How Does Celine Win Back Her American Audience?

March 19, 2015 at 03:08 AM

Music isn't selling the way it used to during Celine's heyday. Since most music nowadays is being downloaded and listened to digitally, naturally, the target audience for record companies consists of teens and young adults who will buy/consume the music and spread it quickly on social media. The social media presence is a big thing as well, which Celine lacks. Her YouTube videos are barely promoted. The NeYo camp didn't even mention "Incredible" once on their side. Look at Taylor Swift who has a gazillion Twitter followers and holds album listening parties for her fans. Sure her music sucks, but at least she has a personal connection to it and maintains some kind of direct contact with her fans (not having TeamCeline send out tweets). Young people gravitate to that. When Celine records an album these days she more or less does it to stay relevant and fulfill some contractual obligation she probably has with the record company (e.g., record at least one album every decade). We can clearly see this when she's promoting two weeks straight on television and then completely falls off the radar. The truth is, she is not profiting the record companies like she used to and we just have to LET IT GO. Celine is so lucky that her career has never had peaks or valleys. She's reached the top and stayed at the top in terms of productivity and continuing to do what she loves for devoted fans that will never leave her.

Popularity these days is very different from the 90's when Celine dominated. She herself said during an interview that she would not have been able to make it in today's industry if her career were to just be launched. There's nothing wrong with Celine; it's just today's demographic. Every generation evolves and has their own style. Celine is getting older and SO ARE WE. She doesn't need to be popular or mainstream for us to appreciate her. She's already achieved her dream of being an international superstar. That's a done deal. Every adult on the face of the planet knows who she is. She doesn't need to keep clawing her way back in à la Mariah to stay on top. She is plenty prevalent. Most artists are flocking to Vegas these days and hoping to land a mega-residency contract like her and yet Celine is the highest paid artist in Vegas and can come and go as she pleases.

Music isn't making money these days--and that's what it all comes down to: $$$ (the mighty dollar). The record company is not going to spend money on promoting Celine's music if they know it won't be consumed. There's plenty of statisticians that can predict what the album will sell in its first week even before it is released (social media buzz, preliminary single sales, etc., are all factored into this). It doesn't matter how trendy her new music is. She fits into the genre of one of the greatest voices ever and that has nothing to do with the likes of Katie Perry, Taylor, Beyonce, and the rest of today's popstars.

Having said that, if you look at the music that most of the public is consuming today (or should I say being force fed by the record company execs), it's no wonder why Celine doesn't fit in the equation. She's too good for their company.

My love for Celine and her music is not contingent on her popularity. Sure it would be nice for her to be #1 again, but when you consider the business aspect of it, we are far too outnumbered compared to all the tweens out there that sit in front of their computers and send out threats in the masses when some one offends their favorite artists. Celine fans are much more mature than that (for the most part) because we're generally older. The Taylors and Beyonces of today will come and go, but Celine has endured the test of time.

This^

Although I don't see her having an #1 album is too far fetched. Considering with LMBTL she reached #1 around the world and #2 in the U.S with little promotion and releasing with Eminem. She can definitely achieve that but as far as popularity, I think she pretty much has all the fans she's going to get, considering the fact that she doesn't need anymore.

March 19, 2015 at 08:27 AM

I'm just going to revel in the fact that Celine sold over 700,000 in her debut week for LMBTL to hit #2 and Madonna sold under 140,000 for the same chart position.

March 19, 2015 at 10:00 AM

Music isn't selling the way it used to during Celine's heyday. Since most music nowadays is being downloaded and listened to digitally, naturally, the target audience for record companies consists of teens and young adults who will buy/consume the music and spread it quickly on social media. The social media presence is a big thing as well, which Celine lacks. Her YouTube videos are barely promoted. The NeYo camp didn't even mention "Incredible" once on their side. Look at Taylor Swift who has a gazillion Twitter followers and holds album listening parties for her fans. Sure her music sucks, but at least she has a personal connection to it and maintains some kind of direct contact with her fans (not having TeamCeline send out tweets). Young people gravitate to that. When Celine records an album these days she more or less does it to stay relevant and fulfill some contractual obligation she probably has with the record company (e.g., record at least one album every decade). We can clearly see this when she's promoting two weeks straight on television and then completely falls off the radar. The truth is, she is not profiting the record companies like she used to and we just have to LET IT GO. Celine is so lucky that her career has never had peaks or valleys. She's reached the top and stayed at the top in terms of productivity and continuing to do what she loves for devoted fans that will never leave her.

