My Heart Will Go On
"My Heart Will Go On" | |
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Song |
"My Heart Will Go On" is the theme song of the 1997 blockbuster film Titanic. With music by James Horner, lyrics by Will Jennings, and production by Walter Afanasieff, it was recorded by Céline Dion.[1] Originally released in 1997 on Dion's album Let's Talk About Love, it went to number 1 all over the world, including the United States, United Kingdom and Australia. "My Heart Will Go On" was released in Australia and Germany on December 8, 1997, and in the rest of the world in January and February 1998.[2] It became Dion's biggest hit, and one of the best-selling singles of all time, and was the world's best-selling single of 1998.[3][4]
History
Horner had originally composed the song as an instrumental motif that is used in several scenes during Titanic. He then wanted to make a full vocal song out of it, for use in the end credits of the film. Director James Cameron did not want such a song, but Horner went ahead anyway and got Jennings to write the lyrics. When Dion originally heard the song, she did not want to record it.[5] It was her manager and husband, René Angélil, who convinced her to record a demo version, which was something she hadn't done for many years. Horner waited until Cameron was in an appropriate mood before presenting him with the song. After playing it several times, Cameron declared his approval, although worried that he might be criticised for "going commercial at the end of the movie." Cameron also wanted to appease anxious studio executives and "saw that a hit song from his movie could only be a positive factor in guaranteeing its completion."[6]
The original Horner-produced version of the ballad appears on the Titanic soundtrack and has an extended ending with longer, segmented vocalizations by Dion. The single also played over the ending credits of the film.[7] When the single was to be released to radio, it was produced further by Walter Afanasieff who added string and electric guitar, as well as rearranged portions of the song. This version appears on the 4-track maxi single as well as on Dion's album "Let's Talk About Love".[8] In the 'Let's Talk about Love' album booklet the lyrics of the song contain an additional line between a second chorus and the final verse. The words "There is some love that will not go away" are not performed by Dion in any available version of the song, however, they are still included on Dion's official site.[9]
The music video was directed by Bille Woodruff and released at the end of 1997. It was included later on the All the Way… A Decade of Song & Video DVD.
In addition to Dion's Let's Talk About Love and the Titanic soundtrack, "My Heart Will Go On" appears on several other albums, including Au cœur du stade, All the Way… A Decade of Song, A New Day... Live in Las Vegas, Complete Best, My Love: Essential Collection, and Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert. It was also included on the following DVDs: Au cœur du stade, All the Way… A Decade of Song & Video and Live in Las Vegas - A New Day....
At the height of the song's popularity, some radio stations in the US and the UK played an edited version of the song, that had dramatic moments of dialog from the Jack and Rose lead characters in the film inserted in between Dion's vocal lines. It was included later on Back to Titanic second soundtrack album. In France, "My Heart Will Go On" was released as a double A-side single with "The Reason."
Chart success
"My Heart Will Go On" is Céline Dion's biggest hit and one of the best-selling singles in history, having sold more than 15 million copies worldwide.[10] In the United States, the song was given a limited number of copies - 690,000. Regardless, it debuted at number-one on the Billboard Hot 100, with sales of 360,000 copies,[11] where it stayed for two weeks. In addition, the song spent ten weeks at number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay, and was number one for two weeks on the Hot 100 Singles Sales. As a testament to the popularity of the song on the radio, the song broke the record for the then-largest radio audience ever, garnering 117 million listeners in February 1998.[12] The single was eventually certified gold in the United States.[13] Ask Billboard reported that the digital copy of the single has sold 871,000 since being available bringing total sales to 1.5 million copies sold in the US.[14]
In addition "My Heart Will Go On" reached number one in several other U.S. charts, including, Billboard's Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks,[15] Top 40 Mainstream,[16] Hot Latin Pop Airplay, and Hot Latin Tracks. For the latter, the single became the first English-language song to top the Hot Latin Tracks chart,[17] to which Dion was given a Billboard Latin Music Award for that achievement.
Internationally the song was phenomenally successful, spending many weeks at the top position in various countries, including 17 weeks on the Eurochart Hot 100 Singles, 15 weeks in Switzerland, 13 weeks in France and Germany, 11 weeks in the Netherlands and Sweden, ten weeks in Belgium Wallonia, Denmark, Italy, and Norway, seven weeks in Belgium Flanders, six weeks in Ireland, four weeks in Australia and Austria, two weeks in Spain and the United Kingdom, and one week in Finland.
