Taking Chances (song)

"Taking Chances"
Single by Celine Dion
from the album Taking Chances
B-side"Map to My Heart"
Released18 September 2007 (2007-09-18)
Recorded2007
Studio
Genre
Length4:02
Label
Songwriters
ProducerJohn Shanks
Celine Dion singles chronology
"Immensité"
(2007)
"Taking Chances"
(2007)
"Eyes on Me"
(2008)
Music video
"Taking Chances" on YouTube

"Taking Chances" is a song recorded by Canadian singer Celine Dion for her tenth English-language studio album Taking Chances (2007). It was written by Kara DioGuardi and former Eurythmics member Dave Stewart for their band Platinum Weird. The track had been intended for release as a single in February 2007 from their unreleased self-titled album. After DioGuardi and Stewart completed the recording, they played it for Dion's husband René Angélil, who reacted positively to it, and Dion went on to record her own version.

The song was issued as the lead single from Taking Chances on 18 September 2007. "Taking Chances" is a pop ballad with a soft rock finish. Lyrically, it deals with trust, emotional openness, and the willingness to build something meaningful. The line "So talk to me, like lovers do" is drawn from the Eurythmics song "Here Comes the Rain Again". Critics responded positively, noting Dion's willingness to explore new material and describing the track as hopeful and heartfelt.

"Taking Chances" achieved commercial success in several countries, reaching the top 10 in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, and Switzerland. It peaked at number 40 on the UK Singles Chart and reached number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also topped the Hot Dance Club Play chart. The song was nominated for Single of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2009. It was later covered on Fox's TV series Glee by Lea Michele as Rachel Berry, and her version reached number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Background and writing

"Taking Chances" was written by songwriter Kara DioGuardi and former Eurythmics member Dave Stewart.[1] Record label manager Jimmy Iovine brought them together to write for the Pussycat Dolls, but DioGuardi and Stewart soon realised that the material they were creating suited them better as a duo. Iovine agreed and signed them to Interscope Records, where they recorded an album as Platinum Weird, released in 2006.[2] In The Dave Stewart Songbook Vol. 1, Stewart recalls that he and DioGuardi wrote the song in about 10 minutes one afternoon while movers were bringing furniture into her new Los Angeles home.[3]

According to Stewart, the idea for the song emerged spontaneously during the move. He noticed the sound of windchimes outside an open window and began matching their irregular pattern on an acoustic guitar. As movers carried furniture through the house, DioGuardi improvised melodic lines and early lyrics while giving instructions to them, creating what Stewart later described as a chaotic but creatively charged atmosphere. The pair developed the song rapidly, exchanging lines, melodies, and chords as they worked. Stewart explained that the lyrics reflected their own willingness to trust each other creatively and to pursue a project that felt meaningful to them, despite being an unlikely partnership.[4][3]

After DioGuardi and Stewart recorded the song, they played it for Dion's husband René, who reacted very positively.[4] Dion released it as the title track and first single from her tenth English studio album, which also lent its name to her World Tour.[5] John Shanks produced the song.[6][7] He also produced five other tracks on Taking Chances.[7] Kara DioGuardi additionally wrote and co-produced, with Emanuel Kiriakou, "Surprise Surprise" for the album.[8] She had previously written several songs for Dion, including "One Heart", which was co-written and co-produced by DioGuardi and Shanks, and released as a single in 2003.[8]

On 9 September 2007, members of Dion's fan club were given a 24-hour advance preview of "Taking Chances" and its in-studio video. The video was made available through Amazon.com and the Sympatico / MSN Music Store the following day.[9] The song premiered on radio on 10 September 2007[9] and was released as a music download on 29 October 2007 in the United States and Europe.[10] The track was later included on her 2008 greatest hits My Love: Essential Collection.[11] A live version appears on the Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert CD/DVD.[12]

Composition

"Taking Chances" is a pop song[13] that opens with an acoustic guitar before building into a fuller pop/rock arrangement.[14] Dion's vocals span from E3 to F♯5. The line "So talk to me, like lovers do" is taken from the Eurythmics song "Here Comes the Rain Again".

