by Celine Dion’s ‘Falling into You’: 5 Singers Who Inspired the Iconic Album
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Celine Dion’s 1996 album “Falling into You” catapulted her to international superstardom and remains one of her most iconic works. The album showcased Celine’s powerful voice and emotional delivery through a collection of romantic ballads and uptempo pop songs. Several singers helped shape Celine’s musical vision on “Falling into You,” contributing to its success and timeless appeal.
Barbra Streisand’s Influence
Barbra Streisand’s vocal prowess and dramatic delivery clearly inspired Celine Dion on “Falling into You.” Streisand’s powerful yet nuanced vocals set the standard for emotive ballads, and Celine channels that style on many of her own ballads on the album, especially “Because You Loved Me.” Both singers possess incredible vocal range and the ability to convey deep emotion through their singing. Celine has cited Streisand as one of her major influences, and the impact of Streisand’s example is evident throughout “Falling into You.”
Bette Midler’s Comedic Influence
While Celine Dion is best known for her emotional ballads, she also shows a comedic side on “Falling into You,” particularly on the uptempo tracks. That playful spirit seems inspired by Bette Midler, another singer with a penchant for humor. Midler has built her career on blending comedy and music, and Celine channels some of that energy on songs like “Dance with My Father.” Both singers bring lightheartedness into even serious themes, injecting their performances with humor and joy.
Whitney Houston’s Vocal Agility
The influence of Whitney Houston’s powerful voice and vocal agility is unmistakable on “Falling into You.” Houston set the bar for belting out emotional ballads with stunning vocal range, and Celine matches that agility on songs like “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.” Both singers excel at hitting soaring high notes while conveying deep emotion through their vocals. Celine has cited Houston as one of her major inspirations, and Houston’s example clearly shaped Celine’s own emotive and agile vocal style on this album.
Michael Bolton’s Romantic Intensity
Celine Dion channels some of Michael Bolton’s romantic intensity on the ballads of “Falling into You,” especially on songs like “All By Myself.” Both artists are known for their passionate delivery of emotional lyrics, resonating deeply with listeners through themes of love and vulnerability. Bolton helped popularize the emotive pop ballad in the 1980s and 1990s, paving the way for Celine’s own success with the style. Celine embraces Bolton’s flair for romantic melodrama on several tracks from “Falling into You,” drawing inspiration from his example.
Phil Spector’s Grand Arrangements
While not a singer, music producer Phil Spector left his mark on “Falling into You” through his lush orchestral arrangements and dramatic production style. Songs like “River Deep, Mountain High” feature Spector-esque orchestrations that elevate the emotion in Celine’s vocals. Both Celine and Spector employ grand arrangements to match the dramatic themes of their music, using strings, horns, and other instruments to build an epic musical landscape. Spector’s influence contributes to the album’s cinematic sound and emotive orchestrations.
In summary, “Falling into You” drew inspiration from a range of singers and producers who helped shape Celine Dion’s musical vision and refine her unique style. The album’s timeless appeal stems from Celine’s ability to blend her own talents with the influences of these iconic artists, resulting in one of the greatest pop albums of the 1990s.
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