Maddie James
Candle in the Wind is a song by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, released in 1973 and dedicated to Marilyn Monroe. In 1997, John and Taupin re-recorded the song as a tribute to Princess Diana, who had passed away that year. The song's universal themes of vulnerability and the fleeting nature of fame have made it one of John and Taupin's most famous collaborations. While the original version referenced Monroe's birth name, Norma Jeane, the rewritten version replaced these references with England's Rose.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of original release | 1973 |
| Original writer | Bernie Taupin |
| Original performer | Elton John |
| Original inspiration | Marilyn Monroe |
| Original subject | The fleeting nature of fame and life |
| Year of rewritten release | 1997 |
| Inspiration for rewrite | Princess Diana's death |
| Performer of rewrite | Elton John |
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What You'll Learn
The song's original inspiration
"Candle in the Wind", written by Bernie Taupin and performed by Elton John, was originally inspired by the life and tragic death of Marilyn Monroe. The song was released in 1974, over a decade after Monroe's passing, and included references to her birth name, Norma Jeane. Taupin has clarified that the song was not specifically about Monroe, but rather about the idea of fame, youth, and the fleeting nature of life. He has mentioned that it could have been about other icons who died young, such as James Dean, Jim Morrison, or Montgomery Clift, who starred alongside Monroe in the movie "The Misfits". Taupin was fascinated by Clift's life and early death but chose Monroe as a more widely recognised figure.
The lyrics of "Candle in the Wind" reflect on the tragic life of Marilyn Monroe and the challenges she faced, including the pressure of fame and the exploitation she endured. The song's opening line, "Goodbye, Norma Jean", sets the tone, acknowledging her real name and the persona she adopted for the world. The phrase "candle in the wind" captures the fragility of life and the sense of a life extinguished too soon.
In 1997, following the death of Princess Diana, Elton John and Bernie Taupin reworked the song as a tribute to her. This version, known as "Candle in the Wind 1997" or "Goodbye England's Rose", replaced references to Monroe with lyrics honouring Princess Diana. Taupin has shared that this rewrite took him about half an hour to complete, and he has only listened to it a couple of times since.
The original version of "Candle in the Wind" holds a significant place in musical history and was listed by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the greatest songs of all time. The song's universal themes of vulnerability and the transient nature of fame have resonated deeply with audiences, showcasing the songwriting prowess of the John-Taupin partnership.
While the inspiration for the song has been a subject of discussion, with some believing it was specifically about Marilyn Monroe, Taupin has maintained that the song's message transcends any one individual. The impact of "Candle in the Wind" lies in its ability to capture the complex relationship between fame and mortality, making it a poignant reminder of the fragility of life for generations to come.
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The 1997 version for Princess Diana
"Candle in the Wind 1997", also known as "Goodbye England's Rose", is a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, who died in a car crash in Paris on 31 August 1997. It 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 by Bernie Taupin and performed by Elton John at Princess Diana's funeral in Westminster Abbey on 6 September 1997.
The lyrics of the 1997 version were adapted to suit the circumstances of Diana's life and death. For example, the opening lines of the original song, "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 new lyrics were written by Taupin in about 5 to 10 minutes, according to an interview with Andy Cohen.
The song was produced by George Martin, who added a string quartet and woodwind instrumentation to the recording. It was released on 13 September 1997 and became a number-one single in the United Kingdom and several other countries. All artist and composer royalties and record company profits were donated to Diana's charities via the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. The song has sold over 33 million copies worldwide and is listed by Guinness World Records as the second-best-selling single of all time.
John has not performed the 1997 version live since Diana's funeral and it has not appeared on any of his subsequent compilation albums. He has vowed never to perform it again unless asked by Diana's sons.
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The song's title and meaning
"Candle in the Wind", written by English musician Elton John and songwriter Bernie Taupin, was originally penned in 1973 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, who had passed away 11 years earlier. The song's opening line, "Goodbye, Norma Jean", refers to Monroe's real name, Norma Jeane (or more commonly spelled, Jean) Mortenson. Taupin has explained that the song explores the universal themes of vulnerability and the fleeting nature of fame and youth. He has also noted that the song could have been about other icons who died young, such as James Dean, Jim Morrison, or Kurt Cobain.
In 1997, John and Taupin reworked the song as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, who had died in a car crash that year. The new version, titled "Candle in the Wind 1997" or "Goodbye England's Rose", replaced references to Norma Jeane with England's Rose and focused on the late Princess. Taupin has shared that he rewrote the lyrics in about half an hour and has only heard the 1997 version a couple of times.
