On October 11, 1997, Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind 1997” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the tribute to Princess Diana would go on to become one of the defining songs of the late ’90s.
However, the tune wasn’t just a rehash of the 1973 version that was originally meant for Marilyn Monroe. John and lyricist Bernie Taupin reworked it into “Goodbye England’s Rose,” adding new lines tailored to Diana’s legacy.
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“I thought it was very important to project it from a nation’s standpoint,” Taupin said during a documentary on the making of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. “I wanted to make it sound like a country singing it.”
Diana’s funeral was the one and only time John would perform the song live with those lyrics. While he still performs the original, he’s publicly stated he turns down requests for the version honoring the princess.
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How It Dominated the Charts
“Candle in the Wind 1997” held the top spot on the Hot 100 for a staggering 14 consecutive weeks, longer than any other song released that year. It not only became John’s best-selling single, but was certified Diamond in the U.S., and became one of the first physical singles to earn that certification when it was introduced by the RIAA two years later in 1999.
With more than 33 million copies sold worldwide, “Candle in the Wind 1997” remains the best-selling physical single of all time, according to Guinness World Records. The double A-side release, which was paired with “Something About the Way You Look Tonight,” topped charts around the world. John donated all of the profits from the single and raised more than $47 million for the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. It quickly went from a song honoring the late royal to a historic act of philanthropy.
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Where ‘Candle in the Wind 1997’ Stands Today
While streaming has rewritten the way hits are measured, modern blockbusters like Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” and The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” are among the few songs that have achieved a comparable global reach in the digital era. Even by 2025 standards, “Candle in the Wind 1997” still stands as one of the top five most-listened to songs, when both physical and digital eras are considered.
