This Céline Dion concert was an absolute tear-jerker! The Canadian megastar brought on 16-year-old vocal sensation Charice Pempengco to duet on “Because You Loved Me.” But Charice wasn’t there to make the moment about her. The teen dedicated the song to her mother Racquel, who gave everything she had to raise her daughter as a single mother after escaping a violent partner. Céline said Charice “has a voice that can literally blow the roof off Madison Square Garden,” and she did just that.
Seeing Charice’s mum tear up while watching so proudly was the moment that made this so heartwarming. The Music Man has to say that stepping on stage to sing alongside Céline Dion is not for the faint of heart. But Charice not only delivered a stunning vocal, she delivered the lead vocal with all the power needed to fill the Garden, while Céline expertly harmonized. When Charice comes to the big vocal moment at 2:35, it’s so sweet to see Céline looking on so proudly and hyping her up like her favourite aunty.
Céline and Charice sang “Because You Loved Me” on September 15, 2008, on the former’s Taking Chances world tour. Fans knew it was a special moment and added comments such as “She was only 16 here, and with such confidence, grace and a powerful and mesmerising voice!” and “Beautiful. How amazing is Celine Dion to let the young lady sing with her. It will stay with her forever. I have had the good fortune to see.”
“Because You Loved Me” is always a highlight in Céline Dion’s live set. The Canadian star delivered another classic performance of the hit in 1998 for her These Are Special Times TV special. Check out that show-stopping sustained note at 2:20, and the ensuing vocal runs. Nobody does it like Céline! You also have to give it up for the backing vocalists on this number, as they are absolutely on point!
Céline issued “Because You Loved Me” on February 19, 1996, as the first US single from her fourth English-language studio album Falling into You. The song was written by Diane Warren and produced by David Foster. The Music Man readers might be interested to hear that Charice using her “Because You Loved Me” duet to pay tribute to her mother was very fitting. This is because Diane wrote the lyrics in tribute to her father for the encouragement he gave her.