Think Twice: Celine Dion’s 10 Most Underrated Singles

[beeb]

Article: http://www.idolator.com/7491915/think-twice-celine-dion-10-underrated-singles

 

Think Twice: Celine Dion’s 10 Most Underrated Singles

 

 

Mike Wass

November 4th, 2013 // 1 Comment

 

 

 

 

 

http://cdn.idolator.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/04/celine-dion-600x450.jpg

Celine Dion‘s first English language studio album in six years drops tomorrow. Loved Me Back To Life finds the Canadian superstar in fine form, mixing up her trademark big ballad sound with contemporary pop flourishes thanks to contributors like Sia, Ne-Yo and Eg White.

There is no shortage of potential hits on the LP including hip-hop/pop ballad “Incredible” and the angst-ridden “Breakaway” but lead single “Loved Me Back To Life” is yet to make a huge impact on radio. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time a brilliant Celine song has misfired. Amongst all those platinum-selling top 10 hits are a couple of chart failures. Here are 10 singles from the legendary diva that deserved a better fate.

10. Alone (

)

Celine’s cover of the classic Heart ballad received no love when it was released as the second single from Taking Chances in early 2008. In fact, the misunderstood gem stiffed at a lowly number 124 despite TV performances and the high-profile involvement of ex Evanescence member Ben Moody. There’s no easy explanation. Dion proved her over-the-top rock ballad chops on “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now” and the arrangement, while faithful to the 1987 original, was freshened up enough for pop radio. Ann Wilson did it better but this still induces frenzied power-grabbing.

9. (If There Was) Any Other Way (

)

Interestingly for someone who became synonymous with big ballads, Celine’s first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 was a perky mid-tempo dance number. A moderate top 40 hit in 1990, “(If There Was) Any Other Way” finds the big-lunged diva wailing over tinny synths and even performing choreography (ok, she twirls a couple of times) in the now hilarious video. This early gem has a splash of Taylor Dayne, lashings of Laura Branigan and a lot of Dion vocal power.

8. Goodbye’s (The Saddest Word) (Above)

Motherly love is the subject of this heartfelt ballad. Released as the third single from A New Day Has Come in 2002, the song failed to reach the Billboard Hot 100 (a rare failure for the then untouchable songstress) despite making anyone with a pulse cry like a baby. Oh and if the backing vocals sound familiar, that’s because they belong to Shania Twain. The song was produced by Mutt Lange and he arranged for his then wife to lend her powerful pipes to the track.

7. Love Can Move Mountains (

)

The fourth single from Celine Dion barely scraped into the top 40 in 1992 despite being a C+C Music Factory-inspired early ’90s dance gem. Written by Diane Warren, this is one of the quirkiest tracks in Celine’s discography. Not only does it boast a gospel choir — a rare occurrence in dance music — but the Canadian superstar tries and fails to go urban in the amusing video. After ripping off her choir robe, she hits the local basketball court to hang with her homeboys. Who said Ms. Dion was never down with the kids?

6. Tell Him (

)

Divas collided in this over-the-top duet with Barbra Streisand. A major hit around the world, the David Foster-produced power ballad misfired completely in the United States despite being the lead single from Let’s Talk About Love — an album that would go on to sell 30 million copies worldwide. It’s hard to pinpoint why the song didn’t work here. Perhaps it was too theatrical or uncool for pop radio. Not that it mattered to Celine and Babs. It earned them a Grammy nomination and became an instant gay classic.

5. My Love (Above)

This lovely Linda Perry penned and produced ballad first appeared on Taking Chances but was recycled as the lead single for 2008′s greatest hits package My Love: Essential Collection. It didn’t fare particularly well, reaching a miserable 129 on the Billboard Hot 100 but it stands out as one of the beloved diva’s most subtle and powerful ballads. The acoustic production keeps Dion’s vocal acrobatics under control and she pours her heart into the emotional delivery. “I would share my whole life with you,” she sings wistfully. “Would you do the same for me?”

4. One Heart (Below)

Celine tried to mix things up by hitting the club on 2003′s “One Heart”. Released as the second single from the diva’s similarly-titled album in Europe and Australia, it was canned in the US in favor of power ballad “Have You Ever Been In Love”. It’s a shame because the John Shanks and Kara DioGuardi-produced dance-pop anthem is an absolute gem. Despite being an obvious attempt to jump on Cher‘s “Believe” bandwagon, the song still manages to shine due to the sunny lyrics and excellent vocal. And you also get to see Celine work it on the dancefloor in the video, which is quite the spectacle.

