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Tell Him (Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion song)

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"Tell Him"
Single by Barbra Streisand and Celine Dion
from the album Higher Ground and Let's Talk About Love
ReleasedNovember 3, 1997 (1997-11-03)
RecordedSeptember 30, 1997
StudioWallyworld, Record Plant, The Hit Factory, Chartmarker, Paramount, Masterphonics
Length
  • 4:51 (album version)
  • 4:53 (radio edit)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • David Foster
  • Walter Afanasieff
Barbra Streisand singles chronology
"I Finally Found Someone"
(1996) 		"Tell Him"
(1997) 		"I've Dreamed of You"
(1999)
Celine Dion singles chronology
"J'attendais"
(1997) 		"Tell Him"
(1997) 		"Be the Man"
(1997)
Music video
"Tell Him" on YouTube

"Tell Him" is a song written by Linda Thompson and producers Walter Afanasieff and David Foster. It was recorded as a duet between American singer Barbra Streisand and Canadian singer Celine Dion for their respective 1997 albums, Higher Ground and Let's Talk About Love, and released as the lead single from these albums on November 3, 1997.

The song was a top-10 commercial success across Europe and Australia. It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards. Later, "Tell Him" was included on both singers' greatest hits albums: Streisand's The Essential (2002), Duets (2002) and The Ultimate Collection (2010), and Dion's The Collector's Series, Volume One (2000), My Love: Essential Collection (2008) and The Best of Celine Dion & David Foster (2012).

Background

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On March 24, 1997, Dion became the first artist ever to perform twice on the same Academy Awards night. In addition to singing "Because You Loved Me," she also sang "I Finally Found Someone" from the movie The Mirror Has Two Faces, recorded by Barbra Streisand and Bryan Adams. Streisand preferred not to perform that night, and Natalie Cole had been scheduled to sing her song instead. But Cole pulled out, so only two days before the Oscar night, Dion was asked if she could do it. Although nervous, she accepted and managed to perform on the night.

A few days later, Streisand sent Dion flowers and a note: "I watched the tape afterwards, you sang my song beautifully and I regret I wasn't in the room to hear you, next time let's make one together. I really wish your song would have won, you are a wonderful singer". That note wasn't left without an answer, and René Angélil called up David Foster to write a song for them, and the result was "Tell Him".[1] Citing Streisand as one of her most prominent idols, Dion had always wanted to sing with her but feared getting too close to her idol, explaining, "It takes practically nothing to destroy your image of them. And just as little to crush you".[2]

A radio version of the song was commissioned. It is also under the same clock length as the album version. The radio edit features a high-frequency flute playing during Dion's bridge.

Streisand was first introduced to Dion's music several years earlier, by tennis player Andre Agassi.[3]

Critical reception

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This song received positive reviews from music critics. AllMusic senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote, in his review for Let's Talk About Love, that this song "shines the most brilliantly".[4] In his review for Higher Ground he highlighted it and wrote, "Higher Ground comprises both traditional religious songs and new material (even "Tell Him," an overblown duet with Celine Dion, vaguely touches on that theme)".[5] AllMusic editor Matthew Greenwald in a single review wrote, "Their voices blend together extremely well on this song, with both singers trading off and joining together with a wonderful reassurance. Musically, the song is dominated by what is, unfortunately, a somewhat bombastic arrangement. This tends to get in the way of the very pretty melody. The overall arrangement seems to come out of the 1980s school of over-production, and it is a bit cloying. However, the vocalists take the song to a higher place with their performance, and the song and recording have aged fairly well despite of this".[6]

Larry Flick from Billboard commented, "Talk about an event. Two of pop music's best voices are united on a grand, wonderfully over-the-top ballad that will melt the heart of even the most jaded listener. No one will be able to resist the electricity resulting from the blend of their voices on what will likely become a quintessential "girlfriend" anthem. Dion denizens who have long touted the Canadian diva as a likely successor to the Streisand throne will find validation in a recording that shows how equally matched their performances are. Who else but David Foster and Walter Afanasieff could preside over such a monumental production? No one — as evidenced in an arrangement that sparks with orchestral flourishes. No need to predict the hit potential of this gem. Just start monitoring its chart progressions."[7]