In Germany, "My Heart Will Go On" was certified 4x platinum for selling over two million copies,[18] and was ranked as one of the most popular singles ever released, there.[19] It sold over 1.2 million copies in France, being certified 2x platinum and diamond. Additionally, the song was certified 3x platinum in Belgium, 2x platinum in Australia, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland, platinum in Greece, and gold in Austria. "My Heart Will Go On" was released twice in Japan. The regular edition from January 1998 sold 210,000 and was certified 2x platinum, for 200,000 copies sold. The remixed edition released in June 1998 sold 115,000 copies and was certified gold for 100,000 copies sold, due the fact that maxi-singles are treated as an album.
In the United Kingdom the song sold over 1 million copies, which was Dion's second single to do so. This made her the only solo female artist to have two million-selling singles in the UK, a record which still stands.[20]
Accolades
"My Heart Will Go On" won the 1997 Academy Award for Best Original Song.[21] It dominated the Grammy Awards of 1999, winning Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television.[22] "My Heart Will Go On" won also the Golden Globe Award for "Best Original Song-Motion Picture" in 1998.[23]
The song also won a Japanese Gold Disc Award, for Song of the Year,[24] as well as a Billboard Music Award for Soundtrack Single of the Year.[25][26]
In a 2006 poll for a program on Five called Britain's Favourite Break-up Songs, "My Heart Will Go On" was voted tenth. It has been named one of the Songs of the Century.[27] It is one of the best-selling singles ever in the UK, [28] selling over a million copies, the second single released by Dion to do so. She is the only female artist to date to have released two million-selling singles in Britain.[29] It was ranked at number 14 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs, celebrating the 100 greatest songs in American film history.[30] In April 2010, the UK radio station Magic 105.4 voted the single the "top movie song of all time" after listeners' votes.[31] In December 2007, the song peaked #21 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of the 90's." [32]
Due to the song's widespread popularity when it was released, it is considered to be Céline Dion's signature song.[33] Today, along with two other songs from film soundtracks, Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" from The Bodyguard and Bryan Adams' "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, it is considered one of the biggest love ballads of the 1990s.
Influence
After the song had become a huge worldwide hit, many movie studios and record labels tried to duplicate its impact. Although many soundtrack singles had become hits before "My Heart Will Go On," a string of similar songs followed afterward, such as Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" from Armageddon and Faith Hill's "There You'll Be" from Pearl Harbor. Each followed in the footsteps of the "Titanic" theme, a love ballad for a tragedy. Although those two songs became hits, they did not achieve the success of "My Heart Will Go On."
Horner himself repeated the formula of making a song from his film themes with films such as A Beautiful Mind, Bicentennial Man, The Perfect Storm, and Avatar.
Formats and track listings
European CD single
European CD single #2
French CD single
French CD single #2
French CD single #3
Japanese CD single
UK cassette single
US CD single
Australian/Brazilian/European/UK/Korean CD maxi single
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Australian CD maxi single #2
Brazilian CD maxi single #2
European CD maxi single #2 / UK 12" single
Japanese/Korean CD maxi single
UK CD maxi single #2
|
Official versions
- "My Heart Will Go On" (Richie Jones radio mix) – 4:15
- "My Heart Will Go On" (Richie Jones love go on mix) – 4:58
- "My Heart Will Go On" (Richie Jones go on beats) – 5:10
- "My Heart Will Go On" (Riche Jones unsinkable club mix) – 10:04
- "My Heart Will Go On" (Tony Moran radio mix) – 4:21
- "My Heart Will Go On" (Tony Moran's anthem vocal) – 9:41
- "My Heart Will Go On" (Soul Solution bonus beats) – 3:31
- "My Heart Will Go On" (Soul Solution radio mix) – 4:18
- "My Heart Will Go On" (Soul Solution radio mix percapella) – 4:16
- "My Heart Will Go On" (Soul Solution drama at the sea) – 8:54
- "My Heart Will Go On" (Matt & Vito's penny whistle dub) – 3:23
- "My Heart Will Go On" (Matt & Vito's unsinkable epic mix) – 9:53
- "My Heart Will Go On" (Cuca's radio edit) – 4:22
- "My Heart Will Go On" (movie dialogue) – 4:41
- "My Heart Will Go On" (soundtrack version) – 5:11
- "My Heart Will Go On" (alternate orchestra version) – 5:51
- "My Heart Will Go On" (TV track) – 3:12
- "My Heart Will Go On" (no lead vox) – 4:41
- "My Heart Will Go On" (album version) – 4:40
Charts and certifications
Cover versions
- Singer Neil Diamond covered the song for a film tracks album.[78]
- In 1998, Vicky Leandros recorded a German version of the song on her album Weil Mein Herz Dich Nie Mehr Vergißt under the name "Weil Mein Herz Dich Nie Mehr Vergisst."[79]
- English singer Sarah Brightman recorded an Italian version of the song on her album Eden with the song title of "Il Mio Cuore Va."[80]
- New Found Glory also recorded a cover, on their From the Screen to Your Stereo EP.[81]
- Saxophonist Kenny G recorded an instrumental cover version.[82]
- British singer Niki Evans covered the song on the UK television show, The X Factor.[83]
- A speedy eurodance remix was made by Deja Vu and Tasmin for the 1999 compilation album Dancemania Speed 2.[84] This was later included on the 2000 greatest hits album Dancemania Speed Best 2001 Hyper Nonstop Megamix[85] and 2003 compilation album Speed SFX.[86]
Put-downs and parodies
- Bette Midler performed an uptempo version of this song as her character, Delores DeLago (a wheelchair-bound mermaid, who longs for success) in her 1999 tour, Divine Miss Millennium. She once again sang a small segment of the song during her stint at Caesars Palace (the former home of Miss Dion) right before her own signature song Wind Beneath My Wings, in 2008/09.[87]
- On September 11, 2010, Matthew Wilkening of AOL Radio ranked the song at #11 on the list of the 100 Worst Songs Ever while stating a new rule: "From now on, the Canadian warbler, and not the captain, has to go down with this ship" in reference to the Titanic.[88]
- Supernatural's episode 6x17, that on April 15, has the same title. In it, angel Balthazar saved Titanic from sinking because he hated the film and "that God-awful Celine Dion song made me want to smite myself."
