These Are Special Times
These Are Special Times is the sixth English-language studio album and the first English-language Christmas album by Canadian singer Celine Dion. Released by Sony Music Entertainment on 30 October 1998, it features cover versions of popular Christmas tunes and original material. Dion worked with David Foster and Ric Wake, who produced most of the tracks for the album. Other producers include R. Kelly and Bryan Adams. Critics praised Dion's commitment to the recorded material, as well as the production of the songs.
These Are Special Times was released after two of Dion's most successful albums, Falling into You and Let's Talk About Love. It includes the US number-one single, "I'm Your Angel" and the Golden Globe winning song, "The Prayer". The album has sold 5.6 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan, and has been certified five-times Platinum by the RIAA. In Canada, the album has sold one million copies and been certified Diamond by the CRIA. The album has sold 12 million copies worldwide and is one of the best-selling Christmas albums of all time.
Background
Celine Dion released two French-language Christmas albums in her early career: Céline Dion chante Noël and Chants et contes de Noël. Later, in 1993, she recorded "The Christmas Song" which appears on David Foster's The Christmas Album. The next year, Dion was featured on Alvin and the Chipmunks' "Petit Papa Noël" which is on their album A Very Merry Chipmunk. In 1996, she recorded "Brahms' Lullaby" for the compilation For Our Children Too to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. "The Christmas Song" and "Brahms' Lullaby" were included on These Are Special Times in 1998.Content
Celine Dion worked on These Are Special Times with her longtime partners David Foster and Ric Wake, who produced most of the songs. The album contains seven original compositions: "Don't Save It All for Christmas Day", "Another Year Has Gone By", a solo version of "The Magic of Christmas Day", "The Prayer", "Christmas Eve", "These Are the Special Times" and "I'm Your Angel". Other tracks include inspired arrangements of standards like "O Holy Night", "Blue Christmas", "Adeste Fideles", "Ave Maria" and new versions of the modern classics "Happy Xmas " and "Feliz Navidad". On the latter track and "Les cloches du hameau", Dion is joined by her family. In October 2007, the album was re-released as a Collector's Edition that includes a DVD of Dion's CBS television special for These Are Special Times.Promotion
Celine Dion promoted the album in the United States with a television special which aired on CBS on 25 November 1998. It included two musical guests: Andrea Bocelli on "The Prayer" and Rosie O'Donnell on "Do You Hear What I Hear?". Dion also performed album tracks, her number-one hits, as well as favorites. These Are Special Times was a television ratings champion, ranking number-one for the night and drawing an audience of more than sixteen million viewers. The show was nominated for two Emmy Awards. Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli also performed "The Prayer" at the 41st Grammy Awards on 24 February 1999 and at the 71st Academy Awards on 21 March 1999. She also performed "Blue Christmas" at "The Today Show" and "Another Year Has Gone By" at "The Rosie O'Donnell Show" and with Bryan Adams at the "Late Show with David Letterman". "The Christmas Song " was performed in 1992 at the TV show "Good Morning America" and in 1993 with David Foster on his TV special, "David Foster's Christmas Album" on NBC on 10 December 1993."Happy Xmas " and "The Christmas Song" were part of Dion's show A New Day during its winter runs in 2004 and 2007 respectively. In addition, Dion performed "The Christmas Song" at The Rockefeller Center on 28 November 2007 whereas one of the performances from Las Vegas was televised during Larry King Show in December 2007.
Dion performed "Don't Save It All for Christmas Day" and "Adeste Fideles " at the 2009 Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade, which aired on ABC. Both "I'm Your Angel" and "The Prayer" were sung during Taking Chances World Tour and selected shows of Celine. Moreover, Celine performed "The Prayer" with Andrea Bocelli during Live At Central Park in New York in 2011.
In December 2015, as a part of Michael Bublé's Christmas in Hollywood which aired on NBC, Dion sang "O Holy Night" and "Happy Xmas " in a duet version with Bublé.
Singles
"I'm Your Angel" was released as the first single from the album. It became Dion's fourth number-one on the US Billboard Hot 100, topping the chart for six consecutive weeks. On 9 December 1998, it was certified Platinum by the RIAA for shipment of one million copies in the United States. The song was also successful in Europe, peaking at number three in the United Kingdom. In March 1999, "The Prayer" was sent to adult contemporary radio stations in the United States and peaked at number twenty-two on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks. In February 2008, Dion recorded a live version of this song in a duet with Josh Groban. Thanks to the digital sales, the track entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number seventy.Critical reception
These Are Special Times garnered generally positive reviews from music critics. Paul Verna from Billboard gave it a very positive review, praising Dion's maturity and the album's production. He wrote, "sounding at complete ease and wielding a wildly creative wand, an ever-maturing Dion conjures up surprise on what should be regarded as her next "big" album". Verna noted that this "grade-A effort" is "no ordinary holiday project". He praised "grandiose versions of standards", "modern classics" and "thoughtfully produced original compositions". According to him, other highlights include "The Prayer", a "gorgeous duet" with Andrea Bocelli, the "Phil Spector-esque" "Christmas Eve", and a "sparkling reading" of "Ave Maria".Chuck Taylor from Billboard also praised "I'm Your Angel", a duet with R. Kelly. He wrote that "this wonderfully restrained ballad delights with the most graceful vocal performances either of these artists has ever offered to radio". Taylor commented, "what raises the roof is the tune's elegant, epic instrumental base, which includes sweeping strings, a soulful choir, and gentle but determined percussive drive". He continued, that "I'm Your Angel" "sells big at the bridge, where the instrumentation drops and Kelly and Dion harmonize in a gorgeous minor key – it truly makes the song". Chuck Taylor also reviewed "The Prayer", calling it "a breathtaking, ultra-lush song, and the tour de force combination of Dion and Bocelli will send a half-dozen chills up your spine". Although he felt that the song is "an unorthodox track for the radio", Taylor called it "affecting", "heartwarming", "absolutely exquisite" and "one of Dion's most radiant performances ever".
Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic stated that "any fan of Dion, or of '90s adult contemporary pop in general, should find this very enjoyable". Although according to him, "at times, the production is too slick" and "at other times Dion's vocals are a little mannered," overall, These Are Special Times "is very effective, because the songs are good and she's committed to the material". Erlewine wrote that These Are Special Times is "an especially successful holiday album since Dion wisely balances" popular carols with new songs, hymns, and Christmas songs with a distinct religious theme ".
Commercial reception
These Are Special Times debuted at number four on the US Billboard 200, selling 126,000 copies. The next week, it became a greatest gainer, jumping to number three and selling 163,000 units. In its third week, despite selling 210,000 copies, These Are Special Times fell to number five. In the fourth week, thanks to Dion's CBS television special, the album rose to number three, with a 94% sales increase becoming a greatest gainer again. The next week, it moved to its peak position on the Billboard 200, number two, with sales of 366,000 units. These Are Special Times tied Amy Grant's 1992 Home for Christmas as the highest-charting holiday album ever by a female artist. It stayed at number two for the second week, selling 413,000 copies. In the seventh week, These Are Special Times reached its highest weekly sales of 462,000 copies, despite falling to number three. In the last week inside the top ten, the album fell to number five selling another 461,000 copies. On the Top Holiday Albums, it topped the chart for nine consecutive weeks.These Are Special Times became the best-selling holiday album of 1998 in the US with a total of 2,684,000 copies sold. Dion's album also sold more copies in its first year of release than any other holiday album by a female artist. On 6 December 2005, the album was certified five-times Platinum by the RIAA for shipment of five million copies in the US. On 16 November 2008, it also became the first holiday album by a female artist to top the five million mark in Nielsen SoundScan history. These Are Special Times is also the highest selling Christmas album by an artist born outside the US. It is the fourth best-selling Christmas album of the entire Nielsen SoundScan era with US sales of 5.6 million copies as of November 2019.
In Canada and in Quebec, These Are Special Times peaked at number one. The album shipped one million copies and was certified Diamond by the CRIA. In Japan, the album reached number four and exceeded sales of more than 500,000 copies. These Are Special Times was also successful in Australasia and Europe, hitting the top ten in most countries and peaking at number one in Switzerland and Norway. It has sold twelve million copies worldwide, and is one of the best-selling Christmas albums of all time.
Accolades
These Are Special Times received the 1999 Japan Gold Disc Award for International Pop Album of the Year. At the 56th Golden Globe Awards, "The Prayer" won the award for Best Original Song. "I'm Your Angel" and "The Prayer" were nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 41st and 42nd Grammy Awards, respectively. "The Prayer" was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 71st Academy Awards. In 2017, 24/7 Wall St. Named These Are Special Times as the 8th best Holiday Album of all time.Track listing
Notes- signifies italian translation
- signifies a co-producer
- signifies an additional producer
Personnel
- Bryan Adams – arranger, bass, composer, guitar, producer, string arrangements
- Tawatha Agee – vocals
- Steve Amerson – vocals
- Morgan Ames – vocals
- Randy Andos – trombone
- Jane Barnett – vocals
- David Barratt – production coordination
- Tony Black – programming
- Juan Bohorquez – assistant engineer, mixing assistant
- Dick Bolks – vocals
- Alfred Bosco – assistant engineer
- Jeff Bova – programming
- Robert Bowker – vocals
- Jimmy Bralower – drum programming
- Troy Bright – vocals
- Martin Briley – vocals
- Chris Brooke – assistant engineer
- Alexandra Brown – choir, chorus
- Bridgette Bryant – choir, chorus
- Sharon Bryant – vocals
- Bob Buckley – conductor, string arrangements
- Amick Byram – vocals
- Bob Cadway – engineer
- Richie Cannata – sax, saxophone
- Johnnie Carl – arranger
- Elin Carlson – vocals
