Celine Dion
…continuing the Canadian artists being covered theme
“My Heart Will Go On” (Love Theme from ‘Titanic’) by Celine Dion
Written (lyrics) by Will Jennings, here are some highlights of songs he has written or co-written;
Steve Winwood: “Higher Love” (#1, nominated for Grammy Award for Song of the Year 1987)
Eric Clapton: “Tears in Heaven” (#2, nominated for a Golden Globe award, 1993 Grammy for Song of the Year, 1993 Ivor Novello award from British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors)
Barry Manilow: “Looks Like We Made It” (#1)
Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes: “Up Where We Belong” (#1, American Academy Award, British Academy Award, Winner Tokyo Song Festival)
Whitney Houston: “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” (#1)
Tim McGraw: “Please Remember Me” (#1 Country)
The other writer (composer) is the late James Horner and here is a sample of his work accomplishments:
Just Grammy Awards alone;
1988: An American Tail – Best Album of Original Instrumental Background Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television
1988: “Somewhere Out There” (from: An American Tail, Winner) – Song of The Year
1988: “Somewhere Out There” (from: An American Tail, Winner) – Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television
1990: Field of Dreams – Best Album of Original Instrumental Background Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television
1991: Glory (Winner) – Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture or for Television
1996: “Whatever You Imagine” (from: The Pagemaster) – Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television
1999: “My Heart Will Go On” (from: Titanic, Winner) – Record of The Year
1999: “My Heart Will Go On” (from: Titanic, Winner) – Song of The Year
1999: “My Heart Will Go On” (from: Titanic, Winner) – Best Song Written for A Motion Picture or for Television
2003: A Beautiful Mind – Best Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media
2011: Avatar – Best Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media
2011: “I See You” (from: Avatar) – Best Song Written for A Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media
Add to that Celine Dion’svoice and her accomplishments to that point in 1997;
1990: “Where Does My Heart Beat Now” number one in Canada, number two in the US,
1991: “Beauty and the Beast” (duet with Peabo Bryson), Number one in Canada, three in the US
1992: “If You Asked Me To“, number one in Canada and the US
1992: “Nothing Broken but My Heart“, number one in Canada and the US
1992: “Love Can Move Mountains”, number one in Canada, eight in the US
1993: “When I Fall in Love“(duet with Clive Griffin), number 2 in Canada 6 in the US
1993: “The Power of Love“, number one in Canada, US, Australia and number 3 in France and 4 in the UK
1995: “To Love You More” number one in Canada and the US
1995: “Because You Loved Me“, number one in Canada, Australia and the US
1996: “It’s AllComing Back to Me Now“, number one in Canada, Belgium and the US
1996: “All by Myself“, number one in Canada and the US
1996: “Tell Him” (duet with Barbra Streisand), #1 in Canada and the Netherlands, 3 in UK, 5 in US.
Sorry for the extensive list but I imagine you get my point, these are just highlights of the accomplishments of the people assembled for this song, so apart from being associated with the most successful film of all time to that date (directed, written, co-produced and co-edited by Canadian James Cameron) it was no mistake it peaked at number one on almost every chart on the planet and finished the year as number one or in the top ten of the year on a dozen or more.
An interesting fact about the development of this song, the original track was recorded by Sissel Kyrkjebø an accomplished Norwegian soprano who did record other tracks for the movie’s soundtrack. In the end however it was decided to go with Celine in large part to her voice, prior working relationship with James Horner and her success with movie songs.
Some of you (me) may still be sick of this song and avoid it due to it being overplayed and in some people’s opinion, over sung. Celine herself I’ve read never liked the song. Nevertheless there have been few songs that have made such an impact, selling over 30 million copies and covered at least 148 times to date.
Neil Diamond in 1998, Switchblade Kittens in 1998 (yes what you might expect from the name, a punk version), Big Daddy in 2000 (and you thought the last one was different!), Jessie J – from the Chinese show “Singer” 2018
Celine Dion is one of the most accomplished singers on the planet period. There is plenty more to talk about with Celine with at least 46 other songs having been covered but for now I will leave it here. Just another music icon to add to the list of Canadian artists being covered. Thanks as always for reading my blog.
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