The original songs of Celine's cover versions

[drove all night]

"TONIGHT WE DANCE"

 

Nanette Workman ("Ce Soir On Danse à Naziland" of the musical "Starmania")

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyiGpzUHjbM

 

Celine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VLcxsU8_GI

[CELINO]

Didn't Celine also record ''That's Just The Woman In Me'' first? I mean she told that story about how she was waiting for the song and the song was waiting for her and that no one had recorded it...

 

She obviously got that wrong because K&TW recorded that between 1983-84, those who don't believe me can listen to a clip of the song here on amazon, it's track #21

 

Céline already knew this song. I mean, she has always wanted to re-record that song, but it didn't fit very well in all the previous albums. In fact, she hoped no one else could re-record it. At least that's what I think she meant to say..

I'm pretty sure of it.

[celínico_sin_remedio]

I'm very impressed about the fact that IWCT, ABOY and some others such as LIAWN ARE covers!

So personally thanks to everyone who is helping this topic grow for making it visible to me.

 

 

"THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE"

 

Roberta Flack:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wANfZoE5x_I

 

Celine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv1cHzPp4-U

 

 

THIS was the original:

 

written in 1958 by Ewan McColl for his wife Peggy Seeger: (but he didn't know that his wife couldn't sing this song)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brC3EJh9nSY

 

OMD

 

 

hmmmm.... Maybe Ewan wrote the melody so it would be sung like his wife did, and then Roberta came and messed up!

Who knows?

But I prefer the current version... OMG it's much more beautiful!

[Davey84]

Was this posted?

 

"LET'S TALK ABOUT LOVE"

 

JJ Goldman

 

 

 

 

No, not THAT song tooo???!?!?!

 

well in a way it is an original song, because they only used the melody of the song, the lyrics are completly different!

 

Losing track of what's already on here so sorry if this one's a repeat.

 

Shirley Bassey - Never Never Never

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRXpAiZz8VU

 

Celine and Pavarotti - I Hate You Then I Love You

 

 

Don't really know why they changed so many lyrics??

 

I guess to make the song more fitting to their voices?

[shady pines ma]

My thoughts on some of the covers and originals.

 

When it comes to "The Best," Tina's version isn't the original either - Bonnie Tyler did it first, but I've not heard her version, and I'm not really seeking it out, although Bonnie's not bad. For me, Celine's was good - her covers usually are - but Tina's is the best version IMO. It's basically become a signature for her, and how many times have we heard the title used as a pun? "Tina, you're still 'simply the best.'"

 

"River Deep" is a draw for me. Celine's version is energetic and infectious and her vocals are fantastic. But Tina's has that classic Phil Spector "Wall Of Sound" production that makes it a 60's pop classic. Absolutely one of the best pop records of all time. I'd actually love it if they once did it together.

 

As much as I love Celine's dance-y cover of "I Drove All Night," give me Cyndi's recording any day. Although Cyndi's voice isn't as technically beautiful as Celine's, Cyndi is a VERY impressive singer and her voice and the rockier production add a bite and edge to the song that I miss in Celine's. However, I still think it's one of Celine's best recordings of the decade, and I wish it'd been a bigger stateside hit.

 

No comparison for "At Last" - Etta James has done the ultimate version, and nobody else's can compare. Celine's is too vanilla for me, and I almost never listen to it. I really wish she'd taken a risk and done a nice jazzy version or gone really bluesy.

 

Although Celine did "What A Wonderful World" very well, I'm in agreement with the OP - Satchmo did the definitive version. Nothing else compares.

 

It's a draw for "The First Time." Celine's version holds up beautifully next to Roberta's glorious recording.

 

Celine's version of "Alone" does add something new to the track with the music box intro and the strings, but for that particular song, it was pretty much made to be belted out by the incredible Ann Wilson. Both versions have been played heavily by me though.

 

No comparison - Celine owns "All By Myself" and "It's All Coming Back," while Aretha, as much as I'm not a big fan, owns "Natural Woman."

