Jessie Taylor
Candle in the Wind is a song written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin. The song was originally written in 1973 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier. However, in 1997, John and Taupin adapted the song to honour 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. It peaked at #1 in several countries, including the United Kingdom, and is listed as one of the best-selling singles of all time.
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What You'll Learn
The original version of the song was about Marilyn Monroe
The song "Candle in the Wind" was originally written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin as a tribute to the iconic American actress and model, Marilyn Monroe. The original version, released in 1973 on John's album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," was a poignant and reflective piece about Monroe's life and tragic death. With lyrics like "Your candle burned out long before, Your legend ever did," John and Taupin captured the essence of a bright flame snuffed out too soon, reflecting on Monroe's enduring legacy despite her personal struggles. The song struck a chord with audiences and became one of John's most beloved and recognized ballads.
Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson, rose to stardom in the 1950s, becoming a symbol of Hollywood glamour and sensuality. However, her life was marked by personal challenges, including a difficult childhood, turbulent relationships, and struggles with mental health and substance abuse. Her death in 1962 at the age of 36, ruled as a probable suicide, shocked the world and cemented her place as an enduring cultural icon.
The original "Candle in the Wind" served as a heartfelt eulogy to Monroe, recognizing her beauty, talent, and the fragility of her life. John performed the song numerous times over the years, and it remained a staple in his repertoire. The song's enduring appeal and its connection to Monroe's legacy are evident in its continued popularity and cultural relevance.
When Princess Diana, another iconic figure, passed away in 1997, the song took on a new life. John, at the request of Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, reworked the lyrics to honor the Princess of Wales. The modified version, titled "Candle in the Wind 1997," became a tribute to Diana's humanitarian efforts, grace, and the impact she had on the world. The performance of this version at her funeral cemented the song's association with Princess Diana, creating an enduring connection between two remarkable women who, despite their different backgrounds and eras, captured the world's admiration and left a lasting imprint.
While the 1997 version is often the more recognized iteration due to its emotional connection to Princess Diana's funeral, the original "Candle in the Wind" remains a powerful and poignant tribute to Marilyn Monroe. It stands as a testament to the enduring nature of art and its ability to capture and reflect upon the lives of those who have left an indelible mark on our cultural consciousness.
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Bernie Taupin rewrote the lyrics in tribute to Princess Diana
"Candle in the Wind" is a threnody-style ballad written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin. 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, "Candle in the Wind 1997", as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, who had died in a car crash on 31 August 1997. The new lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin, who was contacted by John to revise the original lyrics. Taupin has stated 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.
Taupin also noted that the song is about "the idea of fame or youth or somebody being cut short in their prime". The song could have been about any number of iconic figures who died young, such as James Dean, Jim Morrison, or Kurt Cobain.
Taupin has expressed surprise at how the song took on a new life after Princess Diana's passing, and he has stated that he cannot remember the lyrics he wrote for the 1997 version. Despite this, the song became an iconic tribute to Princess Diana, and it touched the hearts of millions worldwide.
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Elton John performed the song at Diana's funeral
The song "Candle in the Wind" was originally written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin 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.
Following the tragic death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997, John and Taupin decided to adapt the song to pay tribute to her. The lyrics of the new version, "Candle in the Wind 1997," also known as "Goodbye England's Rose," drew parallels between the lives of Diana and Monroe, who had both died at the age of 36. The song was released in September 1997 and peaked at No. 1 in several countries, including the United Kingdom.
Elton John performed "Candle in the Wind 1997" at Princess Diana's funeral on September 6, 1997, at Westminster Abbey in London. John sat at the piano and sang "Goodbye, England's Rose," a rewritten version of his 1973 song with new lyrics by Taupin. The performance was memorable and well-received, but it almost didn't happen due to resistance from the royal family, who felt the lyrics were too sentimental. However, the Dean of Westminster, Dr. Wesley Carr, argued for the song's inclusion, noting that Diana represented "something of the modern world."
John has not performed the 1997 version of "Candle in the Wind" in public since Diana's funeral, and it has not appeared on any of his subsequent compilation albums. The song's release and John's performance at the funeral were powerful tributes to Princess Diana, reflecting the universal themes of vulnerability and the fleeting nature of fame that resonated deeply with audiences worldwide.
