#goodbye norma jean

[eriksangel666]

New podcast episode is up! This week, we step off the yellow brick road with Elton John and discuss the music of one of his most iconic albums on its 50th anniversary.

[andtosaturn]

Goodbye, Norma Jeane, though I never knew you at all.

cellphonehippie’s october prompt list 2023 — day 11: before your time

[maulmorgue]

Goodbye Norma Jean

[writing-fanics]

Can I request an angsty Eddie fic? In which he’s been spending so much time with chrissy that he’s been neglecting reader, his girlfriend. He’s been very dismissive and it’s to the point he’s ignoring reader to hang with Chrissy, so time skip after Chrissy is vecna’d and the gang knows that one’s favorite music can save them and max is saved in the graveyard, reader is vecna’s next victim, but ultimately dies because Eddie can’t remember her favorite song :(

candle in the wind

eddie munson x fem!reader

.warning: blood: gore: angst: hints towards abuse: implied sexual intercourse.

(a/n: to give Chrissy a bit more time I’ll be having her spend more time with Eddie. So she’ll meet him earlier. As well added in some fluff moments with Eddie and Y/n before their worlds come crashing down)

Italics mean inside vecna’s mind and non means it’s the real world. Y/n’s traumatic event happened in 83

‘Goodbye, Norma Jeane.’

‘Though I never knew you at all’

Eddie was driving both him and (Y/n) to school. She looked out the window watching as they drove past the trees, as Candle in the Wind continued to play. Humming along with the song, in a world of her own.

“Eddie?” (Y/n) said, still looking out the window. Eddie’s eyes still on the road ahead, “Yes, Princess?” He answered. She chuckled softly at the nickname he gave her.

“Do you think we’ll be together forever?” She asked. Turning to look at her boyfriend.

Raising his left eyebrow as his eyes stayed on the road, “Like, most couples don’t last past high school. It’s rare for high school sweethearts to get married.” She continued, wondering about their future.

“Where’s this coming from?” He asked, and she just shrugged her shoulders in response. Shaking her head she looked down, “Nevermind, it was stupid for me to even ask.” She mumbled, leaning back into the passenger seat.

Eddie’s gaze drifted towards her; “Well, I can tell you one thing Princess.” He says, taking one of his hands off the steering wheel.

Grabbing ahold of (Y/n)’s hand, “You’re someone I want to spend the rest of my life with.” He says, and she smiles intertwining her fingers with his.

He brought her hand raising it towards his lips pressing a kiss against it. Her heart skipping a beat as she watched him do so.

“You Eddie Munson, are a flirt.” She giggles. He turns towards her with a goofy smile making her laugh.

“Now.”

“No more depressing questions for the reminder of the day.” He said, and she nodded. Her gaze staying on her boyfriend for a bit, then back towards the window.

Suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her head. Clutching the side of her head as she winced, “Hey? You alright?” He asked, and she turned to look at him.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” She stammered. She noticed blood running down the side of her nose. Grabbing a tissue she wiped the blood off her nose.

“Are you sure. You’ve been complaining about headaches for about a couple of days.” He says, and she looks at him.

“I-I’m fine really.” She says, reaching into her bag and grabbing some Tylenol and taking some.

Once they arrived at school. (Y/n) gave Eddie a kiss on the lips. And started walking towards her first period. Her fingers taping to the rhythm of Candle in the Wind on her backpack strap.

During lunch (Y/n) sat with her boyfriend and the other Hellfire Club members. Eddie was holding her hand underneath the table. Making her smile. As she ate her lunch, listening to them talk about the upcoming end to their Curse of Vecna campaign.

Hearing how Eddie passionately talked about D&D. Made her happy. Once school was over (Y/n) waited for Eddie, on the sidewalk beside his car.

She knew he had a deal but not the person. He told her it wouldn’t take long and to just wait. But twenty minutes became forty. Then an hour, and longer. She didn’t know what was taking him so long.

Did something happen? Is he alright?

“Sorry I’m late princess.” He says, running up to her and she smiled as she looked at him.

“Did something happen?” She asked, and he shook his head.

“No, sorry princess.” He says, planting a kiss on her forehead. She chuckled softly, as he pulled her up from the sidewalk.