See also
- List of best-selling singles worldwide
- List of best-selling singles (France)
- List of best-selling singles in the United Kingdom
References
- ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 137. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Glatzer, Jenna (2005). Céline Dion: For Keeps. Andrews McMeel Publishing. ISBN 0-7407-5559-5.
- ^ Songs from the Year 1998 TSORT. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
- ^ All Time Songs TSORT. Retrieved 2010-01-11.
- ^ Celine Dion: For Keeps Google Books Retrieved 05-05-2011
- ^ James Cameron's Titanic Media Awareness Network Retrieved 05-05-2011
- ^ Leona Lewis Will Sing 'Avatar' Theme Song… Ropes of Silicon Retrieved 2010-05-12
- ^ "Sony/ATV Music Publishing : Walter Afanasieff". Sonyatv.com. 2001-09-11. Retrieved 2010-04-24.
- ^ http://www.celinedion.com/celinedion/english/music.cgi?album_id=10&band=1&song_id=11
- ^ The Richest 20 Women In Entertainment Forbes Magazine Retrieved 2011-04-08
- ^ Tales of 'Heart's' Voyage to the Top, Fate of Dion Smash Wasn't Always Certain Billboard Magazine Retrieved 2010-06-28
- ^ Passion Celine Dion the Book: The Ultimate Guide for the Fan Google Books Retrieved 2010-06-28
- ^ Gold and Platinum RIAA Retrieved 2010-06-28
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/#/news/ask-billboard-sugarland-s-sweet-success-1004124554.story
- ^ Tales of 'Heart's' Voyage to the Top, Fate of Dion Smash Wasn't Always Certain Billboard Magazine Retrieved 2010-06-28
- ^ Tales of 'Heart's' Voyage to the Top, Fate of Dion Smash Wasn't Always Certain Billboard Magazine Retrieved 2010-06-28
- ^ Tales of 'Heart's' Voyage to the Top, Fate of Dion Smash Wasn't Always Certain Billboard Magazine Retrieved 2010-06-28
- ^ a b "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Céline Dion; 'My Heart Will Go On')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
- ^ Musicline.de Die beliebtesten Hits! Gemessen von KW 27/1959 bis KW 2/2010. Chartposition und -wochen werden miteinander verrechnet Musicline.de'.' Retrieved 2010-01-11.
- ^ http://www.theofficialcharts.com/artist/_/CELINE%20DION/ Celine Dion-The Official Charts Company
- ^ Academy Awards Database Oscars.org'.' Retrieved 2010-01-10.
- ^ Grammy Award Winners Grammy.com'.' Retrieved 2010-01-10.
- ^ James Horner HFPA'.' Retrieved 2010-01-10.
- ^ Music Event Gold Disc Hall of Fame The Japan Gold Disk Award. Retrieved 2010-01-10.
- ^ "1998 Billboard Music Awards". infoplease.com online almanac. Pearson Education, publishing as Infoplease. 2007. Retrieved 2010-01-12.
- ^ Brevet, Brad (2009-11-16). "Leona Lewis Will Sing 'Avatar' Theme Song…". RopeofSilicon.com. Retrieved 2010-01-12.
- ^ Songs of the Century CNN. Retrieved 2010-01-10.
- ^ MILLION SELLERS Official Charts Company'.' Retrieved 2010-01-10.
