Bernie Taupin says Candle In The Wind wasn’t inspired by the Hollywood star you thought

Elton John and Bernie Taupin in 2019

“Goodbye Norma Jean” Sir Elton John sings at the beginning of his hit song Candle In The Wind, which looks back on the life of the screen legend Marilyn Monroe.

However, in a new interview, the music icon’s longtime writing partner Bernie Taupin revealed that the song was actually inspired by a very different Hollywood star.

Bernie has now worked alongside the singer for decades, contributing lyrics while Sir Elton focuses primarily on the music.

In an interview in Friday’s edition of Graham NortonOn the BBC talk show, the lyricist revealed that he first wanted to write a song called Candle In The Wind after coming across the book of the same name by Alexander Solzhenitsyn.

“I liked the title of Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s book, which is a metaphor for a life that ended too soon,” he explained.

“At the same time, I saw The Misfits and was fascinated by Montgomery Clift, who died young. But then I wondered how many people would know who he was.”

Montgomery Clift in the early 1950s

Bernie later admitted: “Even if I didn’t like Marilyn Monroe, people would think she was a much more fragile and ‘candle in the wind’ character, so I’m glad I went with her choice.

“Otherwise, the story would have been very different.”

Marilyn Monroe photographed in London in 1956

Candle In The Wind was rewritten over 20 years after its original release to commemorate the death of princess diana.

Although Bernie recently admitted that the reimagined version didn’t leave too much of a lasting impression on him, he reiterated this during his interview with Graham Norton.

“I rewrote it in half an hour, it wasn’t difficult,” he said. “I only heard it once. a few times – once at the funeral and once in the studio, so I don’t remember a word about that!

Of his and Sir Elton’s creative process, he added: “Elton always takes what he’s given and never questions the actual content of the lyrics until later in the day, after it’s all recorded.”

That was certainly the case earlier this year, when the Grammy winner uncovered the origin story of one of his biggest hits – 50 years after its original release.

Watch Bernie Taupin’s interview on The Graham Norton Show, airing Friday at 10:40pm on BBC One.

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