“I was thinking maybe bring you to my house?” He said, giving her a knowing look. Causing her to playfully hit his chest as one arm wrapped around her waist, “oh, and what will we be doing there?” she asked, and he looked down at her.

“If it involves you studying then I’ll take you up on that offer.” She says, and he rolls his eyes. “Oh, I’ll be studying alright.” He says, eyeing her body up and down.

Her eyes widened and she playfully hit his chest once more. She then ran towards the passenger side of the car and opened the door. Sitting in the car, and buckling herself up.

Eddie just stood there and she leaned over honking the horn. Shouting at him to get his behind in the car. He had a giddy smile on his face, as he ran towards his car and getting inside.

Starting it and backing it up out of the parking space. And starting to drive towards his trailer.

(The Next Day)

(Y/n) shoot up from her nightmare. The blanket no longer covering her bare chest. Her breathing quickened as she looked around, realizing she’s still in Eddie’s room. She calmed down.

She looked down seeing Eddie still fast asleep beside her, his hair covering half his face. Turning towards the clock, it was almost time for school.

“Eddie. Baby.” She whispered. Gently shaking him trying to stir him awake, “Hmm?” He groaned, shifting in his sleep.

“It’s almost time for school.” She says, looking at him. He groaned in response, turning away from her not wanting to wake up.

A sigh escaped her lips as she got up from bed. Picking up their clothes from last night scattered across the floor. Going into Eddie’s closet and at least making the wake up process easier, and grabbing clothes from his closet.

She knelt down finding some of her own clothes she left. Just in case she ever stayed the night. After washing up a bit and putting on her clothes. She made a quick breakfast for them.

After about eight minutes. Eddie emerged from his room. “Morning, sleepyhead.” She said, planting a kiss on his cheek.

“Eddie, I was wondering maybe we go see a movie? I’ve been wanting to see Pretty in Pink for a bit now?” She asked. She knew it wasn’t his kind of movie but she wanted to spend time with her boyfriend.

“You know it’s not my kind of movie?” he replied. And she nodded in response.

“I know. But I wanna spend time with my boyfriend.” She said, and he looked at her.

“Hmm, we’ll see Princess.” He said, and she giggled handing him his plate of food. Pressing a kiss on her forehead she smiled.

The next couple of days Eddie slowly became more and more dismissive. One day he’ll have a date planned with (Y/n) then the next he cancels it. That day after school he was going to take her to see a movie. She sat there at the school for hours watching the sunset, and he never showed up.

By the time he arrived. They’d missed the showing she wanted to see. Because she had a test the next day. Eddie apologized profusely she nodded at the apology. But deep down she was upset.

It wasn’t until the day of the championship game she figured out why he canceled and was late for everything. She was a bit late leaving the D&D campaign just at the same time the game had ended, she had to use the restroom.

And by the time she finished using the restroom. She saw Eddie pulling out of the parking spot with Chrissy Cunningham in the passenger seat. Uptown Girl by Billy Joel playing, as he left.

Not even noticing his own girlfriend standing in the parking lot. With no way home. It was late at night and she didn’t feel comfortable asking someone to drive her home.

(Y/n) never felt more alone in this moment before. Her own boyfriend someone she loves. Wanted to spend more time with Chrissy Cunningham than his own girlfriend.

She needed him more than ever right now. She’s tried talking to him so many times but leaves abruptly. (Y/n) stared at the ground fighting back the tears, as she made the long walk home.

Chrissy’s dead. And Eddie’s wanted for murder. He’s on the run hiding in Reefer Rick’s shed. Traumatized by watching Chrissy die. (Y/n)’s nightmares seemed to be getting worse as well, more vivid the headaches becoming almost unbearable.

One’s favorite music can save someone’s life. Like how Kate Bush’s Running up that Hill saved Max in the graveyard. If only Eddie could remember (Y/n)’s.

“Dude! How can you not know her favorite song!” Dustin shouted, at Eddie who stared at (Y/n) terrified.

“I-I-I can’t remember.” Eddie mumbled, and Dustin looked at him in absolute shock. (Y/n) was moments away from being killed, and they had nothing to save her.

Eddie couldn’t remember the song for some reason. God, how stupid is he that’s his girlfriend for crying out loud. In need of saving.

