(If There Was) Any Other Way

Last updated

"(If There Was) Any Other Way"
ITWAOW.jpg
Canadian 7-inch single
Single by Celine Dion
from the album Unison
Released26 March 1990 (1990-03-26)
Recorded1989–90
Studio West Side Studios
(London)
Genre Dance-pop
Length3:59
Label
Songwriter(s) Paul Bliss
Producer(s) Christopher Neil
Celine Dion singles chronology
"Can't Live with You, Can't Live Without You"
(1989)		"(If There Was) Any Other Way"
(1990)		"Unison"
(1990)
Music video
"(If There Was) Any Other Way" (US version) on YouTube

"(If There Was) Any Other Way" is a song by Canadian singer Celine Dion. It was included on her first English-language album, Unison (1990). "(If There Was) Any Other Way" was released by Columbia Records as the album's lead single in Canada on 26 March 1990. The next year, it was issued as the second single in other countries. The song was written by Paul Bliss, while production was handled by Christopher Neil.

Contents

After its release, "(If There Was) Any Other Way" received positive reviews from music critics. The song peaked at number 23 in Canada and number 35 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, it became a success on the adult contemporary charts, reaching number eight in the United States and number 12 in Canada. Two accompanying music videos for the song were filmed. Dion performed "(If There Was) Any Other Way" during her Unison Tour (1990–91).

Background and release

In 1990, Dion was preparing to issue her first English-language album, Unison . [1] After releasing various French-language albums in Canada and France in the '80s, she recorded new English songs in London, Los Angeles and New York. At first, Unison was released in Canada, and "(If There Was) Any Other Way" was chosen as its lead single. Written by British musician, Paul Bliss, and produced by British record producer, Christopher Neil, it was issued on 26 March 1990.

One year later on 18 March 1991, "(If There Was) Any Other Way" was released as the second single in the United States after "Where Does My Heart Beat Now". For the US market the single was remixed by Walter Afanasieff. This US version features a different audio mix from the Canadian single version and the album version: reverb has been applied throughout (most noticeably to Dion's vocal track), the guitars have been rebalanced so that they are less audible in some places in the song and more prominent in others, the drum track features "rimshot" effects during the chorus, additional synthesizer lines have been overdubbed onto the existing keyboard track (most noticeably in the bar before the instrumental break), and the fadeout has been slightly extended in length. It was also used in the American music video of the song that year. Additionally "(If There Was) Any Other Way" was remixed by Daniel Abraham, a French record producer living in New York. His dance remixes appeared on a promotional US single.

"(If There Was) Any Other Way" was also released as a single in selected European countries, Australia, and Japan in June 1991.

Critical reception

AllMusic's senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine picked the song as an album standout along with "Where Does My Heart Beat Now". [2] Larry Flick from Billboard noted that Dion "continues to soar" with a "spirited, up-tempo" song. He complimented the "crystalline production and shimmering backup vocal support combined with a passionate lead performance". [3] Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report wrote about the song: "Nothing like witnessing the growth and development of a genuine artist. Celine definitely falls into that category, capturing the hearts of Americans the way she's been doing in her native Canada for the past several years. Switching from torch song to snappy rhythm affords listeners an opportunity to hear another side of this wonderful talent". [4] Music & Media noted that "talented Canadian chanteuse enters the Whitney Houston racket" and described it as "satisfying AC pop." [5] Christopher Smith from TalkAboutPopMusic described it as a "pop-soft rock mid tempo number". [6]

Commercial performance

In Canada "(If There Was) Any Other Way" entered the RPM Top Singles chart on 31 March 1990 and peaked at number twenty-three on 9 June 1990. The song also entered the RPM Adult Contemporary chart on 24 March 1990 and reached number twelve there. In the United States "(If There Was) Any Other Way" debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, dated 6 April 1991, and peaked at number thirty-five on 1 June 1991. The track also entered Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart dated 30 March 1991, reaching number eight.

