Candle In The Wind
Ed Sheeran Lyrics


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Ooh
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

Loneliness was tough
The toughest role you ever played
Hollywood created a superstar
And pain was the price you paid
Even when you died
Oh the press still hounded you
All the papers had to say
Was that Marilyn was found in the nude

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

Goodbye Norma Jean
Though I never knew you at all
You had the grace to hold yourself
While those around you crawled
Goodbye Norma Jean
From the young man in the twenty second row
Who sees you as something more than sexual
More than just our Marilyn Monroe

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




Your candle burned out long before
Your legend ever did

Overall Meaning

The song "Candle In The Wind" by Ed Sheeran actually alludes to Marilyn Monroe or Norma Jeane Mortenson. The first stanza of the song is talking about Marilyn’s early life. Ed Sheeran mentions in the second line that he never knew her at all. However, she had the courage to stand for herself amidst all the challenges that surrounded her. He talks about Marilyn’s struggles, referring to those around her as crawling out of the woodwork to take advantage of her. They whispered into her brain and set her on a particular path. She struggled, and it appears she never knew who to trust. Despite this, she lived her life like a candle in the wind, shining bright but never knowing who to cling to when the rain set in. The chorus repeats itself, emphasizing key phrases about Marilyn’s way of life.


The second stanza of the song speaks to the darker side of Marilyn’s life, where she paid the price of being a superstar. Ed talks about loneliness being the toughest role she ever played, and while she was alive, the press continuosuly hounded her. The papers used to report about everything that she did, which was damaging to Marilyn's psyche. Even after her death, her legend lives on. The third and final stanza is heartfelt and personal. Ed sings goodbye to Marilyn, though she never knew him, he realizes that she was a victim of society. He refers to the young man seated in the twenty-second row, who sees her as more than just a sex symbol. Even though she passed away, the legend of Marilyn is still alive.


Line by Line Meaning

Ooh
A sound expressing sadness and empathy


Goodbye Norma Jean
A farewell to Marilyn Monroe, a Hollywood superstar


Though I never knew you at all
Ed Sheeran never met Marilyn Monroe in person


You had the grace to hold yourself
Marilyn had the ability to control herself despite the situation she was in


While those around you crawled
While others gave in to public and media pressure, Marilyn remained dignified


They crawled out of the woodwork
Paparazzi, media and public figures emerged from hiding to scrutinize Marilyn


And they whispered into your brain
The constant attention and pressure caused Marilyn psychological distress


They set you on the treadmill
Marilyn was forced onto a cycle of fame and scrutiny


And they made you change your name
Marilyn was forced to adopt a stage name that suited the Hollywood image


And it seems to me you lived your life
Ed Sheeran imagines how Marilyn lived her life


Like a candle in the wind
Marilyn's life was fragile and her legacy would last long


Never knowing who to cling to
Marilyn had a hard time finding honest people around her


When the rain set in
When times became tough, Marilyn had no one to rely on


And I would have liked to have known you
Ed Sheeran wishes he had met Marilyn


But I was just a kid
Ed Sheeran was not born during Marilyn's lifetime


Your candle burned out long before
Marilyn's life ended prematurely


Your legend ever did
Marilyn's legacy lives on long after her death


Loneliness was tough
Marilyn felt alone and isolated amidst her fame and success


The toughest role you ever played
Marilyn's life was filled with trying times and challenges


Hollywood created a superstar
Marilyn was a product of the glamorous Hollywood culture


And pain was the price you paid
Marilyn had to go through immense pain and suffering to achieve fame


Even when you died
Even in death, Marilyn was not at peace


Oh the press still hounded you
The media continued to harass Marilyn even after her death


All the papers had to say
The newspapers had only negative things to say


Was that Marilyn was found in the nude
The media reported on Marilyn's death in an insensitive and crude manner


From the young man in the twenty second row
Ed Sheeran identifies himself as a young man in Marilyn's audience


Who sees you as something more than sexual
Ed Sheeran recognizes Marilyn as more than just a sex symbol


More than just our Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn was more than just a Hollywood icon, she was a cultural and personal icon




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Elton John, Bernie Taupin

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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