“Candle In The Wind,” a cornerstone of Elton John’s repertoire and featured on every edition of his ‘Diamonds’ Greatest Hits collection, stands as one of his most cherished compositions. Its significance extends beyond the poignant 1997 rendition dedicated to Princess Diana, rooted in a rich history dating back to 1973.
Recorded on May 7, 1973, at Château d’Hérouville in France, this modern hymn emerged as the third single from the iconic Goodbye Yellow Brick Road album across all territories, except in the United States where “Bennie And The Jets” took precedence. During the spring of 1974, it graced the UK Singles Chart for nine weeks, reaching its peak position at number 11. Its enduring appeal is further solidified by its inclusion in Rolling Stone magazine’s prestigious list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Musically, the ballad in E-major is elegantly constructed upon a foundation of simple yet contemplative piano chords and an accompanying guitar melody. Elton’s guitarist, Davey Johnstone, initially resisted the now-iconic electric guitar line that mirrors Elton’s piano hook at the chorus’s end. As Davey recounted, “When he sang the part to me, I went, ‘That’s so cheesy. You’re not serious. I’m not going to play that.’ It’s one of the rare instances we’ve had a disagreement in the studio. But Elton insisted, ‘Will you at least try it?’ Reluctantly, I conceded, and upon hearing it back, I admitted, ‘Okay, that does sound good.’” This anecdote underscores the serendipitous nature of creative collaboration and the evolution of a song’s signature elements.
The captivating melody of the “candle in the wind” line proved so compelling that album engineer David Hentschel incorporated it as the crescendo of his instrumental introduction to Goodbye Yellow Brick Road‘s opening track, “Funeral For A Friend.” Keen listeners can discern this melodic echo, played on synthesizer, around the 1:18 mark of “Funeral For A Friend,” demonstrating the song’s thematic and melodic interconnectedness within the album. “Candle In The Wind”, in its original and revisited forms, remains a testament to Elton John’s songwriting prowess and its deep resonance with audiences worldwide.
