Jessie Taylor
Elton John's Candle in the Wind is a song about Marilyn Monroe, the world-famous actress from the 1950s. The song was written by John and Bernie Taupin, and it was first released in 1973 as the second track on John's double album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. The opening line, Goodbye, Norma Jean, refers to Monroe's birth name, Norma Jeane Mortenson. The song chronicles her rise to fame and tragic death and also makes references to the press coverage of Monroe. In 1997, John re-recorded the song as a tribute to Princess Diana, who died in a car accident that year.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the song | Candle in the Wind |
| Singer | Elton John |
| Songwriter | Bernie Taupin |
| Tribute to | Marilyn Monroe |
| Marilyn Monroe's birth name | Norma Jeane Mortenson |
| Marilyn Monroe's nickname | Norma Jean |
| Marilyn Monroe's profession | Actress |
| Marilyn Monroe's year of death | 1962 |
| Cause of death | Drug overdose |
| Song's reference to | Paparazzi, press coverage, and her rise to fame |
| Song's opening line | Goodbye, Norma Jean |
| Re-written and re-recorded version | Candle in the Wind 1997 |
| Tribute to | Princess Diana of Wales |
| Year of release | 1997 |
| Highest-selling single since | 1950s |
| Grammy Award | Best Male Pop Vocal Performance |
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What You'll Learn
The song's opening line, Goodbye Norma Jean
The opening line of "Candle in the Wind", "Goodbye Norma Jean", refers to the birth name of Marilyn Monroe: Norma Jeane Mortenson. The song was written by Bernie Taupin and Elton John, and released in 1973. Taupin has stated that the song is more of a take on fame and celebrity than a direct ode to Monroe, who he claims was "just a metaphor for fame and dying young".
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 of the phrase: "I just kept hearing this term [and] I thought, what a great way of describing someone’s life". He has also noted that the song could just as easily have been about other famous figures who died young, such as James Dean, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Sylvia Plath, or Virginia Woolf.
In 1997, John and Taupin re-recorded the song as a tribute to Princess Diana, who died in a car accident that year. The opening line was changed to "Goodbye England's Rose", and the song became the best-selling single in UK chart history.
"Candle in the Wind" was also released as a live version in 1986, as part of the set "Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. John performed the song solo, accompanying himself on the piano. This version earned him a Grammy nomination in 1988 for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
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The song was inspired by the phrase candle in the wind
The song "Candle in the Wind" was inspired by the phrase "candle in the wind", which lyricist Bernie Taupin first heard used by Clive Davis in tribute to Janis Joplin. Taupin was fascinated by the concept, and the song "Candle in the Wind" was born. The song was written by Taupin and Elton John and released in 1973. It focuses on the life of Norma Jeane, also known as Marilyn Monroe, and chronicles her rise to fame and tragic death. The famous opening line, "Goodbye Norma Jean", refers to her birth name, and how she gave up both her name and her privacy for the sake of celebrity.
According to Taupin, the song is more of a take on fame and celebrity than a direct ode to Monroe. In interviews, he has stated that the song could have been about any number of famous figures who died young and became immortalised, such as James Dean, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, Sylvia Plath, or Virginia Woolf. Taupin has also disputed the idea that he was a rabid Marilyn Monroe fanatic, stating that she was simply a metaphor for fame and dying young.
The song "Candle in the Wind" has had a lasting impact and has been re-recorded multiple times. In 1986, Elton John released a live version of the song as part of the set "Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra". This version featured John backing himself on the piano, with atmospheric keyboard textures and bass pedals. The performance earned John a Grammy nomination in 1988 for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
In 1997, John re-recorded the song as a tribute to Princess Diana, who had died in a tragic car accident that year. This version, known as "Candle in the Wind 1997" or "Goodbye England's Rose", featured new lyrics and became a best-selling single worldwide. It debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart and sold over 33 million copies. The song's global proceeds went towards Diana's charities.
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Marilyn Monroe's rise to fame and tragic death
Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson, was an American actress and model. She was born on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, California, and spent most of her childhood in foster homes and an orphanage. She married James Dougherty at the age of 16 but divorced him in 1946 when he opposed her career.
