Céline's version of It's A Man's Man's Man's World

[fred]

Just watched the performance of It's A Man's Man's Man's World on the Boston (!) DVD again (youtube link for those who want to refresh their minds about it) and I felt the need to discuss her performance of this song. I don't know what it is but it gets me quite puzzled.

 

Could it be that is it a bit too familiar to Christina Aguilera's performance at the Grammy's of 2007? And let's face it miss Screamalina Aguilera does it quite well (minus the Carey dog whistle-notes). Or is it something else?

 

The song style is incredibly good. I cannot begin to explain how grateful I am to hear Céline accompanied by souly music and sound. Céline's voice is really good.

So I wouldn't be bothered at all, would I? But something does bother me. Something really does. For this performance leaves me quite unmoved. And that is a bit worrying.

 

Could it be that she goes high too often? I do see the the apparent lack of soulful lows in her voice during this performance. Or could it be her rushiness when it comes to pronunciation? Every word goes by too fast and to weakly pronounced. I have no idea what she sings in most parts. And shouldn't this be a song, like all other songs, to be told? It sounds almost like she's in a hurry, or as if she herself has no idea what words are flowing out through her mouth.

 

And I am thinking, very shallowly - and I do adore the outfit she wears, this should surely be worn during more performances - would all the above fall away if she had wore an evening gown a la the one on Celine Through The Eyes Of The World cover?

 

/fred

Edited October 21, 2010 at 12:43 PM by fred

[Bell]

I adore the song itself but I'm not a fan of Celine's version.

[Davey84]

it's simple, her voice in the America's wasn't as good as pre Summer 2008 and...

 

Pre Summer 2008 she did way more improvisational notes (during Alone, JSP, It's a man's man's man's world, RDMH)... which were not made during the DVD recordings

[Shamrock_1982]

I wish the version at the end of CTTEOTW at the cinema would be available to us...

[maceta_biloxi]

I like Celine's version a lot, after hearing Christina and Cher sing the song, Celine's version is pretty good.

 

The version I don't like at all it's Quinn's from Glee, she just don't have the strength on her voice to sing the song.

[Shamrock_1982]

I wish the version at the end of CTTEOTW at the cinema would be available to us...

 

I've asked my contact @ Sony UK if we could possibly get this somehow, so fingers crossed!

[Tyler1991]

When I saw it in the cinema I was less than impressed with what I saw, and I don't remember it being any different than the Monston one we already have.

 

I agree with the lack of low notes. This song could have produced tons, but other than a few breathy notes, there were not any.

 

As for going high to much? Well, I really didn't think she needed to do the mixed G5/A5 on the "Everything they can" line.....the chest F5 suited it much better.

 

In some performances she did the second chorus the exact same as the first chorus, and what she normally did in the second chorus she instead did during the "it's a loss" or whatever those words are towards the end.... That was also interesting.

[Black Kitten]

right after i saw that particular performance, i immediately googled its lyrics cause i did have problems understanding what Celine was screaming, err singing. i was pretty shocked that it actually does have a pretty powerful lyrics.

 

This is a man's world

This is a man's world

But it would be nothing

Nothing without a woman to care

 

You see man made the cars

To take us over the world

Man made the train

To carry the heavy load

Man made the electro lights

To take us out of the dark

Man made the bullet for the war

Like Noah made the ark

This is a man's man's, man's world

But it would be nothing

Nothing without a woman to care

 

Man thinks of our little baby girls And the baby boys

Man make them happy 'Cause man makes them toys

And aher man make everything, everything he can

You know that man makes money to buy from other man

This is a man's world

But it would be nothing, nothing

Not one little thing

Without a woman to care

 

He's lost in the wilderness

He's lost in the bitterness

He's lost, lost and .....

 

 

it's actually one of my favorite performances on TCWT DVD. she sang it effortlessly and i love how mad she looked during the entire performance.

[Tyler1991]

I never knew what she was actually saying for 75% of this section:

 

You see man made the cars

To take us over the world

Man made the train

To carry the heavy load

Man made the electro lights

To take us out of the dark

Man made the bullet for the war

Like Noah made the ark

This is a man's man's, man's world

But it would be nothing

Nothing without a woman to care

 

 

lol

[celinecolombian]

Well, actually right after The Show Must Go On, It's a man's world it's my fav performance from the DVD

[pollsy]

I think Celine's version is very good!

[Black Kitten]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/10/23/article-1079974-0237675A000005DC-74_224x583.jpghttp://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/10/23/article-1079974-0237678E000005DC-708_224x583.jpg

 

[fred]

I wish the version at the end of CTTEOTW at the cinema would be available to us...

 

I've asked my contact @ Sony UK if we could possibly get this somehow, so fingers crossed!

Cool!!!

 

But is there a clip available somewhere so I can see what it is you talk about?

 

right after i saw that particular performance, i immediately googled its lyrics cause i did have problems understanding what Celine was screaming, err singing. i was pretty shocked that it actually does have a pretty powerful lyrics.