Entertainment Weekly editor David Browne wrote, "Streisand glides like buttah into the duet Tell Him — making Dion sound like margarine in the process — but the song is an uberschlock ode to subservience".[8] British magazine Music Week rated the song three out of five, adding that "Streisand and Dion's vocals blend effortlessly on this powerful ballad, showcasing the pair's remarkable ranges."[9] The New York Observer editor Jonathan Bernstein stated that "the centerpiece of Let's Talk About Love is "Tell Him", a duet with Barbra Streisand. Anyone who's witnessed, through the cracks of his or her fingers, the video for "Tell Him" in which Ms. Dion relates to Ms. Streisand like a newly born fawn nuzzling up against its mother, will sense that this is no diva face-off. The two singers give each other room to emote, restraining themselves until the final choruses before transforming into something akin to a pair of drunks wrestling over the microphone on karaoke night".[10] However, the duet received its fair share of unfavorable reviews as well.[11]

Release and commercial reception

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On October 7, 1997, "Tell Him" had its first runs on the United States radio waves.[12] The song was originally scheduled for a US retail release on November 4, 1997, but this was canceled despite the single having already been mass-produced. Theda Sandiford-Waller of Billboard attributed this cancelation to the track's failure at top 40 radio.[13]

In the United States, the song peaked at number five on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and number 58 on the Billboard Radio Songs chart. The song was a commercial success outside the US. It became the 33rd best-selling single of 1997 in the UK.[14] It was a top 10 hit in over 15 countries around the world including UK (number three), Ireland (number two), Italy (number four), France (number four) and Australia (number nine). It also peaked at number three on European Hot 100 Singles chart and entered multiple year-end charts in 1997 and 1998. The single has received platinum awards in the Netherlands (75,000) and Belgium (50,000), and gold discs in the United Kingdom (400,000), France (400,000), Australia (35,000), Switzerland (25,000) and Norway.

Streisand and Dion were scheduled to perform their duet at the ceremony for the 40th Grammy Awards, at which the song was nominated; this was intended to be the song's first live performance.[11] However, the performance was canceled due to Streisand contracting the flu once again.[15] The ailment prevented Streisand from attending the rehearsal with Dion prior,[16] although Streisand claims that she had originally intended to attend to performance nonetheless.[11] Streisand's spokesperson said that the singer is "extremely disappointed that she won't be able to sing because of her continuing flu and fever".[15]

Music video

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The music video for the song was directed by American producer and director Scott Lochmus, and premiered on VH1, on October 24, 1997. It was included as a bonus on the Au cœur du stade DVD.

Formats and track listings

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  • European CD single
  1. "Tell Him" (radio edit) – 4:51
  2. "Tell Him" (album version) – 4:51
  • European, Australian, and Japanese CD maxi-single
  1. "Tell Him" (radio edit) – 4:51
  2. "Everything Must Change" – 4:03
  3. "Where Is the Love" – 4:59
  • European 12-inch single
  1. "Tell Him" (radio edit) – 4:51
  2. "Everything Must Change" – 4:03
  3. "Tell Him" (album version) – 4:51
  4. "Where Is the Love" – 4:59

Charts

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Certifications and sales

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[64] Platinum 70,000‡
Belgium (BEA)[65] Platinum 50,000*
France (SNEP)[66] Gold 250,000*
Netherlands (NVPI)[67] Platinum 75,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[68] Gold  
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[69] Gold 25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[71] Gold 436,000[70]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