3. I’m Alive (

)

A New Day Has Come was the beginning of the end of Celine’s overwhelming chart dominance. Which is peculiar because it boasts some of her best mid- and up-tempo pop tunes. Take “I’m Alive”. The handiwork of Swedish producer Kristian Lundin, song finds the perfect balance between a (then) current pop sound and the diva’s trademark soaring vocals. It was also lyrically appropriate for the pop icon — touching on topics like love, relationships and motherhood. But it still stalled at number 104. Go figure!

2. Think Twice (

)

Considered one of the vocal giant’s signature songs around the world (it sold over a million copies in the UK alone), “Think Twice” could only reach number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1994. Its failure to connect in this market is an absolute mystery. The rock-influenced power ballad boasts a brilliant vocal performance, heartfelt lyrics and even a guitar solo! I still have my CD single of this sassy love song somewhere. A classic.

1. Taking Chances (Below)

If you need proof that radio just won’t play along with the Grammy winner, look no further than 2007′s “Taking Chances”. This cover — it was originally recorded by not released by Kara DioGuardi and David A. Stewart as Platinum Weird — is a career best single from Celine. If an edgier diva had performed it, the soaring pop/rock ballad would have been massive. Instead it stalled at number 54. On the bright side, it got a second wind when Glee updated it and continues to win new fans. Watch the big-budget video, which finds Celine riding a motorbike, below.

[izadolphin]

I agree with this wholeheartedly! I might arrange it slightly different and add a song of two. But it's SO true. There are also plenty of single worthy songs that never got released! so unfortunate sometimes.

[mairtin]

Think Twice was massive in UK and Ireland, proving that she's a truly global star with different hits in different countries.

[Allysadreams]

Think Twice was massive in UK and Ireland, proving that she's a truly global star with different hits in different countries.

 

Think Twice is the first song that I ever heard from Celine Dion, that's when I become a fan, I was really excited that she had released previous albums, it was like Christmas, that's why The Colour of My Love will always be one of my favourite albums

[Allysadreams]

Article: http://www.idolator....errated-singles

 

Think Twice: Celine Dion’s 10 Most Underrated Singles

 

 

Mike Wass

November 4th, 2013 // 1 Comment

 

 

 

 

 

http://cdn.idolator.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/04/celine-dion-600x450.jpg

Celine Dion‘s first English language studio album in six years drops tomorrow. Loved Me Back To Life finds the Canadian superstar in fine form, mixing up her trademark big ballad sound with contemporary pop flourishes thanks to contributors like Sia, Ne-Yo and Eg White.

There is no shortage of potential hits on the LP including hip-hop/pop ballad “Incredible” and the angst-ridden “Breakaway” but lead single “Loved Me Back To Life” is yet to make a huge impact on radio. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time a brilliant Celine song has misfired. Amongst all those platinum-selling top 10 hits are a couple of chart failures. Here are 10 singles from the legendary diva that deserved a better fate.

10. Alone (

)

Celine’s cover of the classic Heart ballad received no love when it was released as the second single from Taking Chances in early 2008. In fact, the misunderstood gem stiffed at a lowly number 124 despite TV performances and the high-profile involvement of ex Evanescence member Ben Moody. There’s no easy explanation. Dion proved her over-the-top rock ballad chops on “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now” and the arrangement, while faithful to the 1987 original, was freshened up enough for pop radio. Ann Wilson did it better but this still induces frenzied power-grabbing.

9. (If There Was) Any Other Way (

)

Interestingly for someone who became synonymous with big ballads, Celine’s first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 was a perky mid-tempo dance number. A moderate top 40 hit in 1990, “(If There Was) Any Other Way” finds the big-lunged diva wailing over tinny synths and even performing choreography (ok, she twirls a couple of times) in the now hilarious video. This early gem has a splash of Taylor Dayne, lashings of Laura Branigan and a lot of Dion vocal power.

8. Goodbye’s (The Saddest Word) (Above)

Motherly love is the subject of this heartfelt ballad. Released as the third single from A New Day Has Come in 2002, the song failed to reach the Billboard Hot 100 (a rare failure for the then untouchable songstress) despite making anyone with a pulse cry like a baby. Oh and if the backing vocals sound familiar, that’s because they belong to Shania Twain. The song was produced by Mutt Lange and he arranged for his then wife to lend her powerful pipes to the track.