- Patrick Carroll – drum programming, guitar, percussion
- Carmen Carter – choir, chorus
- Lafayette Carthon, Jr. – conductor, keyboards, vocals
- Sue Ann Carwell – vocals
- John Chiodini – guitar, guitar
- Maria Christensen – composer, vocals
- Dennis Collins – vocals
- Crystal Cathedral Choir – choir
- Barry Danielian – trumpet
- Donna Davidson – vocals
- Nathan Dean – mixing assistant
- Russ DeSalvo – guitar
- John Doelp – executive producer
- Chuck Domanico – bass
- Terence Dover – engineer
- Felipe Elgueta – engineer, programming
- Gary Falcone – choir, chorus
- David Foster – arranger, composer, keyboards, piano, producer
- Bob Franceschini – sax
- Simon Franglen – synclavier
- Roger Freeland – vocals
- Yvonne Gage – vocals
- Humberto Gatica – engineer, mixing
- Ayuana George – vocals
- Stephen George – programming
- Diva Gray – vocals
- Nikki Gregoroff – vocals
- Don Hachey – mixing assistant
- Andy Haller – assistant engineer
- Jeff Hamilton – drums
- Brian Harding – assistant engineer, mixing assistant
- Linda Harmon – vocals
- Bill Harris – sax
- Don Harris – trumpet
- Dan Hetzel – engineer
- Loris Holland – conductor, keyboards, organ, vocal arrangement, vocals
- Jimmy Hoyson – assistant engineer
- Ronn Huff – arranger
- Nancey Jackson – vocals
- Bashiri Johnson – vocals
- Tony Kadleck – trumpet
- Shane Keister – arranger, handbell arrangement, piano, synclavier
- Khris Kellow – vocals
- R. Kelly – arranger, composer, performer, producer
- Rick Kerr – engineer
- Curtis King – vocals
- Darlene Koldenhoven – vocals
- Diana Krall – piano
- John Kurlander – engineer
- Rick Logan – vocals
- Susie Stevens Logan – vocals
- Lisa Lougheed – vocals
- Jeremy Lubbock – arranger, string arrangements
- Vito Luprano – executive producer
- Johnny Mandel – orchestral arrangements
- Ethan Mates – mixing assistant
- Rob Mathes – conductor, orchestral arrangements
- Paulette McWilliams – vocals
- Ozzie Melendez – trombone
- Chieli Minucci – guitar
- Cindy Mizelle – vocals
- Robert Moe – vocals
- Jeffrey Morrow – vocals
- Rob Murphy – assistant engineer, mixing assistant
- Jake Ninan – assistant engineer
- Rafael Padilla – percussion
- Bobbi Page – choir, chorus
- Shawn Pelton – drums
- Randy Phillips – choir, chorus
- Louis Price – choir, chorus
- Tom Rainer – synthesizer
- Jeffrey Ramsey – choir, chorus
- Anthony Ransick – vocals
- Dave Reitzas – engineer
- Cathy Richardson – vocals
- John "J.R." Robinson – drums
- Robin Robinson – vocals
- Stevie Robinson – vocals
- Olle Romo – programming
- William Ross – arranger, orchestral arrangements
- Kamil Rustam – guitar
- Johnny Rutledge – vocals
- Larry Salzman – guitar
- John Scarpulla – sax
- Al Schmitt – engineer
- David Shackney – engineer
- Don Shelton – vocals
- Marc Shulman – guitar
- Ira Siegel – guitar
- Steve Skinner – arranger, drum programming, keyboard programming
- Ramón Stagnaro – guitar
- Randy Staub – engineer
- Aya Takemura – mixing assistant
- Chris Taylor – guitar
- David Taylor – trombone
- Vaneese Thomas – vocals
- Michael Thompson – guitar
- Fonzi Thornton – vocals
- UB Tirado – mixing assistant
- Terry Trotter – piano
- Rob Trow – vocals
- Eric Troyer – vocals
- Carmen Twillie – choir, chorus, vocals
- Vancouver Orchestra – strings
- Gary Van Pelt – engineer
- Jeff Vereb – mixing assistant
- Frank Vilardi – drums
- Ric Wake – arranger, composer, producer
- Joan Walton – vocals
- Spencer Washington – vocals
- John West – vocals
- Phil Western – engineer, keyboards, programming, string arrangements
- Brenda White-King – vocals
- George Whitty – engineer, keyboard arrangements, synthesizer arrangements
- Cheryl Wilson – vocals
- Elisabeth Withers – vocals
- Steven Wolf – drums
- Thomas R. Yezzi – engineer
- Peter Zizzo – arranger, bass programming, composer, drum programming, guitar, keyboard programming
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
| Chart | Position |
| Canada Top Albums/CDs | 68 |
| Dutch Albums | 80 |
| US Billboard 200 | 23 |
| Chart | Position |
| Finnish Foreign Albums | 70 |
| US Top Catalog Albums | 3 |
| Chart | Position |
| US Top Catalog Albums | 24 |
| Chart | Position |
| US Top Catalog Albums | 32 |
| Chart | Position |
| US Top Catalog Albums | 36 |
| Chart | Position |
| US Top Catalog Albums | 45 |
| Chart | Position |
| Swedish Albums | 98 |
| US Top Catalog Albums | 41 |
| Chart | Position |
| Swedish Albums | 87 |
| Chart | Position |
| US Top Catalog Albums | 48 |