Expert: Miquel Sala - 6/3/2004

Question
Hi, I am researching Candle in the wind for a high school music assignment and I was wondering if you could tell me all you know about Candle in the wind, Diana and Marilyns versions, focussing on performance/composition of both and what effects they had on Eltons career or anything else you may know about Candle in the wind!!!! Thank-you for your time.

Answer
Hello kiersten:

Thank you very much for your question and nice to meet you. Frist of all, I couldn't answer your question til this evening so, excuse me the silence. Thanks for your understanding. This is your answer:

"Candle in the Wind" is one of Elton's best-known classics. It's really sad because it's dedicated to Marilyn Monroe.
Bernie wrote “Candle in the wind” to illustrate how the Hollywood Star system could destroy that which it so desperatly sought to create. In the lyrics, Bernie tried to convey his belief that people fell for Marylin not because she was a sex object, but because they saw her vulnerability and wanted to comfort and protect her. “I wanted to say that it wasn't just a sex thing. That she was someone everybody could fall in love with, without being out of reach” explained Bernie.

“Candle in the wind” was released as a British single in February 1974, making number eleven in the charts. In January 1988, he had had a surprise single hit with his live Australian concert version of the song, which made number five in Britain and six in America.

For years, it has been the farewell encore of every concert, moving the audience to strike matches and cigarette lighters, and hold them aloft as in one huge, dark altar of frailly flickering candle flames. In Elton's words: “It's the only song I've ever written where I get goose bumps every time I play it”.

“Candle in the wind” Covers by other artists:
BB Band; Kate Bush; Classic Dream Orchestra; pianist Richard Clayderman; Countdown Singers; Roberto Danova; Sandy Denny; Eric Donaldson; Junior English; Evening Star Orchestra; James Galway; Innovations; Kostia; Erich Kunzel; Byron Lee; Bill Lefler; Moods Unlimited Orchestra;  Moonlight String Orchestra; John Morgan Orchestra; ONeill Brothers; David Osborne; Overtures;  Panpipes; Dwight Pinkney; Tim Reed; Jorge Rico; Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; Shadows; Spectrum; Starlite Orchestra; Boko Suzuki; David Syme; Synthesizer Rock Orchestra; Gary Tesca Orchestra; Tribute; Danny Wright; David Young.

Elton sang the song, a personal favourite of Princess Diana Spencer, at her funeral.Months earlier Elton had cradled the princess in his arms at the death of their mutual friend, designer Gianni Versace. Who first had the idea that popstar Elton John should sing at the funeral service will never be absolutely clear: Diana's elder sister Lady Sarah McCorquodale, or Virgin tycoon Richard Branson, a moving spirit in the funeral organisation. The number that Elton first considers playing was “Your song” but one whose first line “It's a little bit funny...” may not be quite suited to present circumstances. At least, Elton phoned Bernie in America and asked him  to rework the lyrics of the original 1974 song. The Royal family have indicated that they are special uncomfortable with the original line “Loneliness was tough, the toughest role you ever played (...) Even when you died, all the press still hounded you (...). After only a couple of hours, he faxed the new lyrics to Elton, which in turn faxed them to the Prime Minister and Diana's family for approval. Numerous people protested that the song should not call Princess Diana “England's rose”, sice she was princess to the people of Scotland and Wales too. But the lyrics remained as written.

The best-selling single in the history was this Elton's "Candle in the wind 1997" tribute to Lady Diana Spencer, bringing 1 multiplatinum, six platinum and 19 gold.

These are the lyrics:

“Candle in the wind”
Music by Elton John
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin
Available on the album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

"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

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

Loneliness was tough
The toughest role you ever played
Hollywood created a superstar
And pain was the price you paid
Even when you died
Oh the press still hounded you
All the papers had to say
Was that Marilyn was found in the nude

Goodbye Norma Jean
From the young man in the 22nd row
Who sees you as something as more than sexual
More than just our Marilyn Monroe".
© 1973 Dick James Music Limited

And,

“Candle in the wind 1997”
Music by Elton John
Lyrics by Bernie Taupin

"Goodbye England's rose
May you ever grow in our hearts
You were the grace that placed itself
Where lives were torn apart
You called out to our country
And you whispered to those in pain
Now you belong to heaven
And the stars spell out your name

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never fading with the sunset
When the rain set in
And your footsteps will always fall here
Along England's greenest hills
Your candle's burned out long before
Your legend ever will

Loveliness we've lost
These empty days without your smile
This torch we'll always carry
For our nation's golden child
And even though we try
The truth brings us to tears
All our words cannot express
The joy you brought us through the years

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never fading with the sunset
When the rain set in
And your footsteps will always fall here
Along England's greenest hills
Your candle's burned our long before
Your legend ever will

Goodbye England's rose
May you ever grow in our hearts
You were the grace that placed itself
Where lives were torn apart
Goodbye England's rose
From a country lost without your soul
Who'll miss the wings of your compassion
More than you'll ever know

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never fading with the sunset
When the rain set in
And you footsteps will always fall here
Along England's greenest hills
Your candle's burned out long before
Your legend ever will".
© 1997