The story behind "A New Day Has Come"

[Koolan]

Canadian songwriters Aldo Nova & Stephan Moccio tell how they wrote and placed the worldwide hit, "A New Day Has Come," for Celine Dion.

 

 

Aldo Nova & Stephan Moccio Write The Celine Dion Hit, "A New Day Has Come"

 

By Dale Kawashima

 

Songwriters often dream about writing the first single for a superstar artist’s new album. They know the competition is fierce, with literally thousands of writers vying to place their song with a top artist like Celine Dion. But Aldo Nova and Stephan Moccio came together to write "A New Day Has Come," the first single and title track from Dion’s new album release.

 

Both Nova and Moccio are well known figures in the Canadian music scene. Nova is a twenty-year veteran based in Montreal, who has enjoyed multi-platinum success as a recording artist (including his hit, "Fantasy"), and as a producer and songwriter. He has written cuts on many of Dion’s albums, and has collaborated with artists such as Jon Bon Jovi. Moccio is a young, classically-trained musician based in Toronto, who has written and produced several Canadian hits (including "Alive" by Edwin).

 

Nova was introduced to Moccio by Vito Luprano (Vice President of A&R for Sony Music Canada), and Gary Furniss (President of Sony/ATV Music Canada, which publishes Moccio). "Gary and Vito suggested that I write with Stephan," recalled Nova. "Stephan flew to Montreal, and we started collaborating. We immediately hit it off as a writing team, and on the third day (in May 2001) we wrote ‘A New Day Has Come.’"

 

"‘A New Day’ stood out as the song we should focus on," added Moccio. "Aldo knew Celine very well, and he was able to write about [the hardship she endured] trying to have a baby, and the great joy she experienced with the birth of her son. I wrote most of the music, and Aldo wrote most of the lyrics. We finished writing the song in one afternoon."

 

A few weeks later, Moccio recorded the demo tracks in his Toronto studio. "We created the demo to sound like a Celine record," explained Moccio. "It was a big production."

 

Upon completion of the demo, Nova played it for Luprano, who is Dion’s A&R executive. Luprano immediately loved "A New Day Has Come," and soon after played the demo for Dion and her husband/manager, Rene Angeli. Dion loved the song, and decided to record "A New Day Has Come" for her upcoming album.

 

"It was an unbelievable feeling to hear the news, that Celine would be recording our song," said Moccio. "It was like being on cloud nine. The following day, we received more good news: [top producer] Walter Afanasieff would be producing the song, with Aldo co-producing."

 

In September, Afanasieff produced the master tracks for "A New Day Has Come," which included recording a full orchestra. The next month, Dion recorded her vocal tracks. Everyone was very happy with the result, and soon after, it was decided that "A New Day Has Come" would be the title track of Dion’s album.

 

"In November, we got word it would be the title cut," recalled Moccio. "Then right before Christmas, we got the biggest news, that it would be the first single. I was so happy; I shared the news with my fiance, and with my manager." Nova added, "It still hasn’t sunk in. I’ve been fortunate to have had several cuts with Celine over the years, but to get the first single, it was a tremendous feeling."

 

Landing the first single was a remarkable feat, especially when considering that "A New Day Has Come" was the first single and album to be released by Dion in more than two years, following her hiatus and the birth of her son. Since its release in February, the single has enjoyed worldwide chart success. The album, which was released in late March, has also fared well, reaffirming Dion’s status as an international, best-selling artist.

 

"Since the single came out, it’s been sheer excitement," said Moccio. "Things have been going non-stop; many opportunities have arisen since we got the single. I feel humble and very thankful that somehow our song broke through."

 

"Writing and working with Stephan has been a great experience," added Nova. "Our collaboration has gotten off to a great start, and we’ve been very busy, writing many more songs together, and making the most of this wonderful opportunity."

Source

[vivezpouraimer]

Thanks for the enjoyable read. This is my favorite song.

[Koolan]

I wonder if they finished the ballad version before or after the uptempo version.

