Tyler Brooks
Candle in the Wind 1997, also known as Goodbye England's Rose, is a song by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It is a re-written and re-recorded version of their 1973 song Candle in the Wind, which was originally a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. The 1997 version was released as a tribute single to Diana, Princess of Wales, and the proceeds from the song went towards Diana's charities. John performed the song at Diana's funeral, and it became the biggest-selling single in history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song Title | Candle in the Wind 1997 |
| Other Names | Goodbye England's Rose, Candle in the Wind '97 |
| Performer | Elton John |
| Songwriter | Bernie Taupin |
| Written For | Princess Diana's funeral |
| Original Song | Tribute to Marilyn Monroe |
| Lyrics | Adapted to suit Diana's life and death |
| Release Date | 13 September 1997 |
| Chart Performance | Topped UK and US charts, became the best-selling single in UK chart history, second-best-selling physical single in history |
| Sales | Sold over 33 million copies worldwide |
| Proceeds | Donated to Diana's charities |
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What You'll Learn
Elton John's performance at Diana's funeral
On 31 August 1997, the world was shocked by the sudden death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in a car crash in Paris, France. Elton John, a close friend of the Princess, publicly performed a rewritten version of his 1973 song "Candle in the Wind", retitled "Goodbye England's Rose" or "Candle in the Wind '97", at her funeral on 6 September 1997. This performance, which took place in Westminster Abbey, was the only time he has performed the revised version of the song in public.
John's performance at the funeral was almost cancelled due to resistance from the royal family, who considered the new lyrics of the song too sentimental. However, the Dean of Westminster, Dr Wesley Carr, successfully argued for the song's inclusion, stating that John's tribute would be an 'imaginative and generous' gesture to the public, who had turned against the Royal Family after the princess's death.
John contacted his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin to revise the lyrics of the original song, which was a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. Taupin drew parallels between the lives of Diana and Monroe, who had both died at the age of 36. The new version of the song was produced by Sir George Martin, who added a string quartet and woodwind to the recording.
The performance was an emotional moment for John, who was grieving the loss of his friend. It was also a poignant moment for the 2000 attendees at Westminster Abbey, as well as the millions of people who watched the funeral on television. John's performance encapsulated the national outpouring of emotion following Diana's death and has since become synonymous with the late Princess of Wales.
"Candle in the Wind '97" became the biggest-selling chart hit of all time, selling over 33 million copies worldwide. All artist and composer royalties and record company profits were donated to Diana's charities via the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.
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The song's release and chart success
"Candle in the Wind 1997", also known as "Goodbye England's Rose", is a song by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin. It was released on 13 September 1997 as a tribute single to Diana, Princess of Wales. It was a re-written and re-recorded version of their 1973 song "Candle in the Wind", which was originally a tribute to Marilyn Monroe.
The song was released just two weeks after Diana's death and became the biggest song in Billboard's history, spending 14 weeks atop the American chart. In the UK, the single grabbed the number one slot on the first day of its release, with more than 650,000 copies sold in 24 hours, becoming the fastest-selling record of all time in the UK charts. It also became John's ninth (and final) US number-one single, where it topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks. The song sold a colossal 33 million copies worldwide and is the only single ever to receive a Diamond certification in the United States. It is also the second-bestselling physical single in history, after Bing Crosby's "White Christmas".
John performed the single at Princess Diana's funeral, which remains the one and only time the British musician has ever performed the track live. The song was not originally listed for the ceremony and sparked concerns that its lyrics were “too sentimental” to appear on the order of service. However, it is widely regarded as a defining moment in the funeral at Westminster Abbey, watched by billions around the globe.
All artist and composer royalties and record company profits were donated to Diana's charities via the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. A fund was set up, and after it was closed 15 years later in 2012, a total of 138 million British pounds ($177 million) had been tallied up, of which 38 million pounds ($49 million) came from the sale of "Candle in the Wind" alone.
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The song's proceeds going to Diana's charities
The 1997 version of "Candle in the Wind", also known as Goodbye England's Rose and Candle in the Wind '97", is a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, written and performed 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 a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. The 1997 version was released on 13 September 1997, just a week after it was performed at Diana's funeral in Westminster Abbey on 6 September 1997.
