I'm Alive (Celine Dion song)

Background and release

While working on the album, Celine commented, "I couldn't wait to go back into the recording studio. And, I loved the songs that people wrote for me on this album. Those songs became even closer to me because, the fact that I took two years off, they wrote songs for me that were even closer to my emotions. I had things to talk about. I had things to sing about. It was a fun adventure, no pressure, relaxed, smooth, powerful but controlled. I really had a wonderful time. And to see my friends again, it was great."

"I'm Alive" was released as the album's second single on 12 August 2002. For radio release, the song was re-worked by Humberto Gatica. Epic Records moved forward with the "Humberto Gatica" version as the main version. His version was released on the Stuart Little 2 soundtrack as well as promotional and commercial CD singles.

Although in October 2008 the album version of "I'm Alive" was included on My Love: Essential Collection, the new remix by Laurent Wolf was released to promote it in France. In January 2009, further promotional remixes were made by Maurice Joshua for U.S. clubs.

Composition

"I'm Alive" was written by Kristian Lundin and Andreas Carlsson and produced by Lundin. They worked with Celine before writing her 1999 hit "That's the Way It Is." It is an uplifting midtempo song, where Celine declares she is alive, fulfilled as a mother, and "in love."

The song is written in the key of E♭ major with a moderate tempo of 104 beats per minute. Dion's vocals span from A♭₃ to D₅ in the song.

Critical reception

While reviewing the Stuart Little 2 soundtrack, William Ruhlmann of Allmusic wrote that "Celine Dion occupies the position taken by Trisha Yearwood on the soundtrack to Stuart Little in 1999, singing an upbeat rhythm number." Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine called it one of "the album's standout tracks", naming it "an uplifting midtempo number." ABC's RollerCoaster review was positive, commenting that "this is the type of music you play in the background when your having a good laugh with friends or a nice tea with family. It's the kind of song you sing along to and slowly get wrapped in it." Neal Sky of Pop Dirt named it a "bubblegum-radio-song". Matt Wilson of UK Mix was positive towards the song, stating that "this new offering is actually an uplifting song that will no doubt be a hit single for her. This is one of the best singles to date."

Chuck Taylor from Billboard said that "I'm Alive" demonstrates a stylistic "left turn, with its throbbing tribal rhythms and a loose, sky-grazing vocal from Dion." The "percolating" Humberto Gatica Mix "adds juice" to the album version, while the uptempo Wake Up Mix, with assistance from Ric Wake and Richie Jones, is Dion's most "inspired and festive" remix to date, with Blondie's "Heart of Glass" woven into the beat to "splendid effect". Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic called this song uplifting and highlighted it; in his review for album he called the song a "hitworthy uptempo gem".

Chart performance

The song proved to be successful in many European countries. On the Austrian Singles Chart, the song debuted at number 71. The following week, it climbed from number 71 to number 23. In its fourth week, it reached a peak of number five, where it remained for four consecutive weeks. The song spent twenty-two consecutive weeks on the chart. On the Swedish Singles Chart, the song also reached number 5, spending 18 non-consecutive weeks on the chart.

On the Belgium Singles Chart, the song was a success. It debuted at number 18 and on the following week, it climbed to number 3. In its third week, the song peaked at number 2, where it remained for four consecutive weeks. The song spent a total of 17 weeks inside the top ten and 26 weeks on the chart. "I'm Alive" has been certified platinum in 2002 for over 70,000 units shipment of the single. On the French Singles Chart, the song debuted at number 61. The following week, it climbed from number 61 to number 7, its peak position. The song remained at number 7 for four non-consecutive weeks and it stayed 22 weeks on the chart. The song re-entered the French Singles Chart in 2012, for the week 14 April 2012, at number 129, later following to number 179, spending a total of 24 non-consecutive weeks. It was certified gold in 2002 for over 250,000 units shipment of the single.

"I'm Alive" debuted at number 31 on the Australian ARIA Singles Chart. The following week, it peaked at number 30. The song later fell to number 35, and after two weeks descending the charts, it climbed to number 31. On the New Zealand Singles Chart, it debuted at number 44 and its fourth week, the song peaked at number 35. It spent thirteen weeks on the chart.

On the US Adult Contemporary chart, the song peaked at number 6 and spent 26 weeks on the chart. The "2009 remix" entered the Hot Dance Club Play chart at number 48 and peaked at number 35.

Live performances

Dion performed "I'm Alive" five nights a week during her show A New Day... at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. It was released on the A New Day... Live in Las Vegas CD in 2004 and Live in Las Vegas - A New Day... DVD in 2007. The song became a part of the Taking Chances Tour set list and was performed by Dion in a new remix version.

Music video

The music video was directed by Dave Meyers between 24–25 May 2002 and premiered in June 2002. There were two versions made: with or without the Stuart Little 2 film scenes.