And he couldn’t do anything. Why couldn’t he remember her song. “Eddie, come on think of something!” Dustin pleaded, the others rummaging through a box of old cassette tapes.

(Y/n) whimpered, seeing the vision of her mother lying on the ground dead. Her father standing over the lifeless body of his wife. His hands covered in her blood.

“It’s all your fault.” The distorted voice of her mother said, looking at (Y/n). Her father hands dripping in blood stalked towards (Y/n, who backed away terrified.

“I-I’m sorry. I-I.” She cried. She just watched her mother be murdered by her father. And didn’t do anything. Her mother calling out her name for help still haunted her to this day.

The guilt continued to eat her up. If she’d only call the cops. Or helped her mother. Maybe she’d still be her. “You wanted me to die.”

“You didn’t care.”

“You are a coward.”

She sobbed, unable to move from under the table. Her father getting closer and closer, the voices of thoses of her family members. Blaming her for her mothers death and not doing anything. Pointing the guilty finger at her. Their distorted voices tormenting her.

“Maybe Uptown Girl by Billy Joel?” Eddie said, looking at Dustin. Steve threw Dustin the song who placed into the cassette player, and started the song.

‘Uptown girl’

‘She's been living in her uptown world.’

(Y/n) shuddered hearing the song. She hated this song. She screamed clawing at her ears at it continued playing. The illusion becoming more and more vivid and gruesome, her mothers pleas for her echoed once more. As a distorted version of Uptown Girl continued to play.

“Please stop!” (Y/n) sobbed. She was pulled from underneath the table. Her screams echoed around her she felt as if she was losing her voice. From all the screaming.

“Why isn’t it working?!” Dustin said, worriedly. Eddie looked down it wasn’t her favorite song.

“Your suffering will soon end.” Vecna said, as he looked at her. She didn’t move just sat there on the ground crying. Hugging her knees to her chest.

“Y/n! Please baby wake up!” Eddie pleaded, shaking her shoulders. As the others continued looking through cassette tapes, “What about Elton John?!” Max shouted.

“No she doesn’t listen to him.” Eddie said, looking back at (Y/n). Why couldn’t he remember her favorite song?

(Y/n)’s heart broke hearing this despite hating, Uptown Girl by Billy Joel. She heard him. Did he really forget her favorite song?

Did he really just say that?

“How can he forget?” She whimpered, not caring about Vecna standing over her. Her entire body started shaking. As Vecna’s long nails dug into her skull, lifting her up into the air.

Eddie fell back in horror watching as her bones began to crack. “Y/n!” Eddie screamed, as the others watched in horror. Tears brimmed his eyes as he watched as her limbs were broken by Vecna.

Her body fell to the ground with a thud. Eddie falling to his knees, as he held her in his arms. He couldn’t breathe he couldn’t think. He’d just watch his girlfriend die. Someone he was supposed to spend the rest of his life with.

Someone he neglected. He ignored. He rocked her body back and forth as he held her close to his chest. Sobbing into the crook of her neck. He should’ve been there for her when she needed him.

The guilt was eating him up already. Because he forgot her favorite song. But because he chose to go see Pretty in Pink with Chrissy Cunningham rather than being there for (Y/n). During the three year anniversary of her mothers death.

Just a couple of weeks ago.

[katieroo28]

need elton john to remake “candle in the wind” but replace the lyrics “goodbye, norma jean” with “goodbye tanya mcquoid-hunt”

our nation is in mourning

[todaysleap]

Today is April 4 and today's leap is:

Goodbye Norma Jean (S5, E18) April 4, 1960

[chelsamander]

Goodbye, Norma Jean (1976)

[grayintogreen]

You're really into intricate CR lore and stuff so I wanted to ask... Who do you think the Matron is to Ludinus? I'm a casual viewer so I like the theory that she's his mother (because he reeks of mommy issues energy and because it would be a funny "what's my mother's name?" ref LOL)

I like that theory too, even if I don't think it's likely because it reads as a bit too soap opera for Matt's usual narratives to the average viewer, though to ME, I think it reads as particularly fascinating since no one alive is supposed to remember who she was and Ludinus clearly knows SOMETHING.

