The Prayer (Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli song)

History

Originally "The Prayer" was recorded as two separate solo versions, Dion's in English and Bocelli's in Italian. They appeared on the Quest for Camelot soundtrack in May 1998. The duet was included on albums by both artists, released a few months later on Sogno and These Times Are Special Times. The song won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song from the 1998 film Quest for Camelot, the second win in a row for a Celine Dion song. In that film, Dion sang it as a solo with slightly different lyrics. It was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1999 and a Grammy Award for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals in 2000. Dion performed it with Bocelli at both ceremonies.

It was also featured on Dion's compilation The Collector's Series, Volume One (2000) and greatest hits My Love: Ultimate Essential Collection (2008). A re-recorded solo version by Celine Dion (renamed "A Mother's Prayer") appeared on her 2004 album Miracle. Dion performed "The Prayer" live during her Taking Chances Tour as a virtual duet with Bocelli on the screen; the performance was released in the Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert CD/DVD. The song appeared also on Bocelli's 2007 compilation The Best of Andrea Bocelli: Vivere. Dion joined Bocelli to perform the song in his Concerto: One Night in Central Park concert in 2011; the performance was subsequently released on CD and DVD. Both Dion and Bocelli have sung the song with other artists, and various other artists have recorded the song, either as a duet or a solo.

"The Prayer" was popular on the adult contemporary charts in Canada and the United States, peaking at number 6 and number 22 respectively. It has also become popular during Christmas, weddings and, in some cases, funerals.

Critical reception

Paul Verna from Billboard called this song a "gorgeous duet." Chuck Taylor from Billboard reviewed "The Prayer", calling it "a breathtaking, ultra-lush song, and the tour de force combination of Dion and Bocelli [which] will send a half-dozen chills up your spine." Although he felt that the song is "an unorthodox track for the radio," Taylor called it "affecting," "heartwarming," "absolutely exquisite" and "one of Dion's most radiant performances ever."

Track listing

1999 North American promotional CD maxi single

1. "The Prayer" (Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli) – 4:29
2. "The Prayer" (Celine Dion) – 2:48
3. "The Prayer" (Andrea Bocelli) – 4:10

Personnel

Celine Dion and Josh Groban version

Celine Dion first performed "The Prayer" live with Josh Groban, in 1999, when Groban filled in for Andrea Bocelli at rehearsal for the 1999 Grammy Awards. The two performed the song during her CBS TV special That's Just the Woman in Me, aired on 15 February 2008. This version was released as a music download in the U.S. and Canada two days earlier. It entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 70 and appeared on a few other Billboard charts: Pop 100 at number 50, Hot Digital Songs at number 32 and Hot Digital Tracks at number 29. The single sold 37,531 copies in its first week. In Canada, the song peaked at number 37 on the Canadian Hot 100 and number 19 on the Canadian Top Digital Downloads.

Track listing

2008 North American digital single

1. "The Prayer" (Celine Dion and Josh Groban) (live) – 4:38

Anthony Callea version

Callea first performed this song during Australian Idol 2004, in the week of 'contestants choice'. He received a standing ovation for this performance. He would go on to be runner-up in this series.

At the completion of the show, Callea was signed to Sony BMG, and he released "The Prayer" as his debut single.

It was released in Australia on 19 December 2004 and debuted at number 1 on the ARIA Charts. It stayed there for five weeks and was certified 4x platinum by ARIA. It became the fastest selling single by any Australian artist, and was the second highest selling single in Australia in the last decade overall, and for an Australian artist. The song was included on Callea's debut album Anthony Callea.

Callea has performed "The Prayer" at numerous concerts as well as the Carols by Candlelight in Melbourne. In 2006, he performed the song in front of Queen Elizabeth at a Commonwealth Day Service He also performed it as a duet with Tina Arena on her Symphony of Life CD/DVD, released in 2012.

Track list

"The Prayer" was released as a two-track CD single

1. The Prayer (4.16)
2. The Prayer (Sterling remix) (4:03)

Video

The video includes excerpts of Callea recording the song and was released in 2004.

Other notable versions