 

As for "All The Way," it makes me no nevermind to listen to either Frank sing it alone or with Celine, as I am also a lover of Sinatra.

 

"My Heart Belongs To Daddy" I love both versions. Mary Martin also did a great version in the 30's for Decca. I think it was her first hit, actually.

 

I've not heard Patti LaBelle's version of "If You Asked Me Too" too many times, but she's Patti LaBelle, so naturally her version was good. I do prefer Celine's.

 

Peggy Lee now and forever owns "Fever," although many singers have made great interpretations, including Celine and Madonna.

 

"Over The Rainbow" is not up for debate for me - the song will forever belong to the incredible Judy Garland. Celine's wasn't bad - better than most pop covers, which get oversung like crazy. Barbra Streisand did a great performance of it during her 1986 One Voice concert, which included a rarely-heard setup verse, and she dedicated it to Judy.

 

Now to look at the list to see any I've missed...

 

Many many singers, including Celine, have done great covers of "The Christmas Song," but my all-time favorite will always be Nat King Cole's recording. It just feels like Christmas to me, but I usually love the classic Christmas music by people like Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, etc. most.

 

Celine's recording of "O Holy Night" stands as what is probably my all-time favorite version of that song. Absolutely amazing vocal performance. Martina McBride does a fabulous version too.

 

"Glory Alleluia" eventually became "Battle Hymn Of The Republic," and if you want to hear one of the most stirring performances ever, track down Judy Garland's performance of the song from her TV series on YouTube. She performed it in memory of JFK, who was a friend of hers, and it's absolutely breathtaking.

 

I won't comment on ones like "New Dawn" or "Unison," where I've only heard Celine's.

[Titom]

For me, the best cover that she has ever done (and by "best cover" I mean real work of rebuilding and adaptation) is If Walls Could Talk.

I barely can't recognize the song when I hear the original one.

 

The approach is so different with TC, where the same instrumental was used, etc (even if I love that song sung by Celine).

[meanttofly]

I love Celine for making us know so many amazing songs that we wouldn´t know if she hadn´t recorded them.

In some of them she clearly surpases the original. Of course there are many cases in wich the original is better. Sometimes it´s because the original is just too good, but in many cases, Celine´s version doesn´t bring much to the song because she sticks too much to the original and she doesn´t seem to take the time to re-elaborate and really feel the song making it hers .

In general I think it comes down to how important the song is for her. If she really takes her time and devotes to the song, she has the incredible hability to take it to another level. Otherwise the big pipes may just not be enough.

Edited September 29, 2009 at 02:54 PM by meanttofly

[drove all night]

"ALL BY MYSELF"

 

Found that out today and THAT'S really an original: Listened to

(written around 1900) - and at about 2:08 I thought ... well, I've heard that before.

 

And as I checked out at Wiki: "The verse borrows very heavily from the second movement (Adagio Sostenuto) of Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Opus 18, which Eric Carmen believed was in the public domain. Having found it was not, only after the record had been issued, Carmen had to come to an agreement with the Rachmaninoff estate. Early versions, therefore, only give writing credits to Carmen, but later versions also credit Rachmaninoff. The chorus borrows from a song

that Carmen had written for the Raspberries in 1973."

 

So that's the recepit how you can create an incredible song.

 

 

Celine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wedX64L_j9E

Edited September 29, 2009 at 06:11 PM by drove all night

[drove all night]

My thoughts on some of the covers and originals.

 

When it comes to "The Best," Tina's version isn't the original either - Bonnie Tyler did it first, but I've not heard her version, and I'm not really seeking it out, although Bonnie's not bad. For me, Celine's was good - her covers usually are - but Tina's is the best version IMO. It's basically become a signature for her, and how many times have we heard the title used as a pun? "Tina, you're still 'simply the best.'"

