Since Diane Warren was the most successful songwriter of the '90s, it is surprising that nobody devoted an entire album to her songs until Johnny Mathis did in 1998. Of course, Warren's renown was slow to build, since she achieved her success the old-fashioned way, by writing and pitching her songs, but not actually recording them herself. Still, by 1996, when Warren's songs occupied the top of the charts for ten weeks (six weeks with Celine Dion's recording of "Because You Loved Me" and the first four weeks of an 11-week ...
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Since Diane Warren was the most successful songwriter of the '90s, it is surprising that nobody devoted an entire album to her songs until Johnny Mathis did in 1998. Of course, Warren's renown was slow to build, since she achieved her success the old-fashioned way, by writing and pitching her songs, but not actually recording them herself. Still, by 1996, when Warren's songs occupied the top of the charts for ten weeks (six weeks with Celine Dion's recording of "Because You Loved Me" and the first four weeks of an 11-week run by Toni Braxton's "Un-Break My Heart"), even casual pop music fans could tell you who she was. She is the queen of the contemporary romantic ballad, whether performed by pop, rock, country, or R&B performers (indeed, her songs have proven readily adaptable to all genres). They are characterized by slow or loping tempos, strong hooks, and nakedly emotional lyrics, pop songwriting craftsmanship at its best (or, depending on your point of view, its most contrived). Could any material be better suited to Johnny Mathis, a singer who has devoted his career to love songs, feelingly rendering them in his immediately identifiable tremulous tenor? Not surprisingly, Mathis showed tremendous affinity for Warren's songs, choosing ten of them from among the songwriter's many hits, from 1989's "All I Want Is Forever" (originally taken into the R&B Top Ten by James "J.T." Taylor and Regina Belle) to "Un-Break My Heart." Since Warren has managed to place her songs well with exceptional singers who did them justice, Mathis didn't really improve on any of the original recordings. Rather, in the manner of the old days of non-writing singers and non-singing songwriters, he rendered the songs in his familiar style for his fans. Of course, we now live in a time when songs tend to be identified with specific recordings by specific singers, which diminishes the impact of Mathis' achievement. Though the album works as a songbook, one wonders why Mathis didn't commission ten new songs from Warren, giving him the chance of scoring a hit. Still, this is a distinguished step on Diane Warren's path to full recognition of her talents, and a typically high-quality effort from Mathis as well. ~ William Ruhlmann, Rovi
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Add this copy of Because You Loved Me to cart. $6.98, very good condition, Sold by Movie Surplus rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Mobile, AL, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by Columbia.
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Afanasieff/Bolton/W; Bolton/Goldmark/War; Estefan/Estefan/War; Warren. Very Good. Used-Very Good Condition. Case and disc(s) is in great condition with no significant scratches or marks. Includes original artwork and liner notes when applicable.
Add this copy of Because You Loved Me: the Songs of Diane Warren to cart. $7.56, very good condition, Sold by Ezekial Books, LLC rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Manchester, NH, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by Columbia.
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Add this copy of Because You Loved Me: the Songs of Diane Warren to cart. $10.39, good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by Columbia.
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Good. Good condition. audioCD. Case Good. Disc slightly scratched. Writing on case. Quality guaranteed! In original artwork/packaging unless otherwise noted.
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Add this copy of Because You Loved Me: the Songs of Diane Warren to cart. $6.24, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Emerald rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by Columbia.
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Add this copy of Because You Loved Me: the Songs of Diane Warren to cart. $6.24, very good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by Columbia.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Because You Loved Me: the Songs of Diane Warren to cart. $7.99, very good condition, Sold by HPB Inc. rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 1998 by Columbia.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
