Taking Chances (song)

"Taking Chances"
Single by Celine Dion
from the album Taking Chances
Released October 24, 2007
Format Music download, CD single
Recorded

January 28 - March 12, 2007

Genre Pop rock
Length 4:02
Label Columbia, Epic
Writer(s) Kara DioGuardi, David A. Stewart
Producer(s) John Shanks
Celine Dion singles chronology
"On s'est aimé à cause"
(2007)		 "Taking Chances"
(2007)		 "Eyes on Me"
(2008)

"Taking Chances" is a song recorded by Canadian recording artist Celine Dion, taken from her ninth English studio album of the same name (2007). It was written by songwriter Kara DioGuardi and former Eurythmics member Dave Stewart for their band named Platinum Weird. It was supposed to be released as a single in February 2007 for their unreleased self-titled album. However, after DioGuardi and Stewart recorded the song, they played it for Dion's husband René Angélil, who loved it and Dion recorded it.

It was released as the first single from Taking Chances in September 2007. "Taking Chances" is a pop rock ballad, which begins with Dion crooning softly over a near-acoustic musical backdrop, before the soft rock bombast kicks in. Lyrically, it is about trusting and baring our souls to each other and committing to making something special. The line, "So talk to me, like lovers do" came from the Eurythmics song "Here Comes the Rain Again." The song received positive reviews from music critics, who praised Dion for taking risks and called it a hopeful and heartfelt song.

The song was a success around the world, peaking inside the top ten in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy and Switzerland. It also peaked at number 40 on the UK Singles Chart, while on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, it reached number 54. It also topped the Hot Dance Club Play chart. The song was nominated for the Single of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2009. "Taking Chances" was covered on FOX's hit TV show Glee by Lea Michele's character Rachel Berry. Her version peaked at number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Background and writing

"Taking Chances" was written by songwriter Kara DioGuardi and former Eurythmic Dave Stewart.[1] The record label manager Jimmy Iovine put them together to write for the Pussycat Dolls, but DioGuardi and Stewart quickly realized that the music they were writing was best suited for them to record together. Iovine agreed and signed them to Interscope Records where they recorded an album as Platinum Weird, but the album was never released.[2] In The Dave Stewart Songbook Vol. 1, Stewart explains that he and DioGuardi wrote the song in about 10 minutes one afternoon when movers were bringing furniture into her new Los Angeles home.[3]

"I could hear some windchimes just outside the open window where I was laying, so I picked up an acoustic guitar and was trying to play the same random pattern the chimes were making. Kara is a genius with melody and multitasking so as she's shouting to the movers she starts singing, 'Don't know much about your life,' much to the confusion of the workers. It was like a scene from a musical as the furniture was piling in, she was singing, 'What do you say to taking chances? What do you you say to jumping off the edge?' We literally were swapping lyrics, melodies and chords in real time while all this chaos was around us. The song was written about ourselves trusting and baring our souls to each other. About committing to making something special even though we knew we were this odd couple who had no other reason to do it other than we loved it."[2][3]

After DioGuardi and Stewart recorded the song, they played it for Dion's husband René, who loved it.[2] Dion released it as the title track and first single from her ninth English studio album, which was also the name of her World Tour.[4] John Shanks produced the song.[5][6] He also produced five other songs on Taking Chances.[6] Kara DioGuardi also wrote and co-produced with Emanuel Kiriakou "Surprise Surprise" for the Taking Chances album.[7] She has already written few songs for Dion in the past, including "One Heart." The latter was co-written and co-produced by John Shanks and Kara DioGuardi, and released as a single in 2003.[7]

On September 9, 2007, the members of her fan club had a 24-hour advance preview of "Taking Chances" and its accompanying in-studio video. Later, the video was available through Amazon.com and Sympatico / MSN Music Store the following day.[8] The song premiered on the radio on September 10, 2007[8] and was released as a music download on October 29, 2007 in the United States and Europe.[9] The track was included later on her 2008 greatest hits My Love: Essential Collection.[10] A live version was included in the Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert CD/DVD.[11]

