Chloe Adams
Candle in the Wind is a song by British musician Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin. It was originally written in 1973 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe and released as a single in 1974. In 1997, John and Taupin reworked the song as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, who had died that year. This new version, known as Candle in the Wind 1997 or Goodbye England's Rose, became a chart-topping hit and one of the best-selling singles of all time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Song | Candle in the Wind |
| Artist | Elton John |
| Lyricist | Bernie Taupin |
| Year written | 1973 |
| Tribute to | Marilyn Monroe |
| Year of tribute version | 1997 |
| Tribute to | Diana, Princess of Wales |
| Producer | George Martin |
| Release date | 13 September 1997 |
| Peak chart position | No. 1 in the UK, US, and several other countries |
| Chart sales | 658,000 copies sold on the first day in the UK, 3.5 million in the first week in the US |
| Awards | Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, nominated for Best British Single at the 1998 Brit Awards |
| Certifications | 14x platinum in Australia, 5x platinum in Finland |
| Total sales | 33 million copies sold worldwide |
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What You'll Learn
Elton John's 1973 song
"Candle in the Wind" is a song by British musician Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin. It was originally written and performed by John in 1973 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier. The song was included in John's 1973 album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and was released as a single in 1974. The opening line "Goodbye, Norma Jean" refers to Monroe's real name, Norma Jeane (also spelled Jean) Mortenson.
The idea for the song came from Taupin, who was inspired by hearing the phrase "candle in the wind" used by Clive Davis in tribute to Janis Joplin: "I just kept hearing this term [and] I thought, what a great way of describing someone’s life," Taupin said. The song is about "the idea of fame or youth or somebody being cut short in their prime," Taupin explained. "The song could have been about James Dean, it could have been about Montgomery Clift, it could have been about Jim Morrison... how we glamorise death, how we immortalise people."
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 that year. The new version featured revised lyrics adapted to the circumstances of Diana's life and death. For example, the opening lines "Goodbye Norma Jean / Though I never knew you at all" were changed to "Goodbye England's rose / May you ever grow in our hearts". The song was produced by George Martin and released on 13 September 1997, just two weeks after Diana's death. It became an international hit, reaching No. 1 in several countries, including the UK and the US, and has sold millions of copies.
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Rewritten in 1997
"Candle in the Wind" was originally written in 1973 by British musician Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The song, which appeared on John's album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", was a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier.
In 1997, John and Taupin reworked the song as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, who died on 31 August of that year. The new version, titled "Candle in the Wind 1997" or "Goodbye England's Rose", featured revised lyrics that reflected the circumstances of Diana's life and death. For example, the opening lines "Goodbye Norma Jean / Though I never knew you at all" were adapted to "Goodbye England's rose / May you ever grow in our hearts". The song was produced by Sir George Martin and released on 13 September 1997, just two weeks after Diana's death.
"Candle in the Wind 1997" became an international success, peaking at No. 1 in several countries, including the United Kingdom and the United States. It sold 658,000 copies on its first day of release in the UK and 3.5 million copies in its first week in the US. The song also raised funds for the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, with all artist and composer royalties and record company profits from the single sales going to the charity.
Elton John performed "Candle in the Wind 1997" for the first and only time at Diana's funeral on 6 September 1997. Since then, he has stated that he will only perform the song again at the request of Princes William and Harry. The song has not appeared on any of John's subsequent compilation albums.
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A tribute to Princess Diana
On the 31st of August 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, died from injuries sustained in a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris, France. Her death shocked the world and prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes. One of the most famous tributes to Princess Diana was the song "Candle in the Wind 1997" by Elton John.
Princess Diana was born The Honourable Diana Frances Spencer on the 1st of July 1961 in Norfolk, England. She became Lady Diana Spencer in 1975 and married Prince Charles in 1981, becoming the Princess of Wales. Princess Diana was known for her charity work and her campaigns against landmines and for the ban on their manufacture and use. She was also a consistent and committed voice for improving the lives of suffering children worldwide.
In recognition of her charity work, representatives of the charities she supported were invited to walk behind her coffin with her family from St James's Palace to Westminster Abbey on the day of her funeral. The funeral was a solemn and emotional affair, with people from all over the world mourning the loss of the Princess. Elton John's performance of "Candle in the Wind 1997" at the funeral was particularly poignant, as it was a rewritten version of his 1974 hit "Candle in the Wind," originally written in honour of Marilyn Monroe.
"Candle in the Wind 1997," with its new lyrics, became a tribute to Princess Diana and a way to raise funds for the Diana, Princess of Wales charity. The song peaked at No. 1 in the United Kingdom and several other countries, becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time. The original lyrics, "Goodbye Norma Jean, though I never knew you at all," were adapted to "Goodbye England's rose, may you ever grow in our hearts," reflecting the sorrow and love felt for Princess Diana.
The death of Princess Diana left a lasting impact, and her legacy continues to be remembered and honoured through various initiatives and tributes, including the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund and exhibitions that celebrate her life and work.
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Marilyn Monroe's inspiration
"Candle in the Wind", written by Bernie Taupin and Elton John, 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 birth name, and the song as a whole is a sympathetic portrayal of her life.
Taupin has stated 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 theory that he was a "rabid Marilyn Monroe fanatic" is a common misconception. He clarified 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.
Monroe's life and death served as inspiration for the song's exploration of the price of fame and the public's fascination with those who die prematurely. She was a major star and the face of celebrity culture, but she also struggled with depression, substance abuse, and crippling anxiety. Her death at the age of 36 in 1962, when Taupin was just 12 years old, had a profound impact that would later inspire "Candle in the Wind".
In 1997, John and Taupin rewrote the song as a tribute to Princess Diana, who had recently died. This version, "Candle in the Wind 1997" or "Goodbye England's Rose", peaked at No. 1 in several countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, and became the second-best-selling single in the world.
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Chart performance
"Candle in the Wind" was originally written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin in 1973 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. It was released as a single in 1974, charting at No. 11 in the UK. A live version of the song was recorded in 1986 and released in 1987, which made it to the Top 5 in the UK in 1988.
In 1997, John and Taupin rewrote the song as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in a car crash that year. "Candle in the Wind 1997" was released on 13 September 1997 and entered at No. 1 on the UK singles chart, becoming John's fourth No. 1 single in the country. It sold 658,000 copies on its first day of release and over 1.5 million in its first week, becoming the fastest-selling single in the UK. It also peaked at No. 1 in several other countries, including the US, and spent 45 non-consecutive weeks at the top spot in Canada. It is the second-best-selling single in the world, with 33 million copies sold, and the highest-selling single since the 1950s.
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Frequently asked questions
The original version of "Candle in the Wind" was written and released in 1973 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe.
Yes, the song was released as a single in 1974.
No, despite becoming a beloved classic, the song did not make it to the Top 10 on either side of the Atlantic.
Yes, a live version was recorded in 1986 at the Sydney Entertainment Centre in Australia.
Yes, in 1997, Elton John and Bernie Taupin released a rewritten version of the song as a tribute to Princess Diana, titled "Candle in the Wind 1997".
