Repurposing Track 2 (Song 3)

I previously posted an unedited rumination on Elton John’s “Funeral For A Friend”/“Love Lies Bleeding” that also discussed digital asset taxonomies.

This post looks at the following song on the album “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” and will also discuss identity and repurposing.

And I promise it will be shorter.

Who was “Candle in the Wind” REALLY about?

After the early death of Janis Joplin, Clive Davis referred to her as a “candle in the wind.”

And the phrase stuck with lyricist Bernie Taupin.

Because the phrase applied to so many troubled live fast die young types. Joplin’s own death was popularly linked with the deaths of Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison. And the phrase fit many others.

Including Norma Jeane Mortenson.

By the time lyricist Taupin was done with Mortenson, and his songwriting partner Elton John had added music to create “Candle in the Wind,” millions were convinced that Taupin was a Marilyn Monroe fanatic.

He wasn’t, but lines like “the young man in the 22nd row” certainly gave that impression.

But then came Farm Aid IV.

Ryan White

Farm Aid emerged from a desire to do for American farmers what prior efforts had done for people in Bangladesh and Ethiopia. And it wasn’t only for the Willie Nelsons, John Mellencamps, and Neil Youngs of the world. Elton John showed up by surprise at Farm Aid 4, with a special dedication.

“This one’s for Ryan.”

While Ryan White’s battle with AIDS was not haunted by demons like Monroe and the others, his death the next day was also untimely.

And one more repurposing

A few years later, for a grieving United Kingdom, Bernie Taupin altered the lyrics to the original song, and Elton John performed a tribute to his deceased friend Princess Diana.

And you thought “Funeral For A Friend”/“Love Lies Bleeding” was dark. “Candle in the Wind” is directly linked to four deaths—Janis Joplin, Marilyn Monroe, Ryan White, and Princess Diana—and indirectly linked to others.

I need something more cheerful…