Artists
Elton John – lead vocals, piano
Davey Johnstone – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, backing vocals
Dee Murray – bass guitar, backing vocals
Nigel Olsson – drums, backing vocals
Written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin. Produced by Gus Dudgeon, recorded at Château d’Hérouville, France, on 7 May 1973. From Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (DJM Records, 1973); issued as a single on 4 February 1974 (3:50).
Written in honour of Marilyn Monroe, who had died 11 years earlier, though Taupin has said the song is really about fame and someone being cut down in their prime. Davey Johnstone had to be talked into playing the electric guitar melody that echoes the piano hook, and he, Dee Murray, and Nigel Olsson layered the song’s wailing backing vocals late at night without Elton present. The tune was later rewritten as “Candle in the Wind 1997” as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales.
Elton John, Bernie Taupin – Candle In The Wind Lyrics
Goodbye, Norma Jeane
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’ve liked to know 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
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’ve liked to know you
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did
Goodbye, Norma Jeane
Though I never knew you at all
You had the grace to hold yourself
While those around you crawled
Goodbye, Norma Jeane
From the young man in the 22nd row
Who sees you as something more than sexual
More than just our Marilyn Monroe
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’ve liked to know you
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did
To listen to other songs from the the Teleskop 22 program click here.