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The song became an anthem for Princess Diana
The iconic song "Candle in the Wind," originally written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin in 1973, took on a new life and became inextricably linked to Princess Diana following her tragic death in 1997. The song, with its poignant lyrics and emotional melody, captured the world's grief and became a fitting tribute to the beloved Princess of Wales.
The connection between the song and Princess Diana began even before her passing. In 1986, Elton John performed "Candle in the Wind" at a concert at Windsor Castle to celebrate the royal high society and the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of York (Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson). This performance, with modified lyrics, was a tribute to the charitable works of both Princess Diana and the Queen Mother, highlighting their compassion and dedication to helping others.
However, it was Princess Diana's untimely death in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997, that truly cemented the song's association with her. The world was in shock, and the outpouring of grief was immense. Elton John, a close friend of Princess Diana, was invited to perform at her funeral service in Westminster Abbey on September 6, 1997. He chose to perform a rewritten version of "Candle in the Wind" as a heartfelt tribute to his late friend.
The modified lyrics, penned by Bernie Taupin, specifically referenced Princess Diana's life and legacy. The song began with the famous line, "Goodbye, England's rose," evoking the image of Diana as a symbol of national pride and beauty. The lyrics went on to speak of her kindness, her grace, and her impact on the world, capturing the essence of a woman who had left an indelible mark on the hearts of so many.
Elton John's performance at the funeral was deeply moving, and the song struck a chord with people worldwide. It became an anthem of sorrow and a way for people to express their grief and pay their respects to the princess. The single, released shortly after the funeral, soared to the top of the charts in numerous countries and became one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Beyond its commercial success, "Candle in the Wind" continues to hold a special place in the hearts of many as a reminder of Princess Diana's life and the impact she had during her time in the public eye. The song's enduring legacy is a testament to the power of music to provide comfort, convey emotion, and immortalize the memory of an extraordinary individual.
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The song's themes of fame and mortality resonated with audiences
The untimely death of Princess Diana in a car crash in 1997 shocked the world and left many searching for ways to process and express their grief. "Candle in the Wind," with its poignant lyrics and emotional melody, provided a perfect outlet. The song's original subject, Marilyn Monroe, had also died young and in tragic circumstances, making it easy to draw parallels between the two iconic women. The song's themes of fame, mortality, and the fragile nature of life struck a chord with people worldwide, as they mourned not just the loss of Diana, but also contemplated the broader implications of her death.
The song's opening lines set the tone: "Goodbye, England's rose, may you ever grow in our hearts." It captures the sense of loss and the idea that Diana's memory would live on in the hearts of those she left behind. The reference to England's rose emphasizes her status as a national icon, beloved by many. The song goes on to explore the idea of fame and its impact on Diana's life: "Your footsteps will always fall here, alongside of our own." It suggests that while she may have been a celebrity, her journey through life was intrinsically linked with those of the general public, and her influence will remain.
The theme of mortality is woven throughout, with references to the fragility of life and the inevitable passage of time: "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." Here, the song captures the sense that Diana's life, despite all its glamour and privilege, was ultimately fragile and vulnerable to the storms of fate. The image of a candle in the wind is a powerful symbol of life's ephemeral nature, burning brightly but briefly, at the mercy of the elements.
The song also touches on the idea of legacy and how Diana's life and work will continue to inspire: "And your footsteps will always fall here, beside the long and winding road." It suggests that her journey, though cut short, has left an indelible mark, and her influence will continue to guide and inspire others along life's path. The public outpouring of grief and the enduring interest in Diana's life and work are testaments to the accuracy of these lyrics.
The combination of these themes—the fragility of life, the impact of fame, and the enduring legacy of a life well-lived—resonated deeply with audiences around the world. "Candle in the Wind" provided a vehicle for people to express their grief, reflect on the broader implications of Diana's death, and celebrate her life and contributions. The song's enduring popularity and its association with Diana are testaments to how art can provide solace and meaning in times of tragedy.
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Frequently asked questions
"Candle in the Wind" was written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin, and performed by John.
The original version of the song was about Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years before its release.
Taupin was inspired to write the lyrics after hearing the phrase "candle in the wind" used in tribute to Janis Joplin.
Elton John was contacted by the royal family to sing at Princess Diana's funeral. The original version of the song, which was about Marilyn Monroe, would have been inappropriate at a memorial service in Westminster Abbey.
The rewritten version of "Candle in the Wind" became an anthem for Princess Diana and touched the hearts of millions worldwide. It is one of the best-selling songs of all time, with 33 million copies sold.
