Entertainment news and discussion on TalkFuse.
What was the last song to sell 30,000,000 copies?
Elton John’s reworked “Candle in the Wind” became the last song to sell more than 30 million copies, with worldwide sales eventually exceeding 33 million. Released in 1997 as a tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales, it became a record-breaking hit and a keepsake for people marking a moment of collective mourning.
John had first written the song with Bernie Taupin in 1973 in tribute to Marilyn Monroe. After Diana died, Taupin rewrote the lyrics, and John performed the new version at her funeral at Westminster Abbey before recording it with producer George Martin. The single sold more than 1.5 million copies in its first week in the UK, spent five weeks at number one there and 14 weeks atop the US Billboard Hot 100; its proceeds and royalties went to the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.
In short
- Elton John’s Diana tribute sold more than 33 million copies worldwide.
- It was released a week after his performance at her funeral.
- The single’s proceeds and royalties supported Diana’s memorial fund.
Explained simply
“Candle in the Wind” was written by singer Elton John and lyricist Bernie Taupin, first as a tribute to film star Marilyn Monroe. After Diana, Princess of Wales, died in 1997, Taupin rewrote the words to mark her life, and John performed the new version at her funeral in Westminster Abbey.
The recording became a widely bought single at a time when people commonly purchased music on physical formats such as CDs and records. Its success reflected the public response to Diana’s death, while its proceeds and royalties supported the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Fund.