Music video

There were two music videos made for the song. The first one was directed by Derek Case and released in March 1990 for the Canadian market. The second one was filmed for the US market in Los Angeles, California, and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It was directed by Dominic Orlando and premiered in March 1991. The two videos were included separately on Dion's 1991 home video Unison , depending on the Canadian or US release.

Live performances

Dion performed "(If There Was) Any Other Way" on a few Canadian television shows in 1990. She also sang it on the Canadian/US variety show, Super Dave and performed it in Norway in 1991. It was included in her Unison Tour as well.

Track listings and formats

Credits and personnel

Recording
Personnel

Charts

Release history

"(If There Was) Any Other Way" release history
RegionDateFormatLabel
United States [14] 19 March 1991
  • 7-inch
  • cassette
 Epic
Japan [15] 25 April 1991 Mini CD SMEJ

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Your Angel</span> 1998 single by Celine Dion and R. Kelly

"I'm Your Angel" is a duet by Celine Dion and R. Kelly from Dion's These Are Special Times album and Kelly's R. album. It was released on 13 October 1998. The song was written and produced by R. Kelly. The single was very successful, reaching number one in the United States and was certified platinum by the RIAA. The single also reached the top five in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

<i>Unison</i> (Celine Dion album) 1990 studio album by Celine Dion

Unison is the ninth studio album by Canadian singer Celine Dion and her first English-language album. Released on 2 April 1990 by Columbia Records and Epic Records, it features a mix of dance songs and ballads influenced by 1980s soft rock. The album was produced by David Foster, Christopher Neil, Tom Keane and Andy Goldmark. Upon its release, Unison received generally positive reviews from music critics, who complimented Dion's voice and technique, as well as the album's content.

<i>Celine Dion</i> (album) 1992 studio album by Celine Dion

Celine Dion is the eleventh studio album by Canadian singer Celine Dion, and her second English-language album. It was released by Columbia Records and Epic Records on 30 March 1992, and features the Grammy and Academy Award-winning song "Beauty and the Beast", and other hits like "If You Asked Me To" and "Love Can Move Mountains". The album was produced by Walter Afanasieff, Ric Wake, Guy Roche and Humberto Gatica. It reached numbers one in Quebec and three in Canada, where it was certified Diamond for shipments of over one million copies. At the 35th Annual Grammy Awards, Celine Dion was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. The album has sold over five million copies worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Power of Love (Jennifer Rush song)</span> 1984 single by Jennifer Rush

"The Power of Love" is a pop song co-written and originally recorded by American singer-songwriter Jennifer Rush in 1984. It was released in December 1984 by CBS Records as the fifth single from her debut album, Jennifer Rush (1984), and has since been covered by Air Supply, Laura Branigan, and Celine Dion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Because You Loved Me</span> 1996 single by Celine Dion

"Because You Loved Me" is a song performed by Canadian singer Celine Dion on her fourth English-language studio album, Falling into You (1996). It was released on 19 February 1996 as the first single in North America, and as the second single in the United Kingdom on 20 May 1996. "Because You Loved Me" was written by Diane Warren and produced by David Foster, and served as the theme song from the 1996 film Up Close & Personal, starring Robert Redford and Michelle Pfeiffer. Billboard ranked it as the 14th "Top Love Song of All Time".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Prayer (Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli song)</span> 1999 single by Céline Dion and Andrea Bocelli

"The Prayer" is a song performed by Canadian singer Celine Dion and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. It was song written by David Foster, Carole Bayer Sager, Tony Renis and Alberto Testa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If You Asked Me To</span> 1989 single by Patti LaBelle

"If You Asked Me To" is a song written by American songwriter Diane Warren and produced by Stewart Levine and Aaron Zigman. It was originally recorded by American singer Patti LaBelle for her ninth studio album, Be Yourself (1989), and also for the soundtrack to the James Bond film Licence to Kill. The song was released as the soundtrack's second single on June 12, 1989 by MCA Records. The lyrics are from the point of view of a woman who pleads to her significant other: "If you asked me to, I just might change my mind, and let you in my life forever". Three years later, Canadian singer Celine Dion covered the song for her 1992 self-titled second English-language studio album. Released as the album's second single, Dion's version topped the Canadian charts and peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Can't Live with You, Can't Live Without You</span> 1989 single by Billy Newton-Davis and Celine Dion