7. Love Can Move Mountains (

)

The fourth single from Celine Dion barely scraped into the top 40 in 1992 despite being a C+C Music Factory-inspired early ’90s dance gem. Written by Diane Warren, this is one of the quirkiest tracks in Celine’s discography. Not only does it boast a gospel choir — a rare occurrence in dance music — but the Canadian superstar tries and fails to go urban in the amusing video. After ripping off her choir robe, she hits the local basketball court to hang with her homeboys. Who said Ms. Dion was never down with the kids?

6. Tell Him (

)

Divas collided in this over-the-top duet with Barbra Streisand. A major hit around the world, the David Foster-produced power ballad misfired completely in the United States despite being the lead single from Let’s Talk About Love — an album that would go on to sell 30 million copies worldwide. It’s hard to pinpoint why the song didn’t work here. Perhaps it was too theatrical or uncool for pop radio. Not that it mattered to Celine and Babs. It earned them a Grammy nomination and became an instant gay classic.

5. My Love (Above)

This lovely Linda Perry penned and produced ballad first appeared on Taking Chances but was recycled as the lead single for 2008′s greatest hits package My Love: Essential Collection. It didn’t fare particularly well, reaching a miserable 129 on the Billboard Hot 100 but it stands out as one of the beloved diva’s most subtle and powerful ballads. The acoustic production keeps Dion’s vocal acrobatics under control and she pours her heart into the emotional delivery. “I would share my whole life with you,” she sings wistfully. “Would you do the same for me?”

4. One Heart (Below)

Celine tried to mix things up by hitting the club on 2003′s “One Heart”. Released as the second single from the diva’s similarly-titled album in Europe and Australia, it was canned in the US in favor of power ballad “Have You Ever Been In Love”. It’s a shame because the John Shanks and Kara DioGuardi-produced dance-pop anthem is an absolute gem. Despite being an obvious attempt to jump on Cher‘s “Believe” bandwagon, the song still manages to shine due to the sunny lyrics and excellent vocal. And you also get to see Celine work it on the dancefloor in the video, which is quite the spectacle.

3. I’m Alive (

)

A New Day Has Come was the beginning of the end of Celine’s overwhelming chart dominance. Which is peculiar because it boasts some of her best mid- and up-tempo pop tunes. Take “I’m Alive”. The handiwork of Swedish producer Kristian Lundin, song finds the perfect balance between a (then) current pop sound and the diva’s trademark soaring vocals. It was also lyrically appropriate for the pop icon — touching on topics like love, relationships and motherhood. But it still stalled at number 104. Go figure!

2. Think Twice (

)

Considered one of the vocal giant’s signature songs around the world (it sold over a million copies in the UK alone), “Think Twice” could only reach number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1994. Its failure to connect in this market is an absolute mystery. The rock-influenced power ballad boasts a brilliant vocal performance, heartfelt lyrics and even a guitar solo! I still have my CD single of this sassy love song somewhere. A classic.

1. Taking Chances (Below)

If you need proof that radio just won’t play along with the Grammy winner, look no further than 2007′s “Taking Chances”. This cover — it was originally recorded by not released by Kara DioGuardi and David A. Stewart as Platinum Weird — is a career best single from Celine. If an edgier diva had performed it, the soaring pop/rock ballad would have been massive. Instead it stalled at number 54. On the bright side, it got a second wind when Glee updated it and continues to win new fans. Watch the big-budget video, which finds Celine riding a motorbike, below.

 

I would say that 'Love Doesn't Ask Why' 'With This Tear' and 'If Only You Could See Me now' are also very underrated songs also

Edited November 6, 2013 at 09:44 AM by Allysadreams

[Davey84]

Awesome article!! Tho LMBTL should be on top of that list!

[marko]

Think twice is really underrated song, it's one of my favourites and one of best Celine has ever done.I love it more than TPOL or BYLM Her voice is so pure and brings so many emotions...

[marko]

Frankly, I can't understand why she doesn't perform it more often, during world tours or in Las Vegas

[Jessyka]

My Love is such a beautiful song. It should have done better than 129.

[LuisMa]

I love Think Twice, and while I was in 94-95 that it didn't become a hit in the US, in a way I'm glad it didn't because she cemented her superstar status in the world based on the strength of different singles.

 

I got the CD single on the week of release in Miami in a tiny Latin record store by the airport, after having searched for it everywhere.