He doesn't want to find out how she ascended and he has no love for any other gods, but he speaks of her... I won't say kindly, but definitely respectfully, and I feel like a god-hater would have MORE reason to despise a mortal who rose to godhood if she was Just Some Chick. Having a relationship with her, either familial or possibly romantic (this is actually my secondary opinion- we'll get into that in a minute) would justify his elaborate attempts to get her attention. (Vax isn't the only person who could provide a sliver of divinity- there are actual minor gods wandering around on the Material Plane. And he was also NOT THE EASIEST to obtain- he went for him specifically.) Couple that with his obsession of trying to find her name and you definitely get the impression of someone who knew her.

Now is it possible he had a full "Goodbye Norma Jean" childhood obsession with a stranger and found her entire story unfair and sad? Possibly! I'm not discounting it, especially since Ludinus's anger doesn't necessarily strike me as being made of Freudian excuses. It's full atheist rage. That doesn't mean he couldn't be pissed because his mom or the girl he had a crush on in high school ascended to godhood. (No but really the funniest option for Ludinus's anger would be that the RQ was his crush and he's an incel on top of being a belligerent atheist. Like just run the full gamut of bullshit.)

So in conclusion, I'm not really sure what the connection is, but there has to be come connection even if it's just him having an obsession with someone he's never met because he feels entitled to understanding why she did it and figuring out if he can undo it.

Because I do think his ultimate goal with her is making her mortal again. I just don't know if it's because he thinks she deserves a different punishment than the other gods or if it's some misguided attempt to "save her."

[captain-aralias]

Meme: Top 10 vs personal top 10

Rules: List your "top 10" (or up to 10 if you haven't written that many) fics ranked by kudos on AO3. Are you surprised by what's most popular to your readers? Then, under a cut, provide your ranking of your personal top 10 fics (with explanations if you want!), and then tag a few fellow writers!

thanks @forabeatofadrum for the tag! i thought i should do this meme, having used your tag for something else...

tagging @facewithoutheart @martsonmars @fight-surrender @stitchy-queerista @bookish-bogwitch @artsyunderstudy @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @orange-peony @bunn1cula @thisbluespirit

all my most kudosed fics are CO, which is great in a way because it means 'legally blonde, the musical' is out. but also - RIP blake's 7, RIP doctor who. it's ok, i only spent years of my life writing for you.

Sex and Blood 

Keep Calm 

Hang the Moon 

Fuck the Wavering Wood

The Mage's Heir

The Sound of Silence 

The sky isn’t black anymore

Restoration Ecology

Coming up for air 

Goodbye, Norma Jean 

and my actual favs below the cut (not just CO) ....

The Mage's Heir - Carry On

The Importance of Being On Stage - Gallifrey/Who

Human Nature - B7

Restoration Ecology  - Carry On

Classroom Politics - Carry On

An Apple Cleft in Two - B7

The Enigmatic Blake - B7

Computer Chess - B7

The Guy Who Caught Him - B7

When We Were Six - Who

my favourite CO and B7 fics are all the big hitters (except not Keep Calm - it's good, but... maybe I just didn't enjoy writing it enough that early into the fandom and it's tarnished by that), plus 'Computer Chess', which is a minor work really - but i just think it works so well. the Who fics are really short - but again, i can't find much fault with them, in comparison with something like RE that i love but is FULL of faults. the Gallifrey one is seriously one of my fav things I've ever written, even though it's just the same joke over and over.

honourable mentions to things like... Hopelessly Miscast, Hang the Moon, Norma Jean in CO, Roj Blake and Other Phobias (a terrible name in that I could not remember it for a moment - I was like, I know it wasn't called Not!Gayvon) and Illyria in B7, and the Sleepwalker and Only Time Lords not to be president this Time War (another short but v good one) for Who.

[tilbageidanmark]

Movies I watched this week (Year 4, week 4)

The blue caftan, my first Moroccan drama by Maryam Touzani, and another one starring Lubna Azabal ('Incendies', 'Tel aviv on fire'), this generation's Hiam Abbass. A daring topic about a closeted bisexual tailor who hires a new apprentice while his wife slowly dies. It's extremely slow, and tbh took me a few starts to get into, but eventually it won me over with its beauty, especially the metaphor of the embroidered blue caftan itself which he eventually finishes. 8/10.

