If you're gonna channel Celine Dion, you gotta go hard. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most technically and emotionally ambitious numbers in this icon’s discography that aren’t the easiest to sing.
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00:00 [Music]
00:08 Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most technically and
00:13 emotionally ambitious numbers in Celine Dion's discography that aren't the easiest to sing.
00:18 [Music]
00:26 Number 10. I Surrender.
00:28 Taking on a Celine Dion classic is not for the faint-hearted.
00:31 [Music]
00:38 Revered by some as the queen of power ballads,
00:41 Dion's extraordinary vocal prowess and technical finesse shine in this number.
00:45 If you dare tackle it, you'll be required to navigate a challenging range,
00:49 from soaring highs to profound lows.
00:52 [Music]
01:03 We also recommend working on your breath control, as we know she likes to belt.
01:08 To do it total justice, though, you'll also need to establish a deep emotional connection
01:13 without compromising on your technique. Perhaps you'll sound like this lucky fan
01:17 who bravely sang it in front of none other than Celine Dion herself.
01:21 [Singing]
01:29 But unless you have impeccable training, we suggest surrendering this one to the pros.
01:34 [Music]
01:40 Number 9. The Power of Love.
01:43 [Music]
01:48 If you found Jennifer Rush's original challenging,
01:51 brace yourself for Dion's cover version. It takes the difficulty up a notch.
01:55 [Music]
02:01 It marked her inaugural number one hit in the U.S. and clinched the title of the best-selling
02:06 single by a female artist in 1994. No pressure or anything. The song's wide vocal range is
02:13 ideal for a dramatic mezzo-soprano.
02:15 [Music]
02:21 It acts as a vocal rollercoaster, starting with a strong, confident middle range and
02:26 rising to powerful, rich high notes. Tackling its intricacies requires vocal dexterity and
02:32 a deep understanding of the song's emotional nuances. Get ready for a challenge that goes
02:36 beyond the notes, delving into the heart of the music and the power of love.
02:41 [Music]
02:47 Number 8. Us.
02:49 First, let's just say the gentleness of the verse feels like a crafty illusion,
02:54 setting you up for the surprise when those powerhouse notes hit the chorus.
02:57 [Music]
03:05 The song spans an extensive vocal range and features a complex melody, demanding precision,
03:11 especially during its numerous leaps and intervals. Mastery requires rigorous breath control,
03:17 particularly for sustained high notes.
03:19 [Music]
03:23 And that's just the technical stuff. Power ballads, after all, are meant to stir something
03:28 deep in their listeners. While it could be an ambitious goal, tackling this song right
03:33 off the bat might be overwhelming. Perhaps starting with easier numbers could pave the
03:37 way for mastering the intricacies of this musical gem.
03:40 [Music]
03:45 Number 7. It's All Coming Back to Me Now.
03:48 Dionne wasn't the first to tackle this song, but she defined it. It's emotionally charged,
03:54 vocally demanding, and incredibly nuanced. Singing this number requires confidence,
03:59 so warming up is definitely a must.
04:01 [Music]
04:06 Not only must the singer have a sturdy voice, but a remarkably flexible one that can effortlessly
04:11 glide through numerous dynamic shifts. Think you're up for the challenge? Okay, well,
04:16 what about also matching her detailed melodies and tackling those impressive vocal runs?
04:21 Brave vocalists need impeccable technical skills, powerful emotional expressiveness,
04:26 and the utmost control to deliver even a fraction of what Celine masters.
04:30 [Music]
04:41 It's not just about hitting the notes. It's also about capturing the number's raw emotions.
04:47 It is a formidable vocal challenge.
04:49 [Music]
04:56 Number 6. The Prayer with Andrea Bocelli.
04:59 Like many of Celine's numbers, this emotional power ballad requires singers to comfortably
05:04 leap between vast vocal ranges. Singers must navigate the deepest lows and most soaring
05:09 highs while finding a comfortable range.
05:11 [Music]
05:20 Coordinating harmonies adds complexity and requires perfect synchronization.
05:24 Impeccable breath control is also vital for maintaining pitch and tone during long phrases
05:29 and sustained notes. Fancy more of a challenge? How about singing both parts, harmonies and all?
05:35 Just kidding. Mastering Dion's part alone is a feat.
05:38 [Music]
05:49 The duet, featured in "Quest for Camelot," earned Oscar and Grammy nods.
05:53 Just in case you need a level to aspire to.
05:56 [Music]
06:12 Number 5. Taking Chances.
06:14 Dion's "Taking Chances" is a departure from her classic ballads, revealing her edgier side.
06:19 Inspired by artists she admired, this song gave her the chance to explore a rockier sound she
06:24 grew up loving.
