The True Inspiration Behind Candle In The Wind

Elton John's Candle in the Wind is a song that has been adapted and dedicated to multiple public figures. The original version of the song was written for Marilyn Monroe, and the lyrics refer to her birth name, Norma Jeane. The song was later adapted and performed at Princess Diana's funeral, with new lyrics that reflected her life and death. The song has also been rededicated to other figures, such as Ryan White, an AIDS victim, reflecting the song's broader themes of fame, tragedy, and the public fascination with celebrities.

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The original version of 'Candle in the Wind' was written for Marilyn Monroe

The original version of "Candle in the Wind", written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, was indeed written for Marilyn Monroe. The song was first released in 1973 as part of Elton John's album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road".

The song is a tribute to the Hollywood movie star, who died at the young age of 36 in 1962. The opening line, "Goodbye Norma Jean", refers to Monroe's real first name, setting the tone for a celebration of a true star. The lyrics also take aim at the press who hounded her in life and death, as well as those who exploited her. The song captures the tragedy and mystique surrounding Marilyn Monroe, as well as the long-standing public fascination with her.

The phrase "candle in the wind" was inspired by lyricist Bernie Taupin's desire to describe how fame affects ordinary people and their perception of celebrities. Taupin first heard the phrase used to describe Janis Joplin, and he felt it was an apt way to describe someone's life. The song's chorus, "And it seems to me you lived your life/Like a candle in the wind", captures this sentiment.

In 1997, following the death of Princess Diana, Elton John and Bernie Taupin rewrote the song as a tribute to her. This version, with new lyrics, was released as a single and sold widely around the world, becoming the biggest-selling single of all time. The new version was played at Princess Diana's funeral and helped raise millions for the "Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund".

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The song references Monroe's birth name, Norma Jeane

"Candle in the Wind", performed by Elton John, was originally written as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. The song was later reworked and performed as a tribute to Princess Diana following her death in 1997. The original version, written by John and Bernie Taupin, was released in 1973 as part of the album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road".

The song's opening line, "Goodbye Norma Jean", references Monroe's birth name, Norma Jeane Mortenson. The lyrics "They set you on a treadmill / And they made you change your name" further emphasise this aspect of her life, alluding to the pressures and demands of fame that Monroe faced.

The song "Candle in the Wind" captures the tragedy and mystique surrounding Monroe's life and death. It acknowledges the public fascination with her and the hounding by the press, both during her life and after her untimely death. The lyrics "Your candle burned out long before / Your legend ever did" highlight the enduring legacy of Monroe's stardom, despite her early demise.

The reference to Monroe's birth name, Norma Jeane, in the opening line of the song, sets the tone for a personal and intimate reflection on her life. It recognises the challenges she faced in the public eye and the impact of those closest to her. The line "Though I never knew you at all" adds a layer of poignancy, suggesting that despite her fame and public image, there was a sense of distance and mystery surrounding Monroe's true self.

The use of her birth name, Norma Jeane, serves as a reminder of her humanity and vulnerability beneath the glamorous facade of Marilyn Monroe, the Hollywood superstar. It invites listeners to reflect on the complexities of fame and the pressures faced by those in the public eye. By addressing her by her birth name, the song humanises Monroe and offers a glimpse into the private struggles that may have been obscured by her public persona.

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The song was re-released in 1997 with new lyrics as a tribute to Princess Diana

"Candle in the Wind", written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, was originally a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. The song was first released in 1973 and later re-released in 1986 as part of the set "Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra".

Following the death of Princess Diana in 1997, Elton John decided to pay tribute to his friend by reworking the song. The new version, with lyrics rewritten by Bernie Taupin, was performed at Diana's funeral and released as a single. The single sold worldwide, peaking at number one in almost every country where it was sold.

The rewritten lyrics reflected the similarities between Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana. Both were famous women who had experienced hard times in their lives and were hounded by the press. Taupin has stated that the song was created due to a misunderstanding between him and John. Taupin thought John wanted to redo the original to fit Diana, and by the time they realised the miscommunication, there was not enough time to write a new song.

The 1997 version of "Candle in the Wind" has taken on a new life, becoming synonymous with Princess Diana. The song's income has contributed significantly to "The Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund", with royalties from sales of the single in 1999 alone estimated at $150 million.

The 1997 version was played at Princess Diana's funeral

"Candle in the Wind 1997", also known as "Goodbye England's Rose", is a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales. It is a re-written and re-recorded version of the 1973 song "Candle in the Wind" by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, which was originally written for Marilyn Monroe. The 1997 version was released on 13 September 1997, a week after Princess Diana's death.

Elton John performed the song at Princess Diana's funeral on 6 September 1997, at Westminster Abbey. The performance was memorable, but it was almost not included in the service due to resistance from the royal family. John has stated that he will never perform the 1997 version again in public unless asked by Diana's sons.

The 1997 version of the song was created due to a misunderstanding between John and Taupin. John, who was grieving the loss of his friend, was asked by Richard Branson if he would rewrite the lyrics of the original "Candle in the Wind" and sing them at Princess Diana's funeral. Branson claimed that many people writing in the book of condolence at St James's Palace were quoting the lyrics of the original song. John then contacted Taupin, asking him to revise the lyrics to honour Princess Diana. However, Taupin thought John wanted to redo the original song with some minor changes to fit Diana, and due to time constraints, the revised version was performed at the funeral.

The 1997 version of "Candle in the Wind" became the best-selling single in UK chart history, selling 658,000 copies on the first day of its release. It also became John's ninth US number-one single, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks. The song has sold over 33 million copies worldwide, with proceeds going towards Diana's charities.

The song was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin

"Candle in the Wind", originally written as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, was composed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The song was first released in 1973 as part of Elton John's album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road". The music was written by John himself in the key of E Major, while the lyrics were penned by his long-time collaborator, Bernie Taupin.

The song was later re-released in 1986 as part of the live album "Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra", for which Elton John won the 1988 Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance – Male.

The opening verse of the song, "Goodbye Norma Jean / Though I never knew you at all / You had the grace to hold yourself / While those around you crawled / They crawled out of the woodwork / And they whispered into your brain / They set you on the treadmill / And they made you change your name", references Monroe's real name, and sets the tone for a celebration of her life as a superstar. The song also takes aim at the press who hounded her and those who took advantage of her.

In 1997, following the death of Princess Diana, Elton John and Bernie Taupin rewrote the song as a tribute to the Princess of Wales, with whom Elton John shared a close friendship. The new version, "Candle in the Wind 1997", was performed by Elton John at Princess Diana's funeral and released as a single, selling widely around the world.

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