*Woman Director

🍿  

“Everyone has their reasons”

First watch: Jean Renoir's The Rules of the Game, a comedy of manners about the haute bourgeoisie in Europe on the eve of World War 2. Banned nearly everywhere for two decades.

As of now, I haven't seen four from the Sight & Sound Greatest 50 films of all time list, ('Beau travail', 'Sunrise', L'Atalante' and 'Wanda'), which I plan on visiting soon.

🍿  

2 with André Dussollier:

🍿 François Ozon's latest film, The Crime is Mine, was an unexpected 1930's-style screwball comedy. A light and fluffy murder bonbon with a lesbian subplot, a feminine message of sort, and Isabelle Huppert as a faded Norma Desmond diva who used to act in the silent movies of “the great Alice Guy”! 7/10.

🍿  Truffaut's worst film, A Gorgeous Girl Like Me, was a chore to finish. No wonder I never heard about it before. An unfunny, unsexy black comedy about a an immoral, horny grifter who was arrested for murder, and the hapless sociologist who fell for her. 1/10.

🍿  

"... Evidently, an Ethiopian in the fuel supply: Seems to me I'm getting the old heave-ho..."

My Little Chickadee, a strange western spoof, with two completely subversive cynics, who really had nothing to do with each other, and yet were thrown here together in a middle of an otherwise-unfunny mix. W C Fields, a boozing, resigned con-man, and Mae West, an eye-rolling, horny sex-pot. How incredible this story 'could' have been, if it was given air to breath, filled completely with one-liners, was not censured, and stripped of all the fake moralities!

🍿  

Now that Jon Stewart is returning to 'The daily show', I discovered that he wrote and directed Irresistible 3 years ago, which came and went without fanfare. It's a mild and old-fashioned political satire about a Democratic consultant, the likes of which were done many times before. But it contained a fantastic twist at the end that made the whole thing absolutely vibrant. Rose Byrne is gorgeous as usual, and Mackenzie Davis felt to fill the moral fulcrum of the movie, and the end showed why. Don't read anything about it beforehand, if you decide to watch it. I saw it twice in the same evening. 8/10.

🍿  

Beyond the Bolex is an interesting documentary about a fascinating man, Jacques Bolsey. It is deftly told by a young director who was not aware that the unheralded inventor of the Swiss Bolex camera was her own great-grandfather. The story of this nearly forgotten pioneer is reminiscent of other giants of the arts, forgotten and now re-discovered: Hilma af Klint, Georges Méliès, Alice Guy-Blaché, Vivian Maier, each of them earned a new comprehensive biography.

(Unfortunately in my view, this one was the blandest of the five, due to the narrator's irritating intonation.)

*Woman Director

🍿  

"Stay Gold". First watch: Coppola's seminal The outsiders, the first of two coming-of-age adaptations he made of SE Hinton novels in 1983. Teenage gang members in a mid 60's Oklahoma town, born on the wrong side of the tracks, with early performances by a bunch of the "Brat pack" members, including young, red-haired Diane Lane, and cameos by Tom Waits, Melanie Griffith, and Sofia Coppola as a child looking for 15 cents. Now I'm off to see 'Rumble fish'. (Photo Above).

🍿  

An Irish Goodbye, a benign trifle about two estranged brothers, one of whom has Down Syndrome, dealing with the death of their mother. Won the 2023 Oscar for live short.

🍿  

3 re-watches:

🍿 “Sometimes you do your best work when you got a gun to your head.”

After reading the New Yorker story about $300K/week script doctor Scott Frank, I had to go back to his breakthrough Hollywood satire Get shorty. And indeed, wow, what a brilliant screenplay, economy of dialogue, elegance and balance, and a perfect cast (each of the 10 top billings stars was born to play their roles here). And so appropriate of him to place the emotional 'Touch of Evil' viewing scene at exactly the 45 minute mark, where it serves as the heart of the story. 9/10.

🍿  “This is your Rubicon. Do not cross the Rubicon!”

My second watching of Alexander Payne's absolutely charming The Holdovers (and the adaptation of the 1935 French 'Merlusse', which I saw last month too). 10/10 again for superb soundtrack and writing-directing as well as general kind-hearted wholesomeness.

