Think Twice (Celine Dion song)


"Think Twice" is a song recorded by Canadian singer Celine Dion. It was written by Andy Hill and Peter Sinfield, and produced by Christopher Neil and Aldo Nova. In this rock-influenced song with a guitar solo, the protagonist is telling her lover to "think twice" before leaving her. "Think Twice" was released as the third single from Dion's third English-language album, The Colour of My Love in North America in July 1994, in the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan in October 1994, and in other European countries in 1995. The song became one of Dion's most successful hits in Europe and Australia, topping multiple charts, including those of Flemish Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Background

Writer Andy Hill was known for his association with Bucks Fizz and Peter Sinfield was a former member of the rock group King Crimson. Two versions of the music video exist: the first was released in August 1994; later because of the huge success in the UK, Dion made a special music video in December 1994. It aired in the UK Top of the Pops television programme. The UK music video was directed by Randee St. Nicholas. The model of the first version of the Think Twice's video is Steve Santagati.
The B-sides of this single were taken mainly from Dion chante Plamondon album, which was released at that time worldwide. It was also the first time that Dion's English single included French songs as B-sides all over the world. Think Twice was included later on the European and Australian editions of All the Way... A Decade of Song greatest hits and European edition of . It remains a staple of Dion's live set in countries where the song was a runaway hit. Dion performed "Think Twice" at the 1995 World Music Awards. "Think Twice" received an Ivor Novello Award for the Best Song Musically and Lyrically in 1995.
"Think Twice" was covered by Alana Dante in 1996, Maribel Gonzalez in 1999, and Liel Kolet in 2005. It was also performed by Kelly Clarkson on American Idol and Carolynne Good on Fame Academy.

Music video

The video opens with a shot of Dion lying in bed. She wakes up and starts singing as a car drives up to her house outside. A man, Dion's lover, exits the vehicle and walks up to the front door into the house. He kisses her cheek and as Celine touches him on the shoulder, the man backs away. He lies down on the bed shirtless and sinks his head into the pillow. The camera then shows him looking at the ceiling while Dion sits in the background. The man is later seen carving ice sculptures with a chainsaw. As Celine continues singing, there is a shot of her and her lover apparently arguing. Dion then continues to sing wearing a blue jacket with shots of the man carving ice sculptures. Dion leans against one of the sculptures while her lover lies in bed. He then rises while Celine continues singing. There is then a guitar interlude with shots of the man in his garage and arguing with Dion, before heading out into his car and driving off. He is then seen sitting in a pile of sawdust. Dion continues singing while her lover smashes his ice sculptures. As the video ends, the man walks into the garage and reconciles with Dion. They then embrace and kiss in the sunlight bringing the video to a close.

Critical reception

AllMusic senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that there was "careful production, professional songwriting Chicago Tribune senior Brad Webber wrote a mixed review, referring to Dion's vocals as "forcefully resonant and multiflavored". He elaborated, "On The Colour of My Love you've got to dig deep to find them, though, past the crooked roots of a Janet Jackson impersonation With her attempt at soul, you can categorize Dion as fairly shallow, sort of a female Michael Bolton". Tom Ewing from Freaky Trigger said that Dion "with a sharp, keening edge to her voice, picking her words with care as she treads delicately through the song." Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report wrote, "By now there's little reason not to assume that Dion's remarkable vocal skill could turn "Whomp! There It Is" into an emotional masterpiece. However, her talents are much better utilized on this riveting ballad about a couple on the brink of ending a relationship". Dennis Hunt from LA Times compared Dion to singers like Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston in his review of The Colour of My Love. He noted "that grandiose, note-stretching finish" on the song. Music & Media wrote that Dion "interprets like a female Aaron Neville". John Kilgo from The Network Forty noted it as "another classic ballad". Christopher Smith from TalkAboutPopMusic described it as a "seemingly tender love song that then explodes into a power ballad".

Commercial performance

Upon its release, "Think Twice" became a hit in Europe and Australia. Uniquely for Dion's discography, whilst the song was not a major hit in America, it was a runaway hit in the United Kingdom, going on to be one of the biggest-selling records of all time. It remains Dion's second-biggest hit in the UK, eclipsed only by "My Heart Will Go On," and is widely credited amongst British fans as cementing Dion, previously most-known in the United Kingdom for her victory in the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest, as a major star to British audiences.
The song went to number 1 all over Europe, including: Ireland, United Kingdom, Belgium Flanders, Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. It was also successful in Australia reaching number 2. "Think Twice" was certified Platinum and as of September 2017, it has sold 1,418,966 copies in the UK. It was also certified Platinum in Australia and Gold in the Netherlands and Belgium.
A dance version of the song was released by Almighty Records in the 1990s, sung by British singer Rochelle.

Live performances

"Think Twice" was performed by Dion during selected dates of her 1994-95 The Colour of My Love Tour, her 1996-97 Falling Into You Around the World Tour, her 1998-99 Let's Talk About Love World Tour and during her 2008-09 Taking Chances World Tour. Dion performed the song also at her 2011-19 Las Vegas residency show Celine between 2017 and 2018. The song was also part of her Live 2017 and Live 2018 tours and was performed as well during Dion's BST Hyde Park concert in London on 5 July 2019.

Track listing and formats

Australian/Canadian/US CD and 7" single
  1. "Think Twice" – 4:05
  2. "L'amour existe encore" – 3:50
European CD single
  1. "Think Twice" – 4:10
  2. "Le monde est stone" – 3:40
Japanese CD single
  1. "Think Twice" – 4:10
  2. "L'amour existe encore" – 3:50
  3. " Any Other Way" – 4:00
UK cassette single
  1. "Think Twice" – 4:10
  2. "L'amour existe encore" – 3:50
  3. "Le monde est stone" – 3:40
European/UK CD single
  1. "Think Twice" – 4:10
  2. "Le monde est stone" – 3:40
  3. "If Love Is Out the Question" – 3:52
  4. "If You Asked Me To" – 3:53
UK CD single #2
  1. "Think Twice" – 4:45
  2. "The Power of Love" – 5:42
  3. "Where Does My Heart Beat Now" – 4:32

    Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Chart Position
Australia 11
Belgium 3
Belgium 29
Europe 8
Germany 62
Netherlands 3
Netherlands 7
Norway Russefeiring Period 4
Sweden 6
Switzerland 9
UK Singles 5

Decade-end charts

All-time charts

Certifications and sales

Release history