Yes, I am quite sure that the nonsense lyrics of her version is a big part of my problem with this performance now. I looked at the lyrics you posted and then I listened to her performance and changed it as she sings it and came up with the following lyrics:

 

(I'll put Céline's lyrics in black and bold and the ones you posted in italic. Included her yeah's and such - nothing wrong with those though!!)

 

Ths-is a man's wold

This-s (a) man's world uho no

But e wouldn't be nothing

Nothing e-yeah without a woman ogre yeah

This is a man's world

This is a man's world

But it would be nothing

Nothing without a woman to care

 

You see man makes cars

You did the soul of the road yea

And man made a drainst

To carry the heavy heavy load-tsh

Man made the nicolights whoaa

To take the song of the dark yeah

Man made the most fun of a-eh

Like Noah made the ark

This is a man's wold

But it wouldn't be nothing

Nothing without a woman or no a girl - no

 

You see man made the cars

To take us over the world

Man made the train

To carry the heavy load

Man made the electro lights

To take us out of the dark

Man made the bullet for the war

Like Noah made the ark

This is a man's man's, man's world

But it would be nothing

Nothing without a woman to care

 

Man makes a little bit about no baby girl And a baby boy

Man make some hobby 'Cause man make sem toys

You know nothing's 'bout everythan, everything he can yeah-yea-eh

You know man makes money, uh, to buy from other man-yeah

This is a man's worl

But it would be nothing, nothing

Noting a little big

Without a woman or a girl - woman or a guy-uy

 

Man thinks of our little baby girls And the baby boys

Man make them happy 'Cause man makes them toys

And aher man make everything, everything he can

You know that man makes money to buy from other man

This is a man's world

But it would be nothing, nothing

Not one little thing

Without a woman to care

 

He's a laws and did the less

He's laws in the wilderness

He's lawst, coz these is a man's man's man's world

But it would be nothing nothing about a woman or a girl

 

He's lost in the wilderness

He's lost in the bitterness

He's lost, lost and .....

 

 

Wow this got quite funny . But I didn't manipulate them at all from her Monston performance. Listen to the performance and read "my" lyrics while doing so and correct me if I'm totally wrong.

 

/fred

[Timster]

Pre Summer 2008 she did way more improvisational notes (during Alone, JSP, It's a man's man's man's world, RDMH)... which were not made during the DVD recordings

 

I have a feeling they told her not to do the screams for the DVD recording. In Montreal, the first DVD night she screamed, the second night - nothing at all. And they used the second night's performance.

 

I guess maybe they felt it was taking away from the band's instrumental.

[ks1981]

It is so hard to understand the lyrics of Celine's version - i think.

[j411celine]

At 1st I'm like WTF but after listening to it for awhile it is awesome!!! Speaking of Aguilera I don't like her version at all too screamy.

[_Giulia_]

I think Celine's version is very good!

 

So do I!

[browseceline]

to be honest to me it sounded like Celine was giving a show how good she is capable to produce all kind of tone, either low or high. Maybe not that low as some of you wanted, but anyway, it's just a - look at me what I can - song and to be honest I could not understand most of the song, it sounds too nasal and pronunciation of the lyrics is not that good. part from this I liked the song though and it shows Celine as a diva while she is standing on that swinging stagething/hat and the dancers look great when they do their stuff around the hat.

[MTJ]

right after i saw that particular performance, i immediately googled its lyrics cause i did have problems understanding what Celine was screaming, err singing. i was pretty shocked that it actually does have a pretty powerful lyrics.

 

This is a man's world

This is a man's world

But it would be nothing

Nothing without a woman to care

 

You see man made the cars

To take us over the world

Man made the train

To carry the heavy load

Man made the electro lights

To take us out of the dark

Man made the bullet for the war

Like Noah made the ark

This is a man's man's, man's world

But it would be nothing

Nothing without a woman to care

 

Man thinks of our little baby girls And the baby boys

Man make them happy 'Cause man makes them toys

And aher man make everything, everything he can

You know that man makes money to buy from other man

This is a man's world

But it would be nothing, nothing

Not one little thing

Without a woman to care

 

He's lost in the wilderness

He's lost in the bitterness

He's lost, lost and .....

 

 

it's actually one of my favorite performances on TCWT DVD. she sang it effortlessly and i love how mad she looked during the entire performance.

 

She's actually using James Brown's version - which has these lyrics:

 

This is a man's world, this is a man's world

But it wouldn't be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl

 

You see, man made the cars to take us over the road

Man made the trains to carry heavy loads

Man made electric light to take us out of the dark

Man made the boat for the water, like Noah made the ark

 

This is a man's, a man's, a man's world

But it wouldn't be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl

 

Man thinks about a little baby girls and a baby boys

Man makes then happy 'cause man makes them toys

And after man has made everything, everything he can

You know that man makes money to buy from other man

 

This is a man's world

But it wouldn't be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl

 

He's lost in the wilderness

He's lost in bitterness

Edited October 21, 2010 at 05:28 PM by imgoingtobiteyoure_face

[Matias]

I believe the lyrics posted were wrong...

