Brooke Martin
Candle on the Water is a song from the 1977 Disney film Pete's Dragon. It was written by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn and performed by Helen Reddy, playing the character Nora. The song was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song in 1977. It has since been covered by artists including Anneliese van der Pol and Okkervil River.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Singers | Helen Reddy, Anneliese van der Pol, Kristin Chenoweth, an unidentified a cappella group, Okkervil River |
| Year | 1977 |
| Lyrics by | Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn |
| Character | Nora |
| Character's father | Lampie |
| Character's lover | Paul |
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What You'll Learn
Helen Reddy sang 'Candle on the Water' in the 1977 film
"Candle on the Water" is a song from the 1977 Disney film Pete's Dragon. The song was performed by Helen Reddy, who played the character Nora in the film. In the song, Nora is singing to her husband, Paul, who is lost at sea, and she is longing for him to return home. The song was written by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song in 1977.
Helen Reddy's performance of "Candle on the Water" in Pete's Dragon is remembered fondly by many. Her nurturing presence in the film and the emotional impact of the song have left a lasting impression on audiences. The song has become associated with the idea of being a "candle of support" for others, providing hope and encouragement to those who may be feeling lost or struggling.
The lyrics of "Candle on the Water" reflect the theme of offering support and guidance to a loved one during difficult times. Lines such as "I'll be your candle on the water" and "My love for you will always burn" express the character's unwavering devotion and her desire to illuminate the way for her lost partner. The imagery of a candle guiding someone through the darkness captures the sentiment of providing comfort and hope in times of uncertainty.
In addition to its appearance in the 1977 film, "Candle on the Water" has been covered and featured in various other media. Anneliese van der Pol sang the song on the DisneyMania 4 album, and it was briefly performed by Kristin Chenoweth and an a cappella group in the dramedy series Pushing Daisies. These interpretations have further contributed to the song's popularity and allowed it to reach a wider audience.
Helen Reddy's rendition of "Candle on the Water" in the 1977 film Pete's Dragon is a memorable and impactful moment in Disney's musical history. The combination of Reddy's heartfelt performance, the song's uplifting message, and its context within the film have solidified its place as a beloved and enduring Disney song.
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Nora, Reddy's character, sings to her lover lost at sea
In the 1977 Disney film Pete's Dragon, Nora, played by Helen Reddy, sings "Candle on the Water" to her lover, Paul, who is lost at sea. The song, written by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn, is a beautiful and poignant expression of Nora's longing for her missing husband and her hope for his safe return.
As the song begins, Nora, standing on the balcony of her lighthouse home, sings of her unwavering love for Paul and her determination to be his guiding light in the darkness of the stormy sea:
> I'll be your candle on the water
> My love for you will always burn
> I know you're lost and drifting
> But the clouds are lifting
> Don't give up, you have somewhere to turn
The imagery of the candle and the water is powerful and evocative, capturing the essence of Nora's emotional state. Her love for Paul is like a burning flame, unwavering and constant, even as he faces the challenges of the open ocean. The clouds represent the obstacles and uncertainties that Paul endures during his absence, but Nora assures him that better days lie ahead.
In the next verse, Nora's voice soars with hope and determination:
> I'll be your candle on the water
> 'Till every wave is warm and bright
> My soul is there beside you
> Let a candle guide you
> Soon, you'll see a golden stream of light
Here, Nora promises to be a beacon of light for Paul, illuminating his path and offering comfort and hope. The "warm and bright waves" symbolize the comforting presence of her love, guiding him through the darkness.
The pre-chorus and chorus reinforce the strength of Nora's commitment to Paul and her belief in their reunion:
> A cold and friendless tide has found you
> Don't let the stormy darkness pull you down
> I'll paint a halo all around you
> Circling in the air
> Lighted by a prayer
>
> I'll be your candle on the water
> This flame inside of me will grow
> Keep holding on, you'll make it
> Here's my hand, so take it
> Look for me, reaching out to show
> As sure as rivers flow
> I'll never let you go
The imagery of the "halo" and the "flame inside of me" underscores Nora's spiritual connection with Paul and her unwavering belief in their destiny to be together.
"Candle on the Water" is a testament to the enduring power of love and hope in the face of adversity. Through Nora's character, Helen Reddy's performance captures the depth of emotion experienced by those awaiting the return of their loved ones. The song's message resonates beyond the film, inspiring listeners to be a "candle on the water" for those facing challenging times, offering support and guidance through the darkness.
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The song was written by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn
"Candle on the Water" is a song from the 1977 Disney film Pete's Dragon. The song was written by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn and performed by Helen Reddy, playing the character Nora. In the film, Nora sings to her lover, Paul, who is lost at sea. She longs for him to return home, and the song serves as a beacon of hope and support. The lyrics "I'll be your candle on the water, my love for you will always burn. I know you're lost and drifting, but the clouds are lifting" capture the sentiment of Nora's unwavering devotion and optimism.
Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn were experienced songwriters known for their work in film and television. They had a successful partnership, collaborating on numerous projects and winning multiple awards. Kasha, a talented composer, had a background in musical theatre and a passion for creating emotional and memorable melodies. Hirschhorn, on the other hand, brought a wealth of experience as a lyricist, with a unique ability to craft poignant and meaningful words that perfectly complemented Kasha's compositions. Their collaboration on "Candle on the Water" resulted in a timeless and beloved Disney song.
The song has had a lasting impact and has been covered by various artists over the years. It has been included on the DisneyMania 4 album, performed by Anneliese van der Pol, and briefly sung by Kristin Chenoweth and an a cappella group in the dramedy Pushing Daisies. In 2016, Okkervil River recorded a version for the Pete's Dragon remake. The enduring popularity of "Candle on the Water" is a testament to the songwriting prowess of Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn.
The lyrics of "Candle on the Water" were written to be uplifting and encouraging. The song's message of hope and support has resonated with audiences, offering a sense of comfort and reassurance. The imagery of a candle guiding someone through the darkness is powerful and evocative, and the sentiment of enduring love and optimism is universal. The song's theme of providing light in times of darkness has made it a timeless classic that continues to be cherished by Disney fans and music lovers alike.
Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn's "Candle on the Water" has become an iconic Disney song, recognized for its emotional impact and memorable melody. The songwriters' ability to capture the complex emotions of hope, longing, and devotion in a simple yet powerful way has ensured the song's enduring legacy. The combination of Kasha's captivating composition and Hirschhorn's heartfelt lyrics has created a musical moment that has touched the hearts of audiences for generations.
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Anneliese van der Pol sang it on DisneyMania 4
"Candle on the Water" is a song from the 1977 Disney film Pete's Dragon. It was originally recorded by Helen Reddy, who also played the role of Nora in the film. The song was written by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1977.
Anneliese van der Pol is a Dutch-American actress, singer, voice actress, and dancer. She is best known for her role as Chelsea Daniels in the Disney Channel Original Series That's So Raven and for playing Belle in the Broadway production of Beauty and the Beast. In 2006, van der Pol recorded a cover of "Candle on the Water" for DisneyMania 4. She has recorded several songs in association with the Disney Channel, including "Over It," which was featured on the Stuck in the Suburbs soundtrack.
Van der Pol's rendition of "Candle on the Water" is not the only cover of the song. It was also covered by Okkervil River for the 2016 remake of Pete's Dragon. Additionally, the song was performed briefly by Kristin Chenoweth and an unidentified a cappella group in the dramedy Pushing Daisies in the episode "The Legend of Merle McQuoddy."
The lyrics of "Candle on the Water" capture the sentiment of being a beacon of support for others when they are "lost and drifting." The song's message of hope and encouragement resonates with many, and it has become a beloved classic from the Disney film Pete's Dragon.
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Okkervil River performed it for the 2016 remake
"Candle on the Water" is a song from the 1977 Disney film Pete's Dragon. The signature song, written by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn, was performed by Helen Reddy in the film. Reddy's character, Nora, sings it to her lover, Paul, who is lost at sea. The song was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song in 1977 but lost to "You Light Up My Life".
The song has also been covered by other artists. Anneliese van der Pol sang it on the DisneyMania 4 album, and Kristin Chenoweth and an unidentified a cappella group performed it briefly in the dramedy Pushing Daisies in the episode "The Legend of Merle McQuoddy".
Okkervil River performed "Candle on the Water" for the 2016 remake of Pete's Dragon. The remake was a live-action/animated film by Walt Disney Pictures. The original 1977 film combined live-action and animation, starring Helen Reddy as Nora, a lighthouse keeper's daughter who sings to her lost lover.
The 2016 remake of Pete's Dragon featured an updated version of "Candle on the Water", keeping the song's original sentiment while adapting it for a new audience. Okkervil River's rendition maintained the song's theme of hope and support, reflecting the message of being a "candle of support" for others. The remake of the film and the song's new interpretation introduced this classic Disney song to a modern audience, showcasing its enduring appeal and ability to connect with listeners across generations.
Okkervil River's involvement in the 2016 remake of Pete's Dragon brought renewed attention to "Candle on the Water". Their interpretation of the song honoured the original while adding their own unique style. The remake of the film and the song's inclusion showcased the timeless nature of Disney classics and their ability to be reimagined for contemporary audiences, ensuring their continued relevance and resonance.
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Frequently asked questions
Helen Reddy sang "Candle on the Water" in the 1977 film Pete's Dragon.
Helen Reddy played the character of Nora in the film.
"Candle on the Water" was written by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn.
