Helen Reddy, Candle on the Water | Music Lifts

In the 48^th edition of Music Lifts (2023), we’re uplifted by Helen Reddy performing, “Candle on the Water.”

Welcome to Music Lifts , a column that seeks to highlight songs that encourage, inspire, and uplift the spirit; songs that exude fortitude, positivity, and resolve, even in the face of adversity.  Featured songs aren’t genre-specific; songs may or may not be faith-based. The goal is for these songs to make you feel better – be LIFTED to new heights!  So, for the 48^th edition of Music Lifts (2023), we highlight “Candle on the Water” as performed by Helen Reddy.

“I’ll be your candle on the water / My love for you will always burn.” Disney is known for many, many classic songs.  Among the most beautiful and most memorable is “Candle on the Water” from the 1977 film, Pete’s Dragon.  The late, great Helen Reddy (1941 – 2020), who portrays Nora in the film, sings this dedicated ballad, stunningly.  The situation is, in the context of the film, isn’t great for Nora (her fiancé, Paul, is lost at sea), but she expresses love and support, encouraging, “But the clouds are lifting / Don’t give up, you have somewhere to turn.”

Reddy – well – Nora, is undoubtedly a candle, telling Paul, “My soul is there beside you / Let this candle guide you / Soon you’ll see a golden stream of light.” What truly stands out about the songwriting  is the messaging – the faith that Nora shows.  The pen of Joel Hirschhorn and Al Kasha is magnificent, particularly in the bridge section.  “A cold and friendless tide has found you / Don’t let the stormy darkness pull you down,” she sings in encouraging, hopeful, and resolute fashion.  She continues, “I’ll paint a ray of hope around you / Circling in the air / Lighted by a prayer .” Good stuff! “Candle on the Water” makes you think about who your candle on the water is.  Is it that special somebody in your life, or, is it a higher power, like God? Nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, the Hirschhorn/Kasha gem lost to another dedicated, inspired gem, “You Light Up My Life”.

Various Artists • Pete’s Dragon • Disney • 1977

Helen Reddy, Candle on the Water: Music Lifts No. 48 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Disney; cottonbro studio, Itzel  Sandoval, Neeraj Nagdeve via Pexels]