Released 28 years ago this October
These Are Special Times
Céline Dion · 1998
68 min · 16 tracks · pop music
A lush collection of holiday classics infused with Dion's powerful vocals and emotional depth, creating a festive atmosphere.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Prayer — This duet features a poignant blend of languages and heartfelt lyrics that emphasize hope and unity, showcasing Dion's vocal range and emotional delivery.
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O Holy Night — Dion's rendition transforms this classic carol into a majestic showcase of her vocal prowess, capturing the spirit of Christmas with dramatic intensity.
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Don't Save It All for Christmas Day Start here — This original song stands out with its modern message about love and togetherness, making it a memorable addition to the holiday repertoire.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong vocal performances over familiar holiday themes but lacks distinctiveness in composition.
What we noticed
- Dion's vocal delivery is consistently powerful, often employing dynamic shifts to convey different moods across tracks.
- Several tracks include choral backing, which adds depth and richness to the overall sound, particularly in songs like 'O Holy Night' and 'The Prayer'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- festive gatherings with loved ones
- reflective moments by the fireplace
- heartfelt sing-alongs during celebrations
- emotional connections through nostalgic classics
- uplifting spirit for holiday cheer
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy party tracks
- prefer contemporary sounds
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — Released during her commercial peak, solidifying her status in the music industry.
- Themes
- holiday nostalgia· seasonal unity· Christmas hope
- Career context
- Released on October 30, 1998, 'These Are Special Times' came during Céline Dion's commercial peak, following the massive success of her previous album, 'Falling Into You.' This album marked her first full-length holiday collection, showcasing her ability to tackle diverse musical styles while solidifying her status as a pop icon in the late 90s.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Whitney Houston· Mariah Carey· Barbra Streisand
Tracklist
- 1 O Holy Night 5:21
- 2 Don't Save It All for Christmas Day Start here 4:37
- 3 Blue Christmas 3:48
- 4 Another Year Has Gone By 3:24
- 5 The Magic of Christmas Day (God Bless Us Everyone) 4:17
- 6 Ave Maria 4:55
- 7 Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful) 4:43
- 8 The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) 4:13
- 9 The Prayer 4:29
- 10 Brahms' Lullaby 3:32
- 11 Christmas Eve 4:16
- 12 These Are the Special Times 4:08
- 13 Happy Xmas (War Is Over) 4:14
- 14 I'm Your Angel 5:31
- 15 Feliz Navidad 3:40
- 16 Les Cloches Du Hameau 3:10
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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