 

"River Deep" is a draw for me. Celine's version is energetic and infectious and her vocals are fantastic. But Tina's has that classic Phil Spector "Wall Of Sound" production that makes it a 60's pop classic. Absolutely one of the best pop records of all time. I'd actually love it if they once did it together.

 

As much as I love Celine's dance-y cover of "I Drove All Night," give me Cyndi's recording any day. Although Cyndi's voice isn't as technically beautiful as Celine's, Cyndi is a VERY impressive singer and her voice and the rockier production add a bite and edge to the song that I miss in Celine's. However, I still think it's one of Celine's best recordings of the decade, and I wish it'd been a bigger stateside hit.

 

No comparison for "At Last" - Etta James has done the ultimate version, and nobody else's can compare. Celine's is too vanilla for me, and I almost never listen to it. I really wish she'd taken a risk and done a nice jazzy version or gone really bluesy.

 

Although Celine did "What A Wonderful World" very well, I'm in agreement with the OP - Satchmo did the definitive version. Nothing else compares.

 

It's a draw for "The First Time." Celine's version holds up beautifully next to Roberta's glorious recording.

 

Celine's version of "Alone" does add something new to the track with the music box intro and the strings, but for that particular song, it was pretty much made to be belted out by the incredible Ann Wilson. Both versions have been played heavily by me though.

 

No comparison - Celine owns "All By Myself" and "It's All Coming Back," while Aretha, as much as I'm not a big fan, owns "Natural Woman."

 

As for "All The Way," it makes me no nevermind to listen to either Frank sing it alone or with Celine, as I am also a lover of Sinatra.

 

"My Heart Belongs To Daddy" I love both versions. Mary Martin also did a great version in the 30's for Decca. I think it was her first hit, actually.

 

I've not heard Patti LaBelle's version of "If You Asked Me Too" too many times, but she's Patti LaBelle, so naturally her version was good. I do prefer Celine's.

 

Peggy Lee now and forever owns "Fever," although many singers have made great interpretations, including Celine and Madonna.

 

"Over The Rainbow" is not up for debate for me - the song will forever belong to the incredible Judy Garland. Celine's wasn't bad - better than most pop covers, which get oversung like crazy. Barbra Streisand did a great performance of it during her 1986 One Voice concert, which included a rarely-heard setup verse, and she dedicated it to Judy.

 

Now to look at the list to see any I've missed...

 

Many many singers, including Celine, have done great covers of "The Christmas Song," but my all-time favorite will always be Nat King Cole's recording. It just feels like Christmas to me, but I usually love the classic Christmas music by people like Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Bing Crosby, etc. most.

 

Celine's recording of "O Holy Night" stands as what is probably my all-time favorite version of that song. Absolutely amazing vocal performance. Martina McBride does a fabulous version too.

 

"Glory Alleluia" eventually became "Battle Hymn Of The Republic," and if you want to hear one of the most stirring performances ever, track down Judy Garland's performance of the song from her TV series on YouTube. She performed it in memory of JFK, who was a friend of hers, and it's absolutely breathtaking.

 

I won't comment on ones like "New Dawn" or "Unison," where I've only heard Celine's.

 

 

Thank you for your comments. Was interesting to read!

 

Aaand I didn't know that Bonnie Tyler recorded "Simply the best" before Tina Turner. But it's true - it was on her album "Hide Your Heart" (released 1988). Tina re-recored it 1989.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKNPqCVxUhI

Edited September 29, 2009 at 06:28 PM by drove all night

[maceta_biloxi]

"IF I COULD"

 

Nancy Wilson

Soundsample

http://www.amazon.com/If-I-Could-Album-Version/dp/B0013AJLCY

 

Celine

 

Barbra Streisand also sings If I Could in one of her albums, but to be honest with you I like Celine's version better...

[drove all night]

"IF I COULD"

 

Nancy Wilson

Soundsample

http://www.amazon.com/If-I-Could-Album-Version/dp/B0013AJLCY

 

Celine

 

Barbra Streisand also sings If I Could in one of her albums, but to be honest with you I like Celine's version better...

