Bernie Taupin forgets lyrics to Princess Diana tribute song

Songwriter Bernie Taupin has revealed that he cannot remember the specific lyrics he wrote for the 1997 tribute version of ‘Candle In The Wind’. The song was performed by Elton John during the funeral of Princess Diana following her death in a Paris car accident.

In an interview with MOJO magazine, Taupin explained that the adaptation was created very quickly after Elton John was asked to perform at the memorial. He stated, “All I remember is I did it really quickly,” and noted that he would be unable to recite the words today.

The original version of ‘Candle In The Wind’ appeared on the 1973 album ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’ as a tribute to Marilyn Monroe, though Taupin noted that actor Montgomery Clift was his initial inspiration. The 1997 reworking became the best-selling single in United Kingdom history.