Role of the Performer: Celine Dion
Celine Dion was born on March 30, 1968, in Charlemagne, Quebec. She was raised in a musical family with 14 siblings including herself. Her whole family had a talent for music but she stood out as having a special gift according to her mother (CelineDion.com). She has had a career that has spanned decades which does not happen for many performers. She performs music with skill and compassion but does not compose the music. This, in my opinion, makes her that much more impressive because she performs every song as if it has a deep meaning to her personally.
I have been a fan of Celine since I was very young. I remember my mom playing her music in the car in the early 90s when we would run errands but especially on long road trips. I know there is a nostalgic factor coming into play but I still think her voice and performances are some of the best I have ever experienced. I am considered to be a masculine, heterosexual man but am not ashamed to say I will sing along with every song of hers I know if it comes on the radio.
Celine is the type of artist who has a cult following. It is rare that a performer can take a break and then return and be an even bigger sensation than before. Well, this is the case for Celine. Even as a young child performer she withdrew from performing for 18 months and upon her return was accepted with open arms (CelineDion.com). She has taken similar breaks throughout her career and always accepted back into her role as a must listen artist.
Celine has gone on to win countless awards such as the winner of the famed musical contest in Europe, Eurovision (CelineDion.com). She has won 5 Grammy's and been nominated for many more (Wikipedia). The awards aside, the thing that makes Celine so special is not just her music and performances, it is her personality. She has a kind-hearted, compassionate personality that draws others to her. Her personality shines through in her music which in my opinion, is a key to her long-term success.
Celine covered the song The Power of Love in 1993 on her album "The Colour of Love." The song was produced by David Foster and written in the United States by Gunther Mende, Candy DeRouge, Jennifer Rush, and Mary Susan Applegate in 1984 for Jennifer Rush (Wikipedia). The song would go on to be her first US number-one song topping the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks in February 1994 (Wikipedia).
The song starts off slowly and the lyrics express and describe love in a way that only someone who has been in love can truly understand. The song is performed at a slower tempo and with a 4/4 time signature. The piercing timbre of her high notes is part of what makes this song so unique. This is a great addition to any playlist you have.The song My Heart Will Go On is possibly one of Celine's most notable songs. It was performed for the soundtrack of the movie Titanic and was composed by James Horner and written by Will Jennings. The song was released in 1997 on her album "Let's Talk About Love" (Wikipedia).
The Lyrics of this song obviously carry a heavy weight if you have seen the movie. The inclusion of the death of Jack in the film brings a new level of emotion that may not exist without the film's influence. That being said, the song alone is an emotional ride that starts softly and crescendos to a large and magnificent ending that closes with an emotional, quiet vocal hum. It is rare that a song from a film has such a profound impact on the listener. When listening to the song you will always be reminded of the movie but you will also think about Celine Dion simultaneously. The Washington Post said it best that "it is the marriage of music and image that make both the song and film greater than the sum of their parts" (Wikipedia). The flute sound is actually created by the tin whistle or pennywhistle which is a traditional irish instrument. The somewhat monotone verse is accompanied by the tin whistle in a way the evokes sadness when underlain by the melodic tin whistle.
The musical works of Celine Dion may not be of her own creation but that does not detract from her artistry in performance. She is truly the best person to deliver these songs to the world. She will remain in the hearts of those who have ever listened to her music and felt something because of it. She has a way of forcing the listener to dig deep into themselves a realize things maybe they had not previously even considered (my personal experience).
References:
“CELINE DION.” CelineDioncom, Biography | CelineDion.com.
“Impact.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Apr. 2021, My Heart Will Go On - Wikipedia.
“List of Awards and Nominations Received by Celine Dion.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 2 July 2021, List of awards and nominations received by Celine Dion - Wikipedia.
“The Power of Love (Jennifer Rush Song).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 June 2021, The Power of Love (Jennifer Rush song) - Wikipedia.
Great analysis of Celine Dion's work !! I thought it was a good addition to speak about her personality (especially right after her accomplishments. One might think that someone of such a high status in the music community might be incredibly haughty and unkind, but you were sure to point out that Dion is actually very kind and compassionate). In addition, "My Heart Will Go On" is such a beautiful song that takes immense power and range, and you made sure to highlight Dion's pure talent. Good work !! I look forward to your post next week :)
ReplyDeleteI only learned of Celine Dion because of her song in Titanic, I didn't realize how popular she became around that time. I absolutely love her soft, powerful voice. I've seen some live performances and she seems the type to keep herself from being distracted from her actual singing. Do you think her being a humble artist kept people interested? Or was it just her music?
ReplyDeleteGood question. I think her singing and performance is what has made her famous and made her a household name but I do think her attitude and personality play a role in her longevity.
DeleteI agree that Celine Dion is so talented in making the songs hers, even if she didn't write them. It is interesting how she was able to take a break from performing and being able to pick up right where she left off. I think it's a mark of a great artist if their absence is noticed and they are missed. According to this article, while "My Heart Will Go On" was one of Celine Dion's best-sellers, it also was one of the bestselling singles of all time. Here's the article I found https://spinditty.com/artists-bands/Top-10-Greatest-Celine-Dion-Love-Songs
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