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Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States October 7, 1997 Radio
[12]
Belgium November 3, 1997
  • CD
  • maxi CD
 Sony [72]
United Kingdom
  • CD
  • cassette
[73]
Japan December 1, 1997 CD SMEJ [74]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Glatzer, Jenna (2005). Céline Dion: For Keeps. Andrews McMeel Publishing. ISBN 0-7407-5559-5.
  2. ^ "Article: Celine Dion tells about working with David". Metro Olografix. April 3, 2007. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  3. ^ Agassi, Andre (2009). Open. New York: Knopf. pp. 174. ISBN 978-0307268198.
  4. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Let's Talk About Love - Céline Dion - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  5. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Higher Ground - Barbra Streisand - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  6. ^ Greenwald, Matthew. "Tell Him - Barbra Streisand - Song Info - AllMusic". AllMusic.
  7. ^ Flick, Larry (October 18, 1997). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 80. Retrieved December 5, 2020.
  8. ^ Browne, David (November 21, 1997). "Celine Dion and Michael Bolton: yawn". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 19, 2014. Retrieved May 22, 2013.
  9. ^ "Reviews: Singles" (PDF). Music Week. October 25, 1997. p. 25. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  10. ^ Bernstein, Jonathan (December 8, 1997). "Celine Dion: Is She Cool? Someday, Maybe, but Not Now". The New York Observer.
  11. ^ a b c Blickley, Leigh (January 27, 2018). "That Time Barbra Streisand Called In Sick To The Grammys And Celine Dion Saved The Day". HuffPost. Retrieved January 27, 2019. they'd received a few unfavorable reviews of the duet
  12. ^ a b "A 'Reason' to Wait Six Weeks". Radio & Records. No. 1217. October 3, 1997. p. 34. ['Tell Him'] arrives at radio on October 7.
  13. ^ Sandiford-Waller, Theda (November 8, 1997). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 45. p. 96.
  14. ^ "Official Top 40 best-selling singles of 1997". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Streisand Has a Bad Case of Flu, Will Miss Grammys". Chicago Tribune. February 25, 1998. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  16. ^ "Ailing Streisand May Miss Grammys". Sun-Sentinel. February 24, 1998. Retrieved January 27, 2019.
  17. ^ "Barbra Streisand & Céline Dion – Tell Him". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
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  21. ^ a b "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. December 13, 1997. pp. 50–51. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
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  23. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 3383." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 3, 2014.
  24. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. December 13, 1997. p. 17. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  25. ^ "European Radio Top 50" (PDF). Music & Media. January 17, 1998. p. 20. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  26. ^ Pennanen, Timo (2021). "Celine Dion". Sisältää hitin - 2. laitos Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla 1.1.1960–30.6.2021 (PDF) (in Finnish). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. p. 63. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
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  29. ^ "Top National Sellers: Greece" (PDF). Music & Media. February 21, 1998. p. 16. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  30. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (13.11.1997 - 20.11.1997)" (PDF) (in Icelandic). Dagblaðið Vísir - Tónlist. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  31. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Tell Him". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  32. ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. December 20, 1997. Retrieved September 26, 2014.
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  35. ^ "Barbra Streisand & Céline Dion – Tell Him". VG-lista. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  36. ^ "Major Market Airplay: Poland" (PDF). Music & Media. December 13, 1997. p. 27. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  37. ^ "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (in French). BAnQ. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  38. ^ a b "Romanian Top 100: Top of the Year 1997" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on September 22, 2005. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
  39. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 19, 2015.
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  41. ^ "Barbra Streisand & Céline Dion – Tell Him". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  42. ^ "IFPI Taiwan Single Top 10" (in Chinese). IFPI Taiwan. January 11, 1998. Archived from the original on May 30, 1998. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
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  46. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1997". Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
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  49. ^ "RPM '97 Year End ...Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. December 15, 1997. Retrieved September 28, 2014 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  50. ^ "Year in Focus" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 14, no. 52. December 27, 1997. p. 7. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  51. ^ "Tops de l'année – Top Singles 1997" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
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  54. ^ "Topp 20 Single Julen 1997" (in Norwegian). VG-lista. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  55. ^ "Official Top 40 best-selling singles of 1997". Official Charts Company. July 9, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  56. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1998" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  57. ^ "Rapports annuels 1998" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  58. ^ "RMP's Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks of '98". RPM. December 14, 1998. Retrieved September 28, 2014 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  59. ^ "Year in Focus" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 15, no. 51. December 19, 1998. p. 8. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  60. ^ "Jaarlijsten 1998" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  61. ^ "Jaaroverzichten - single 1998". Single Top 100. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  62. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1998" (in German). Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  63. ^ "Best of '98: Most Played Adult Contemporary Songs" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 6, no. 52. December 25, 1998. p. 55. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  64. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2021 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  65. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1997". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  66. ^ "French single certifications – B. Streisand/C. Dion – Tell Him" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  67. ^ "Dutch single certifications – Celine Dion – Tell Him" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved October 11, 2006. Enter Tell Him in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1997 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  68. ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  69. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Tell Him')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  70. ^ "Celine Dion's Official Top 40 Biggest Selling Singles revealed". Official Charts Company. November 14, 2013. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  71. ^ "British single certifications – Celine Dion & Barbra Streisand – Tell Him". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 11, 2014.
  72. ^ "New Releases This Week". Sony Music Belgium. Archived from the original on October 6, 2000.
  73. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. November 1, 1997. p. 41.
  74. ^ "セリーヌ・ディオンの作品" (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
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