 

 

Yes, you are right. But she recorded it for her 1997-album "Higher Ground"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EOTzqZS524

and Nancy Wilson recorded it for her 1989 album "Nancy Now” ... so she was "the first"

 

Although Barbra's voice is wonderful - nothing about to talk about that - but she just doesn't have the heart for this song. It sounds somehow "rushed" and without any soul. Only Celine brought soul and heart to the lines of the song - and of course she's got that feeling with the birth of RC!

[drove all night]

THIS TIME THE OTHER WAY AROUND: "MY HEART WILL GO ON" - Covered by others:

 

Neil Diamond

http://listen.grooveshark.com/ - /song/My_Heart_Will_Go_On/2902938

 

Trish Thuy Trang, sung in Vietnamese

http://www.imeem.com/sasuke12/music/vUQG6M...eart-will-go-o/

 

Vicky Leandros, sung in German

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cHkJhyPON8...PL&index=47

 

Sarah Brightman, sung in Italian

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_nXcRvqyyk

 

New Found Glory

 

Kenny G, instrumental

 

Neal Schon

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcLZ_TLaUiY

 

James Galway, instrumental

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mHqrP7Rbeo

 

Michael Ball

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZBiXJla3mw

 

Yuna Ito

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZaDXzOcK38

 

Virtuoso, sung in Finnish

 

Los Straitjackets, instrumental

 

Jonas Brothers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L18YEC_ZTLI

 

Becky Jane Taylor (then age 10)

 

Charice Pempengco

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqzVwstPPzY

 

Vivian Bishara, sung in Arabic

 

Tina Arena

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSXzZiFFBMM

 

Andre Rieu, instrumental

 

Vittorio Grigolo

 

and surely many, many others ....

Edited October 1, 2009 at 07:18 PM by drove all night

[Bralo20]

Was this posted?

 

"LET'S TALK ABOUT LOVE"

 

JJ Goldman

 

 

 

 

No, not THAT song tooo???!?!?!

 

well in a way it is an original song, because they only used the melody of the song, the lyrics are completly different!

 

You are correct that it's not a 100% translation of the original French version of JJ but there are similarities in both songs

Actually a 100% translation of the song wouldn't have worked into English. So it's been reworked to more basic lyrics.

 

I actually like JJ's original, maybe Céline could release the same French version... I think it would be a succes.

[Bralo20]

Losing track of what's already on here so sorry if this one's a repeat.

 

Shirley Bassey - Never Never Never

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRXpAiZz8VU

 

Celine and Pavarotti - I Hate You Then I Love You

 

 

Don't really know why they changed so many lyrics??

 

Actually the original is an Italian song, Never Never Never was a cover allready...

 

The original was performed by Mina Mazzini and called "Grande Grande Grande"

 

This one:

 

[Bralo20]

"TAKING CHANCES"

 

 

Platinum Weird

 

 

Celine

 

Damn... That's a hard one... Both are nearly identical... I would say that Kara DioGuardi's version is the slightly better one, but in this case it's a hard call...

 

Ok, give me this one:

(unfortunately never released nor recorded (I think)). Edited October 3, 2009 at 12:53 PM by Bralo20

[Bralo20]

"MAMMY BLUE"

 

Roger Whittaker

 

Celine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbICC27fe48

 

The original is from Hubert Giraud but Roger Whittaker's version is one of the famoust covers.

[drove all night]

"MAMMY BLUE"

 

Roger Whittaker

 

Celine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbICC27fe48

 

The original is from Hubert Giraud but Roger Whittaker's version is one of the famoust covers.

 

 

Oh thank you. Didn't know this!

[drove all night]

"TAKING CHANCES"

 

 

Platinum Weird

 

 

Celine

 

Damn... That's a hard one... Both are nearly identical... I would say that Kara DioGuardi's version is the slightly better one, but in this case it's a hard call...