Monroe began a successful career as a model and signed her first movie contract in 1946. She selected the stage name "Marilyn Monroe" and dyed her hair blonde. She signed a contract with 20th Century Fox and began to learn acting, singing, and dancing. Her acting career took off a few years later, and she soon became one of Hollywood's most famous actresses. She was known for playing comic "blonde bombshell" characters and became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and early 1960s. She was a top-billed actress for a decade, and her films grossed over $200 million by the time of her death. She starred in commercially successful films such as "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and "Some Like It Hot".
However, behind the scenes, Monroe struggled with substance abuse, mental health issues, and insecurities about her acting abilities. She spent time in a psychiatric clinic in 1961 and was under the constant care of a doctor and psychiatrist in the last year of her life. On August 4, 1962, Monroe died at the age of 36 of a barbiturate overdose in her home in Brentwood, Los Angeles. Her death was officially ruled a "probable suicide" by the Los Angeles County coroner's office, but conspiracy theories and alternative theories suggesting murder or accidental overdose have persisted. The controversy surrounding her death has made her the subject of numerous books, articles, and investigations.
Monroe's fame and tragic death have solidified her status as an American cultural icon. She has been imitated by celebrities such as Madonna, Lady Gaga, and Gwen Stefani, and her legacy continues to be discussed and reinterpreted by each new generation.
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The song was re-recorded as a tribute to Princess Diana
"Candle in the Wind", written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, was originally a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, who passed away 11 years before its release in 1973. The song's opening line, "Goodbye, Norma Jean", refers to Monroe's real name, Norma Jeane (also spelled Jean) Mortenson.
In 1997, John re-recorded the song as a tribute to Princess Diana of Wales, who died in a tragic car accident that year. The new version, titled "Candle in the Wind 1997" or "Goodbye England's Rose", featured modified lyrics to reflect Diana's life and untimely death. For example, the opening line was changed to "Goodbye England's rose / May you ever grow in our hearts", capturing the sentiment of a nation mourning the loss of their beloved Princess.
The 1997 version was recorded at Townhouse Studios in West London and released on 13 September 1997, just a week after Diana's funeral. Elton John performed the song live only once, at the funeral of Princess Diana in Westminster Abbey on 6 September 1997. The song became an anthem for a grieving nation and achieved immense commercial success. It peaked at No. 1 in the UK and several other countries, becoming the fastest-selling single in the UK with 658,000 copies sold on its first day. It ultimately sold 33 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time.
The proceeds from the song were donated to charities that were close to Diana's heart, and a total of £38 million ($49 million) was raised from its sales alone. Elton John has not performed the 1997 version live since Diana's funeral and it has not appeared on any of his subsequent albums. Instead, he continues to perform the original version of the song at his concerts.
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The song references press coverage of Monroe
"Candle in the Wind" is a song by Elton John and Bernie Taupin that references press coverage of Marilyn Monroe. The song was originally written about Monroe, but a rewritten version was performed as a tribute to Princess Diana in 1997. The original version of the song, which was released in 1973, includes lyrics that mention the press attention surrounding Monroe's death.
The song's opening line, "Goodbye, Norma Jean," refers to Monroe's real name, Norma Jeane Mortenson. Taupin has stated that the song is about "the idea of fame or youth or somebody being cut short in the prime of their life." He has also noted that the song could have been about other famous figures who died young, such as James Dean, Jim Morrison, or Kurt Cobain.
The lyrics of "Candle in the Wind" chronicle Monroe's rise to fame and tragic death. They mention the press attention that Monroe received throughout her life and even after her death. For example, the line "Oh, the press still hounded you" refers to the media scrutiny that Monroe faced. The song also alludes to the public's fascination with fame and how it can lead to the glorification of death and the immortalization of certain individuals.
While Taupin has expressed respect for Monroe, he has disputed the notion that he was a rabid fan. He has stated that Monroe was ""just a metaphor for fame and dying young" and that the song could have been about any number of famous figures who died prematurely.
The original version of "Candle in the Wind" was included on Elton John's 1973 album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and was released as a single in 1974. The rewritten version, titled "Candle in the Wind 1997" or "Goodbye England's Rose," was released as a tribute to Princess Diana following her tragic death in a car accident in 1997.
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Frequently asked questions
The song 'Candle in the Wind' was written about Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson.
The song was written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
The song was inspired by the concept of "candle in the wind", which Taupin first heard used to describe Janis Joplin. Taupin has said the song is about "how fame affects the man or woman in the street" and "the idea of fame or youth or somebody being cut short in their prime".
Yes, the song was re-recorded in 1997 as a tribute to Princess Diana, who died that year.
