The Power of the Dream

"The Power of the Dream" is a song by Canadian singer Celine Dion, released as a single in Japan on August 20, 1996.^[1] It was written and produced by David Foster, Linda Thompson, and Babyface for the opening ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics. Dion performed it in front of more than 100,000 people, in addition to over three and a half billion television viewers. She gave away the money she received for the occasion to support Canadian athletes. USA Today listed it as the second best Olympics theme song of all time.^[2]

"The Power of the Dream"
Single by Celine Dion
Released	August 20, 1996 (1996-08-20)
Genre	Pop classical
Length	4:30
Label	Columbia Epic
Composer(s)	David Foster Babyface
Lyricist(s)	Linda Thompson
Producer(s)	David Foster Babyface
Celine Dion singles chronology
"It's All Coming Back to Me Now" (1996) "The Power of the Dream" (1996) "All by Myself" (1996)
Audio video
"The Power of the Dream" on YouTube

Background and release

The music video shows Céline Dion performing the song during the opening ceremony of the 1996 Summer Olympics with David Foster on the piano, accompanied by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Centennial Choir (Morehouse College Glee Club, Spelman College Glee Club and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus).

The single peaked at number 30 on the Oricon Singles Chart in Japan and was certified gold (75,000 copies sold). Although it was not released in other countries, many radio stations all over the world played "The Power of the Dream" and it even charted on some airplay charts.

The song was included on the limited editions of the Falling into You album in Asia and Australia. "The Power of the Dream" was also a B-side of "Because You Loved Me", "It's All Coming Back to Me Now", and "All by Myself" singles. It became available worldwide on Dion's 2000 compilation The Collector's Series, Volume One. In 2008, the song was included on the U.S. version of My Love: Essential Collection.

Dion performed the song during her 1996/1997 Falling Into You: Around the World tour.

Formats and track listings

Japanese CD single

1. "The Power of the Dream" – 4:30
2. "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" (Radio Edit) – 5:31

Personnel and credits

Credits adapted from Discogs.^[3]

• Celine Dion: main artist, lead vocals
• David Foster: writer, producer, keyboards, bass (synth)
• Babyface: writer, producer, drum programming (kick programming)
• Linda Thompson: writer
• Simon Franglen: drum programming (snare sound) and synclavier
• Dan Shea: programming (synthesizer)
• William Ross: arranger (orchestra) and conductor
• Mervyn Warren: conductor (choir)
• London Symphony Orchestra: orchestra
• Dean Parks: acoustic guitar
• Michael Thompson: electric guitar
• David Reitzas and Felipe Elgueta: engineers
• Humberto Gatica, Jon Gass and Marnie Riley: recording engineers
• Mick Guzauski: mixing engineer
• Kyle Bess and Paul Boutin: assistant engineers

Charts

Chart (1996)	Peak position
Japan (Oricon Singles Chart)[4]	30
Quebec (ADISQ)[5]	49

Certifications and sales

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[6]	Gold	73,440[7]

Release history

Region	Date	Format	Label
Japan[8]	August 21, 1996	Mini CD	SMEJ

References

1. Glatzer, Jenna (2005). Céline Dion: For Keeps. Andrews McMeel Publishing. ISBN 0-7407-5559-5.
2. Ryan, Patrick. "Ranking the 12 best (and worst) Olympics theme songs". USA Today. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
3. "The Power Of The Dream: Credits". Discogs. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
4. セリーヌ・ディオンのシングル売り上げランキング (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
5. "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (in French). BAnQ. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
6. "Japanese single certifications – Celine Dion – The Power of the Dream" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 28 September 2014. Select 1997年1月 on the drop-down menu
7. "The Power of the Dream 96.8.21 (SME)" (PDF) (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
8. "セリーヌ・ディオンの作品" (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Retrieved 28 December 2022.

External links

• "Céline Dion - The Power Of The Dream (Live at Atlanta 1996) on YouTube