
Taupin was inspired to write the song after hearing Clive Davis use the phrase "candle in the wind" to describe Janis Joplin.
Yes, the song was re-recorded in 1997 with new lyrics as a tribute to Princess Diana.
