Songwriters: Elton John & Bernie Taupin
Goodbye Norma Jean
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
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
chorus
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
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
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
[repeat chorus]
Goodbye Norma Jean
Though I never knew you at all
You had the grace to hold yourself
While those around you crawled
Goodbye Norma Jean
From the young man in the 22nd row
Who sees you as something more than sexual
More than just our Marilyn Monroe
Though I never knew you at all
You had the grace to hold yourself
While those around you crawled
Goodbye Norma Jean
From the young man in the 22nd row
Who sees you as something more than sexual
More than just our Marilyn Monroe
[repeat chorus]
© 1973 Dick James Music Limited
Lyrics found at:http://www.eltonography.com/songs/candle_in_the_wind.html
Form
The song "Candle in the Wind", written by Taupin and John, has a total of 6 stanzas. Stanzas one, three and five are unique with stanzas two, four and six being refrains, or as in the music world are the chorus. Another refrain in the song is the first line of the song, "Goodbye Norma Jean". It repeats this line in the first and fourth line of the fifth stanza. The rhyme scheme is consistent throughout, with an ABCBDEFE method. There seems to be no apparent meter count to the lines; however, they all range from 5-10 syllables and the artist while performing it makes it flow extremely well. Furthermore, the author did not use specific periods and commas, simply broke down the lines as presented.
Stylistic Elements
This poem is spoken from Elton John himself. Evidence of this is in the main chorus; John states "I would have liked to know you/But I was just a kid." This song, released in 1973, was written 11 years after the death of Marilyn Monroe; at which point John himself would have been only 15, or "just a kid". Furthermore, in the fifth stanza he states "From the young man in the 22nd row", which also points to it being John as the speaker. The tone is obviously both sad and remorseful. This not only becomes evident in the music accompanying these lyrics, but also through the lyrics itself. The theme of death throughout the poem creates a sad vibe. Furthermore, John's continuous talk of Monroe not being looked at as a person, rather than just a figure, also gives the feeling of sadness or remorse. The song is filled with examples of poetic language; most notably the title itself. Stating in the chorus "It seems to me you lived your life/Like a candle in the wind", is firstly a simile by definition. Moreover, the phrase "candle in the wind" is a metaphor meaning something being short lived and difficult. The song goes on to explain how her life of the short 36 years was difficult, because she could not be her true self under a false identity, eventually leading to her drug problem and then death. The metaphor of life to a candle is continued in the chorus by "Your candle burnt out long before/Your legend ever did". Furthermore, another metaphor is in the first stanza, seventh line stating "They put you on a treadmill", simply meaning doing the same thing over and over again.
Content
The entire song is a tribute to the life of who we refer to as Marilyn Monroe. The song seems to focus around the struggles she had with being a worldwide sex symbol and not simply Norma Jean Mortenson. The author emphasizes this point with the refrain line "Goodbye Norma Jean". It also gives other examples such as in the last line of the first stanza "And they made you change your name", and even throughout the third stanza stating how hard life as a celebrity can be (Hollywood created a superstar/And pain was the price you paid) even after death. I think the theme of this song is living the celebrity life possibly isn't all glamor but also puts you under a microscope, exposing you to the world, which isn't easy. I like this song because both the lyrics and music seem to be so genuine and very thoughtful. This song had great world implications when it was broadcast around the globe in the 1997 version, customized to the death of Princess Diana, which still remains the #1 selling single of all time.
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