The original songs of Celine's cover versions

[drove all night]

EMOTION

 

written by Barry and Robin Gibb and first recorded 1977 by the Australian singer Samantha Sang. They wanted to use this version for their film "Saturday Night Fever" (1977), but put it out again. It was featured in the film "The Stud" (1978) with Joan Collins and Oliver Tobias.

The Bee Gees recorded the song 1994 for a planned (but then not yet realized) love songs album. They released it eventually on their 2001 collection "Their Greatest Hits: The Record" and on their finally in 2005 on the album "Love songs".

Destiny's Child released their version in October 2001 for their 3rd studio album "Survivor". It was arranged and produced by Mark J. Feist. During the aftermath of the horrible WTC-9/11-attacks the song's became one of the tribute song to the family of the victims.

 

Samantha Sang, 1971 (starts at about 1:10):

 

Bee Gees:

 

Destiny's Child:

 

Celine with Destiny's Child, 2002:

Edited September 20, 2015 at 01:13 PM by drove all night

[AllaneZ]

I never heard the original version of All By Myself or I Drove All Night..

 

http://i.imgur.com/wHIvARo.gif

[drove all night]

Ever thought, that Celine recorded that song FIRST ... well, well, well ... not right!

It's a great story! For all of you, who didn't know: Here's the song's (meanwhile) "tale as old as time"

 

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

 

lyrics written by Howard Ashman (1950-1991) and music by Alan Menken, created in a small conference room at the "Residence Inn" in Fishkill (N.Y.) for the same-called animated Disney movie. First recorded in one take in October 1990 by English actress Angela Lansbury, the voice of the movie's "singing teapot", Mrs. Potts. Although she thought the song'd been "lovely", Lansbury hesitated recording the ballad in the also planned pop-style, which she considered too "rock music" for her old voice - and she suggested that they'd find someone else.

 

Shortly before Celine had been set aside in favor to Linda Ronstadt for the song "Dreams to Dream" in the Spielberg-sequel "An American Tail 2: Fievel Goes West" (1991). As Ronstadt sang in the first Fievel-movie ("Somewhere out there"), they asked her to sing also in the sequel. But Ronstadt first declined. After hearing Celine's rendition of the song, she changed her mind and agreed to record it after all. A BIG disappointment to René & Celine but René convinced the vice president of Universal Pictures, that Celine records "Beauty and the Beast". As Disney couldn't afford to hire a famous singer in 1991, they hired her. But as Celine wasn't known in America at that time, they engaged also Peabo Bryson, a more well-known artist back then, as her duet-partner. Walter Afanasieff produced the song's pop version.

The single was released on November 16, 1991. The song was the first Disney tune with a pop transformation for commercial reasons and it returned Disney-songs to the pop charts after thirty-years of absence. Additional the ballroom scene with the Beast and Belle dancing to the song paved the way for the successful computer-animated films of Pixar Animation Studios. Just some of the many reasons that this songs marked the start of Celine's international career.

The songs won numerous awards, including the most important as "Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song", "Academy Award for Best Original Song" and the "Grammy Awards for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture or Television".

 

Angela Lansbury, @ "The Joy of Christmas" with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra, December 1991:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSi58VX9XnA

 

Celine & Peabo, Video 1991:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgYEJHJXFB4

 

Celine & Peabo January 1992 @ the "American Music Awards"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DRouG4j-vo

 

March 1992, @ the Oscars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsDxqYrz2kM

 

February 1993, @ the Grammys:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKc1yCtLh-0

Edited September 20, 2015 at 03:50 PM by drove all night

[Caledor]

I think she talks about this in her biography "my story my dream "

 

Envoyé de mon D2203 en utilisant Tapatalk

 

 

[drove all night]

Yes, she does!

[drove all night]

SOMEWHERE

 

written by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. From the 1957 Broadway musical "West Side Story", inspired by William Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet". In the original Broadway production "Somewhere" was sung by Reri Grist.

