Randy Reer/Drakytown: Candle in the Wind
[download free from SoundCloud]
You have to dig beyond the first few pages of Google links
to find any reference to “candle in the wind” that isn’t related to Elton John.
The juxtaposition of those particular words may not have been his originally,
either; however, it is the title of T. H. White’s fourth book from The Once and
Future King series that was published between 1939 and 1958.
One source notes that Elton John’s writing partner, Bernie
Taupin, took his inspiration for the lyrics from the short life of Janis Joplin.
He is quoted as saying that the song could be about any “.. actor, actress,
musician … who died young … It’s a beauty frozen in time.” When he was criticized for re-writing the
lyrics in 1997 for Princess Diana’s funeral, he apparently remarked, “it would serve you much better to get up
in the morning, look in the mirror, and say, 'I wonder what I can do today to
really make a difference.' “ The fact is that all
of our lives resemble a burning candle.
The version here is one of many renditions you can locate at
SoundCloud, and I chose it because it is a cover by someone I’ve never heard of
that is freely downloadable – partly in light of the fact that, while we honor
actors, actresses and such this week, it is also their “guardian” (in the form
of the MPAA and associates) that has made the work of SMM bloggers that much
harder – to no one’s real benefit.
Having said I had never heard of the musician of my choice
this week, what I do know is that there appears to be a “group” called
Drakytown and that Randy Reer – from Leverkusen, Germany, may be the vocalist.
A decent if not top of the line performance, but – hey … it’s free. And, the lyrics are altered as well.
As we wrap up our week of Presidents, the somewhat murky relationship between MM and JFK might be relevant. Marilyn Monroe never got an Oscar, but "Some Like It Hot" was nominated for several and she did get a Golden Globe Award for best actress.