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"Candle in the Wind 1997" is a song by Elton John, a re-written and re-recorded version of his 1973 song "Candle in the Wind". It was released on 13 September 1997 as a tribute single to the late Diana, Princess of Wales, with the global proceeds from the song going towards Diana's charities. In many countries, it was pressed a double A-side with "Something About the Way You Look Tonight". It was produced by Sir George Martin. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, with certified sales, it is "the best-selling single of all time."〔〔(Elton John: Biography | Rolling Stone Music ) ''Rolling Stone'' "Candle in the Wind 1997," easily became the all-time highest-certified single".〕 The ''Guinness World Records'' 2009 states that the song is "the biggest-selling single since UK and US singles charts began in the 1950s, having accumulated worldwide sales of 33 million copies".〔(Guinness Book of Records, 2007 Edition, page 187 )〕〔 See also: Guinness Book of Records, 2009 Edition, pages 14, 15 & 169 ()〕 After being released, "Candle in the Wind 1997" entered at number one in the UK Singles Chart, John's fourth UK number one single, and became the best-selling single in UK Chart history.〔〔 In October it became John's ninth U.S. number one single, where it topped the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 for 14 weeks, and is the best-selling single in ''Billboard'' history, and was the first single certified Diamond in the U.S.〔(Billboard 3 Apr 1999 ) ''Billboard'' Retrieved 24 February 2011〕 The song topped the German Singles Chart for seven weeks, the Australian ARIA Charts for six weeks, reached number one in Japan, Canada, France and music charts around the world.〔 The 1997 version won John the Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the 40th Grammy Awards ceremony in 1998.〔 At the 1998 Brit Awards the song was nominated for the Brit Award for Best British Single. The lyrics of the earlier version of "Candle in the Wind", written by Bernie Taupin, were a tribute to Marilyn Monroe. The opening lines of the 1973 version, "Goodbye Norma Jeane, though I never knew you at all," were adapted to "Goodbye England's rose, may you ever grow in our hearts." Most of the lyrics were adapted to suit the circumstances of Diana's life and death, but a notable omission was the line, "Even when you died, the press still hounded you..." which was replaced with the lyric, "Even though we try, the truth brings us to tears...". ==Background== On 31 August 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, died in a car crash in Paris, France. The news shocked Elton John, as he and the Princess had been very good friends. He had also lost another good friend, fashion designer Gianni Versace, earlier in the summer, whose funeral he had attended with Diana.〔(The Advocate 14 Oct 1997 ). Retrieved 25 December 2010〕〔Fred Bronson ''The Billboard book of number one hits'' p.860. ''Billboard Books'', 1997〕 John sank into a deep depression, and to cope with the grief, wanted to pay a tribute to Diana.〔 He contacted his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin, asking him to revise the lyrics of their 1973 song "Candle in the Wind" to honour her.〔 George Martin was contacted to help produce the song, and added a string quartet, (Peter Manning, Keith Pascoe, Levine Andrade, and Andrew Shulman), and woodwind (Pippa Davies, oboe) to help balance the recording.〔Barry Miles (Massive Music Moments ) p.207. Anova Books, 2008〕 It was recorded at Townhouse Studios in West London.〔 John publicly performed "Candle in the Wind 1997" only once, at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, in Westminster Abbey on 6 September 1997.〔 He continues to sing the original version of the song at his concerts, but has repeatedly turned down requests to perform the revised version,〔Katherine White (Elton John ) pp.11–12. The Rosen Publishing Group, 2003〕 even for the memorial Concert for Diana in July 2007, having vowed never to perform it again unless asked by Diana's sons. The song has never been released (or re-released) on any of his other albums or compilations, not even on the 1997 ''Diana, Princess of Wales: Tribute'' album (an official 2-CD release sanctioned by Diana's family that included other artists such as Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Queen, Celine Dion, and Rod Stewart).〔(Last FM: ''Diana, Princess of Wales: Tribute'' page ). Retrieved 15 January 2011〕 "Candle In The Wind 1997" was released as a CD single along with the song "Something About The Way You Look Tonight" on September 23, 1997.〔( Something About the Way You Look Tonight / Candle in the Wind 1997 )〕 However, "Candle In The Wind 1997" was included on "Diana, Princess of Wales, 1961-1997: The BBC Recording of the Funeral Service". The CD was released on 30 September 1997. 〔(Diana, Princess of Wales, 1961-1997: The BBC Recording of the Funeral Service )〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Candle in the Wind 1997」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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