 

Ok, give me this one:

(unfortunately never released nor recorded (I think)).

 

 

Wow. thanx. Didn't know that. But that girl also wrote RIFOY for ANDHC and together with Dave TC. Wow, that girl's got a voice!!! Found this: Kara with Dave Stewart performing "Taking Chances" on the couch.

 

Edited October 4, 2009 at 06:32 AM by drove all night

[iTiffany19]

I really love her versions of "The Power of Love" "God Bless America" and "Happy Christmas (War is Over)" Very beautiful. She should do a cover of "Only Time" by Enya. I bet it would be lovely!

[drove all night]

Ha!!! Who would have guessed that "Open Arms" was first sung by Mariah!!!

 

According to "Wikipedia":

"'Open Arms' is a popular song originally recorded by American rock band Journey, and released as a single from their 1981 album, Escape. Co-written by band members Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain, the song is a power ballad whose lyrics are an empowering plea to a lover to forgive past wrongdoings and agree to start anew. It is one of the band's most recognizable radio hits and their biggest US Billboard Hot 100 hit, reaching #2 in February 1982 and holding that position for six weeks.

'Open Arms' has been covered by various recording artists. American R&B/pop singer Mariah Carey enjoyed an international hit with the song in 1996; hers is arguably the best-known version of the song in the United Kingdom, where it reached #4 in the UK Singles Chart. The song has also been covered by such artists as American singer/songwriter Barry Manilow, R&B group Boyz II Men and Canadian singer Celine Dion. It is a favorite on reality television singing competitions as well, being performed by contestants on American Idol, the UK's The X Factor, and Australian Idol.

Journey's recording of 'Open Arms' has been described as one of the greatest love songs ever written. VH1 named the song as the greatest power ballad of all time. Mike DeGagne of Allmusic has described it as 'One of rock's most beautiful ballads', which 'gleams with an honesty and feel only Steve Perry could muster.'"

 

 

The Original/Journey:

 

Mariah:

 

Barry Manilow:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5fz4h6Arc0

 

Boyz II Men

 

Celine ... the BEST by far!!!!! (Even if I would not be her fan!!!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg9x9h1hVHE

Edited September 18, 2012 at 08:46 PM by drove all night

[Bell]

Great topic, I love it! I learnt many, many things while reading it.

[Boy]

Not sure if it's been posted before but here's the full version of "If Walls Could Talk"

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX-Jl5c-WvY...e=results_video

[drove all night]

Not sure if it's been posted before but here's the full version of "If Walls Could Talk"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX-Jl5c-WvY...e=results_video

 

 

Thank you! Yes, had been posted yet!

 

Here's a new one:

 

MR. PAGANINI

 

acc. to Wiki: "'(If You Can't Sing It) You'll Have to Swing It (Mr. Paganini)' is a song written by Sam Coslow that is strongly associated with Ella Fitzgerald. It was first recorded by Fitzgerald on 29 October 1936 and became a firm fixture of her live performances."

 

Ella Fitzgerald

 

Celine

[drove all night]

Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)

 

is, according to Wiki, from Billy Joel's 1993 album River of Dreams. It was inspired by Alexa Ray Joel, his daughter by Christie Brinkley. The song was originally written as a prelude to the song "The River of Dreams" in the style of a monophonic Gregorian chant. Joel had written English words in the chant describing a man who had lost his faith, and had then had the words translated into Latin. He changed his mind upon hearing the recording, and incorporated it into the song River of Dreams. He later removed the interlude from the final studio version of "River of Dreams", and instead wrote lyrics to the melody that reflected his sentiment toward Alexa Ray, who was a young child at the time of writing. The version of "River of Dreams" incorporating Lullabye appeared as an alternate version on the box set My Lives, and on An Evening of Questions and Answers...And A Little Music.

 

Cover versions:

The Gas House Gang (quartet) - 2003 CD "The Gas House Gang's Fifth"

John Stamos - 2006 charity album Unexpected Dreams–Songs From the Stars.