I haven't seen 'American Fiction' yet, but in my opinion Paul Giamatti and Da'Vine Joy Randolph deserve to win this year's Oscars for best actors. Also that this will quickly become an American Christmas classic.

🍿 Oh, how I didn't like the heavy-handed Paths of Glory on re-watch. Yes, it exhibited a brave anti-military sentiments for Cold War 1957, but the injustice inflicted by the generals on the privates was laughably outdated. In was nice to see young Joe Terkel, in the second of his three Kubrick roles. And at least, it was the only time that Kubrick raised his own private curtain, by directing his (then-new) wife, as she closed the movie with her tearful cabaret singing. 3/10.

🍿  

The Constant Gardener, my 3rd by Fernando Meirelles (after 'City of God' and 'The two Popes'). It's an adaptation of a John le Carré's thriller about corrupt British diplomats in Kenya, a corporate conspiracy by multinational drug companies, and a love story (which is the weakest part of the whole thing).

I had a mixed reaction to this, nothing serious, won't go into it. The only lasting memory of this for me will probably be the Kothbiro leitmotif. 6/10.

🍿  

Torremolinos 73, a Spanish sex comedy from 2003. A bald, plain-looking man and his loving wife start making explicit home movies in 1973 Spain, after his career in encyclopedia sales ends, and 'become big in Scandinavia'. The premise is somehow promising, but it quickly develops into a ridiculous story about how he becomes interested in legit movies making. He ends up directing one symbolic Bergman-inspired art fart, with none other than young Mads Mikkelsen. 2/10.

🍿  

2 short shorts:

🍿 Dollar Pizza - Food porn of the highest quality makes you hungry: Now I want a slice! No judgement! 9/10.

🍿  The sheep and the flower, a real time (2 minutes) animated movie that fits in 8 kilobytes. Decent graphics, animations, direction and camera work, and the matching music… all in 8kB.

🍿  

Throw-back to the "Art project”:  

Pizza Adora.

🍿  

(My complete movie list is here)

[sjcavenaugh]

If could go on a date with one celebrity who would choose and where would you take them?

Wow. This is a tough one. I’ve been thinking on this for a couple of days now because there are so many possibilities. I am convinced, that the ultimate celebrity date for me would require the invention of a time machine. Ever since I was young, I have always been fascinated with Marilyn Monroe.

I know many people see her as the ultimate sexual icon of her time, and while I do think she is quite beautiful; to me, it was more than that. I have always been intrigued by her intelligence and vulnerability. She lived a full, but haunted life and her tragic death is one that will be remembered by all. I think Elton John said it best with his lyric to Candle in the Wind.

“Goodbye, Norma Jeane from the young man in the 22nd row. Who sees you as something more than sexual. More than just our Marilyn Monroe.”

Edit to add: I just realized I only answered part of the ask. I think I would love to take her to dinner. And then a nice walk along the beach. I think it would wonderful to watch one of her movies with her, but I wonder if that would be weird for her?

[bestofmidi]

Goodbye, Norma Jeane 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

Lyrics entered by Raphael Pungin email: br326@cleveland.freenet.edu

original midi at http://kino.freepage.de/cgi-bin/feets/freepage_ext/339483x434877d/rewrite/midi-base/d-f/elton_john/candle_in_the_wind(elton_john).mid

[captains---blog]

Scott Bakula in Quantum Leap s5E18 "Goodbye Norma Jean"

[arsenic-green]

tagged by @kestreleve to post 10 songs I have on repeat currently

1. Walls - Emery

2. Bloodsucker Part II -As Cities Burn

3. Whimper - Microwave

4. Julia (Holy to the Lord on the Bells of Horses) - Mewithoutyou

5. Goodbye My Love - Lovehatehero

6. Take Me Home - Blis

7. Ripple Water Shine - Pianos Become the Teeth

8.Memphis Will Be Laid To Waste -Norma Jean

9. Postcard - Balance and Composure

10. China White - He Is Legend

Took forever to do this but tagging @waterloggeddaughter @nouvodepart @mirmidones or anyone else who wants to do this :)

[gemm08mu]

Elton John and Lady Diana

This week I want to talk about Elton John’s song “Candle in the Wind” as it is related to the chapter of “Histories”.