[mairtin]

I remember she cut short her honeymoon to come to UK to sing it on top of the pops and gave a magnificent love performance. http://youtu.be/xdbagvIe8N4

[mairtin]

Little did Céline realise, the UK and Ireland were hooked forever on Céline after this performance.

[celine4evauk]

Completely underrated.

Amazing vocal, brilliant song, great video, gorgeous guy. A song that reminds Celine of this country, and thankfully makes our concerts a bit more special - we always get TT performed! Which is never a bad thing imo.

Unfortunately she has many underrated songs - look at any of her albums and i'm sure you could probably find at least one that deserves more recognition, and more importantly performing!!

[Jessyka]

When I was at the Dublin concert on TC World Tour I remember being mesmerized by everybody singing along to Think Twice.

[Jeff Abbott]

don't know why but I never really warmed up to Think Twice

[celine4evauk]

don't know why but I never really warmed up to Think Twice

 

Perhaps it was all the ice in the video!

[ehild]

I love Think Twice!! I never understood why it wasn't as big in the US as it was in the UK and Ireland. That said, in a way I'm glad it was such a hit there while other songs were hits here. It cemented her as a global artist based on songs; which only really helps album sales. I do wish she'd perform this outside of the UK, though. I'd love to see this added to the Vegas line-up!

 

I agree with the rest of the article. There are so many songs she's recorded that had so much potential but fell through the cracks, for some reason. Maybe she just had too many other songs out and they didn't want to over-saturate? However, that isn't true for the OH, AND, and TC albums. There's definitely a few songs on each album that could have done better single-wise despite the fact that she's an albums artist. And proven again this time around with LMBTL. Even if nothing else, I really hope to see Incredible everywhere, especially if it's picked up for the Olympics. SYS would be great too. (after the first 2 singles, of course)

Edited November 6, 2013 at 03:16 PM by ehild

[LukeD]

don't know why but I never really warmed up to Think Twice

I noticed that at the 'SURVIVOR' thread. I was shocked to see the first vote it received was from a guy from UK... You..!

[LukeD]

''Just Walk Away'' is by miles her most underrated single. Gorgeous vocal performance, haunting melody, emotive lyrics... and it was only released in Spain as a radio single. Shame. Edited November 6, 2013 at 04:27 PM by LukeD

[Brady]

I Want You To Need Me is such an underrated Celine song

[Jessyka]

''Just Walk Away'' is by miles her most underrated single. Gorgeous vocal performance, haunting melody, emotive lyrics... and it was only released in Spain as a radio single. Shame.

One of my favorites from TCOML.

[Jeff Abbott]

I noticed that at the 'SURVIVOR' thread. I was shocked to see the first vote it received was from a guy from UK... You..!

guilty guess I nominated it every single time

Edited November 6, 2013 at 05:50 PM by Jeff Abbott

[comingback]

OMG, Think Twice, one of biggest and best ballads.

 

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

[celine4evauk]

OMG, Think Twice, one of biggest and best ballads.

 

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

 

I love a man with a chainsaw in his hand!

[LuisMa]

 

I love a man with a chainsaw in his hand!

 

I bet you haven't seen the Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie.

 

I think the only thing I don't like about this becoming a hit everywhere is that she only sang it in select places for the Taking Chances Tour, and not where I saw her.

Edited November 7, 2013 at 04:42 PM by LuisMa

[Bell]

''Just Walk Away'' is by miles her most underrated single.

True. I also agree about 'Any Other Way' but I don't understand why they consider TT underrated.

[sazzlepop123]

Think Twice is my all time favourite song of Celine's. I was in love with the song ever since I first heard in when I was younger. It was so huge in the UK I don't understand why it didn't do so well in other countries.

 

I guess that's why we were lucky in the UK and she performed it live on tour! - It was amazing!!!

[Davey84]

 

True. I also agree about 'Any Other Way' but I don't understand why they consider TT underrated.

 

It's underrated in the USA

 

TT was her first no 1 hit here!

[Bell]

It's underrated in the USA

 

TT was her first no 1 hit here!

Oh, only in the USA, I see. I always knew it was big so it's kind of strange to see someone considered it underrated.

[Ray]

Agreed with most of the article.

 

I have to admit I didn't like Think Twice myself at first. When it was released as a single, I was like: "Okay, that's never gonna be a hit." And it wasn't at first. But when the song slowly got a hold of the charts in the UK it got picked up by other radiostations in Europe as well. By the time it reached #1 here in the Netherlands I had fallen in love with the song. It's still one of my favorites.