Popularity these days is very different from the 90's when Celine dominated. She herself said during an interview that she would not have been able to make it in today's industry if her career were to just be launched. There's nothing wrong with Celine; it's just today's demographic. Every generation evolves and has their own style. Celine is getting older and SO ARE WE. She doesn't need to be popular or mainstream for us to appreciate her. She's already achieved her dream of being an international superstar. That's a done deal. Every adult on the face of the planet knows who she is. She doesn't need to keep clawing her way back in à la Mariah to stay on top. She is plenty prevalent. Most artists are flocking to Vegas these days and hoping to land a mega-residency contract like her and yet Celine is the highest paid artist in Vegas and can come and go as she pleases.

Music isn't making money these days--and that's what it all comes down to: $$$ (the mighty dollar). The record company is not going to spend money on promoting Celine's music if they know it won't be consumed. There's plenty of statisticians that can predict what the album will sell in its first week even before it is released (social media buzz, preliminary single sales, etc., are all factored into this). It doesn't matter how trendy her new music is. She fits into the genre of one of the greatest voices ever and that has nothing to do with the likes of Katie Perry, Taylor, Beyonce, and the rest of today's popstars.

Having said that, if you look at the music that most of the public is consuming today (or should I say being force fed by the record company execs), it's no wonder why Celine doesn't fit in the equation. She's too good for their company.

My love for Celine and her music is not contingent on her popularity. Sure it would be nice for her to be #1 again, but when you consider the business aspect of it, we are far too outnumbered compared to all the tweens out there that sit in front of their computers and send out threats in the masses when some one offends their favorite artists. Celine fans are much more mature than that (for the most part) because we're generally older. The Taylors and Beyonces of today will come and go, but Celine has endured the test of time.

Well said.

March 19, 2015 at 02:06 PM

Music isn't selling the way it used to during Celine's heyday. Since most music nowadays is being downloaded and listened to digitally, naturally, the target audience for record companies consists of teens and young adults who will buy/consume the music and spread it quickly on social media. The social media presence is a big thing as well, which Celine lacks. Her YouTube videos are barely promoted. The NeYo camp didn't even mention "Incredible" once on their side. Look at Taylor Swift who has a gazillion Twitter followers and holds album listening parties for her fans. Sure her music sucks, but at least she has a personal connection to it and maintains some kind of direct contact with her fans (not having TeamCeline send out tweets). Young people gravitate to that. When Celine records an album these days she more or less does it to stay relevant and fulfill some contractual obligation she probably has with the record company (e.g., record at least one album every decade). We can clearly see this when she's promoting two weeks straight on television and then completely falls off the radar. The truth is, she is not profiting the record companies like she used to and we just have to LET IT GO. Celine is so lucky that her career has never had peaks or valleys. She's reached the top and stayed at the top in terms of productivity and continuing to do what she loves for devoted fans that will never leave her.

Popularity these days is very different from the 90's when Celine dominated. She herself said during an interview that she would not have been able to make it in today's industry if her career were to just be launched. There's nothing wrong with Celine; it's just today's demographic. Every generation evolves and has their own style. Celine is getting older and SO ARE WE. She doesn't need to be popular or mainstream for us to appreciate her. She's already achieved her dream of being an international superstar. That's a done deal. Every adult on the face of the planet knows who she is. She doesn't need to keep clawing her way back in à la Mariah to stay on top. She is plenty prevalent. Most artists are flocking to Vegas these days and hoping to land a mega-residency contract like her and yet Celine is the highest paid artist in Vegas and can come and go as she pleases.

Music isn't making money these days--and that's what it all comes down to: $$$ (the mighty dollar). The record company is not going to spend money on promoting Celine's music if they know it won't be consumed. There's plenty of statisticians that can predict what the album will sell in its first week even before it is released (social media buzz, preliminary single sales, etc., are all factored into this). It doesn't matter how trendy her new music is. She fits into the genre of one of the greatest voices ever and that has nothing to do with the likes of Katie Perry, Taylor, Beyonce, and the rest of today's popstars.

Having said that, if you look at the music that most of the public is consuming today (or should I say being force fed by the record company execs), it's no wonder why Celine doesn't fit in the equation. She's too good for their company.

My love for Celine and her music is not contingent on her popularity. Sure it would be nice for her to be #1 again, but when you consider the business aspect of it, we are far too outnumbered compared to all the tweens out there that sit in front of their computers and send out threats in the masses when some one offends their favorite artists. Celine fans are much more mature than that (for the most part) because we're generally older. The Taylors and Beyonces of today will come and go, but Celine has endured the test of time.

Post of the year!

March 19, 2015 at 02:40 PM

I'm just going to revel in the fact that Celine sold over 700,000 in her debut week for LMBTL to hit #2 and Madonna sold under 140,000 for the same chart position.

Exactly, she could definitely have a number one album.

March 19, 2015 at 05:36 PM

I'm just going to revel in the fact that Celine sold over 700,000 in her debut week for LMBTL to hit #2 and Madonna sold under 140,000 for the same chart position.

