Candle In The Wind - Elton John
Song Lyrics / Artist Information / Chart History

  • Written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin in 1973
  • The song was written in tribute to Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jean Mortenson)
  • The initial 1973 recording did not chart, but a re-release in 1987 hit #6 on the Top 40 charts
  • The lyrics were re-worked by Taupin in 1997 upon the death of Princess Diana, and the new recording of this version became the highest selling single of all time.  Indeed, the 11 million sales outnumbered all of Elton John's previous Gold and Platinum singles combined
  • Shortly after the death of Princess Diana, Elton was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II to become Sir Elton John

Other songs by Elton John also performed by Oracle Band:


Song Lyrics - Candle In The Wind

Goodbye Norma Jean
Though I never knew you at all
You had the grace to uphold yourself
While those around you crawled

They crawled out of the woodwork
And they whispered into your brain
They set you on a 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 have liked to have known 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 have liked to have known you
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did

Goodbye Norma Jean
Though I never knew you at all
Goodbye Norma Jean
From the young man in the twenty-second row
Who sees you as something more than sexual
More than just 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 have liked to have known you
But I was just a kid
Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did


Note that the lyrics posted here are those as interpreted and performed by The Oracle Band. In a few cases we have taken some liberties with the lyrics to make them more appropriate for tasteful gatherings. Their use here is intended as an aid for people in selecting music for their wedding reception or private party, and may not be reproduced for any commercial, for-profit use.

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