 

Remark: The song starts with a phrase of the 2nd movement of Ludwig van Beethovens famous Piano Concert No. 5, also known as "Emperors Concert" (1811) and uses also phrase from the main theme of the ballet "Swan Lake" (1876) by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

 

Beethovens, Piano Concert No. 5 ("Emperors Concert"):

 

Tchaikovsky, main theme "Swan lake" - movie clip of "Black swan":

 

Reri Grist:

 

Celine @ "Carnaval Du Quebec", January 30, 1988:

[drove all night]

CHAIN OF FOOLS

 

written by Don Covay, in his youth, as he was singing gospels with his brothers and sisters. Initially intended as a song for Otis Redding, but the producer @ Atlantic Records decided to record and release it with Aretha Franklin in 1967. It won a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

 

Aretha Franklin @ 1967

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BloxxEFwibo

 

Celine @ "Tapis Rouge", 1998:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh6iIwtKnsY

[drove all night]

I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME

 

written by Kenneth Gamble and Jerry Ross. First recorded 1966 by Dee Dee Warwick. But the most recognition got the song through the cover by Diana Ross & the Supremes together with The Temptations, released in November 1968. Celine sang the song 1994, promoting the "Bay Company" with a "to die for" "OH BABY ...".

 

Dee Dee Warwick:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy-AX5QItPE

 

Diana Ross & the Supremes and The Temptations:

 

Celine @ 1994:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vn2Pd7FTkAU

[drove all night]

A SONG FOR YOU

 

when Leon Russell wrote (and first recorded) that song in 1970 he never would have guessed, that this tune will be covered by "zillion" of famous singers and groups of the most different musical genres - such as Andy Williams, Donna Summer, The Temptations, Dusty Springfield, Helen Reddy, Whitney Houston, Herbie Hancock together with Christina Aguilera, Carpenters, Neil Diamond, Joe Cocker, Natalie Cole, Cher, Ray Charles, Beyoncé or Michael Bublé - just to name a few.

And no wonder: The lyrics describe perfectly the feelings in every singer's life.

 

"I've been so many places

In my life and time

I've sung a lot of songs

I've made some bad rhymes

I've acted out my life in stages

With ten thousand people watching

But we're 'lone now and

I'm singing this song to you …"

 

Whitney Houston:

 

Donna Summer:

 

Michael Bublé - who sang that song very often at the end of his concerts - for the last verse without music, without "in ear" and without microphone:

 

Celine @ Las Vegas:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRcBtS_NOTo

[drove all night]

HERE WE ARE

 

written and first released by Gloria Estefan in 1989 and it's one of her most successful ballads.

 

Gloria Estefan, 1989:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf9DYeePLJY

 

Celine with Gloria and René at the bongos , 1999:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXVUgAHHnbs

Edited September 25, 2015 at 03:30 PM by drove all night

[drove all night]

I JUST CAN'T STOP LOVING YOU

 

written by Michael Jackson. Released as a duet with Michael Jackson and Siedah Garrett. Had been the first single of his 1987 album "Bad" (one of the best-selling albums of all time). Initially Michael wanted to sing with Barbra Streisand or Whitney Houston. Both of them declined. Siedah Garrett, protégé of Quincy Jones (producer of "Bad) and co-writer of "Man in the Mirror", was a last minute decision. Allegedly she was told about it on the day of the recording session.

 

Celine performed this song 2011 @ her show "Celine".

 

Michael Jackson, Siedah Garrett:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWVHmhKlDNA

 

Celine @ Las Vegas, rehearsal "Celine" 2011:

[drove all night]

MEJOR DECIR ADIOS

 

The original version of that song is "Foolish Lullaby", written by Jack White and Mark Spiro and first recorded by Laura Branigan in 1985.

Paul Anka rewrote the lyrics and in 1993 he released a duet with Regine Velasquez, now called "It's Hard to Say Goodbye".

In 1996 Paul Anka released the Spanish version "MEJOR DECIR ADIOS" together with Celine on his album "Amigos" in 1996. The Spanish lyrics had been written by Adrian Posse and Humberto Gatica.

In 1998 he recorded the duet again with Celine for his album "A Body of Work" and partly rewrote the lyrics of the English Version again. It was released as a promotional single in September 1998 in the United States. A longer version was included in his album "Duets" (2013).

 

Laura Branigan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd2BYJ8XQfM

 

Paul Anka with Regine Velasquez

 

Celine with Paul Anka, English (1998):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xijgegOXFKY

 

Celine with Paul Anka, English, longer version (2013):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TKo2Q9IWbs

 

Celine with Paul Anka Spanish:

[drove all night]

MO LI HUA ("Jasmine Flower")

 

written in China during the Qianlong Emperor period of the Qing Dynasty (18th century). Over time many regional variations had been created with different lyrics. One version describes a custom of giving Jasmine flowers, another describes the fear of plucking the flower. 1804 a British diplomat noted that the song seems to be one of the most popular in China and it was one of those first Chinese folk songs to become widely known worldwide. 1896 it was the temporary national anthem by the Qing Chinese officials in Europe. The famous Italian composer Giacomo Puccini used the melody for the choir "Là sui monti dell'est" in the first act of "Turandot" (1926).