Composition

"Taking Chances" (2007)
A 30 second sample of "Taking Chances".
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Taking Chances" is a midtempo rock ballad and it starts with a warm, strummed acoustic guitar eventually leading into a big pop production with a rock edge.[12] Celine's vocals span from E3 to F♯5. The line, "So talk to me, like lovers do" came from the Eurythmics song "Here Comes the Rain Again." In an interview with Dave Stewart, he explained why he recycled the lyric: "Yeah, because Taking Chances is the same, me writing with Kara DioGuardi and deciding to enter into something together. So 'I don't know much about your life, don't know much about your world, but I don't want to be alone tonight on this planet they call Earth, right? So what do you say of taking chances?' And it builds up and builds up and gets more determined, which is Kara's personality, who's been through a lot, and she goes, you know, 'I've been beaten down' and all this kind of stuff. And then it flips into, 'So talk to me, talk to me like lovers do.' It's like pulling itself out of that, getting the strength, and actually nodding and tipping my hat to one of my own songs within the song."[13]

Critical reception

"Taking Chances" received critical acclaim. Bill Lamb of About.com wrote that "Dion's vocals are commanding and powerful."[12] He also said: "The song opens the album and announces new directions in a truly exciting fashion."[12] Chuck Taylor of Billboard wrote that "it is destined for AC's top 10."[14] Sarah Rodman from The Boston Globe wrote that "it builds from an acoustic strum into the kind of pleasant radio-ready crunch that Michelle Branch would recognize."[15] Tammy La Gorce of Amazon.com called it a "hopeful, heartfelt track, which unfolds into an anthemic power ballad midway through, may be the best one."[16] Nick Levine wrote a positive review for Digital Spy, describing the song: "It begins in surprisingly restrained fashion, with Dion crooning softly over a near-acoustic musical backdrop, but the soft rock bombast kicks in soon enough. The guitars surge tastefully; the drums thump like they belong on a Phil Collins solo record and Dion plays the banshee to perfection."[17]

About.com's Bill Lamb listed as one of the Top 20 Pop Songs of 2007.[18] He went to say that "She moves into slightly more rocking territory in highly tasteful fashion. Some pop fans may take a second look at Celine after hearing this track."[18] The song was nominated for the category Single of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2009.[19] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic highlighted this song. Edna Gundersen from USA Today wrote, "She dials back the bombast on the title track, a midtempo rocker." Also Edna Gundersen from USA Today and Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly have put this song on their "Download this" lists.

Chart performance

In Canada, the song debuted at number 82 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart issue dated September 29, 2007.[20] Later, it became the "Greatest Gainer", after climbing from number 82 to number 13, on the chart issue dated October 6, 2007.[21] However, the song fell to number 30, in its third week.[22] The following week, it climbed to number 29,[23] before moving to number 26, in its fifth week.[24] After weeks fluctuating on the chart, the song climbed to number 10, in its tenth week, on the chart issue dated December 1, 2007.[25] It peaked at number 9, in its eleventh week, on the chart issue dated December 8, 2007.[26] It was certified Gold for selling over 20,000 digital downloads.[27]

"Taking Chances" debuted at number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart issue dated December 1, 2007, becoming the "Highest Debut" of that week.[28] Later, the song fell to number 68, on the chart issue dated December 8, 2007.[29] It remained at number 68, on the chart issue dated December 15, 2007.[30] On the chart issue dated December 22, 2007, the song became the "Biggest Free Faller", after falling to number 88, losing 20 positions.[31] It spent 4 weeks on the Hot 100 chart.[31] As of April 8, 2012, the digital single has sold 498,000 copies in total in the US, being her third best-selling digital single.[32] The single was successful on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart, peaking at number 1 and becoming Dion's second song to do so, after "Misled" in 1994.[33] "Taking Chances" also peaked at number 6 on the US Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks, giving Dion ownership of the most top 10 hits at the format with 21 during the last two decades.[34]