The phrase "candle in the wind" was inspired by Russian writer Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn's play of the same name, which Taupin described as "a metaphor for a life snuffed out too soon." Taupin has also mentioned that he was influenced by actress Marilyn Monroe's tragic life and how society often treats its idols. He has clarified that the song was not necessarily intended as a personal tribute to Monroe herself but as a reflection on the fragility of human existence.
The original version of "Candle in the Wind" appeared on John's 1973 album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and was released as a single in 1974. The 1997 version, performed at Princess Diana's funeral, peaked at No. 1 in the United Kingdom and several other countries. It became the second-best-selling single in the world, with 33 million copies sold.
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The song's message and impact
The song "Candle in the Wind" was originally written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin as a heartfelt tribute to Marilyn Monroe. The iconic actress had passed away in 1962, and the song was released in 1973 as a track on John's album "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road." The song's message and impact are deeply intertwined with Monroe's life and legacy and reflect on her tragic early death at the age of 36.
The song's lyrics are filled with poignant imagery and symbolism, capturing the public's perception of Monroe's life and the sadness and wastefulness of her untimely death. The opening lines set the tone: "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." Here, John bids farewell to Monroe, referring to her by her birth name, Norma Jeane Baker. He acknowledges that he, like many others, didn't truly know the real person behind the celebrity facade, but he recognizes her inner strength and grace despite the exploitative nature of the industry and those who controlled her image.
The song continues with references to Monroe's iconic status and the public's perception of her: "And it seems to me you lived your life/ Like a candle in the wind/ Never knowing who to cling to when the rain set in./ And I would have liked to have known you/ But I was just a kid./ Your candle burned out long before/ Your legend ever did." These lyrics highlight the fragile nature of her existence, suggesting that she was vulnerable and easily extinguished, like a "candle in the wind," unable to find solace or protection from the storms of her life. John also expresses a sense of regret, wishing he could have known the real person behind the celebrity, but acknowledging that their paths in life never crossed due to their age difference and her early demise.
"Candle in the Wind" had a profound impact on popular culture and continues to resonate with audiences decades later. It not only pays tribute to Monroe's life and legacy but also serves as a cautionary tale about the dark side of fame and the pressures of living in the public eye. The song's message is a reminder to value and protect the humanity of those in the public sphere, to look beyond the celebrity facade, and to recognize the fragility and inherent worth of every individual.
The song's enduring popularity and emotional resonance have ensured its place in musical history. It has been covered by numerous artists and has become a standard at memorial services and tributes, reflecting its ability to capture the collective grief and sympathy of a nation or community. "Candle in the Wind" stands as a powerful testament to the impact of a life cut short and a reminder to cherish and protect the light within each of us.
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Bernie Taupin's creative process
Bernie Taupin is an English lyricist and visual artist, best known for his songwriting partnership with Elton John. Taupin and John have been working together since the 1960s, and their collaboration is considered one of the most successful of its kind in history.
Taupin's creative process typically involves writing lyrics on his own, which John then puts to music. Taupin has described how he writes on a guitar, as it gives him a "rhythmic sense". He plays chords and sings lines to himself, before writing them down in longhand. He then transfers his writing to a word processor to ensure he can remember what he has written.
Taupin has emphasised the universal themes of vulnerability and the fleeting nature of fame in "Candle in the Wind", which he believes allowed the song to resonate with audiences, regardless of the specific individual it was written for. The song was originally written in 1973 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier. Taupin has explained that he was fascinated by Monroe's tragic life and how it reflected the way society treats its idols. However, he has also noted that the song could have been about any number of iconic figures who died young, such as James Dean or Jim Morrison.
In 1997, Taupin rewrote the lyrics to "Candle in the Wind" as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, who had died in a car crash that year. He has stated that this version of the song was not something he spent a lot of time on and has only returned to it a couple of times since.
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Frequently asked questions
Bernie Taupin, who wrote the lyrics for "Candle in the Wind", has said that the song was originally inspired by Montgomery Clift, who died young. However, Taupin felt that a better-known icon was needed, so he chose Marilyn Monroe, whose life and tragic death at a young age reflected the song's themes.
Taupin has said that the song explores the fleeting nature of fame and the vulnerability that comes with it. He also noted 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.
Yes, the song was rewritten and rerecorded in 1997 as a tribute to Princess Diana, who had died that year. The new version, titled "Candle in the Wind 1997" or "Goodbye England's Rose", was performed by Elton John at Diana's funeral and released as a single, with proceeds going to Diana's charities.
