Candle in the Wind

For the 1997 version in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales, see "Candle in the Wind 1997".

"Candle in the Wind"
Cover of 1986-87 live version.
Single by Elton John
from the album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
B-side	"Bennie and the Jets"
Released	1974
Format	Vinyl record (7")
Genre	Pop rock, glam rock
Length	3:50
Label	MCA (U.S./Canada) DJM Records
Writer(s)	Elton John, Bernie Taupin
Elton John singles chronology
"Step into Christmas" (1973) Candle in the Wind (1974) "Bennie and the Jets" (1974)
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road track listing Side One "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding" "Candle in the Wind" "Bennie and the Jets" Side Two "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" "This Song Has No Title" "Grey Seal" "Jamaica Jerk-Off" "I've Seen That Movie Too" Side Three "Sweet Painted Lady" "The Ballad of Danny Bailey (1903-34)" "Dirty Little Girl" "All the Girls Love Alice" Side Four "Your Sister Can't Twist (But She Can Rock 'n' Roll)" "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" "Roy Rogers" "Social Disease" "Harmony"

"Candle in the Wind" is a song with music by Elton John and lyrics by Bernie Taupin. It was originally written in 1973, in honour of Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier.

In 1997, John performed a rewritten version of the song as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales. This version of the song was released as a single, and reached No. 1 in many countries, proving a much greater success than the original, officially being listed as the highest selling single of all time.

Original version

The original version in the key of E major appeared on John's 1973 album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. The lyrics of the song are a sympathetic portrayal of the life of Marilyn Monroe (the song's opening line "Goodbye Norma Jeane" refers to Monroe's real name). The single release of the original song reached No. 11 in the U.K. charts in 1974. At the time, it was not released as a single in the United States ("Bennie and the Jets" was chosen instead). Taupin was inspired to write the song after hearing the phrase "candle in the wind" used in tribute to Janis Joplin.

This version is ranked No. 347 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

On 7 April 1990, at Farm Aid 4, John dedicated the song to Ryan White, his friend who was suffering from AIDS. White died from AIDS complications the next day.

1986 live version

On 14 December 1986, a live version of the song was recorded in Sydney, Australia. It was released in 1987 on the album Live in Australia with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and as a single. In 1988, it reached No. 5 in the UK charts and No. 6 in the United States.

1997 version

Main article: Candle in the Wind 1997

"Candle in the Wind 1997" or "Goodbye England's Rose" is a re-recording of "Candle in the Wind" as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales. Released in 1997, the song peaked at No. 1 in the United Kingdom, becoming John's fourth No. 1 single. It also peaked at No. 1 in several other countries. Guinness Book of Records 2007 states that "Candle In the Wind 1997" is the biggest-selling single "since records began," but that Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" has sold the most copies.^{[citation needed]} John said he would never again sing this version live except at the request of The Duke of Cambridge or Prince Harry.^{[citation needed]} It has, apparently, only been played twice: once during the memorial service and again shortly thereafter when it was recorded for the single, which was produced by George Martin.

2003 Acoustic Remix

Using the exact same vocal take as the original 1973 recording, engineer Greg Penny has stripped away all instrumentation except Davey Johnstone's acoustic guitar. Even the double-tracking of the lead vocal was removed, leaving Elton and the original chorus to expose an unexpectedly refreshed listening experience of this poignant tribute to Marilyn. The remix first appeared as a bonus track on the 30th Anniversary edition of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, and subsequently on the 2003 EP Remixed.

Cover versions

• English folk singer Sandy Denny recorded a cover version for her 1977 "Rendezvous album"
• English alternative singer Kate Bush recorded a cover version for her 1993 "Eat the Music" single
• English punk band Leatherface recorded a cover version for their second album "Fill Your Boots" in 1990
• In 1991 CKBE-FM David Tyler.
• Hong Kong born singer Wing covered the song on her 2009 album "Beat It".