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The Prayer (Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli song)

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"The Prayer"
Promotional single by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli
from the album These Are Special Times
ReleasedMarch 1999 (1999-03)
Recorded1998
Studio
GenreOperatic pop
Length4:29
Label
Songwriters
Producers
  • David Foster
  • Carole Bayer Sager
  • Tony Renis
Audio
"The Prayer" on YouTube

"The Prayer" is a song recorded by Canadian singer Celine Dion and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. Written by David Foster and Carole Bayer Sager, with Italian lyrics adapted by Alberto Testa and Tony Renis, the track was produced by Foster, with Sager and Renis serving as co‑producers.

"The Prayer" was first recorded in two solo versions for the Warner Bros. 1998 animated musical Quest for Camelot, with Dion performing the English version and Bocelli the Italian version. A duet by Dion and Bocelli was later included on their respective albums, These Are Special Times (1998) and Sogno (1999), and was issued as a promotional single in March 1999. The song won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and received nominations for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1999 and the Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals in 2000. It was met with positive reviews from music critics and entered adult contemporary charts in Canada and the United States in 1999.

In 2008, Dion released a live version of "The Prayer" as a duet with Josh Groban. The single entered the Canadian Hot 100 at number 37 and the Billboard Hot 100 at number 70.

History

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"The Prayer" was originally recorded as two separate solo versions, with Dion performing the English lyrics and Bocelli the Italian lyrics. Both appeared on the Quest for Camelot soundtrack in May 1998.[1] A duet by the two artists followed later that year on their respective albums, These Are Special Times and Sogno.[2][3]

The song was later included on Dion's compilation The Collector's Series, Volume One (2000)[4] and on her greatest hits album My Love: Ultimate Essential Collection (2008). Dion also recorded a solo reinterpretation, "A Mother's Prayer", for her 2004 album Miracle.[5]

During the Taking Chances World Tour, Dion performed "The Prayer" as a virtual duet with Bocelli projected on screen; this rendition was released on the Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert CD/DVD.[6] The duet also appeared on Bocelli's 2007 compilation The Best of Andrea Bocelli: Vivere.[7] In 2011, Dion joined Bocelli to perform the song live during his Concerto: One Night in Central Park concert, later released on CD and DVD.[8]

Both artists have since performed "The Prayer" with other partners, and numerous singers have recorded duet or solo interpretations. Over time, the song has become a popular choice for Christmas concerts, weddings, funerals, and religious services.[9]

Critical reception

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Paul Verna of Billboard described the song as a "gorgeous duet".[10] Chuck Taylor of Billboard called "The Prayer" "a breathtaking, ultra‑lush song" and praised the pairing of Dion and Bocelli, writing that their performance "will send a half‑dozen chills up your spine". Although he considered it "an unorthodox track for the radio", Taylor described the recording as "affecting", "heartwarming", "absolutely exquisite", and "one of Dion's most radiant performances ever".[11]

Commercial performance

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Because "The Prayer" was issued only as a promotional single, it charted exclusively on adult contemporary formats. It entered the Canadian and US adult contemporary charts in March 1999, peaking at number six on RPM's Canadian Adult Contemporary chart and number 22 on Billboard's US Adult Contemporary chart.[12][13] On ADISQ's Quebec Radio Songs chart, it reached number 18.[14] In Belgium, it appeared on the Ultratop Airplay charts in 1999, peaking at number 34 in Wallonia and number 162 in Flanders.[15]

In the digital and streaming era, "The Prayer" returned to several charts. In 2010, it entered Billboard's Holiday/Seasonal Digital Songs and Classical Digital Songs rankings, reaching number one on both.[16][17] In 2017, it entered the Swedish charts at number 54.[18] In 2020, it charted in the United Kingdom, reaching number 62 in Scotland and number 67 on the UK Singles Downloads Chart.[19][20] In 2023, it was certified gold in New Zealand.[21]

Accolades

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At the 56th Golden Globes in January 1999, "The Prayer" won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for its use in the 1998 film Quest for Camelot, marking the second consecutive Golden Globe win for a Celine Dion recording.[22] In the film, Dion performed a solo English version with slightly altered lyrics. The song was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 71st Academy Awards and for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards.[23][24] Dion and Bocelli performed the duet together in February 1999 at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards and again in March 1999 at the 71st Academy Awards.

Personnel

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Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
New Zealand (RMNZ)[21] Gold 15,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Anthony Callea version

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"The Prayer"
Single by Anthony Callea
from the album Anthony Callea
B-side"The Prayer" (Sterling remix)
Released19 December 2004
GenreClassical crossover
Length4:16
LabelSony BMG
Songwriters
ProducerJohn Forman
Anthony Callea singles chronology
"The Prayer"
(2004)		 "Rain" / "Bridge over Troubled Water"
(2005)
Music video
"The Prayer" on YouTube

Anthony Callea first performed "The Prayer" during Australian Idol in 2004, in the week of "contestants choice". He received a standing ovation for the performance and the "Grand Royal Touchdown" from judge Mark Holden. Callea finished as the runner‑up of the season.

After the show, Callea signed with Sony BMG and released "The Prayer" as his debut single.

Issued in Australia on 19 December 2004, the single debuted at number one on the ARIA Charts, where it remained for five weeks. It was certified four times platinum by the ARIA and became the fastest‑selling single by an Australian artist, as well as the second‑highest‑selling single of the 2000s in Australia overall and for an Australian performer.[26][27] The song was included on Callea's debut album Anthony Callea. The music video, released in 2004, includes footage of Callea recording the track.[28]

Callea has performed "The Prayer" at numerous concerts, including Carols by Candlelight in Melbourne. In 2006, he performed it for Queen Elizabeth II at a Commonwealth Day Service.[29] He also performed it as a duet with Tina Arena on her Symphony of Life CD/DVD, released in 2012.