The song debuted at number 58 on the UK Singles Chart, on November 10, 2007 and it peaked at number 40, on November 17, 2007.[35] It spent 4 weeks on the chart.[35] In France, the song debuted and peaked at number 7, on the SNEP chart.[36] The song spent 22 consecutive weeks inside the French charts, until it dropped at number 91, on April 5, 2008.[36] However, the song re-entered at number 88, on January 10, 2009, spending two more weeks.[36] It re-appeared at number 94, on April 4, 2009, spending an additional two weeks.[36] It re-entered once again on the chart at number 85, on June 20, 2009, staying for three more weeks.[36] "Taking Chances" spent a total of 29 non-consecutive weeks on the chart.[36] In Italy, the song debuted and peaked at number 5 on the FIMI charts, on November 1, 2007.[37] Later, it fell to number 8, where it stayed for one more week.[37] "Taking Chances" kept fluctuating on the chart for the next three weeks, until it reached number 9, on December 22, 2007.[37]

In Denmark, the song debuted and peaked at number 29 on the Danish Singles Chart, on November 23, 2007.[38] It dropped the chart at number 31, on November 30, 2007.[38] However, the song re-entered the Danish chart at number 3, becoming its peak position, on June 13, 2008.[38] In Austria, the song debuted at number 43 on the Ö3 Austria Top 40 chart, on November 9, 2007, before moving to number 35 the following week.[39] It peaked at number 12, in its third week, remaining in its peak position the following week.[39] It spent 14 weeks on the chart.[39]

Music video

Celine Dion in the music video, where she is on a motorcycle, staring at David A. Stewart, after doing dangerous things.

The music video, directed by Paul Boyd, was filmed in three days, between September 15–17, 2007 in several different locations, in the Las Vegas Valley.[40] It was released on October 16, 2007. The video features Dion breaking into a hotel and being chased.[40] It also includes a guest appearance by one of the songwriters of the track, Dave A. Stewart.[41] He described his cameo appearance as playing "a kind of enigmatic 'boss' character from a James Bond movie," and also commented that it was about 100 °F during filming.[41]

Promotion

On October 27, 2007 Dion appeared on the fourth series of the British talent contest, The X Factor, as a mentor to the show's contestants. She also performed "Taking Chances" on the live show which was the world exclusive debut and her first UK performance for five years.[42] On November 12, 2007, Dion appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show and performed the song and took requests from Oprah's audience!.[43] On November 14, 2012, she went to The Ellen DeGeneres Show to perform the track.[44] Later, on November 18, 2007 she performed the song live at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles.[45] On November 23, 2007, she went to the American talkshow The View to perform "Taking Chances" as well as "Alone."[46] On November 27, 2007, she performed the track on the ABC's dance competition show Dancing with the Stars.[47] "Taking Chances" became also a part of the Taking Chances World Tour set list.[48]

Usage in popular culture and covers

"Taking Chances" was featured as a theme music for the promotional trailers for CBS's TV series Moonlight. It was later used in 2009 on the show So You Think You Can Dance Canada on the Top 20 performance show as a number choreographed by Stacey Tookey.

The song was covered on FOX's hit TV show Glee by Lea Michele's character Rachel Berry on the episode entitled "Preggers," in the first season.[49] It peaked at number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts when it was released.[50]

Formats and track listings

North American/European digital single

  1. "Taking Chances" – 4:02

European CD single/digital single

  1. "Taking Chances" – 4:02
  2. "Map to My Heart" – 4:15

Japanese CD single

  1. "Taking Chances" – 4:02
  2. "To Love You More" (radio edit) – 4:42

Australian/European digital EP

  1. "Taking Chances" – 4:02
  2. "Map to My Heart" – 4:15
  3. "Taking Chances" (I-Soul extended remix) – 7:32

Australian/European CD maxi single

  1. "Taking Chances" – 4:02
  2. "Map to My Heart" – 4:15
  3. "Taking Chances" (I-Soul extended remix) – 7:32
  4. "Taking Chances" (in-studio video) – 4:11

