THEME = movie tunes: ‘Up Close & Personal’ & ‘White Nights’
This week’s entry features songs from Celine Dion & Lionel Richie….
#1 ‘Up Close & Personal’
Written by Diane Warren, “Because You Loved Me” served as this film’s theme song, even though it was not included on the soundtrack. Instead, it was released 02/20/1996 as the 1st single from Celine Dion’s studio album ‘Falling Into You’ & topped the Billboard Hot 100 & Adult Contemporary charts. Internationally, it claimed #1 in Australia & Canada (2 charts), while reaching the Top 5 of 10 additional charts; it also won the Best Song Written For A Motion Picture Or Television Grammy. In addition, it was featured as a “theme” of sorts on TV’s “Another World” in a reflective sequence about Mack & Rachel Cory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypgVc9cC-Jc
FYI: this movie arrived in theaters 03/01/1996. While the screenplay started as an adaptation of Alanna Nash’s 1988 book, ‘Golden Girl: The Story Of Jessica Savitch’, producer decisions greatly altered the film & it had little resemblance to the biography. The cast includes Robert Redford, Michelle Pfeiffer, Stockard Channing, Joe Mantegna, Kate Nelligan, Glenn Plummer, James Rebhorn, Scott Bryce, Raymond Cruz, Dedee Pfeiffer, Miguel Sandoval, Noble Willingham, James Karen & Brian Markinson.
#2 ‘White Nights’
Written by Lionel Richie, this song was recorded by him specifically for this movie but was not included in the soundtrack because Motown did not want a single to appear on another record label. So, the song was released October 1985 from Richie’s album ‘Dancing On The Ceiling’ & claimed #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 & Adult Contemporary charts. Internationally, it also reached the top of charts in Norway, Sweden & Switzerland, while entering the Top 10 in Austria (#6), France (#4) & England (#8). This song won the Best Original Song Academy Award.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7Mi77iqMjA
FYI: this movie debuted in theaters 11/22/1985 to mixed reviews. Filmed in Finland, Portugal, England, Russia & Austria, the movie also features a rebadged Boeing 747 (was a 707) in the crash sequence at the beginning. The cast includes Mikhail Baryshnikov, Gregory Hines, Jerzy Skolimowski, Helen Mirren, Geraldine Page, Isabella Rossellini, John Glover, Stefan Gryff, William Hootkins, Shane Rimmer & Marc Sinden.