This is not true, Madonna's Rebel Heart has sold at least 200.000 in its first week:

US: 116k

UK: 37k

CAN: 18k

FR: 17k

JAP: 8k

And LMBTL didn't sell more than 300.000, where did you get your number?

March 19, 2015 at 07:13 PM

We all know that LMBTL sold 1.3 million till half of December. How more did she sell till now?

March 19, 2015 at 08:02 PM

I know that you CANT find it anywhere, except for a few copy's like1 or 2 copys

March 19, 2015 at 08:37 PM

We all know that LMBTL sold 1.3 million till half of December. How more did she sell till now?

I think it has sold like 1.6m as of now. I doubt its sales stand above that.

April 14, 2015 at 08:55 PM

I think one of the reasons why Céline is not popular on the radio nowadays... is because she just sings too damn good -_-

The "singers" they play nowadays on the radio are sometimes just cringeworthy! Like Rihanna, with her song with Paul McCharthy...

I just want to stick knives in my ears when it's on! My god how annoying can someone 'sing' :wacko:

Young kids nowadays are so used to have everything autotuned to death, studio recordings and live performances... that they can't even distinguish a real singing voice, let alone appreciate it!

(Yes I do know autotune is used with Céline, but that's beside the point here we all now she can SING studio, live or even in a bathroom :giggle:

April 14, 2015 at 09:06 PM

I agree Davey. Seems radio doesn't want big voices on radio anymore.

April 14, 2015 at 09:57 PM

Barbra Streisand just had a number 1 album right??! Sure celine will have many more to come!

Number 1 Singles... That's another thing...

Although I've noticed people generally appricate celine more now she is a bit older... She is a legend

Kev x

April 15, 2015 at 12:52 AM

I'm just going to revel in the fact that Celine sold over 700,000 in her debut week for LMBTL to hit #2 and Madonna sold under 140,000 for the same chart position.

So frustrating that she lost the 1st place to eminem, felt like he was gone forever and then came back from nowhere n dropped an album at the same time as celine grrr

April 15, 2015 at 07:08 AM

With another best of album!!!!! :wub:

April 15, 2015 at 06:06 PM

Her team doesn't seem to care so much about hitting #1 these days. They'd rather sell more copies of the album, which is why they released the album when they did. If they cared about hitting #1, then they'd release the album during a less competitive time -- which is why Barbra Streisand can still hit #1.

April 15, 2015 at 08:57 PM

Her team doesn't seem to care so much about hitting #1 these days. They'd rather sell more copies of the album, which is why they released the album when they did. If they cared about hitting #1, then they'd release the album during a less competitive time -- which is why Barbra Streisand can still hit #1.

Exactly my thoughts as before I just don't they care about that now.

I do wonder if she would have received more radio play though if they had released it at a different time???

April 15, 2015 at 09:24 PM

Her team doesn't seem to care so much about hitting #1 these days. They'd rather sell more copies of the album, which is why they released the album when they did. If they cared about hitting #1, then they'd release the album during a less competitive time -- which is why Barbra Streisand can still hit #1.

Bingo!

The simple facts are they released "Loved Me Back To Life" - and "Taking Chances" - just before Christmas to cash in on the lucrative Christmas sales period. It worked. The album sold 1.5 million copies around the world.

If they'd released the album in say February she would've had a much better chance of going to number 1 around the world but the sales would've been probably at least half of what they were.

It would be good to think both could work together - and in some markets it did - but generally releasing in the holiday period means sales will be higher but the chances of getting to number 1 will be lower.

April 16, 2015 at 07:50 AM

I'd pick higher sales over number 1 any day.

April 16, 2015 at 12:44 PM

And long chart runs

April 17, 2015 at 04:14 AM

I think one thing Celine needs to stop doing is this "raw" "rough" voice that she's been doing for her past two albums. It doesn't sound authentic. It doesn't sound like her. And that's made clear when she goes on talk shows and says "They told me to sing this way so I'll have a fresh sound."

Just be yourself, Celine.

April 17, 2015 at 04:57 AM

I think one thing Celine needs to stop doing is this "raw" "rough" voice that she's been doing for her past two albums. It doesn't sound authentic. It doesn't sound like her. And that's made clear when she goes on talk shows and says "They told me to sing this way so I'll have a fresh sound."

Just be yourself, Celine.

"Didn't Know Love" is a masterpiece.

April 17, 2015 at 08:43 PM

I do think people are ready for celine.... The way they knew her too

That's not to say I don't want fresh current sounding songs too...

Kev x

April 17, 2015 at 10:30 PM

Am I the only one who thinks she never lost it. America definitely still supports Celine, its just the world doesn't care at all about buying albums anymore,well not as much as downloads, streaming, and looks, etc.

She still excels very much in ticket sales, endorsements, and fragrances and such.