French CD single/digital EP

  1. "Taking Chances" – 4:02
  2. "Immensité" – 3:35
  3. "Map to My Heart" – 4:15

French digital EP

  1. "Taking Chances" – 4:02
  2. "Immensité" – 3:35
  3. "Map to My Heart" – 4:15
  4. "Taking Chances" (I-Soul extended remix) – 7:32

French CD maxi single

  1. "Taking Chances" – 4:02
  2. "Immensité" – 3:35
  3. "Map to My Heart" – 4:15
  4. "Taking Chances" (I-Soul extended remix) – 7:32
  5. "Taking Chances" (in-studio video) – 4:11

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2007–08) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[51] 60
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[52] 12
Belgium (Ultratip Flanders)[53] 4
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[54] 29
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[55] 9
Canada AC (Billboard)[56] 1
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[57] 38
Denmark (Tracklisten)[58] 3
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[59] 12
France (SNEP)[60] 7
Germany (Media Control Charts)[61] 25
Ireland (IRMA)[62] 32
Italy (FIMI)[63] 5
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[64] 100
Norway (VG-lista)[65] 16
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[66] 43
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[67] 5
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[68] 40
US Billboard Hot 100[69] 54
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[70] 6
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[71] 36
US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[72] 1
US Pop 100 (Billboard)[73] 35

Year-end charts

Chart (2007) Position
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[74] 79
Chart (2008) Position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[75] 90
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[75] 24
US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[75] 30

Certifications and sales

Region Certification Sales/shipments
Canada (Music Canada)[76] Gold 20,000^
United States 498,000[77]

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
xunspecified figures based on certification alone

