Elton John's Song 'Candle In The Wind'

1 April 2014
Candle in the Wind
Sir Elton Hercules John CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947 is an English singer-songwriter, composer, pianist, record producer, and occasional actor. He has worked with lyricist “Bernie Taupin” as his songwriter partner since 1967; they have collaborated on more than 30 albums to date. (Paragraph 1)
“Candle in the Wind” is a name of a song performed by Elton John and written by he and collaborator Bernie Taupin in 1972. The song was originally written as a tribute to Hollywood movie star Marilyn Monroe who died at the age of 36 in August 1962. Taupin had been inspired by the phrase “candle in the wind” when he heard someone use
it to describe Janis Joplin, the blues-rock singer who died of a heroin overdose in 1970. (paragraph2)
“Candle in the wind” was not just tribute song for one person.
I see this song as a massage from the writer to every human who lives in the face of the earth; means “good people are living inside of us no matter if they are dead or alive. Although they left our world; they also left actions, and memories.” There are too many candles live in the universe, we did not even know about them. They live in the dark but spread the light through the flame which dancing in the wind.
This song is one of the biggest hits in the history of music; it was one of the best-selling songs in three decades (1974, 1988, and 1997). People had an argument about the 1974 version, and 1997.
In 1973 the lyrics were written by Bernie Taupin as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. Elton John wrote the music, in 1974 when album “Good bye yellow brick road” was produced and included “candle in the wind.” In fact Elton John had the feeling that Marilyn Monroe lived her life in a great pain and suffered a lot. When he chose to write the music for these lyrics, he was not trying to play on people’s emotions, he actually felt the sadness which any person will feel when he/she loses beloved one. I think It hurts so much more if that person we lost was generous, thoughtful, and helping others without
selfishness.
According to Bernie Tupin:
The song is more of a take on fame and celebrity than an ode to Marilyn Monroe. It 's just that the song could just as easily have been about James Dean or Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain. It could have been about Sylvia Plath or Virginia Woolf. I mean, basically, anybody, any writer, any actor/actress, or any musician who died young. (Paragraph 3)
I totally agree with Bernie.
It is not only for any famous celebrity. It would affect anyone who lost his/her father, uncle, or any other beloved one. I think the words were very emotional. When I hear the music without the lyrics I feel like it was written from a lover to his partner. I am a classic romantic music fan myself. I would group “Candle in the Wind” with most emotional songs. While I read the “Candle in the wind” lyrics with no music I always remember this song “can I touch you there” by “Michael Bolton,” both songs give me that feeling of the need of someone; but for some reasons out of my hand we both cannot be
together.
In 1997 “Elton John” rewrote the same song to tribute Princess of Wales Diana. With no doubt, when we listen to such kind of music, it recalls a sad day from the past, or makes us remember someone we are really missing so much. When Elton John played this song solo in her funeral, all the audience cried for the young beloved princess who died on a tragic accident, he made everyone around the world recall her generous actions for orphans and kids in the poor countries. There was nothing gathered those children together, except they are humans. However, she spent her time, money, and feelings just to put smiles on their faces. Over ten million people watched the princess funeral; people all over the world agreed on one thing it was a sad day to the whole world. What I learned from this song is the candle burns itself, and spreads the light through the darkness. Even though, the flame is dancing in the wind; People should not look at the flame itself, they have to consider the burning candle as well.
Some people in U.S.A. might say, “This song was originally written for Marilyn Monroe, we loved the song that way, and we do not accept when British people claim it was written for Princess of Wales Diana. American people believe that Marilyn was a part of the American history why they want to change it.”
I disagree with some of these words for some reasons. First of all, both Princess Diana, and Marilyn were part of our world, no one can deny it. Second, both tried to change the world to be a better place to live. Marilyn used her talent, Diana used her humanity. In addition, they were not just two famous celebrities who died in accidents; people thought of them as friends not as celebrities.
By asking some of my friends - with different backgrounds - about the song, they said, “Candle in The Wind, is not just a song we listen to, the words and the music are living inside each one of us and every person has a different way to interpret its words.”
“Goodbye Norma Jean” or “Goodbye England’s Rose”, names might change, no matter how the writer stated the first line of the song or rewrite new lyrics, adding few words or deleting few words, the idea of the song still gives us the same meaning. “Your candle’s burned out long before, your legend ever will.” We have to remember each person who was part of our life one day with love and good memories. And remember each one of us has a legend person who will never forget.

Works Cited
Elton John Web 3/22/2014

“Candle in The Wind” pophistorydig.com Web. 3/17/2014

“Candle in The Wind” songfacts.com Web. 3/6/2014 < http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=1313 >