Bernie Taupin has revealed he re-wrote Elton John’s Candle In The Wind in just 30 minutes for Princess Diana’s funeral.
The legendary songwriter, 73, has offered rare insight into his career in his new memoir, including the hidden meaning behind the iconic track.
Speaking on Friday’s episode of The Graham Norton Show, Bernie revealed that Marilyn Monroe wasn’t the original inspiration for Elton’s song when they were writing it together.
He said: ‘I liked the title of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s book, which is a metaphor for a life snuffed out too soon.
‘At the same time, I saw The Misfits and was fascinated by Montgomery Clift who died young.
Insight: Bernie Taupin has revealed he re-wrote Elton John ‘s Candle In The Wind in just 30 minutes for Princess Diana’s funeral
‘But then I wondered how many people would know who he was.
‘Even though I didn’t care for Marilyn Monroe, people would think her a much more fragile character and more indicative of the ”candle in the wind” so I am glad I went with her. Otherwise, history would have been very different.’
Bernie then revealed that he and Elton re-wrote the song in less than an hour when he planned to perform it at Diana’s funeral.
It remains the only time Elton has performed that version of the track, and it soared to number one in the charts.
He told Graham: ‘I re-wrote it in half an hour, it wasn’t difficult. I’ve only actually heard it a couple of times – once at the funeral and once in the studio so don’t remember a word of it!’
Discussing his memoir, Bernie said: ‘It is fabulous. It is tremendous fun.
‘I lived the same (rock and roll) lifestyle as all my contemporaries, with all the good stuff, but I lived it in the background.’
Explaining his and Elton John’s writing process, he says, ‘Elton always takes what he is given and never questions what the lyrics are actually about until later in the day when it is all recorded.’
![Pals: Speaking on Friday's episode of The Graham Norton Show, Bernie revealed that Marilyn Monroe wasn't the original inspiration for Elton's song (pictured with the singer in 1971)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/06/10/76242183-12601465-image-a-15_1696584855923.jpg)
Pals: Speaking on Friday’s episode of The Graham Norton Show, Bernie revealed that Marilyn Monroe wasn’t the original inspiration for Elton’s song (pictured with the singer in 1971)
![Famous: Elton and Bernie re-wrote the song in honour of Princess Diana, and performed it at her funeral](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/06/10/76242711-12601465-image-a-2_1696585905224.jpg)
Famous: Elton and Bernie re-wrote the song in honour of Princess Diana, and performed it at her funeral
![Reflecting: The legendary songwriter has offered rare insight into his career in his new memoir, including the hidden meaning behind the iconic track](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/06/10/76240875-12601465-image-a-63_1696583749026.jpg)
Reflecting: The legendary songwriter has offered rare insight into his career in his new memoir, including the hidden meaning behind the iconic track
![Interview: Catherine tATE discussed her role in West End play The Enfield Haunting](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/06/10/76240867-12601465-image-a-65_1696583762422.jpg)
Interview: Catherine tATE discussed her role in West End play The Enfield Haunting
![Blast from the past: Ashley Walters, who recently starred in the final series of Top Boy, reflected on the show's beginnings](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/06/10/76240877-12601465-image-a-67_1696583772082.jpg)
Blast from the past: Ashley Walters, who recently starred in the final series of Top Boy, reflected on the show’s beginnings
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/06/10/76240851-12601465-image-a-66_1696583768515.jpg)
On the success of their songs, he says, ‘They definitely seem to have legs and keep coming back, which for me is the beauty of them. They seem to be timeless, which I really appreciate.’
Also set to join Graham on the sofa will be actress Catherine Tate, Ashley Walters and Bill Bailey, with Christine and the Queens set to perform live in the studio.
Catherine discussed her role in West End play The Enfield Haunting, with Graham asking if she believes the 1970s news story of a child being possessed by a poltergeist was real.
She said: ‘How do any of us know anything. It is more interesting keeping an open mind.
‘We haven’t started rehearsing yet but I believe there will be some really scary moments.’
Ashley, who recently starred in the final series of Top Boy, reflected on the show’s beginnings, saying: ‘Channel 4 was brave enough to put it on terrestrial TV when no one else would.
![Performer: Bill Bailey was a guest on the show to discuss his upcoming tour Thoughtifier](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/06/10/76240869-12601465-image-a-68_1696583777729.jpg)
Performer: Bill Bailey was a guest on the show to discuss his upcoming tour Thoughtifier
![Back soon: The Graham Norton Show airs on Friday 6th October at 10.40pm on BBC One and iPlayer](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/06/10/76240849-12601465-image-a-64_1696583755747.jpg)
Back soon: The Graham Norton Show airs on Friday 6th October at 10.40pm on BBC One and iPlayer
‘When it ended, I couldn’t forget about it so behind the scenes I continued the fight to bring it back.
‘Eventually we were so lucky that Drake saw the YouTube clips, and about a year later Netflix wanted it.
‘I have such huge respect for what the show has done to open doors around the world.’
Bill was a guest on the show to discuss his upcoming tour Thoughtifier, and told Graham: ‘It’s sort of about AI and how the arts are under threat so it’s a kind of clarion call for humanity, the human experience, the random nature of us as people, and the eccentric nature of creativity, which AI can’t do.’
The Graham Norton Show airs on Friday 6th October at 10.40pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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