Elton John has stated that he wanted to pay tribute to Diana, with whom he shared a close friendship. John was contacted by Richard Branson, who informed him that many of those writing in the book of condolence at St James's Palace were quoting the lyrics of "Candle in the Wind". Branson asked John if he would rewrite the lyrics and sing them at the funeral. John believed that Branson had been contacted by the Spencer family. John then contacted his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin, asking him to revise the lyrics of their 1973 song "Candle in the Wind" to honour Diana.
The song became the biggest-selling chart hit of all time, selling a colossal 33 million copies worldwide and becoming the only single ever to receive a Diamond certification in the United States. It spent an impressive five weeks at number one in the UK and was the best-selling single in UK chart history. It also topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks and is the best-selling single in Billboard history.
All artist and composer royalties and record company profits were donated to Diana's charities via the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. The fund was set up just days after her death and closed 15 years later in 2012, raising a total of £138 million ($177 million), of which £38 million ($49 million) came from the sale of "Candle in the Wind" alone.
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The song's lyrics and their parallels to Marilyn Monroe
"Candle in the Wind", written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, was first released in 1973 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, who passed away at the age of 36. The opening lines of the original version were "Goodbye Norma Jean / Though I never knew you at all", with "Norma Jean" being Monroe's given name. The song describes not the film star herself, but the turbulent life of a sensitive person destroyed by her stardom.
The 1997 version of the song, also known as "Goodbye England's Rose", was a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in a car crash in Paris, France, in 1997. The lyrics were adapted to suit the circumstances of Diana's life and death. The opening line was changed to "Goodbye England's rose / May you ever grow in our hearts". The lyrics "And it seems to me you lived your life / Like a candle in the wind / Never fading with the sunset / When the rain set in" draw parallels between the lives of Diana and Monroe, both of whom died prematurely.
The original lyrics of "Candle in the Wind" capture the tragic life and untimely death of Marilyn Monroe, who was typecast in comedic roles that highlighted her sex appeal. The line "Never fading with the sunset / When the rain set in" alludes to the enduring legacy of Monroe, despite her struggles with stardom. The lyrics "Your candle's burned out long before / Your legend ever will" emphasise that Monroe's life was cut short, but her memory will live on.
The 1997 version of the song, with revised lyrics by Taupin, reflects on Diana's life and her impact on the world. The line "You called out to our country / And you whispered to those in pain" acknowledges Diana's humanitarian work and her ability to connect with people. The lyrics "You were the grace that placed itself / Where lives were torn apart" recognise her grace and compassion in the face of adversity. The song also acknowledges the impact of her death on the nation, with the lyrics "Now you belong to heaven / And the stars spell out your name".
Both versions of "Candle in the Wind" serve as powerful tributes to two iconic women, Marilyn Monroe and Diana, Princess of Wales, whose lives were cut short but whose legacies continue to resonate.
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The song's original version and its tribute to Marilyn Monroe
"Candle in the Wind", written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin, was originally released 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 first name, and the lyrics chronicle her troubled life as a film star and international celebrity.
The song was inspired by the phrase "candle in the wind", which Taupin had heard used to describe Janis Joplin, the blues-rock singer who died of a heroin overdose in 1970. The phrase was also particularly fitting for Monroe, given her tumultuous life and untimely death at the age of 36. Taupin has noted that the theory that he was a ""rabid Marilyn Monroe fanatic"" is a misconception, and that the song could have just as easily been about other celebrities who died young, such as James Dean, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Sylvia Plath, or Virginia Woolf.
In 1997, John performed a rewritten version of the song, "Candle in the Wind 1997", as a tribute to his friend Diana, Princess of Wales, who had died that year. The lyrics of the new version, also written by Taupin, drew parallels between the lives of Diana and Monroe, who had both died at the same age. John performed the song at Diana's funeral in Westminster Abbey on 6 September 1997 and it was released as a single the following week.
"Candle in the Wind 1997" became the biggest-selling chart hit of all time, selling 33 million copies and spending three years in Canada's Top 20. All artist and composer royalties and record company profits were donated to Diana's charities via the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. John continues to sing the original version of the song at his concerts but has repeatedly turned down requests to perform the revised version, vowing never to do so again unless asked by Diana's sons.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, "Candle in the Wind 1997" is a re-written and re-recorded version of the 1973 song "Candle in the Wind", which was originally a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. The 1997 version was written for and performed at Princess Diana's funeral.
"Candle in the Wind" was written by Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin.
"Candle in the Wind 1997" was released on September 13, 1997, two weeks after Princess Diana's death.
Elton John has only performed "Candle in the Wind 1997" live once, at Princess Diana's funeral.