"Can't Live with You, Can't Live Without You" is a song recorded as a duet between Billy Newton-Davis and Celine Dion. It was released as a single in July 1989 in Canada. The song was featured on Newton-Davis' album Spellbound. "Can't Live with You, Can't Live Without You" was later included on Dion's Japanese maxi single "Unison" (1991). It was co-written by Dan Hill who also wrote for Dion "Seduces Me" on her 1996 album Falling into You.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unison (song)</span> 1983 song by Junior

"Unison" is a song written by Bruce Roberts and Andy Goldmark, and first recorded by the English singer Junior in 1983 for the Tom Cruise-starred movie All the Right Moves. A minor hit, the song would attract a good deal of attention in 1990, when three female singers each covered the song and placed it on their respective albums of that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Where Does My Heart Beat Now</span> 1990 single by Celine Dion

"Where Does My Heart Beat Now" is a song performed by Canadian recording artist Celine Dion for her ninth studio album and debut English-language album, Unison (1990). It was released by Columbia Records as the third single from Unison in Canada on 1 October 1990. It was also issued as the lead single in the United States in late 1990, and in other parts of the world in early 1991. "Where Does My Heart Beat Now" was written by Robert White Johnson and Taylor Rhodes in 1988, and recorded by Dion one year later. The song was produced by Christopher Neil. Dion premiered the song at the Eurovision Song Contest 1989 in Switzerland, where she performed it along with her 1988 winning song, "Ne partez pas sans moi".

"The Last to Know" is a song by Scottish singer Sheena Easton, included on her 1987 album, No Sound But a Heart. It was written by Brock Walsh and Phil Galdston, and produced by Nick Martinelli. Easton's album was not commercially successful and songs from No Sound But a Heart were later covered by other artists. "The Last to Know" was recorded by Canadian singer Celine Dion for her 1990 English-language debut album, Unison.

"Just Have a Heart" is a song by American R&B singer Angela Clemmons from her second studio album, This Is Love (1987). It was written by Aldo Nova, Billy Steinberg and Ralph McCarthy, and produced by Nova. Canadian singer Celine Dion recorded a French-language version of the song, "Partout je te vois" for her 1987 album, Incognito. In 1990, Dion covered the English version for her first English-language album, Unison, and titled it "Have a Heart".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nothing Broken but My Heart</span> 1992 single by Celine Dion

"Nothing Broken but My Heart" is a song by Canadian singer Celine Dion, recorded for her second English-language album, Celine Dion (1992). It was released as the third single in Canada, United States and Japan in August 1992, and fourth in Australia in January 1993. Written by Diane Warren and produced by Walter Afanasieff, it topped the adult contemporary charts in both the United States and Canada. The song was the second Dion's single which reached number-one position on the US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart. It peaked at number three in Canada and number 29 in the United States. In 1994, "Nothing Broken but My Heart" won an ASCAP Pop Award for most performed song in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Can Move Mountains</span> 1992 single by Celine Dion

"Love Can Move Mountains" is a song by Canadian singer Celine Dion, recorded for her second English-language studio album, Celine Dion (1992). Written by Diane Warren and produced by Ric Wake, it was released as the fourth single in October 1992. It is an up-tempo pop song drawing influence from gospel and dance music, and its lyrics detail the abilities that love has as an emotion. "Love Can Move Mountains" was later included on Dion's greatest hits albums, All the Way... A Decade of Song in 1999 and My Love: Ultimate Essential Collection in 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Water from the Moon</span> 1993 single by Celine Dion

"Water from the Moon" is a song by Canadian singer Celine Dion, recorded for her second English-language studio album, Celine Dion (1992). The song was commercially released in March 1993 as the fifth single in the United States. In Canada it was a radio single only. "Water from the Moon" was written by Diane Warren and produced by Guy Roche, with additional production by Walter Afanasieff. Warren also sang the background vocals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Misled (Celine Dion song)</span> 1994 single by Celine Dion

"Misled" is a song recorded by Canadian singer Celine Dion for her third English-language studio album, The Colour of My Love (1993). It was released as the second single from the album on 11 April 1994 by Columbia Records/Epic Records. The song was written by Peter Zizzo and Jimmy Bralower and produced by Ric Wake. "Misled" topped the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and reached number four in Canada. It also peaked at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart and number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its music video was directed by Randee St. Nicholas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Only One Road</span> 1994 single by Celine Dion

"Only One Road" is a song by Canadian singer Celine Dion, taken from her third English-language studio album, The Colour of My Love (1993). It was written by Peter Zizzo and produced by Ric Wake. "Only One Road" was released as the fourth single from the album in October 1994 in North America, in May 1995 in the United Kingdom and Australia, and in July 1995 in selected European countries. The black and white music video for the song, directed by Greg Masuak, was released in 1995. "Only One Road" topped the Canadian Adult Contemporary Chart and reached top ten in the United Kingdom and Ireland, peaking at number eight in both countries. It was later included on Dion's greatest hits albums, The Collector's Series, Volume One (2000) and My Love: Ultimate Essential Collection (2008).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Celine Dion singles discography</span>

Canadian singer Celine Dion has released 137 singles in both English and French discography as a lead artist. According to Billboard magazine, Dion is the world's best-selling contemporary female artist of all time. As of 2021, she has reportedly sold around 200 to 250 million records worldwide. Referred to as the "Queen of Power Ballads", Dion has released a string of worldwide hits, with "My Heart Will Go On" being her career's biggest hit, with estimated physical sales of over 18 million worldwide, making it the 2nd best-selling physical single by a woman in history. It reached over 117 million radio impressions during its peak, becoming the most-played radio hit in history and became the best-selling single of 1998 worldwide. "Because You Loved Me" is her biggest hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, spending six weeks atop the chart and selling six million copies in its first six months of availability worldwide. "Pour que tu m'aimes encore" was the 4th biggest hit of the 1990s in France and has sold over four million copies worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">That's the Way It Is (Celine Dion song)</span> 1999 single by Céline Dion

"That's the Way It Is" is the lead single from Celine Dion's greatest hits album All the Way... A Decade of Song, released on 1 November 1999. It peaked within the top ten in many countries, like Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. Billboard listed it as one of the Greatest Songs of 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Want You to Need Me</span> 2000 single by Celine Dion

"I Want You to Need Me" is a song recorded by Canadian singer Celine Dion for her 1999 greatest hits album, All the Way... A Decade of Song. It was written by Diane Warren and produced by Matt Serletic. "I Want You to Need Me" was released as the second single in North America and Japan in April 2000, and third single in selected European countries in July 2000. Several club remixes were created by Thunderpuss. The song received positive reviews from music critics and topped the Canadian Singles Chart. The music video was directed by Liz Friedlander.

References

  1. ↑ Glatzer, Jenna (2005). Céline Dion: For Keeps . Andrews McMeel Publishing. ISBN   0-7407-5559-5.
  2. ↑ Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
  3. ↑ "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . 6 April 1991. p. 79. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  4. ↑ Sholin, Dave (15 March 1991). "Gavin Picks > Singles" (PDF). Gavin Report . No. 1847. p. 56. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  5. ↑ "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . 26 January 1991. p. 16. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  6. ↑ Smith, Christopher (12 October 2019). "REVIEW: 'UNISON' – CELINE DION". TalkAboutPopMusic. Retrieved 7 April 2020.
  7. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7917." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  8. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 7982." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  9. 1 2 Nanda Lwin (1999). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. ISBN   1-896594-13-1.
  10. ↑ "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (in French). BAnQ. Archived from the original on 9 August 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  11. ↑ "Celine Dion Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  12. ↑ "Celine Dion Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
  13. ↑ "Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of 1990". RPM. 22 December 1990. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  14. ↑ "Celine Dion – (If There Was) Any Other Way". Discogs . Retrieved 22 February 2017.
  15. ↑ "セリーヌ・ディオンの作品" (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan . Retrieved 27 December 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.