English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer Elton John is nothing short of legendary. Boasting the highly prestigious EGOT status (aka being the recipient of an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony), there isn’t much he hasn’t accomplished. He earned an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as well as a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II, and he continues to dazzle the world with undiluted fashion and sonic genius.
Yet, among an extensive catalog that includes timeless hits like “Tiny Dancer” and “Rocket Man,” what many don’t know is that John’s biggest record was actually written in tribute to the late Princess Diana. That song is what the world knows as “Candle in the Wind.” Lyricist Bernie Taupin originally co-wrote the song alongside John in 1973 as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, thoughtfully reflecting on her life, fame, and tragic death. In 1997, John and Taupin rewrote those very lyrics to honor Princess Diana after her death. What they didn’t anticipate was that the song would turn into one of the best-selling singles ever.
The History Behind “Candle in the Wind”
Princess Diana and Elton John shared a very close friendship after meeting at a 1981 party for Prince Andrew‘s 21st birthday. The singer shared that Diana “was fabulous company, the best dinner party guest, incredibly indiscreet, a real gossip: you could ask her anything and she’d tell you.” They saw much of themselves in each other and felt a near-instant connection, finding overlap in their carefree spirits and shared passion for raising AIDs awareness. John openly described Diana as a “caring and very calming person” and expressed that they could be their “true selves” around each other, away from the pressures of their intrusively public lives. Their friendship, however, was even more deepened by their shared grief. Both John and Diana were devastated by the death of their mutual friend, Gianni Versace. Photos of Diana comforting a distraught John at the funeral have since become widely publicized, with no idea that her death would come only a month later on August 31, 1997.
The unexpected passing of Princess Diana covered the entire globe in grief, and John was certainly no exception. He had lost someone who served as a safe space for him to be his uninhibited self, shortly after losing another close friend in Versace. With music being the most natural way for him to release everything contained within, “Candle in the Wind” served as a vessel of exclamation for his grief. While the song was written for Monroe and performed in dedication to various impactful names, the song was intentionally changed in honor of Diana.
Elton John’s Touching Tribute to Princess Diana
John performed this version of “Candle in the Wind” at Princess Diana’s funeral, cementing it as a song in full devotion to her legacy. The performance served as one of the most memorable moments of the ceremony, proving wrong any concerns royal officials had about the song being “too sentimental.” The original version of the song appeared on John’s 1973 album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, with it’s opening line being “Goodbye, Norma Jean” in reference to Monroe’s real name. Changing that very line to “Goodbye English Rose,” the song was instantly transformed into a love letter for his dear friend.
This new version of “Candle in the Wind,” produced by George Martin, was released to the public in September 1997 and peaked at number one in the UK and several other countries, becoming John’s fourth number one single. It earned it’s slot in the Guinness World Records as the second-best selling single in the world, with 33 million copies sold, and as the highest-selling single since charts began in the 1950s. John, however, never performed the Princess Diana version of the song again, despite its explosive response.
Beyond its commercial success, the song meant something deeply personal to John, who felt a profound and devout love for his late friend. He found no joy in exploiting the deep and genuine friendship that they had. In her absence, John has continued to speak highly of Diana and support her sons, Prince William and Harry, even attending both of their royal weddings. This revised version of the song continues to serve as an open-hearted letter to Princess Diana, who will forever live on as an unforgettable part of history.
