Released July 1994 (1994-07) Label ColumbiaEpic | Format CD single12"cassette Length 4:47 | |
Recorded 1993 Westside Studios, Marian Heights, Larrabee Sound Studios, The Hit Factory | ||
"Think Twice" is a song written by Andy Hill and Peter Sinfield, famously recorded by Canadian singer Celine Dion. Production on the track was by Christopher Neil and Aldo Nova. The song is rock-influenced and features a guitar solo, one of only a few of Dion's songs to do so, performed by Nova. Lyrically, the song is about the protagonist telling her lover to "think twice" before leaving her.
Contents
"Think Twice" was released as the fourth single from Dion's third English-language studio album, The Colour of My Love (1993), in July 1994 in North America, in October 1994 in the United Kingdom, Australia and Japan, and in February 1995 in other European countries.
Background
Writer Andy Hill was known for his association with Bucks Fizz and Peter Sinfield was a former member of the rock group King Crimson. Two versions of the music video exist: the first was released in August 1994; later because of the huge success in the UK, Dion made a special music video in December 1994. It aired in the UK Top of the Pops television programme. The UK music video was directed by Randee St. Nicholas. The model of the first version of the Think Twice's video is Steve Santagati.
The B-sides of this single were taken mainly from Dion chante Plamondon album, which was released at that time worldwide. It was also the first time that Dion's English single included French songs as B-sides all over the world. Think Twice was included later on the European and Australian editions of All the Way... A Decade of Song greatest hits (1999) and European edition of My Love: Essential Collection (2008). It remains a staple of Dion's live set in countries where the song was a runaway hit. Dion performed "Think Twice" at the 1995 World Music Awards. "Think Twice" received an Ivor Novello Award for the Best Song Musically and Lyrically in 1995.
"Think Twice" was covered by Alana Dante in 1996, Maribel Gonzalez in 1999, and Liel Kolet in 2005. It was also performed by Kelly Clarkson on American Idol and Carolynne Good on Fame Academy.
Music video
The video opens with a shot of Dion lying in bed. She wakes up and starts singing as a car drives up to her house outside. A man (played by the model Steve Santagati), Dion's lover, exits the vehicle and walks up to the front door into the house. He kisses her cheek and as Celine touches him on the shoulder, the man backs away. He lies down on the bed shirtless and sinks his head into the pillow. The camera then shows him looking at the ceiling while Dion sits in the background. The man is later seen carving ice sculptures with a chainsaw. As Celine continues singing, there is a shot of her and her lover apparently arguing. Dion then continues to sing wearing a blue jacket with shots of the man carving ice sculptures. Dion leans against one of the sculptures while her lover lies in bed. He then rises while Celine continues singing. There is then a guitar interlude with shots of the man in his garage and arguing with Dion, before heading out into his car and driving off. He is then seen sitting in a pile of sawdust. Dion continues singing while her lover smashes his ice sculptures. As the video ends, the man walks into the garage and reconciles with Dion. They then embrace and kiss in the sunlight bringing the video to a close.
Critical reception
AllMusic senior editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine wrote that there was "careful production, professional songwriting (highlighted by "When I Fall in Love," "The Power of Love," and "Think Twice.") Chicago Tribune senior Brad Webber wrote a mixed review, referring to Dion's vocals as "forcefully resonant and multiflavored." He elaborated, "On 'The Colour of My Love,' you've got to dig deep to find them, though, past the crooked roots of a Janet Jackson impersonation ('Misled' and 'Think Twice.') With her attempt at soul, you can categorize Dion as fairly shallow, sort of a female Michael Bolton."
Chart performance
Upon its release, "Think Twice" became a hit in Europe and Australia. Uniquely for Dion's discography, whilst the song was not a major hit in America, it was a runaway hit in the United Kingdom, going on to be one of the biggest-selling records of all time. It remains Dion's second-biggest hit in the UK, eclipsed only by "My Heart Will Go On," and is widely credited amongst British fans as cementing Dion, previously most-known in the United Kingdom for her victory in the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest, as a major star to British audiences.
The song went to number 1 all over Europe, including: Ireland (9 weeks at the top), United Kingdom (7 weeks), Belgium Flanders (5 weeks), Netherlands (4 weeks), Norway (4 weeks) and Sweden (4 weeks). It was also successful in Australia reaching number 2. "Think Twice" was certified Platinum and has sold 1,370,000 copies in the UK. It was also certified Platinum in Australia (70,000) and Gold in the Netherlands (50,000).
A dance version of the song was released by Almighty Records in the 1990s, sung by British singer Rochelle.
Official versions
- "Think Twice" (radio edit) – 4:10
- "Think Twice" (album version) – 4:48
- "Think Twice" (alternate version included on The Essential 3.0) - 4:28