[Mozinha]

That's indeed a great song and, as Celine used to say, it can be used for everyone out there who, for some reason, started a new life. It's a wonderful song and a sentimental favourite because it was the first song by her I heard in concert

[Lawna]

I wonder if they finished the ballad version before or after the uptempo version.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I was wondering the same thing... I love both version very much The songs always chokes me up when I think about her hiatus and the wonderful birth of her son RC. Great Song indeed!

[SuperLove4Celine]

That was an awesome article! Thank you for sharing!

 

God I would do anything to have Celine or another big-name artist record one of my songs. I'll just be positive and take the attitude that it's not "if" it happens but WHEN.

 

Thanks again!

 

Joe

Edited August 27, 2006 at 01:56 AM by JosephTNielsen

[tativale]

This is surelly my very favorite song!!!! I simple LOVE it!!!! A New Day Has Come makes me feel 'new' again. It brings me the feeling that 'it's ok, let's go for it, let's start a new life!!" heheh LOVE it!

 

Thanks for sharing Vic!!!!

[celinesounds]

I love the song, thanks for that

[seahawk]

Thanks for sharing this

[Bellamy]

I remember Celine telling the story behind ANDHC herself. She said when she met Stephan Moccio as the song writer of ANDHC he asked if she still remember him. he said ten years ago she met Celine as a fan, and told Celine he'd write a song for her, now he did it.

[nico robin]

I remember Celine telling the story behind ANDHC herself. She said when she met Stephan Moccio as the song writer of ANDHC he asked if she still remember him. he said ten years ago she met Celine as a fan, and told Celine he'd write a song for her, now he did it.

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I THINK I READ OR HEARD THIS STORY...BUT I DON'T REMEMBER

I LOVE ANDHC

[smw]

Thanks for sharing. It's great to hear the stories behind these songs. Almost takes it to a more personal level.

[newyorksnl15]

thanks for sharing, i just love this song

[CSCfan]

I remember Celine telling the story behind ANDHC herself. She said when she met Stephan Moccio as the song writer of ANDHC he asked if she still remember him. he said ten years ago she met Celine as a fan, and told Celine he'd write a song for her, now he did it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I THINK I READ OR HEARD THIS STORY...BUT I DON'T REMEMBER

I LOVE ANDHC

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I think it's in one of the VH1 docs..

 

Anyway, fantastic read - thanks!

Hmm.. a version with an orchestra (or is that just the ballad version)?

[Esty]

Thank you for posting! It was an enjoyable read truly! I just loooove reading things about how one song came into being... It's one of my favourite songs so the pleasure was that much greater! I wondered too which version is it, but I guess it's the ballad version since it's the more "grandious" one and with "full" orchestration.

[I Surrender]

thanks for the lovely read.

[anewdayhascome]

My the most favourite song is A New Day Has Come... forever!

[whosarahre]

its really good to hear the little stories of the world. makes me fell good about humanity!

[AdrianaCarvalho]

thanks for share the story!

[Krys]

thanks for sharing this story Vic

[kathyc25]

cool I love that song

[xo1hrt4celineox]

I think it is the ballad version because when I put the CD in one of my music players on the computer the uptempo version comes up as "A New Day Has Come (Ric Wake Radio Remix)." Thanks for sharing the story, I love background information!

[firebird]

I think that's one of the best songs she's ever recorded. Was a good decision she worked with those people.

[smw]

Can you imagine writing a Celine Dion single?!!! That would be such an honor for any songwriter.

[songbird]

Oh tell me about it??? I'm a songwriter and I'd give anything to have that opportunity one day! I would like to get to know her closely, like JJG did before writing the songs on "D'eux"... and maybe co-write the lyrics with Celine herself! wow...

I'm really really dreamin' right now... but anyway, thanks for the story!

[Koolan]

 

Hear a short clip of A New Day Has Come on the piano in the beginning.

[peo]

Thanks. I Love A New Day Has Come

[anewdayhascome]

Thanks!

I've always wondered why they put 2 versions of this song on the cd

[rathnakumar]

This was the song that made me the Céline fan that I am!

[LVCeline]

Is there any fan that doesn't like this song? I don't think I've seen one yet, but I'd be curious to know if anyone here doesn't like it. It's surely one of my favorite songs!