Every August, radio stations worldwide revisit Elton John's anthem Candle In The Wind, which became the musical embodiment of Princess Diana after her death on 30 August 1997. The redrafted version, Goodbye England's Rose, topped global singles charts, selling 33 million copies.
A Southampton car park discovery
The story began in a Southampton car park with 24-year-old TV rookie Kate Thornton, later known for The X Factor and Loose Women. She needed music for a Diana montage on the show Straight Up, anchored by Nick Knowles and Alison Martin.
With the studio's music library closed on a Sunday, Thornton found only one suitable tape in her car: Elton John's Greatest Hits. She recalled, "And I thought, well, you know what, she was our Marilyn – she was the princess for the young generation."
From funeral to record-breaking sales
Bernie Taupin rewrote the lyrics in five to ten minutes after Richard Branson suggested Elton sing at the funeral. The record, made overnight at Townhouse Studios, entered the UK chart at number one, selling 658,000 copies in a day and 1.5 million in the first week. In America, it sold 3.5 million in its first week and nearly 9 million overall.
Elton and Bernie waived royalties, as did management and record companies, allowing almost £35 million to go to the Princess Diana Memorial Fund. The final donation totalled £38 million, funding 727 grants to 471 organisations.
A lasting legacy
Elton sang the song only once, at Diana's funeral on 6 September 1997, and says he will not sing it again unless asked by Prince William or Prince Harry. The original Candle remains in his touring repertoire, including at Glastonbury 2023. The record's 33 million sales have only been exceeded by Bing Crosby's White Christmas.