April 18, 2015 at 05:49 PM

Am I the only one who thinks she never lost it. America definitely still supports Celine, its just the world doesn't care at all about buying albums anymore,well not as much as downloads, streaming, and looks, etc.

She still excels very much in ticket sales, endorsements, and fragrances and such.

Agreed! She never lost her American audience in the first place.... To me, this topic is quite irrelevant....

Edited April 18, 2015 at 05:49 PM by GoldenLeaf

April 18, 2015 at 05:59 PM

Agreed! She never lost her American audience in the first place.... To me, this topic is quite irrelevant....

Yes. Bighead people who believe she lost her audience are focusing on album sales compared to people like Beyonce or Taylor Swift. Sorry but she sells fine here as anywhere else, hence Sony wants more from her. I believe the only problem is timing, release choices, and promotion. LMBTL sold greatly but I agree I could've done better as well.

April 18, 2015 at 06:21 PM

Yes. Bighead people who believe she lost her audience are focusing on album sales compared to people like Beyonce or Taylor Swift. Sorry but she sells fine here as anywhere else, hence Sony wants more from her. I believe the only problem is timing, release choices, and promotion. LMBTL sold greatly but I agree I could've done better as well.

Lol^ *Bighead :sofunny: Spell check these days. Sorry folks.

Edited April 18, 2015 at 06:21 PM by powerofamor17

June 19, 2015 at 08:01 AM

I know Celine isn't busy with her chart career right now. However we always are

This is an interesting article. Madonna is experiencing now, what celine has for the past 10 odd years!

http://m.billboard.com/entry/view/id/129670

Is controversy or branching out to the young hot artists of now the only way to get a hit again?

June 19, 2015 at 02:17 PM

I know Celine isn't busy with her chart career right now. However we always are

This is an interesting article. Madonna is experiencing now, what celine has for the past 10 odd years!

http://m.billboard.c.../view/id/129670

Is controversy or branching out to the young hot artists of now the only way to get a hit again?

While ageism is the reason why Madonna is not played on radios, I also feel that none of the songs she released the past 5 years stand up to her oldest hits. This is the first time I listened to her new song and I find it awful. The music video is disgusting and screams desperation. What is more - and this is the part where Madonna really fails - is that she is stuck to ideas and themes that would be cool and revolutionary just about 30 years ago. The whole concept of woman empowerment is very dated and done to death. She has been recycling ideas, she tries way too hard and comes off as an attention-seeker, not as an artist that has something of value to say.

Celine, on the other hand, was pretty much banned from mainstream radios much earlier, in her mid 30s. I feel this was due to the fact that radios had played her to death in the 90s and because her 00s material was not catchy enough, with few exceptions. Even One Heart released in 2003 had a sound that would fit more in 2000, in my opinion. Celine tried but she was never that mainstream, given the fact she never had a rapper featured in her 00s singles and never went close to urban hip-hop/rnb that was the hot music genre. She also went from bubblegum pop to singing lullabies and then doing pop/rock which was risky in the sense that it could confuse the masses.

In my opinion, had Celine released LMBTL in her 30s she'd have spawed at least 4 hits from the album. I think this album had more potential hit singles than even ANDHC. I even believe Breakaway is more radio friendly than the fan-favorite I Surrender because it is less bombastic and not as dark. Somebody Loves Somebody is more dance-able than the beautiful I'm Alive and Water And A Flame is cooler and more urban that HYEBIL which is great but comes off as another Celine piano ballad. Of course Incredible is far more catchier than the rest promotional singles of the album (At Last, Aun Existe Amor, GTSW). I hope you all get my point in this. Celine took a great direction with LMBTL but was just about 10 years late, in my opinion.

At the end of the day, the important thing is how these singers treat their careers and overall status once radios stop supporting them. Celine, in my opinion, has done an excellent job in preserving her image and releasing songs that stand up to her 90s material. This is why she is getting so much respect from people worldwide... the same can't be said about her peers. This pretty much shows on the fact that she is able to sell albums and tickets based on her name alone. Celine is pretty much unique... she really is...

Edited June 19, 2015 at 02:23 PM by LukeD

June 19, 2015 at 05:09 PM

Madonna does seem to be going through an identity crisis but I still think she's in top form. Her latest album, to me,is perhaps her best. "Ghosttown", her best ballad since the 1990s is amazing.

Celine took her break in 2000 too soon. That killed her as a radio star.

Radio is not what it used to be. People don't "request" anymore.

Edited June 19, 2015 at 05:10 PM by Alex_Incognito

June 20, 2015 at 02:22 AM

I actually thought "Rebel Heart" was almost as big a disappointment as "MDNA"

I was not thrilled at all, and wasn't even impressed with the lead single. Although I do agree with you about "Ghosttown."

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