(Source: Wikipedia)

 

Giacomo Puccini "Turandot", "Là sui monti dell'est":

 

Song Zuying 2002 @ Sydney Opera House:

 

Celine talks about learning the song:

 

Celine in February 2013 @ the CCTV Spring Festival Gala together with Song Zuying in Beijing, China:

[drove all night]

PLUS HAUT QUE MOI

 

is the French version of the song "Higher Ground". It was written by Ken Cummings and Mark Blatt. First recorded by Jennifer Rush in 1989.

In 1993 Mario Pelchat recorded a French version together with Celine for his album. A promotional single had been released in Canada and France.

 

Jennifer Rush

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOUNKLRFPgg

 

Celine & Mario Pelchat

[drove all night]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU

 

written by Mildred J. Hill (1859-1916) and her sister Patty (1868-1946) as the welcome song "Good Morning to All" for their kindergarten in Kentucky. As that tune was so much enjoyed, people started to sing it at birthday parties, changing the lyrics to "Happy Birthday". The first music book ("The Beginners' Book of Songs") containing the "Happy birthday" lyrics was published 1912 by the piano manufacturer "Cable Company".

Curiously there had been a copyright on that song, owned by Warner/Chappell Music. But they had been sued by a filmmaker and that whole thing was a big, complicated and very long lasting process - which ended in September 2015 (!) with the decision, that this song is free of any copyright.

One of the most famous performances of "Happy Birthday to You" was Marilyn Monroe's rendition to U.S. President John F. Kennedy in May 1962, three months before her death.

Celine sang that songs 2011 joining the "More birthday" campaign of the "American Cancer Society".

 

Marilyn Monroe:

 

Celine Dion:

[drove all night]

THE "LAS VEGAS MASHUP": QUEEN MEETS BEETHOVEN

"THE SHOW MUST GO ON" MINGLED WITH THE "5th SYMPHONY"

 

Celine's new musical director Scott Price made a very bold and - regarding Celine's current personal life - even profound decision, to combine Beethoven's masterpiece, the famous "Symphony of fate", with Queen's "The show must go on".

 

Ludwig van Beethoven wrote his Symphony No. 5 in C minor (Opus 67) between 1804 and 1808 in Vienna (Austria), struggling with the beginning of his deafness and some other personal problems. Additional raged the Napoleonic Wars in Europe combined with riots in Austria.

That symphony is known as the "Symphony of fate", because according to his assistant Anton Schindler, Beethoven once described the beginning chords of his symphony as "Thus Fate knocks at the door!"

It premiered @ the "Theater an der Wien" in Vienna 1808. It wasn't success on first hand, not until the review of E.T.A. Hoffmann (romantic author) in a German music-newspaper, some months later. He described the symphony like that:

"Radiant beams shoot through this region's deep night, and we become aware of gigantic shadows which, rocking back and forth, close in on us and destroy everything within us except the pain of endless longing - a longing in which every pleasure that rose up in jubilant tones sinks and succumbs, and only through this pain, which, while consuming but not destroying love, hope, and joy, tries to burst our breasts with full-voiced harmonies of all the passions, we live on and are captivated beholders of the spirits."

 

One of the best "Beethoven"-conductors in the world, Christian Thieleman directs one of the best orchestras of the world, the "Wiener Philharmoniker" @ the famous "Goldener Saal" of the Viennese "Musikverein" (worldwide known as the location of the annual famous "New Years Concert"):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jh-E5m01wY

 

Celine @ Las Vegas, 2015:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PfNjkaVjAM

[drove all night]

ALL AROUND THE WORLD

 

written Lisa Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andy Morris and first released by Lisa Stansfield in 1989. The tune received the "Ivor Novello Award" for "Best Song Musically and Lyrically". It became Lisa's signature song.

 

Lisa Stansfield:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVuuatjHGnY

 

Celine's adorable shoes-version @ Ellen, September 2013 (at 4:00):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4s5LhYZ7e8&feature=youtu.be

Edited October 4, 2015 at 12:29 PM by drove all night

[drove all night]

SHE WORKS HARD FOR THE MONEY

 

written by Donna Summer and Michael Omartian. First released in 1983. First live performed as the opening act of the Grammys in 1984. Donna was the first female African American to receive "MTV Video Music Awards" nominations for that song ("Best Female Video" and "Best Choreography"). The lyrics describe a real meeting of Donna Summer with a weary ladies room attendant named Onetta Johnson @ Chasen's, Los Angeles.