Formats and track listing

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  • Australian CD single[30]
  1. "The Prayer" – 4:16
  2. "The Prayer" (Sterling remix) – 4:03

Charts

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Weekly charts

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Weekly chart performance
Chart (2004) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[31]1

Year-end charts

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2004 year-end chart performance
Chart (2004) Position
Australia (ARIA)[32] 82
2005 year-end chart performance
Chart (2005) Position
Australia (ARIA)[33] 1

Decade-end charts

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Decade-end chart performance
Chart (2000–2009) Position
Australia (ARIA)[27] 2

Certifications

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Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[34] 4× Platinum 280,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Celine Dion and Josh Groban version

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"The Prayer (live)"
Single by Celine Dion and Josh Groban
Released12 February 2008
Recorded12 January 2008
VenueWiltern Theatre (Los Angeles)
GenreClassical crossover
Length4:38
LabelSony BMG
Songwriters
Celine Dion singles chronology
"A World to Believe In"
(2008)		 "The Prayer (live)"
(2008)		 "Alone"
(2008)
Audio
"The Prayer" on YouTube

Celine Dion first performed "The Prayer" with Josh Groban in 1999, when the then 17‑year‑old Groban filled in for Andrea Bocelli during rehearsal for the 41st Annual Grammy Awards. They reunited nine years later on her CBS television special That's Just the Woman in Me, which aired on 15 February 2008. This performance was released as a digital download in the United States and Canada two days earlier.

Commercial performance

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Because the original duet was issued only as a promotional single, it did not appear on commercial charts. The 2008 live version, released digitally, generated measurable chart activity. It entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 70, becoming Groban's highest‑charting solo entry (both artists later reached number two as part of Artists for Haiti with "We Are the World 25 for Haiti" in 2010). The 2008 version also appeared on several other Billboard charts: Pop 100 at number 50, Hot Digital Songs at number 32, and Hot Digital Tracks at number 29. It sold 37,531 copies in its first week in the US. In Canada, it peaked at number 37 on the Canadian Hot 100 and number 19 on the Canadian Top Digital Downloads.[35]

Charts

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Chart performance
Chart (2008) Peak
position
Canada Hot 100 (Billboard)[36]37
US Billboard Hot 100[37]70
US Pop 100 (Billboard)[38] 50

References

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  1. ↑ "Quest for Camelot – Original Soundtrack". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  2. ↑ "Sogno – Andrea Bocelli". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  3. ↑ "These Are Special Times – Celine Dion". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  4. ↑ "The Collector's Series, Vol. 1 – Celine Dion". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  5. ↑ "Miracle – Celine Dion". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  6. ↑ "Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert – Celine Dion". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  7. ↑ "Vivere: The Best of Andrea Bocelli". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  8. ↑ "Concerto: One Night in Central Park – Andrea Bocelli". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  9. ↑ "Holiday Songs That Endure". The New York Times. 21 December 2008. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  10. ↑ Verna, Paul, ed. (14 November 1998). "Albums: Spotlight". Billboard. p. 22. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  11. ↑ Taylor, Chuck, ed. (20 March 1999). "Singles: AC". Billboard. p. 25. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  12. 1 2 "Adult Contemporary. Volume 69, Issue 4 (1999-05-17)". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  13. 1 2 "Celine Dion Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  14. 1 2 "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (in French). BAnQ. Archived from the original on 9 August 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  15. 1 2 3 Jaspers, Sam (2006). Ultratop 1995-2005. Book & Media Publishing. ISBN 90-5720-232-8.
  16. 1 2 "Holiday/Seasonal Digital Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on 29 October 2011. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  17. 1 2 "Classical Digital Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  18. 1 2 "Céline Dion & Andrea Bocelli – The Prayer". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  19. 1 2 "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 24/4/2020 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  20. 1 2 "Official Singles Downloads Chart on 24/4/2020 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  21. 1 2 "New Zealand single certifications – Andrea Bocelli feat. Celine Dion – The Prayer". Radioscope. Retrieved 21 December 2024. Type The Prayer in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  22. ↑ "Golden Globe Awards 1999 – Winners & Nominees". HFPA. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  23. ↑ "The 71st Academy Awards (1999) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  24. ↑ "42nd Annual Grammy Awards". The Recording Academy. Retrieved 15 April 2026.
  25. ↑ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Adult Contemporary". RPM. 13 December 1999. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  26. ↑ Cashmere, Paul (29 January 2005) Anthony Callea Premature Sales Announcement. undercover.com.au. Archived from the original on 31 January 2005. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  27. 1 2 ARIA's End Of Decade Charts* (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. 7 January 2010. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  28. ↑ "Anthony Callea - The Prayer". YouTube. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  29. ↑ "The Prayer Anthony Callea sings for Queen Elizabeth 2006". YouTube. 6 April 2008. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  30. ↑ "iTunes - Music - The Prayer - Single by Anthony Callea". iTunes. 19 December 2004. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  31. ↑ "Anthony Callea – The Prayer". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  32. ↑ "ARIA Charts - End of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2004". ARIA. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  33. ↑ "ARIA Charts - End of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2005". ARIA. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  34. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2004 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  35. ↑ "Flo Rida Makes It Nine Straight Atop Hot 100". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 21 February 2008. Retrieved 21 February 2008.
  36. ↑ "Celine Dion Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  37. ↑ "Celine Dion Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  38. ↑ "Celine Dion Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 24 January 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
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