Which 1997 Elton John song became his first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 without another artist?

Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind 1997” became his first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 as a solo recording without another artist.

John performed the rewritten song at Princess Diana’s funeral in September 1997. Bernie Taupin revised the lyrics from the original 1973 song to honor Diana, and producer George Martin arranged the new recording.

The charity single became a global phenomenon. In the United States, it debuted at No. 1 and remained there for 14 weeks. Proceeds went to the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, making the release both a tribute and a major fundraising effort.

The title can cause confusion because the 1997 recording is not simply the original song. It is commonly called “Candle in the Wind 1997,” while the single was also paired with “Something About the Way You Look Tonight.” John had previously reached the Hot 100 summit with other recordings, including collaborations, but this tribute was his first solo No. 1 in the stated sense.