 

Doesn't she say

 

"You see, man made the cars to take us over the road

Man made the trains to carry heavy loads

Man made electric light to take us out of the dark

Man made the boat for the water, like Noah made the ark"

[pat200]

let me start by saying that christina's version is one of the worst screaming fests i have ever heard. her constant need to scream beyond her belting range which ends around D5 (after that it is veeeeeeeeeeeery straining) ruined that song. She is really not all that. I guess the fact that she came out at a time no spectacular singer a La Dion, La Houston and La Carey existed in her generation suited her well. She was the "best" this generation had, but she doesn't compare with the real best.

 

now on to celine and her verrsion. first as davey said, pre US tour her voice was f***ing amazing. she was on fire! the problem with celine's version is that she doesn't understand the full meaning of what she is singing. she is just showing her voice. in a way, i always felt like it is her way of telling christina that is the way you should scream... i mean sing it. and let's be honest, celine's version vocally is 10x better than christina's in every technical aspect. also, i think what takes away from a cover song's emotion when celine sings it, is the ease with which she hits those high notes. whereas others start flapping their hands and kicking their legs and bend to try and get out the power (and that is what people call soul) celine just stands there and belts them high notes out like nobody's business.

 

just my 2 cents on the topic...

Edited October 21, 2010 at 07:46 PM by pat200

[issabelle950]

Yesterday, when I was watching Montreal live... my dad came into the room when that song began, he watched it with me. After, he told me that if I liked the song I have to see original. I listened to it twice or even more times and I have to tell you Celine's cover was... good, or maybe... well done, but... I prefer first version....

[fred]

whereas others start flapping their hands and kicking their legs and bend to try and get out the power (and that is what people call soul) celine just stands there and belts them high notes out like nobody's business.

HAHAHA well put.

 

However that is not how I define soul. That is the Aretha way of soul which to me is quite boring, it's the opposite of my definition of soul, the minute soul gets a technique and not a way telling and channeling emotion through voice and pronunciation.

 

And I kind of get that I find the main problem now in why this performance doesn't feel so right to me even though the main components (Céline + great song + great instruments and music) are there. And it is because pronunciation and phrasing techniques are for me a very important components in a soulful performance. Must be why I love Nina Simone and Anita O'Day so much. Mystery solved.

 

/fred

Edited October 21, 2010 at 08:05 PM by fred

[mirage]

I wish the version at the end of CTTEOTW at the cinema would be available to us...

 

I've asked my contact @ Sony UK if we could possibly get this somehow, so fingers crossed!

 

Is that an whole other version than? I can't remember that it's different.

Maybe you can ask who made all those amazing instrumentals during the film ;-) I wish she would release those 1 day

 

 

@ fred, those lyrics are hysterical, just the way Celine sings them. When someone decide to perform this song on a talentshow, and only knows Celine's version, the jury will tell that person to learn some freaking english haha

[fred]

@ fred, those lyrics are hysterical, just the way Celine sings them. When someone decide to perform this song on a talentshow, and only knows Celine's version, the jury will tell that person to learn some freaking english haha

Thank you!!! You're the only one who comments on that, I think I did a pretty good job if I may say so myself.

 

/fred

[mariposa24]

let me start by saying that christina's version is one of the worst screaming fests i have ever heard. her constant need to scream beyond her belting range which ends around D5 (after that it is veeeeeeeeeeeery straining) ruined that song. She is really not all that. I guess the fact that she came out at a time no spectacular singer a La Dion, La Houston and La Carey existed in her generation suited her well. She was the "best" this generation had, but she doesn't compare with the real best.

 

now on to celine and her verrsion. first as davey said, pre US tour her voice was f***ing amazing. she was on fire! the problem with celine's version is that she doesn't understand the full meaning of what she is singing. she is just showing her voice. in a way, i always felt like it is her way of telling christina that is the way you should scream... i mean sing it. and let's be honest, celine's version vocally is 10x better than christina's in every technical aspect. also, i think what takes away from a cover song's emotion when celine sings it, is the ease with which she hits those high notes. whereas others start flapping their hands and kicking their legs and bend to try and get out the power (and that is what people call soul) celine just stands there and belts them high notes out like nobody's business.

 

just my 2 cents on the topic...

 

I completely agree that Christina's version bascially was just a bunch of screaming. I posted a comment for Christina's IAMW vid on youtube saying that Celine's version was better and I swear I got like 834797 replies saying how wrong I was. And ya, Celine really didn't convey that she understood the meaning of the lyrics, but at least we got some amazing notes out of that song (Ottawa performance was def. one of my faves).

[celine-rc]

I love it!

[fallen]

i liked it but i mean she sorta sounded like Britany Spears when she was singing and it bothers me. but i mean it's still ok

[mariposa24]

i liked it but i mean she sorta sounded like Britany Spears when she was singing and it bothers me. but i mean it's still ok

 

Who sounded like Britney? Hope you weren't referring to Celine

[SuperLove4Celine]

Well, actually right after The Show Must Go On, It's a man's world it's my fav performance from the DVD

 

"The Show Must Go On" is another song where Celine's pronunciation is pretty horrific.