Celine Dion – who proudly constituted of one-third of the infamous 90’s vocal trinity, including Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey, has a catalogue full of powerful ballads.
The iconic star of adult contemporary ranks as one of the best selling artists of all time, with her global sales surpassing the 200 million mark and several multi-platinum albums to her name.
Dion, who first gained popularity in her native country – Canada, released a number of French-language albums as a teenager, before making her advent into the international music scene with her first English album, ‘Unison’, released in the year 1990.
Since then, she gained a reputation as one of the grandest divas in Pop music, with a voice so powerful and stellar, that it turned her into a premiere balladeer of the 90’s.
While there are several award-winning, critically acclaimed and chart-topping songs that followed her first success with ‘Where Does My Heart Beat Now’, we count down 10 of such hits, that make-up for an ‘essentials’ list of this formidable diva of Pop.
Here are Celine Dion’s 10 best songs:
10) Then You Look At Me
A powerful vocal performance, starting from the spine-tingling soft notes in the first verse that only Celine could produce, to that incredible climax with a powerful theatrical key-change, that is going to take your breath away. ‘Then You Look At Me’ is great simply because it showcases what her voice is capable of.
9) Falling Into You
A subtle and beautifully composed love song, caressed by the tenderness of Dion’s vocals. Released from her fourth English-language album in the year 1996, although the song didn’t chart in the U.S., it became a Top 10 hit for her in the UK, and also one of her most recognized tunes, internationally.
8) Where Does My Heart Beat Now
The song that gave her an initial taste of success in the United States, as the coy-looking, bare-footed 22 year year old released her debut English-language album in 1990. Despite being so young, her powerful, raw and gritty vocals are on full display here. Her live televised performances of the track from that time announced to the world that a new mega-diva had arrived in the scene to claim her spot.
7) I’m Alive
A joyful and positive-sounding tune from the Stuart Little 2 soundtrack, that doesn’t get old, no matter how many times you hear it. This midtempo classic is one of Dion’s catchiest and most timeless. Her peculiar diction and theatrical execution of some of the money notes, is an essential element of a “Celine Dion vocal performance” and it’s stunningly on display here.
6) My Heart Will Go On
The Oscar winning classic – that is familiar to most of human-kind as the ‘Titanic song’ can easily be deemed her signature track and one of her most widely known tracks. This James Horner produced classic ranks as one of the top selling songs by a female singer in history and also one of the most stunning and memorable vocal deliveries by a female vocalist, ever.
5) All By Myself
A heart-wrenching performance by Celine and a haunting composition and lyrics, making it a profound song about the most miserable kind of loneliness. Written and originally recorded by Eric Carmen in the year 1975, Celine’s powerful and soul-stirring performance makes it one the most memorable moments of her career.
4) Beauty and the Beast
A breathtakingly beautiful Disney classic performed for the Oscar nominated flick released in 1991. A duet with RnB singer Peabo Bryson, this stunning masterpiece is easily one of the most romantic songs ever curated by Disney and the silky vocals of both Dion and Bryson have the ability to induce tingles and butterflies, or make you feel warm and cosy in a cold winter’s night.
3) Because You Loved Me
A instant international hit put-together by hit-duo – songwriter, Dianne Warren and composer, David Foster (who famously created several chart-topping and record-smashing hits for female singers, in the 90’s), ‘Because You Loved Me’ reached #1 across multiple countries including the United States. It also garnered multiple Grammy nominations and an Oscar nod, becoming one of her most critically acclaimed songs. A song about gratitude to those who helped you along the way, in one of Celine’s most heart-rendering performances.
2) A New Day Has Come
A New Day Has Come is one of Celine’s most uplifting and inspiring tracks, caressed by her soft and subtle vocal performance and a beautiful display of melisma. The midtempo version which was released as a single is the clear winner here, in comparison to the slow piano-driven ballad – as it sails with a silky smooth flow into your ears, thanks to Dion’s incredible vocal performance.
1) Power Of Love
Celine Dion’s most passionate ballad about love and womanhood. Originally recorded and released by singer Jennifer Rush in 1984, the song received many covers in time – including one from Air Supply, but Dion’s stellar rendition released in 1993, tops them all. Featured in the album The Colour of My Love, Celine’s version was produced by David Foster, who allowed her to make the full use of her vocal prowess with his arrangement. It was her first #1 on Billboard Hot 100 and remains one of her biggest classics to date.
Celine’s catalog is filled with several other classics that have stood the test of time, so summing up just 10 out of them was quite a task. A few honorable mentions also go to songs like:
Drove All Night
I Surrender
It’s All Coming Back To Me
Taking Chances
That’s The Way It Is
Loved Me Back To Life
Immortality