Credits and personnel

Recording locations
Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Taking Chances, Epic Records.[78]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Taking Chances - Celine Dion : Listen, Appearances, Song Review : AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Taking Chances by Celine Dion - Songfacts". Songfacts. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "The Dave Stewart Songbook: The Stories Behind The Songs - Volume One". Amazon.com. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Big News Announced!". Celine Dion Web. September 12, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  5. ↑ Lamb, Bill (September 11, 2007). "Celine Dion Is Back and Taking Chances". About.com. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "John Shanks - Credits : AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Kara Dioguardi - Credits : AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "TeamCeline 24-hour Advance Preview!". Celine Dion Web. September 12, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Amazon.com: Taking Chances [CD-Single]". Amazon.com. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  10. ↑ "My Love: Essential Collection - Celine Dion". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2008-11-15.
  11. ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert : AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved August 12, 2012.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Lamb, Bill (November 14, 2007). "Celine Dion - Taking Chances What Might Have Been". About.com - The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  13. ↑ "Dave Stewart of Eurythmics: Songwriter Interviews". Songfacts. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  14. ↑ Taylor, Chuck. "Taking Chances - Billboard Review". Billboard. Archived from the original on 2007-11-11. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  15. ↑ Rodman, Sarah (November 13, 2007). "Dion takes few risks on 'Chances'". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  16. ↑ "Taking Chances - Amazon Review". Amazon.com. 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  17. ↑ Levine, Nick (October 29, 2007). "Celine Dion: 'Taking Chances'". Digital Spy. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Top 100 Pop Songs 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2008.
  19. ↑ "Juno Awards 2009". Altius Directory. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  20. ↑ "Canada Singles Top 100 (September 29, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. September 29, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  21. ↑ "Canada Singles Top 100 (October 6, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. October 6, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  22. ↑ "Canada Singles Top 100 (October 13, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. October 13, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  23. ↑ "Canada Singles Top 100 (October 20, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. October 20, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  24. ↑ "Canada Singles Top 100 (October 27, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. October 27, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  25. ↑ "Canada Singles Top 100 (December 1, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. December 1, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  26. ↑ "Canada Singles Top 100 (December 8, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. December 8, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  27. ↑ Gold & Platinum Certification. Retrieved August 20, 2008.
  28. ↑ "US Singles Top 100 (December 1, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. December 1, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  29. ↑ "US Singles Top 100 (December 8, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. December 8, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  30. ↑ "US Singles Top 100 (December 15, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. December 15, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 "US Singles Top 100 (December 22, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. December 22, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  32. ↑ Trust, Gary (April 8, 2012). "Ask Billboard: Does Lionel Richie Make Billboard Chart History?". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
  33. ↑ "Rock on the Net: Celine Dion". Rock on the Net. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
  34. ↑ Taylor, Chuck. "Queen Of Hearts: Global Superstar Celine Dion Once Again Takes Her Show On The Road." Billboard. 2008-02-16
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 "ChartArchive - Celine Dion - Taking Chances". Chart Archive. Retrieved September 16, 2012.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 36.3 36.4 36.5 French Singles Chart
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 Italian Singles Chart
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 38.2 Danish Singles Chart
  39. ↑ 39.0 39.1 39.2 Austrian Singles Chart
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 ""Taking Chances" Music Video!". Celine Dion Web. September 18, 2012. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  41. ↑ 41.0 41.1 "Dave's taking chances with superstar Celine!". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 2007-12-09.
  42. ↑ Brook, Stephen (October 29, 2007). "The X Factor: the second live show". The Guardian. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  43. ↑ "Celine on Oprah!". Celine Dion Web. November 10, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  44. ↑ "Celine on Ellen!". Celine Dion Web. November 10, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  45. ↑ "ITV to Broadcast The 2007 American Music Awards !". Celine Dion Web. September 27, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  46. ↑ "Celine Performing on The View!". Celine Dion Web. November 22, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  47. ↑ "Celine Performs on Dancing With The Stars this Tuesday!!". Celine Dion Web. November 25, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  48. ↑ Wener, Ben (30 November 2008). "Set list: Céline Dion at Honda Center". The Orange County Register. Freedom Communications. Archived from the original on 6 November 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  49. ↑ "Preggers". Fox Broadcasting Company. Retrieved November 15, 2010.
  50. ↑ "Glee Album & Song Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved September 15, 2012.
  51. ↑ "The ARIA Report" (PDF). ARIA. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  52. ↑ "Céline Dion - Taking Chances (Song)" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  53. ↑ "Céline Dion - Taking Chances" (in Dutch). Ultratop & Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  54. ↑ "Céline Dion - Taking Chances" (in French). Ultratop & Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  55. ↑ "Celine Dion Album & Song Chart History" Canadian Hot 100 for Celine Dion. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  56. ↑ "Celine Dion Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Canada AC for Celine Dion. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  57. ↑ "Celine Dion Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Canada Hot AC for Celine Dion. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  58. ↑ "Céline Dion - Taking Chances (Song)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  59. ↑ "European Hot 100 Singles". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  60. ↑ "Céline Dion - Taking Chances (chanson)" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  61. ↑ "Dion, Celine: Single-Chartverfolgung" (in German). PHONONET GmbH. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  62. ↑ "The Irish Charts". IRMA. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  63. ↑ "Céline Dion - Taking Chances (Song)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  64. ↑ "Céline Dion - Taking Chances (Song)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  65. ↑ "Céline Dion - Taking Chances (Song)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  66. ↑ "Céline Dion - Taking Chances (Song)". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  67. ↑ "Céline Dion - Taking Chances". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  68. ↑ "Celine Dion: Singles". OCC. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  69. ↑ "Celine Dion Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot 100 for Celine Dion. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  70. ↑ "Celine Dion Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Celine Dion. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  71. ↑ "Celine Dion Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Celine Dion. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  72. ↑ "Celine Dion Album & Song Chart History" Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs for Celine Dion. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  73. ↑ "Celine Dion Awards". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  74. ↑ "Swiss Year-end Charts 2007". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  75. ↑ 75.0 75.1 75.2 "Charts - Year End 2008". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media LLC. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  76. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Celine Dion – Taking Chances". Music Canada.
  77. ↑ "Ask Billboard: Does Lionel Richie Make Billboard Chart History?". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 8 April 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  78. ↑ Taking Chances (liner notes). Celine Dion. Epic Records. 2007.

External links