If there's one singer you need to see live, it's Celine Dion. Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most mind-blowing live vocals from the Queen of the Power Ballad.
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00:00Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most mind-blowing live
00:10vocals from the Queen of the Power ballad.
00:20Number 10.
00:21Imagine – The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
00:24Céline Dion was just finding her footing with an English-language audience when she
00:28made this appearance on American TV in 1992, performing John Lennon's Imagine.
00:38The audience of The Tonight Show watched as she and her band turned the song into a modern
00:43slow-rock ballad, with Dion riffing and belting her heart out.
00:47It's not just her voice that shines here, it's also her earnestness as a performer.
00:57She's always been able to perform songs as if she believes every single word.
01:04She puts her final stamp on the number with a couple of face-melting notes.
01:15Number 9.
01:16The Prayer – The Concert for World Children's Day
01:19Originally a duet with renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli for the film Quest for Camelot,
01:24this Grammy and Oscar-nominated operatic pop song became a mainstay of Céline Dion's
01:32repertoire.
01:34Her performance alongside Josh Groban at the 2002 Concert for World Children's Day is
01:42one of her most affecting live performances.
01:45The great thing about the song is it demonstrates how powerful her voice is, whether she's
01:50belting or cooing.
01:58It's as soft and gentle as it is loud and theatrical.
02:02Together, her and Groban's soaring vocals give the ballad an uplifting power that pulls
02:07at your heartstrings.
02:16Number 8.
02:17To Love You More – Live in Memphis, 1997
02:21This concert, captured during the Memphis stop of her Falling Into You tour, is Dion
02:26at the height of her talents.
02:28She would stay at that height for a while.
02:37To Love You More is one of her more underrated and vocally demanding songs from this period
02:41in her career.
02:43This one's almost a duet, as its gorgeous hook is played live by Japanese violinist
02:48Taro Hakase.
02:57Though they're playing two different instruments, they seem to be playing for each other.
03:01It's a thrilling performance.
03:03By the time she gets to the vocal fireworks in the finale, Céline's already showing
03:07the incredible variety in her range and power.
03:17Number 7.
03:18It's All Coming Back to Me Now – Falling Into You Live
03:22Because the album version is nearly 10 minutes in length, fans rarely get to see a full live
03:27version of It's All Coming Back to Me Now.
03:37This performance, shot during a concert in Montreal, is a rare treat for that reason.
03:42From its thunderous intro to its rapturous climax of belting, the artist's live rendering
03:47of the ballad is as stunning as the recording.
03:57But she adds little flourishes to make sure we know the mic is on, which it certainly
04:02is.
04:03The textures, intensity, and command of the stage are a perfect match for the song's
04:08lurid imagery and intense drama.
04:15Number 6.
04:16God Bless America – America, A Tribute to Heroes
04:20In the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks, Zion joined several of the biggest
04:25artists of the day in a telethon performance to raise money for victims and their families.
04:37She was actually in the middle of a career hiatus when she appeared on the program.
04:41Framed by rows of candles, accompanied by pianist and composer David Foster, and backed
04:47by a choir, the icon's performance was easily the most emotional of the whole evening.
04:58It's a reverent and poignant tribute, and any flair she adds to it feels earned.
05:04For example, that spine-tingling key change at the end.
05:14Number 5.
05:16Think Twice – Live For Peace, A Royal Gala
05:19Think Twice is not one of Céline Dion's more well-known songs in America, but it's
05:24one of her most technically demanding.
05:31The song requires her to cycle through notes at the top and bottom of her range with ease
05:36and flexibility.
05:37Some of these wild riffs are near impossible to pull off.
05:40You wouldn't know it, though, given how relaxed she looks throughout.
05:50Her breath control, creative choices, and sheer emotion made this 90s performance one
05:55that sends goosebumps up our arms.
05:58Not only is her sound breathtaking, she looks absolutely stunning, too.
06:10Number 4.
06:11The Power of Love – 22nd Annual American Music Awards
06:15Anyone who ever woke up at 3am to the sound of infomercials probably recognizes this one.
06:21Nominated at the 1995 American Music Awards, Queen Céline took the stage to perform The
06:26Power of Love.
06:33Everything about this show, from the styling, to the staging, to the belting, is powerful
06:38with a capital P. Her voice is so clear and graceful here, and the vibrato she manages
06:44to hold is incredibly impressive.
06:52Full of long notes, little breathing room, and plenty of room for error, Céline Dion
06:57manages to make it all look effortless.
06:59When people start saying the performance was better than the studio version, that's how
07:03you know.
07:11Number 3.
07:12Where Does My Heart Beat Now – The Coliseum Theatre at Caesars Palace
07:21In 2016, René Angélil, Céline's husband of 22 years, passed away after a long battle
07:27with throat cancer.
07:29Her first concert, after his death, was live-streamed from the Coliseum in Las Vegas.
07:34She introduced the show with a heartfelt tribute, before launching into a tearful and devastating
07:39performance of her first English-language hit, with the song taking on new meaning in
07:43light of her husband and mentor's death.
07:53No one would have blamed her if she hadn't been able to get through it, but she somehow
07:57found the strength to keep it together, even through the parts where she became noticeably
08:01emotional.
08:09Number 2.
08:10My Heart Will Go On – 24th Billboard Music Awards
08:13There have been more incredible live performances of this song than we can count.
08:23Seriously, it could be a whole list in itself, but our pick is the 2017 Billboard Music Awards.
08:39To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Titanic, Dion arrived in appropriately grand fashion
08:44– that is, encased in a chandelier of glistening beads and wearing a dramatic sleeve that feels
08:50reminiscent of an iceberg.
08:57It's a dramatic moment made all the more poignant for the way her voice has matured
09:02and changed since the song premiered.
09:04She soars over the melody like she just recorded it yesterday, but somehow with more feeling
09:10and more gravitas than ever.
09:20Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
09:23Have You Ever Been In Love – VH1 Divas Duets
09:27The only thing more shocking than the pink dress were her outstanding vocals.
09:35I'm Alive – Taking Chances World Tour – The Concert
09:39An inventive and dance-heavy take on her early 2000s hit.
09:50Pour Que Tu M'Aimes Encore – Live in Las Vegas, A New Day
09:53Her biggest French hit sounds just as good over a decade on.
10:03River Deep, Mountain High – Live in Las Vegas, A New Day
10:07This number from her Vegas residency gave pop star energy.
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10:35All By Myself – Live in Memphis, 1997
10:38The queen of power ballads always nails this song.
10:47Still, there's nothing like watching her do just that at the height of her power and
10:51as an arena full of screaming fans collectively loses it.
10:55Captured during the Memphis leg of her Falling Into You tour, her live rendition of All By
10:59Myself is a juggernaut of a performance.
11:09In Shimmering Gold La May, she's riding the high the whole time.
11:13Even before she gets to the famous key change at the climax, the audience is in hysterics.
11:25She's not just singing here, she's channeling.
11:28It's a rapturous experience.
11:44Did your favorite Zion performance make the list?
11:46Let us know in the comments.
11:55Do you agree with our picks?
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