Titanic Theme Song

1997

This has been in my to-post list since the birth of this blog.

So anyway, for my generation, at least, not knowing what song this is is a rarity. “My Heart Will Go On”, performed by Celine Dion, with lyrics by Will Jennings and music by James Horner is the dramatic theme for the movie Titanic. It is a titanic-of-a-song as well, as it had major success, especially in the nineties.

The song was part of Celine’s 1997 release, Let’s Talk About Love. To this date, “My Heart Will Go On” is Ms. Dion’s biggest hit.

Of course the song is also part of the official soundtrack of the film, where it is listed as “My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme From Titanic)”. However, in total, the song appears in six Celine Dion albums, which include live albums (ergo, live takes), and three Celine Dion DVDs. If you are interested in knowing all of these—say you’re a Celine fanatic—click here.

Both the Titanic soundtrack and Let’s Talk About Love have sold over 30 million copies worldwide, and remain part of the best-selling albums of all time.

“My Heart Will Go On” is a major success, we all know that, and it went to number one virtually all over the world. It won the 1997 Academy Award for Best Original Song, dominated the 1999 Grammy Awards winning Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song-Motion Picture in 1998.

But, these are what intrigued me. When composer James Horner said he wanted to make a vocal version of the instrumental song pieces for Titanic, James Cameron did not approve. Mr Horner, went ahead anyway and asked Jennings to write the lyrics. When Ms. Dion heard the song, she did not like it and did not to have anything to do with it. It was her husband/manager, Rene Angelil who convinced her to record a demo version—something a star of Celine’s stature does not do. It was only then that the song was presented to James Cameron, and after hearing it for a couple of times, he finally agreed—although he was weary that he might be criticized for “going commercial at the end of the movie.” And finally, the song was recorded in one take without instrumental accompaniment. The producers, Ms. Dion and the record label decided to stick with it because “Dion’s voice was perfect.” Amazing.

For the video, let’s go live this time. Below is a perfect live rendition of the song. An as a bonus—Andrea Corr playing the flute!

Titanic theme song lyrics

Every night in my dreams
I see you, I feel you
That is how I know you go on

Far across the distance
And spaces between us
You have come to show you go on

Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you’re here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on

Love can touch us one time
And last for a lifetime
And never let go till we’re gone

Love was when I loved you
One true time I hold to
In my life we’ll always go on

Near, far, wherever you are
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door
And you’re here in my heart
And my heart will go on and on

You’re here, there’s nothing I fear
And I know that my heart will go on
We’ll stay forever this way
You are safe in my heart
And my heart will go on and on