Throwback Thursday: "Candle in the Wind 1997" Elton John

Following the car crash that killed his close friend, Princess Diana, Sir Elton John released "Candle in the Wind 1997," a reimagining of his 1973 ode to Marilyn Monroe. It quickly went on to become the biggest single of all time, a monster smash that sold over 33 million copies worldwide and spent 14 weeks at #1 in the U.S. Tied, as it is, so innately to the tragedy that is describes, "Wind 1997" is a much more emotional tribute than the original. But it's also a less musically interesting song, lacking the heft of the '73 version's bluesy electric guitar, choral harmonies and percussion section. Performed only once, at Diana's funeral, it scales down to primarily John and a piano, drifting along to its demure conclusion. That said, John's perfectly expressed sentiment—reverential, but not syrupy; grief that is gracefully palpable, but not overwrought—is a standout in pop music's long history of honoring legends. B

15 years ago this week, "Candle in the Wind 1997" was the #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100.