 

Donna Summer:

 

Donna Summer @ the Grammys, February 1984:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcvd3V-V1fk

 

Celine's adorable snipplet, @ Ellen, taped in October 2007 (at 0:38),

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeJMy8VsNq0&feature=youtu.be

[drove all night]

JE L'AIME À MOURIR ("I love her to death")

 

written and first released in 1979 by Francis Cabrel. He wrote it with the Mexican movie star María Félix (1914-2002) in mind. It was a hit in Quebec, France and other parts of Europe

 

María Félix:

 

Francis Cabrel, 1979:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4wMsGuOkXk

 

Celine with Francis Cabrel, Fred Pellerin and Vincent Niclo @ "L'été indien", 2014:

[drove all night]

IS NOTHING SACRED

 

music written by Jim Steinman and lyrics by Don Black. First recorded by Meat Loaf 1998 for his "Very best of"-album. In 1999 a single had been released as a duet with Patti Russo.

 

Meatloaf:

 

Meatloaf with Patti Russo:

 

Celine:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uH_3xG7mX8

[drove all night]

WE ARE THE WORLD

 

written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson. First recorded at the "A&M Recording Studios" (Los Angeles) as a benefit single in 1985 by a choir of the most famous music-artists at that time. The proceeds had been donated to the non-profit foundation "United Support of Artists for Africa" (USA for Africa). It raised about 70 Million Dollars for humanitarian aid in Africa and the US.

The idea of the song aroused seven weeks after the release of the Band Aid's charity single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in the UK.

The song received numerous awards (3 Grammys, American Music Award, People's Choice Award and got multiple Platinum certifications worldwide).

 

In February 2010 the song was re-recorded at the "Henson Recording Studios" (Los Angeles) by giant choir of major singers: "We Are the World 25 for Haiti". "25" as a reference to the first recording of that song, 25 years before.

The proceeds went to the survivors of the devastating earthquake in Haiti (January 2010). Celine, who was chosen to sing the famous "Cindy Lauper Part", said that the re-release of the song would not only benefit the Haitian people, but also serve as a remembrance of "the passion Michael Jackson had for helping those in need".

 

The whole stories of both projects:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Are_the_World

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Are_the_World_25_for_Haiti

 

"USA for Africa", 1985.

Conductor: Quincy Jones

Choir/Solists: Al Jarreau, Anita Pointer, Bette Midler, Bill Gibson, Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Bob Geldof, Bruce Springsteen, Chris Hayes, Cyndi Lauper, Dan Aykroyd, Daryl Hall, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Harry Belafonte, Huey Lewis, Jackie Jackson, James Ingram, Jeffrey Osborne, John Oates, Johnny Colla, June Pointer, Kenny Loggins, Kenny Rogers, Kim Carnes, La Toya Jackson, Lindsey Buckingham, Lionel Richie, Mario Cipollina, Marlon Jackson, Michael Jackson, Paul Simon, Randy Jackson, Ray Charles, Ruth Pointer, Sean Hopper, Sheila E., Smokey Robinson, Steve Perry, Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Tito Jackson, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson,

 

"We Are the World 25 for Haiti"

Conductors: Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie, Mervyn Warren

Soloists (in order of appearance): Justin Bieber, Nicole Scherzinger, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Nettles, Josh Groban, Tony Bennett, Mary J. Blige, Toni Braxton, Michael Jackson (stock footage), Janet Jackson, Barbra Streisand, Miley Cyrus, Enrique Iglesias, Jamie Foxx, Wyclef Jean, Adam Levine, Pink, BeBe Winans, Usher, Celine Dion, Orianthi (on guitar), Fergie, Nick Jonas, Mary Mary, Isaac Slade, Carlos Santana (on guitar), Lil Wayne, Akon, T-Pain, LL Cool J (rap), will.i.am (rap), Snoop Dogg (rap), Nipsey Hussle (rap), Busta Rhymes (rap), Swizz Beatz (rap), Kid Cudi (rap), IYAZ (rap), Mann (rap), Kanye West (rap)

