CANDLE IN THE WIND 1997
“Candle in the Wind 1997” is a threnody song with music and lyrics by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. It was originally written in 1973, in honor 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 second best-selling single of all time, behind Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas”. (More from Wikipedia)
Melissa Etheridge’s male counterpart in the rock world, Elton John has been openly gay for many years and is the largest selling recording artist of all time. His tribute to Princess Diana, “Candle in the Wind 1997” alone has sold 33 million copies, more than any other single in history. This song opens with the words “Goodbye English Rose” and is a rewrite of a song called “Candle in the Wind” from Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (1973) that was in honor of Marilyn Monroe.
(January 2014)
