The Writing of Celine Dion’s Song “My Heart Will Go On’

In January 2023, Rolling Stone released a list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. To the surprise of many, Celine Dion's name was absent from the list. Just days later, a group of passionate protesters gathered outside the magazine's office, demanding recognition for the legendary songstress.

It's easy to understand their frustration. Celine Dion, the French-Canadian vocal powerhouse, is undeniably one of the best in the business.

In 1996, three unforgettable events etched themselves into my memory: England lost to Germany on penalties in the Euro Cup Final; Michael Johnson shattered the 200M and 400M world records at the Atlanta Olympics; and before Johnson's historic runs, Celine Dion graced the Olympics Opening Ceremony with a stirring performance of "The Power of the Dream." That song resonated globally, inspiring kids from Kaduna, Nigeria, to Baricho, Kenya, to dare to dream big.

In 1991, James Horner, one of the most respected composers in film, sought to collaborate with Celine Dion for An American Tail: Fievel Goes West. Horner had penned the song "Dreams to Dream" and believed Dion was the perfect artist to bring it to life. However, the opportunity ultimately went to Linda Ronstadt, a superstar in her own right.

If there's one song that instantly brings Celine Dion to mind, it's "My Heart Will Go On." Let me share the story behind this iconic track.

When James Cameron embarked on creating the epic film Titanic, he enlisted Horner to craft the film's score. Cameron initially envisioned an instrumental arrangement, partly due to budget constraints, as the film's production had already exceeded its financial limits. He believed that an instrumental score would be more cost-effective than hiring a vocalist.

Horner, however, was convinced that the melody he had composed would be even more powerful as a song. He knew just the person to help realize this vision—Will Jennings.

You might remember Will Jennings from my previous post about the creation of "We Are the World." He's the same musician who famously walked out of a heated discussion about including the Kiswahili language in the song, quipping, "No old boy sing no Swahili."

When it comes to songwriting, Will Jennings is among the best.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Jennings reflected on his inspiration for "My Heart Will Go On." Let's hear it in his own words:

"Horner told me the script's story and then played me the theme he had written for the film. Looking back over all those years, the character Rose caught my imagination. I connected her with a 100-plus-year-old woman, still working, still vital—Beatrice Wood—whom I had met a few years before in Ojai, California. Wood had been an artist in New York before World War I, lived and worked in France, and eventually settled in Ojai, continuing her work as a fine arts potter.

My wife and I happened to be in Ojai when a documentary about Wood's life, Mama of Dada, premiered. We attended the screening, and to our surprise, Ms. Wood herself showed up—vibrant and full of life at 101-plus years old. She spoke about the film before it began, and when she shook my hand, I felt an incredible vitality and life force—something I'd never experienced before or since. From this profound encounter, I drew inspiration to write the lyrics for 'My Heart Will Go On.'"

The relationships you build in life truly matter. Jennings delivered his part beautifully, but one crucial element was still missing—the singer who could do justice to both the melody and the lyrics.

Horner had previously worked with Celine Dion, so it was no surprise that she was his first choice. He reached out to her, and they met to discuss the project. However, when Horner played the melody on the piano, Dion wasn't impressed and declined to participate.

Reflecting on that moment in an interview with CBS, the "That's the Way It Is" star said, "It didn't appeal to me. I was very tired that day. I don't know, just very tired."

Fortunately, Celine's husband, René Angélil, recognized that she was on the verge of making a monumental mistake. He suggested she sleep on it and revisit the project the next day. He also urged her to at least record a demo of the song.

René called Horner and arranged for a demo recording, having managed to convince his wife. After all, it was just a demo—what could it hurt?

Horner and his team assembled an orchestra, and when Celine took the microphone, she delivered a performance so exceptional that, according to the Los Angeles Times, the demo became the final recording used in the film's soundtrack. It was a first take—and the rest, as they say, is history.

But the challenges didn't end there. James Cameron had yet to be informed about the shift in direction—that Horner was now working with a vocalist. Remember, Cameron had envisioned an instrumental score!

In an interview with Forbes, Horner recalled carrying the demo tape in his pocket for four weeks, waiting for the perfect moment to present it to Cameron. He wanted to catch him in a good mood. When the opportunity finally arose, and Cameron heard Dion's voice on the track, he immediately approved the song.

"My Heart Will Go On" went on to win an Oscar, a Golden Globe for Best Original Song, and four Grammy Awards in 1998, cementing Celine Dion's legacy and the song's place in music history.