06:25 [Music]
06:31 Yet, don't be deceived. It's still Celine Dion, so prepare to belt those high notes with precision
06:36 and power. Mastery demands seamless transitions between soft and intense moments, coupled with
06:42 precise phrasing and timing.
06:44 [Music]
06:48 This isn't a song for the untrained. It requires precise articulation while staying perfectly
06:54 in rhythm.
06:54 [Music]
07:01 Taking on "Taking Chances" is an ambitious move, but it's one you should only approach
07:07 after a thorough warm-up. Consider it a challenge to work toward.
07:10 Number 4. I Want You to Need Me.
07:14 This song's melody is incredibly complex and daunting.
07:16 [Music]
07:20 Mastering octaves is a must, as the song's range could even give seasoned performers
07:25 a run for their money. Are you up for the challenge? As in many of her numbers, it boasts
07:30 some tricky yet impressive musical intervals and some hard-to-follow changes in rhythm.
07:34 [Music]
07:42 Okay, well, now you've got your foundations. Yes, by her standards, this is just the baseline.
07:47 So now, what about the more decorative elements? We all know Dion is a master at embellishing
07:52 her numbers with stunning trills and gorgeous melismas.
07:54 [Music]
08:01 Can you match that and still sing your heart out? It is a musical minefield for sure.
08:06 Number 3. The Reason.
08:09 This is a beautiful number, but brace yourselves. This song showcases the
08:13 multifaceted beauty of Celine's voice and her unmatched endurance as an artist.
08:17 [Music]
08:22 She effortlessly transitions between warm, softer moments and powerful, belted notes.
08:27 The melody gracefully spans octaves, demanding singers to find strength
08:32 in subtlety while also unleashing their full vocal prowess.
08:35 [Music]
08:45 Nailing this requires unparalleled command, balance, breath control, and stamina.
08:51 Dion's diverse skills shine, mesmerizing audiences from intimate settings to vast stadiums.
08:56 [Music]
09:04 It's a challenge, alright, but perfecting it can be exhilarating.
09:07 If you have the ambition and are ready to dive in and embrace its complexity,
09:11 that is the reason enough to give it a go.
09:13 Number 2. My Heart Will Go On.
09:16 Many assume this song needs constant belting, but Dion's strength lies in balancing soft,
09:22 breathy tones with powerful emotion, gentleness, and inner strength without over-reliance on vibrato.
09:28 [Music]
09:36 Perfecting this blend ensures the song's true magic unfolds.
09:40 Even so, mirroring the shifts in melody, delicate phrasing,
09:44 dynamics, and other musical ornamentations is incredibly difficult.
09:47 [Music]
09:56 Doing all that while conveying authentically deep emotions can be exhausting.
10:00 Plus, this song is so iconic that it comes with immense pressure to do it justice.
10:05 [Music]
10:13 We would not dare attempt this at karaoke without plenty of liquid courage.
10:18 But when you do get it right, you will probably feel like the king or queen of the world.
10:24 Before we unveil our top pick, here are some honorable mentions.
10:27 I Drove All Night.
10:30 You'll need to be driven to avoid running out of gas mid-song and hitting the brakes.
10:33 [Music]
10:39 Because You Loved Me.
10:40 Because we love this song, we're going to leave it to the pros.
10:44 [Music]
10:51 To Love You More.
10:53 Without the right technical skills and emotional depth,
10:56 you might find that your love for this song is no more.
10:59 [Music]
11:07 I'm Alive.
11:08 The skill necessary to sing this cover is enough to leave even a skilled singer breathless.
11:13 [Music]
11:20 Oxygen.
11:21 Careful not to run out of oxygen when singing this one.
11:24 [Music]
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11:43 Number 1. All By Myself.
11:48 Celine Dion, the renowned queen of heartfelt ballads, always showcases unparalleled emotional
11:54 depth and vocal perfection. But All By Myself takes on an imposing challenge. Despite its
12:00 gentle start, the song quickly intensifies with multiple key changes and some astonishingly high
12:06 notes. To prepare, consider starting with Eric Carman's original version first. Dion's rendition
12:17 demands mastering vocal light and shade and the ability to sustain notes and convey profound emotions.
12:23 [Music]
12:31 And what about that note? Apparently, even she didn't know she'd need to hit that famous F5
12:36 until song producer David Foster unexpectedly presented her with it.
12:39 "But I said, 'David, how could you do that?'"
12:42 "Right."
12:43 "But he said, 'If you can't do it, there's other singers and things that can't."
12:46 "Ooooh."
12:48 "And that's all I needed to hit the note."
12:51 Confidence in vocal abilities is crucial. Otherwise, attempting it risks an audience fleeing,
12:57 leaving you truly all by yourself. Which Celine Dion number do you not fancy taking chances on?
13:03 Tell us your reason in the comments.
13:05 Do you agree with our picks? Check out this other recent clip from Ms. Mojo.
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13:14 [Music]