- ^ [1] Official Charts Company- Featured Artists- Celine Dion'.' Retrieved 2010-01-19
- ^ "AFI's 100 YEARS...100 SONGS". AFI.com. American Film Institute. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
- ^ Titanic theme tune is top film song The press Association Retrieved 2010-04-28
- ^ 100 Greatest Songs of the '90s
- ^ Caramanica, Jon (2008-09-17). "Emotions With Exclamation Points". The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-01-10.
- ^ Australian Singles Chart
- ^ German Singles Chart
- ^ Austrian Singles Chart
- ^ Belgian Flanders Singles Chart
- ^ Belgian Wallonia Singles Chart
- ^ Canadian BDS Airplay Chart
- ^ Canadian BDS Adult Contemporary Chart
- ^ Top Singles - Volume 66, No. 23, March 02 1998. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ Adult Contemporary - Volume 66, No. 18, January 26 1998. Retrieved May 16, 2010.
- ^ Danish Singles Chart
- ^ Dutch Singles Chart
- ^ European Singles Chart
- ^ Finnish Singles Chart
- ^ French Singles Chart
- ^ Greek Singles Chart
- ^ Irish Singles Chart
- ^ Italian Singles Chart
- ^ "Celine Dion singles sales ranking" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
- ^ New Zealand Singles Chart
- ^ Norwegian Singles Chart
- ^ Spanish Singles Chart
- ^ Swedish Singles Chart
- ^ Swiss Singles Chart
- ^ UK Singles Chart
- ^ Billboard Hot 100
- ^ Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
- ^ Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks
- ^ Latin Pop Airplay
- ^ Hot Latin Tracks
- ^ Latin Tropical Airplay
- ^ Rhythmic Top 40
- ^ Top 40 Mainstream
- ^ "Billboard Top 100 - 1998". Retrieved 2010-08-28.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1998 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
- ^ "Austrian single certifications – Céline Dion – My Heart Will Go On" (in German). IFPI Austria.
- ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1998". Ultratop. Hung Medien.
- ^ "French single certifications – Céline Dion – THE REASON My heart will go" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
- ^ "一般社団法人 日本レコード協会|各種統計". riaj.or.jp. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
- ^ "Dutch single certifications – Céline Dion – My Heart Will Go On" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Enter My Heart Will Go On in the "Artiest of titel" box.
- ^ "Norwegian single certifications – Céline Dion – My Heart Will Go On" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
- ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1987−1998" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-17.
- ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('My Heart Will Go On')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
- ^ "British single certifications – Céline Dion – My Heart Will Go On". British Phonographic Industry. Select singles in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type My Heart Will Go On in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ "American single certifications – Celine Dion – My Heart Will Go On". Recording Industry Association of America.
- ^ Neil Diamond-My Heart Will Go On. Who Sampled. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ^ Amazon sales page showing album cover.
- ^ Karaoke - Sing the Hits of Sarah Brightman, Vol. 3. iTunes Apple. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ^ From the Screen to Your Stereo. Amazon.com. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ^ My Heart Will Go On-Kenny G. Yahoo Music. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ^ Niki Evans. X Factor Update. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ^ Discogs, Dancemania Speed 2
- ^ Discogs, Dancemania Speed Best 2001 Hyper Nonstop Megamix
- ^ Discogs, Speed SFX
- ^ "Bette Midler Takes Final Curtain Call for The Showgirl Must Go On at Caesars Palace". Edge Boston. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ^ Wilkening, Matthew (September 11, 2010). "100 Worst Songs Ever -- Part Five of Five". AOL Radio. Retrieved December 25, 2010.
- Celine Dion songs
- 1997 singles
- 1998 singles
- 1990s ballads
- Love themes
- Best Song Academy Award winning songs
- Grammy Award for Record of the Year
- Grammy Award for Song of the Year
- Number-one singles in Australia
- Number-one singles in Austria
- Number-one singles in Denmark
- European Hot 100 Singles number-one singles
- Number-one singles in Finland
- Number-one singles in France
- Number-one singles in Germany
- Irish Singles Chart number-one singles
- Number-one singles in Italy
- Dutch Top 40 number-one singles
- Number-one singles in Norway
- Number-one singles in Spain
- Number-one singles in Sweden
- Number-one singles in Switzerland
- UK Singles Chart number-one singles
- Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles
- Billboard Adult Contemporary number-one singles
- Billboard Hot Latin Tracks number-one singles
- Billboard Pop Songs number-one singles
- Songs written by James Horner
- Music videos directed by Bille Woodruff
- Pop ballads
- Songs with lyrics by Will Jennings
- RPM Adult Contemporary number-one singles
- Titanic (1997 film)