Choir: Patti Austin, Philip Bailey, Piero Barone, Fonzworth Bentley, Ignazio Boschetto, Bizzy Bone, El DeBarge, Ethan Bortnick, Brandy, Jeff Bridges, Zac Brown, Kristian Bush, Natalie Cole, Harry Connick, Jr., Nikka Costa, Faith Evans, Melanie Fiona, Sean Garrett, Tyrese Gibson, Gianluca Ginoble, Anthony Hamilton, Keri Hilson, John Legend, Julianne Hough, India.Arie, Randy Jackson, Taj Jackson, Taryll Jackson, TJ Jackson, Bobby McFerrin, Monica, Vin Diesel, Al Jardine, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Ralph Johnson, Joe Jonas, Kevin Jonas, Rashida Jones, Gladys Knight, Benji Madden, Joel Madden, Katharine McPhee, Jason Mraz, Mýa, Freda Payne, A. R. Rahman, RedOne, Nicole Richie, Kelly Rowland, Raphael Saadiq, Chico DeBarge, Trey Songz, Musiq Soulchild, Jordin Sparks, Robin Thicke, Rob Thomas, Vince Vaughn, Mervyn Warren, Verdine White, Ann Wilson, Brian Wilson, Nancy Wilson

 

"USA for Africa", 1985:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9BNoNFKCBI

 

"We Are the World 25 for Haiti"

[drove all night]

NO WOMAN, NO CRY

 

written by Bob Marley and his friend Vincent Ford. First released by Bob Marley & the Wailers in 1974 on the album "Natty Dread". For the single in 1975 they released live version, which reached No. 37 on Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

In 1996 the "Fugees" released a cover, featuring Wyclef Jean on lead vocals.

 

Bob Marley:

 

Fugees:

 

Celine's adorable snipplet @ the press conference @ Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival, January 2012 (at 1:39):

[drove all night]

LOVED ME BACK TO LIFE

 

Ok. This is a little "off topic", since Sia wrote that song for Celine. But I found the demo of Sia. And I thought it would be interesting, to present both interpretations.

 

The song was co-written by Sia Furler, Hasham "Sham" Hussain and Denarius "Motesart" Motes.

 

Sia:

 

Celine:

[drove all night]

THANK YOU FOR OVER 8.000 VIEWS @ MY TOPIC!

[Bell]

IS NOTHING SACRED

 

music written by Jim Steinman and lyrics by Don Black. First recorded by Meat Loaf 1998 for his "Very best of"-album. In 1999 a single had been released as a duet with Patti Russo.

 

 

 

I think the song was written for Celine after the success of IACBTMN. She recorded it for her LTAL album but it didn't make the final cut. Then Meatloaf recorded and released the song. As far as I know, Celine never released this song officially so it doesn't belong to this topic at all. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

 

LOVED ME BACK TO LIFE

 

Ok. This is a little "off topic", since Sia wrote that song for Celine.

 

Sia actually wrote it for Rihanna. Rihanna liked the song but didn't have enough time to record it so it was given to Celine.

[drove all night]

 

I think the song was written for Celine after the success of IACBTMN. She recorded it for her LTAL album but it didn't make the final cut. Then Meatloaf recorded and released the song. As far as I know, Celine never released this song officially so it doesn't belong to this topic at all. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

 

 

 

Sia actually wrote it for Rihanna. Rihanna liked the song but didn't have enough time to record it so it was given to Celine.

 

Well, Bell ... ;-) ... don't be so strict regarding "Is nothing sacred". Even though the song hadn't been officially released. It leaked it's way to the public and can be found @ alot of platforms. Up to my researched information it had been as I posted it. But I will try to ask Mr. Steinman in person - hopefully he will answer. :-)

 

And thank you very much regarding the additional information @ LMBTL. I didn't know and those webpages I researched didn't mention. Can't imagine Rihanna singing that song - so it was good that she didn't have time to record. ;-)

[Bell]

Well, Bell ... ;-) ... don't be so strict regarding "Is nothing sacred". Even though the song hadn't been officially released. It leaked it's way to the public and can be found @ alot of platforms. Up to my researched information it had been as I posted it. But I will try to ask Mr. Steinman in person - hopefully he will answer. :-)

 

 

I'm not 100% sure that what I wrote is true. I've read it somewhere on the internet a few years ago. If Mr. Steinman himself confirms (or denies) it, we'll know the truth for sure.

[CelinesDIVO5]

Where did the Rihanna info come from??

[Bell]

Where did the Rihanna info come from??

As far as I remember, it's on the LMBTL album thread.

[drove all night]

@ Dear Bell.

 

I had the honor of receiving an answer of Mr. Meat Loaf himself to my question, who recorded "Is Nothing Sacred" first. It was him with Patti Russo. So my research had been correct!

 

P.S.: I must admit it felt somehow surreal that this legend answered this Facebook-PM personally.