“Candle in the Wind” was originally written in 1973 in honour of Marilyn Monroe, who had died in 1962. And in 1997, Elton John performed a rewritten version of the song as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales. This song serves as a memorial to Diana, who died from injuries caused by a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris on 31 August 1997.

Elton John and Lady Diana became friends in 1981 at Prince Andrew's birthday party at Windsor Castle. The Queen Mother and Princess Anne were huge fans of Elton John since his early days, therefore he had been invited to several intimate family events, including Prince Andrew's birthday party. Some people say it was friendship at first sight when the pair met. That night, they danced together for 20 minutes. Over the years, they have become very close friends.

As one of Diana’s true friends, Elton John performed “Candle in the Wind 1997” at her funeral, which is considered to be one of the singer's greatest performances. The version of 1973 differs from the version of 1997 with the opening lyrics that were changed from “Goodbye Norma Jean, though I never knew you at all” to “Goodbye England's rose, may you ever grow in our hearts”. Elton John’s touching tribute captured the emotion of the British audience after Diana’s death. Nowadays, “Candle in the Wind 1997” is widely remembered as a historical memento. Many audiences were touched by this song which resonated with the entire world. This week, we talked about a continuum between history and popular music, and I think that the idea of a connection between history and popular music can be made here with “Candle in the Wind”. In class, we also said that music can be part of history and can be about history as well. Princess Diana’s death is part of history and as she was deeply loved, the song of Elton John was highly appreciated and supported by the world. “Candle in the Wind” regards a part of history but Elton John’s performance at Diana’s funeral is also a historical event that marked the music industry and is now part of the history of the popular music industry. To conclude, “Candle in the Wind” is historic and memorable because it is the highest-selling single of all time, since records began, and Elton John won a Grammy Award for Best Male Vocal Pop Performance.

Sources:

https://www.smoothradio.com/artists/elton-john/princess-diana-friendship-history/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candle_in_the_Wind

[diceriadelluntore]

Candele

25 anni fa, per un incidente in un tunnel di Parigi, muoiono Diana Spencer, il suo compagno, Dodi al-Fayed, Henri Paul, austista di al-Fayed, e rimase gravemente ferito Trevor Rees-Jones, guardia del corpo, l’unico che indossava la cintura di sicurezza.

L’eco di quell’evento fu incredibile, uno degli eventi del ‘900 per intensità  e quantità di informazioni, coperture mediatiche, per il semplice sentire la vicenda, fiabesca, della vita e morte di una principessa.

Tralasciando altri fattori, i funerali trasmessi in diretta Tv in tutto il mondo, il 6 settembre, furono visti da miliardi di persone. In quell’occasione Elton John, amico personale di Diana, con l’aiuto del fido paroliere Bernie Taupin, riscrisse il testo di Candle In the Wind, sua canzone dell’album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, disco capolavoro della musica pop di ogni tempo uscito nel 1973. La nuova canzone inizia così:

Goodbye England's rose;   may you ever grow in our hearts.   You were the grace that placed itself   where lives were torn apart.   You called out to our country,   and you whispered to those in pain.   Now you belong to heaven,   and the stars spell out your name.

And it seems to me you lived your life   like a candle in the wind:   never fading with the sunset   when the rain set in.   And your footsteps will always fall here,   among England's greenest hills;   your candle burned out long before your legend ever will.

Dopo l’esibizione nella cattedrale di Westminster alla celebrazione funebre, la stessa canzone, arrangiata da George Martin, il leggendario produttore dei Beatles, fu pubblicata come Candle In the Wind 1997, divenendo il singolo più venduto della storia della musica, oltre 40 milioni di copie, i cui proventi furono dati in beneficenza alle molte cause che la Principessa era solita sostenere.

C’è un aspetto curioso sulla scelta da parte di Elton John e di Bernie Taupin di questa canzone. Nella versione originale infatti, Candle In the Wind era dedicata a Marylin Monroe. La versione del 1973 dice:

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

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

Norma Jeane Mortenson Baker era il vero nome della Monroe, morta nel 1962, quando Elton John aveva 15 anni.