Candle on the Water (Song)

Last Updated on: February 20th, 2023

Candle on the Water disney song music“Candle on the Water” is a song from the 1977 Disney live-action and animated musical film “Pete’s Dragon“. The song was composed by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn, and was performed in the film by the character Nora, played by the actress Helen Reddy.

The song is a ballad that expresses Nora’s longing for her lost love and her hope that he will return to her. The lyrics use the metaphor of a “candle on the water” to convey Nora’s belief that her love will guide her partner back to her, even in the darkest and most treacherous of circumstances. The song’s melody is gentle and melodic, and is accompanied by strings and woodwinds, as well as the sound of a lighthouse bell.

“Candle on the Water” was a commercial success and became one of Helen Reddy’s most well-known songs. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song and also won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocals. The song has since become a beloved classic and has been covered by numerous artists, including Anne Murray and Lea Salonga.


Listen to Candle on the Water (Song)


Additional Details

  • Related Disney Character(s):
  • Song Written By: Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn
  • Song Performed By: Helen Reddy
  • Year Released: 1977

About the Author

Craig Smith
I am founder and editor of DisneyNews.us. My passion for all things Disney goes pretty far back to my first trip to Walt Disney World in the mid-80's. I have since returned to the magical place more than 20 times. I started this site when I came to the realization that I spent a significant portion of my day reading articles about Disney and watching Disney content with my 8-year old, so it made sense that I would start sharing some of what I read and see and building a little community around it. Other interests include 80's nostalgia, vintage toys, video games, LEGO, Star Wars and tech gadgets. Other site isDMR.