Cantabile - the London Quartet arranged this for their album Lullabyes and Goodbyes - Cantabile (group)

In 2009, the song was also performed by Celtic Woman

Philip Lawson arranged this song for The King's Singers.

In 2010, it was covered by Libera on their Peace DeLuxe album, with Joshua Madine as the soloist.

In 2011, Celine Dion performed it on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

 

Billy Joel

* The first version with the "River of Dreams"-Interlude:

*

 

 

Celine

[drove all night]

"How Do You Keep the Music Playing?"

 

is, acc. to Wiki, a song composed by Michel Legrand, with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman for the 1982 film "Best Friends" (starring Burt Reynolds and Goldie Hawn), where it was introduced by Patti Austin and James Ingram.

 

 

Patti Austin/James Ingram:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxHq7T7KkFQ

 

Celine:

Edited September 20, 2012 at 04:32 AM by drove all night

[drove all night]

"Overjoyed"

 

was a 1985 hit single released by American Stevie Wonder. The song was written first for the 1979 album "Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants", but was left off the album, and re-recorded for the album "In Square Circle".

 

 

Stevie Wonder

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM3O5ICgXr8

 

Celine

[drove all night]

"Ne me quitte pas"

 

("Don't Leave Me") is a song written and sung by Jacques Brel in 1959.

 

 

Jacques Brel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=za_6A0XnMyw

 

Celine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7S55IRiDlY

[drove all night]

BEN

 

Was a song of Michael Jacksons second solo album. He was 13 at that time. The song was written bei Don Black, Walter Scharf. It was also the original song to the movie "Ben", a 1972 horror film about a young boy and his pet rat (Starring Lee Montgomery, Joseph Campanella, Arthur O'Connell and Meredith Baxter)

 

 

Michael Jackson:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1dAQN5QcZU

 

Celine:

Edited September 22, 2012 at 06:31 PM by drove all night

[drove all night]

GOLDFINGER

 

"Goldfinger" was - as most of us know - the title song from the 1964 James Bond film "Goldfinger". Composer: John Barry, Lyrics: Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. The song was performed by Shirley Bassey. The single release of the song gave Bassey her only Billboard Hot 100 top forty hit, peaking at number eight and at number two for four weeks. In 2008, the single was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

 

Shirley Bassey:

 

Celine:

[drove all night]

NOBODY DOES IT BETTER

 

Was composed by Marvin Hamlisch, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager. It was recorded by Carly Simon as the theme song for the 1977 James Bond film "The Spy Who Loved Me". It was the first Bond theme song to be titled differently from the name of the film, although the phrase "the spy who loved me" is included in the lyrics. The title of the theme was later used for Carly Simon's 1999 greatest hits album "The Very Best of Carly Simon: Nobody Does It Better" and "Nobody Does It Better" was Carly Simon's longest-charting hit, it received an Academy Award nomination for Best Song. [Wikipedia]

 

Carly Simon:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNA7DcVppEs

 

 

LIVE AND LET DIE

 

is the main theme song of the 1973 James Bond film "Live and Let Die" and was written by Paul McCartney and his wife Linda. It was performed by Paul McCartney & Wings. It has been covered by several bands, with Guns N' Roses' version being the most popular. Both McCartney's and Guns N' Roses' versions were nominated for Grammys.

Even before the screenplay for the movie was finished, the producers (Harry Saltzman and Albert R. Broccoli) invited Paul McCartney to write the theme song. McCartney asked to be sent a copy of Ian Fleming's novel. "I read it and thought it was pretty good. That afternoon I wrote the song and went in the next week and did it... It was a job of work for me in a way because writing a song around a title like that's not the easiest thing going." [Wikipedia]

 

Paul McCartney & Wings:

 

Guns N' Roses:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JjVPiDLdH4

 

 

 

Celine's Interpretation / Medley: