CELINE DION

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MUSIC

Nov 3 1998

These Are Special Times

These Are Special Times is Céline’s third Christmas album, the previous two having been released 15 and 17 years prior, at a time when her career was still in its infancy.

The album brings together such extraordinary talents as Andrea Bocelli, singing in a duet with Céline on The Prayer and producers David Foster and Ric Wake, two of Céline’s long-time collaborators, who give the album their masterly touch.

Keeping it special, Celine is joined by her family on Feliz Navidad, and Les cloches du hameau.

To this day, These Are Special Times is still among the top 5 bestsellers in the US in the "Christmas and Holiday album" category.

This album is also available as a Collector’s Edition that includes a DVD of her celebrated CBS television special for These Are Special Times, which received two Emmy Award nominations. This spectacular television event also captures a rarity, Celine’s beautiful rendition of the Roberta Flack classic, The First Time I Saw Your Face.

Track List

  • 1. O Holy Night

    (Traditional)

    O Holy night, the stars are brightly shining
    It is the night of our dear Savior’s birth
    Long lay the world in sin and error pining
    ‘Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth
    A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
    For yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn

    Fall on your knees
    O hear the angel voices
    O night divine!
    O night, when Christ was born
    O night divine!
    O night, O night divine!

    Truly He taught us to love one another
    His law is love and His gospel is peace
    Chains He shall break, for the slave is our brother
    And in His name, all oppression shall cease
    Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
    Let all within us praise His holy name
    Christ is the Lord!
    Their name forever praise we

    Noel, Noel
    O night, O night divine
    Noel, Noel
    O night, O night divine
    Noel, Noel
    O holy night

    (Produced by David Foster for Chartmaker Inc.)

  • 2. Don't Save it All For Christmas Day

    (Peter Zizzo, Ric Wake and Celine Dion)

    Don’t get so busy that you miss
    Giving just a little kiss
    To the ones you love
    Don’t even wait a little while
    To give them just a little smile
    A little is enough

    How many people are crying
    People are dying
    How many people are asking for love

    (Chorus)
    So don’t save it all for Christmas Day
    Find a way
    To give a little love everyday
    Don’t save it all for Christmas Day
    Find your way
    ‘Cause holidays have come and gone
    But love lives on
    If you give on
    Love...

    How could you wait another minute
    A hug is warmer when you’re in it
    And Baby that’s a fact
    And saying I love you is always better
    Seasons, reasons, they don’t matter
    So don’t hold back
    How many people in this world
    So needful in this world
    How many people are praying for love

    So don’t save it all for Christmas Day
    Find a way
    To give a little love everyday
    Don’t save it all for Christmas Day
    Find your way
    ‘Cause holidays have come and gone
    But love lives on
    If you give on
    Love...

    Let all the children know
    Everywhere that they go
    Their whole life long
    Let them know love

    Don’t save it all for Christmas Day
    Find your way
    To give a little love everyday
    Don’t save it all for Christmas Day
    Find a way
    Everyone, everywhere
    Don’t save it all for Christmas Day
    Find your way
    ‘Cause holidays have come and gone
    But love lives on
    If you give on
    Love...
    Love........

  • 3. Blue Christmas

    (Jay Johnson and Bill Hayes)

    I’ll have a blue Christmas without you
    I’ll be so blue thinking about you
    Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
    Won’t be the same, if you’re not here with me
    And when those blue snowflakes start falling
    And when those blue memories start calling

    You’ll be doing all right, with your Christmas of white
    But I’ll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas

    Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
    Won’t mean a thing, if you’re not here with me
    I’ll have a blue Christmas that’s certain
    And when that blue heartache starts hurting

    You’ll be doing all right, with your Christmas of white
    But I’ll have a blue, blue Christmas

    (Produced and Arranged by David Foster for Chartmaker Inc. )

  • 4. Another Year Has Gone By

    (Bryan Adams and Eliot Kennedy)

    So many 25th's of December
    Just as many 4th of July's
    And we're still holding it together
    It only comes down to you and I

    I know you can still remember
    Things we said right from the start
    When we said that this could be special
    I'm keeping those words deep down in my heart

    Another year has gone by
    And I'm still the one by your side
    After everything that's gone by
    There's still no one saying goodbye
    Though another year has gone by

    I've never been much for occasions
    You never let a birthday go by
    With announcing how much you love me
    But the truth was always there -
    right there in your eyes

    And we're still holding hands when we're walking
    Acting like we've only just met
    But how could that be - when there's so much history
    I guess that's how true lovers can get

    Another year has gone by
    And I’m still the one by your side
    After everything that’s gone by
    There’s still no one saying goodbye
    Though another year has gone by

    Another year has gone by
    And I’m still the one by your side
    After everything that’s gone by
    There’s still no one saying goodbye
    Though another year has gone by

  • 5. The Magic of Christmas Day (God Bless Us Everyone)

    (D. Snider)

    Deck the halls with boughs of holly
    It’s the season to be jolly
    And be thankful for all that we have
    All the lights and decorations
    Put up in anticipation
    Of the joyful celebration
    That’s on its way
    We’re counting the days
    ‘Til it’s time for Christmas day

    Oh and God bless us everyone
    The good and the bad
    The happy; the sad
    Oh and God bless us everyone
    Here’s to family and friends
    It’s good to be here again

    On the streets there’s children laughing
    People smile as they are passing
    Christmas time is here, our waiting is done
    Wishing it could last forever
    Not just twelve days in December
    Through the year let’s try to remember
    That special way
    That everyone feels
    It’s the magic of Christmas day

    Oh and God bless us everyone
    The good and the bad
    The happy; the sad
    Oh and God bless us everyone
    Here’s to family and friends
    It’s good to be here again

    So fill your heart with love and joy
    And through the eyes of girls and boys
    Share their wonder, live through their joy
    It’s easy to do, just open your heart
    The spirit will come to you

    Oh and God bless us everyone
    The good and the bad
    The happy; the sad
    Oh and God bless us everyone
    Here’s to family and friends
    It’s good to be here again

  • 6. Ave Maria

    (Gounod)

    Ave Maria!
    Maiden mild!
    Oh, listen to a maiden’s prayer
    For thou canst hear amid the wild
    ‘Tis thou, ‘tis thou canst save amid despair
    We slumber safely ‘til the morrow
    Though we’ve by man outcast reviled
    Oh, maiden, see a maiden’s sorrow
    Oh, Mother, hear a suppliant child!
    Ave Maria

    Ave Maria, gratia plena
    Maria, gratia plena
    Maria, gratia plena
    Ave, ave dominus
    Dominus tecum

    The murky cavern’s air so heavy
    Shall breathe of balm if thou hast smiled
    Oh, maiden, hear a maiden pleading
    Oh, Mother, hear a suppliant child

    Ave Maria
    Ave Maria

    (Produced by David Foster for Chartmaker Inc.)

  • 7. Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful)

    (Traditional)

    O come, all ye faithful
    Joyful and triumphant
    O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem
    O come, all ye faithful
    Joyful and triumphant
    O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem

    Come and behold Him
    Born the King of Angels

    O come, let us adore Him
    O come, let us adore Him
    O come, let us adore Him
    Christ the Lord

    Sing, choirs of angels
    Sing, in exaltation
    O sing, all ye citizens of heaven above
    Glory to God
    Glory in the Highest

    O come, let us adore Him
    O come, let us adore Him
    O come, let us adore Him
    Christ the Lord

    Yea, Lord, we greet Thee
    Born this happy morning
    O Jesus, to Thee be all glory given
    Word of the Father
    Now in flesh appearing

    O come, let us adore Him
    O come, let us adore Him
    O come, let us adore Him
    Christ the Lord

    (Produced by David Foster for Chartmaker Inc.)

  • 8. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)

    (Mel Torme and Robert Wells)

    Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
    Jack Frost nipping at your nose
    Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
    And folks dressed up like Eskimos
    Everybody knows
    A turkey and some mistletoe
    Help to make the season bright
    Tiny tots with their eyes all a-glow
    Will find it hard to sleep tonight
    They know that Santa’s on his way
    He’s loaded lots of toys
    And goodies on his sleigh
    And every mother’s child is going to spy
    To see if reindeer really know
    How to fly

    And so I’m offering this simple phrase
    To kids from one to ninety two
    Although it’s been said Many times many ways
    Merry Christmas to you

    And so I’m offering this simple phrase
    To kids from one to ninety two
    Although it’s been said
    Many times many ways

    Merry Christmas

    Merry Christmas

    Merry Christmas to you

    (Produced and Arranged by David Foster for Chartmaker Inc.)

  • 9. The Prayer (duet with Andrea Bocelli)

    (Carol Bayer Sager and David Foster)
    Italian translation by Alberto Testa and Tony Renis

    I pray you’ll be our eyes, and watch us where we go
    And help us to be wise in times when we don’t know
    Let this be our prayer, when we lose our way
    Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace
    To a place where we’ll be safe

    La luce che tu hai
    I pray we’ll find your light
    Nel cuore resterà
    And hold it in our hearts
    A ricordarci che
    When stars go out each night
    L’eterna stella sei Nella mia preghiera
    Let this be our prayer Quanta fede c’è
    When shadows fill our day

    Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace
    Give us faith so we’ll be safe
    Sogniamo un mondo senza più violenza
    Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza
    Ognuno dia la mano al suo vicino
    Simbolo di pace, di fraternità

    I pray we’ll find your light, and hold it in our hearts
    When stars go out each night, remind us where you are
    Let this be our prayer, when shadows fill our day
    Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace
    Give us faith so we’ll be safe

    Sogniamo un mondo senza più violenza
    Un mondo di giustizia e di speranza
    Ognuno dia la mano al suo vicino
    Simbolo di pace, di fraternità

    La forza che ci dà
    We ask that life be kind
    È il desiderio che
    And watch us from above
    Ognuno trovi amor
    We hope each soul will find
    Intorno e dentro sé
    Another soul to love

    Let this be our prayer, let this be our prayer
    Just like every child, just like every child

    Need to find a place
    Guide us with your grace
    Give us faith so we’ll be safe

    È la fede che
    Hai acceso in noi
    Sento che ci salvera

    (Produced by David Foster for Chartmaker Inc.)

  • 10. Brahms' Lullaby

    (Johannes Brahms)

    Lullaby and good night
    In the sky stars are bright
    Around your head flowers gay
    Set your slumbers till day

    Lullaby and good night
    In the sky stars are bright
    Around your head flowers gay
    Set your slumbers till day

    Close your eyes now and rest
    May these hours be blessed
    Close your eyes now and rest
    May these hours be blessed

    Bonne nuit cher enfant
    Dans tes langes blanches
    Repose joyeux en rêvant des cieux

    Quand le jour reviendra
    Tu te réveilleras
    Quand le jour reviendra
    Tu te réveilleras

    Lullaby and good night
    In the sky stars are bright
    Around your head flowers gay
    Set your slumbers till day

    (Produced by David Foster for Chartmaker Inc.)

  • 11. Christmas Eve

    (Maria Christensen and Curt Frasca)

    Snow falling gently to the ground
    ‘Tis the night before
    And in my heart there is no doubt
    That this is gonna be
    The brightest holiday
    ‘Cause here you are with me
    Baby, baby, I can’t wait

    To spend this special time of year with someone who
    Makes me feel the special way that you do, Oh yeeeaahhh.....

    Walkin’ with you in a winter’s snow
    Kissin’ underneath the mistletoe
    People smiling everywhere we go
    It’s Christmas Eve and they can see we’re in love

    Ooh, you make the season bright
    With the lights reflected in your eyes
    All my dreams are comin’ true tonight
    It’s Christmas Eve and I can see we’re in love

    We’ll stay up late tonight
    Decorate the tree
    Just look into my eyes
    And I will tell you truthfully
    That I don’t need no Santa Claus
    To hear my Christmas wish
    I got you in my arms
    And what could be a better gift

    Than to spend my very favorite time of year
    With the one I really love so near, Oh yeeeaahhh.....

    Walkin’ with you in a winter’s snow
    Kissin’ underneath the mistletoe
    People smiling everywhere we go
    It’s Christmas Eve and they can see we’re in love

    Ooh, you make the season bright
    With the lights reflected in your eyes
    All my dreams are comin’ true tonight
    It’s Christmas Eve and I can see we’re in love

    And bells are ringing when I hear you say
    My baby, we’ll do it all again on Christmas Day
    Oh, I can’t wait

    Walkin’ with you in a winter’s snow
    Kissin’ underneath the mistletoe
    People smiling everywhere we go
    It’s Christmas Eve and they can see we’re in love

    Ooh, you make the season bright
    With the lights reflected in your eyes
    All my dreams are comin’ true tonight
    It’s Christmas Eve and they can see we’re in love

    Walkin’ with you in a winter’s snow
    Kissin’ underneath the mistletoe
    People smiling everywhere we go
    It’s Christmas Eve and they can see we’re in love

  • 12. These Are The Special Times

    (Diane Warren)

    In these moments, moments of our lives
    All the world is ours
    And this world is so right
    You and I sharing this time together
    Sharing the same dream
    As the time goes by, we will find

    These are the special times
    Times we’ll remember
    These are the precious times
    The tender times we’ll hold in our hearts forever
    These are the sweetest times
    These times together
    And through it all, one thing will always be true
    The special times are the times I share with you

    With each moment, moment passing by
    We’ll make memories that will last all our lives
    As you and I travel through time together
    Living this sweet dream
    And every day, we can say

    These are the special times, these are the special times
    Times we’ll remember
    These are the precious times
    The tender times we’ll hold in our hearts forever
    These are the sweetest times
    These times together
    And through it all, one thing will always be true
    The special times are the times I share with you, I do

    These tender moments
    When heaven is so close
    These are the moments that I know

    These are the special times, these are the special times
    Times we’ll remember
    These are the precious times
    The tender times we’ll hold in our hearts forever
    These are the sweetest times
    These times together
    And through it all, one thing will always be true
    The special times are the times I share
    The special times are the times we share
    The special times are the times I share with you
    The special times I share with you

    (Produced and Arranged by David Foster for Chartmaker Inc.)

  • 13. Happy Xmas (War is Over)

    (John Lennon and Yoko Ono)

    So this is Christmas
    And what have you done
    Another year over
    A new one just begun
    And so this is Christmas
    I hope you have fun
    The near and the dear ones
    The old and the young

    A very merry Christmas
    And a happy New Year
    Let’s hope it’s a good one
    Without any fear

    And so this is Christmas
    For weak and for strong
    The rich and the poor ones
    The war is so long
    And so happy Christmas
    For black and for white
    For yellow and red ones
    Let’s stop all the fight

    A very merry Christmas
    And a happy New Year
    Let’s hope it’s a good one
    Without any fear

    And so this is Christmas
    And what have we done
    Another year over
    A new one just begun
    And so happy Christmas
    We hope you have fun
    The near and the dear ones
    The old and the young

    A very merry Christmas
    And a happy New Year
    Let’s hope it’s a good one
    Without any fear

    And so this is Christmas
    And what have we done
    Another year over
    A new one just begun

    (Produced by Ric Wake for The W&R Group)

  • 14. Feliz Navidad

    (José Feliciano)
    Performed by Celine and her family

    Feliz Navidad
    Feliz Navidad
    Feliz Navidad
    Próspero año y Felicidad

    Feliz Navidad
    Feliz Navidad
    Feliz Navidad
    Próspero año y Felicidad

    I want to wish you a Merry Christmas
    I want to wish you a Merry Christmas
    I want to wish you a Merry Christmas
    From the bottom of my heart

    We want to wish you a Merry Christmas
    We want to wish you a Merry Christmas
    We want to wish you a Merry Christmas
    From the bottom of our heart

    Feliz Navidad
    Feliz Navidad
    Feliz Navidad
    Próspero año y Felicidad

    Feliz Navidad
    Feliz Navidad
    Feliz Navidad
    Próspero año y Felicidad

    We want to wish you a Merry Christmas
    We want to wish you a Merry Christmas
    We want to wish you a Merry Christmas
    From the bottom of our heart

    We want to wish you a Merry Christmas
    We want to wish you a Merry Christmas
    We want to wish you a Merry Christmas
    From the bottom of our heart
    From the bottom of my heart

    Feliz Navidad
    Feliz Navidad
    Feliz Navidad
    Próspero año y Felicidad

    Feliz Navidad
    Feliz Navidad
    Feliz Navidad
    Próspero año y Felicidad

    We want to wish you a Merry Christmas
    We want to wish you a Merry Christmas
    We want to wish you a Merry Christmas
    From the bottom of our heart

    We want to wish you a Merry Christmas
    We want to wish you a Merry Christmas
    We want to wish you a Merry Christmas
    From the bottom of our heart
    From the bottom of my heart
    From the bottom of my heart

    We want to wish you
    From our heart

  • 15. Les cloches du hameau

    (Johannes Brahms)
    Performed by Celine and her family

    Les cloches du hameau
    Chantent dans la campagne
    Le son du chalumeau
    Egaye la montagne

    On entend, on entend
    Les bergers, les bergers
    Chanter dans les prairies
    Ces refrains si legers

    Qui charment leurs amies
    Tra la la, Tra la la la la la
    Tra la la la la la la la la la la
    Tra la la, Tra la la la la la
    Tra la la la la la la la la la la

    C’est l’heure du retour
    Et la jeune bergère
    Voyant la fin du jour
    Regagne sa chaumière

    On entend, en entend
    Les bergers, les bergers
    Chanter dans les prairies
    Ces refrains si legers
    Qui charment leurs amies
    Tra la la, Tra la la la la la
    Tra la la la la la la la la la la
    Tra la la, Tra la la la la la
    Tra la la la la la la la la la la

    Lorsque dans le rocher
    La tempète tourmente
    Autour du vieux foyer
    Joyeusement l’on chante

    On entend, en entend
    Les bergers, les bergers
    Chanter dans les prairies
    Ces refrains si legers
    Qui charment leurs amies

    Tra la la, Tra la la la la la
    Tra la la la la la la la la la la
    Tra la la, Tra la la la la la
    Tra la la la la la la la la la la

  • 16. I Met An Angel (on Christmas Day)

    (Gary Haase / James Lowell / Keith Fluit)

    Ooh Baby, hmmm

    Listen up to what I gotta say
    I found true love and it’s here to stay
    Chapel bells are gonna ring in May
    I met an angel on Christmas Day

    Twenty-fourth of December
    It was a cold and snowing night
    I still can remember
    Gazing at the stars and the moonlight
    Fell asleep on a sofa bed
    Dreams of Christmas in my head
    But I awoke to my surprise
    There he was right in front of my eyes

    Listen up to what I gotta say
    I found true love and it’s here to stay
    Chapel bells are gonna ring in May
    I met an angel on Christmas Day

    I was stuffing the stockings
    And hanging tinsel on the tree
    When I heard him knocking
    I opened the door in time to see
    Carolers sing “Silver Bells” I saw his face, that’s when I fell
    He was there bent on one knee
    Santa sent him just for me

    Listen up to what I gotta say
    I found true love and it’s here to stay
    Chapel bells are gonna ring in May
    I met an angel on a Christmas Day

    Yeah, yeah

    And I know this love will grow
    When flowers bloom in early spring
    I’ll be his bride
    I’ll wear his ring

    So if you’re looking for an angel who,
    Is gonna make your every dream come true
    Just write a letter saying Santa hey,
    I’ll need an angel next Christmas day

    Yeah
    Yeah, yeah baby
    Ooh

    Ding, ding, dong, ding

    Listen up to what I gotta say, hey
    I found true love and it’s here to stay
    Chapel bells are gonna ring and ring in May
    I met an angel on a Christmas Day

    Ooh, listen up to what I gotta say
    I found true love and it’s here to stay

    Chapel bells are gonna ring
    Chapel bells are gonna ring

    I met an angel on a Christmas Day
    Listen up to what I gotta say
    True love and it’s on its way
    I met an angel on a Christmas Day

    Yeah

    On a Christmas Day

    Ooh
    Ooh baby

  • . Additional DVD tracks
  • 17. The Power of Love
  • 18. Do You Hear What I Hear (duet with Rosie O'Donnell)
  • 19. O Holy Night
  • 20. Because You Loved Me
  • 21. Let's Talk About Love
  • 22. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
  • 23. My Heart Will Go On
  • 24. The Prayer (duet with Andrea Bocelli)
  • 25. Ave Maria - performed by Andrea Bocelli

Photos

Celine Dion Rene and Celine Céline et sa famille
Celine - These Are Special Times
Nov 03 1998

Photos

Celine Dion
Rene and Celine
Céline et sa famille