In an interview, Dave Stewart explained that he reused the lyric because the song reflected his collaboration with Kara DioGuardi and their decision to embark on a creative partnership. He described the writing process as one that gradually intensified, mirroring the song's progression, and noted that the shift into the line "So talk to me, talk to me like lovers do" served as a deliberate nod to his earlier work.[15]

Critical reception

"Taking Chances" received positive reviews from music critics. Bill Lamb of About.com wrote that "Dion's vocals are commanding and powerful".[14] He added that the song "opens the album and announces new directions in a truly exciting fashion," although he found much of the remaining album less compelling.[14]

Chuck Taylor of Billboard described the track as "destined for AC's top 10".[16] Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe noted that the song "builds from an acoustic strum into the kind of pleasant radio-ready crunch that Michelle Branch would recognize".[17]

Tammy La Gorce of Amazon.com called it a "hopeful, heartfelt track" that develops into an anthemic power ballad.[18] Nick Levine of Digital Spy also praised the song, writing that it "begins in surprisingly restrained fashion" before moving into "soft rock bombast," with guitars that "surge tastefully" and drums reminiscent of a Phil Collins solo record.[19]

Lamb later included "Taking Chances" on his list of the Top 20 Pop Songs of 2007.[13] He commented that Dion "moves into slightly more rocking territory in highly tasteful fashion" and suggested that the track might prompt some listeners to reassess her work.[13]

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic singled out the track in his review. Edna Gundersen of USA Today wrote that Dion "dials back the bombast on the title track, a midtempo rocker". Gundersen and Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly also included the song on their "Download this" lists.[20]

Commercial performance

In Canada, the song debuted at number 82 on the Canadian Hot 100 chart dated 29 September 2007.[21] It became the "Greatest Gainer" the following week, rising from number 82 to number 13 on the chart dated 6 October 2007.[22] In its third week, it fell to number 30,[23] then moved to number 29,[24] and reached number 26 in its fifth week.[25] After several weeks fluctuating on the chart, the song climbed to number 10 in its 10th week, dated 1 December 2007,[26] and peaked at number nine the following week.[27] It was certified gold for over 20,000 digital downloads.[28]

"Taking Chances" debuted at number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart dated 1 December 2007, the week's "Highest Debut".[29] It fell to number 68 the following week,[30] remained at number 68 one week later,[31] and on the chart dated 22 December 2007 it dropped to number 88.[32] It spent four weeks on the Hot 100.[32] As of 8 April 2012, the digital single had sold 498,000 copies in the US, making it Dion's third best-selling digital track.[33] The single also topped the US Hot Dance Club Play chart, becoming Dion's second number one after "Misled" in 1994.[34] It peaked at number six on the US Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks, giving Dion a record 21 top 10 entries at the format over two decades.[35]

In the United Kingdom, the song debuted at number 58 on the UK Singles Chart on 10 November 2007 and peaked at number 40 one week later.[36] It spent four weeks on the chart.[36] In France, the song debuted and peaked at number seven on the SNEP chart.[37] It remained on the chart for 22 consecutive weeks before dropping to number 91 on 5 April 2008.[37] It later re-entered at number 88 on 10 January 2009, spending two more weeks, reappeared at number 94 on 4 April 2009 for another two weeks, and re-entered again at number 85 on 20 June 2009, staying for three weeks.[37] In total, it spent 29 non-consecutive weeks on the French chart.[37]

In Italy, the song debuted and peaked at number five on the FIMI chart on 1 November 2007.[38] It fell to number eight the following week, fluctuated for several weeks, and reached number nine on 22 December 2007.[38] In Denmark, the song debuted and peaked at number 29 on the Danish Singles Chart on 23 November 2007.[39] It dropped to number 31 the following week, but re-entered at number three on 13 June 2008, becoming its peak position.[39] In Austria, the song debuted at number 43 on the Ö3 Austria Top 40 chart on 9 November 2007 and rose to number 35 the following week.[40] It peaked at number 12 in its third week and held that position for a second week.[40] It spent 14 weeks on the chart.[40]

Music video

Celine Dion in the music video for "Taking Chances".

The music video, directed by Paul Boyd, was filmed over three days, from 15 to 17 September 2007, in various locations across the Las Vegas Valley.[41] It was released on 16 October 2007. The video shows Dion breaking into a hotel and being pursued.[41] It also includes a cameo by songwriter Dave Stewart, who described his role as an enigmatic boss-like figure reminiscent of a James Bond antagonist. He also noted that temperatures during filming reached about 100 °F.[42]

The narrative follows Dion as she arrives in Las Vegas for her show. Throughout the video, she observes a mysterious motorcyclist who moves through the city and enters what appears to be her hotel suite, ultimately taking on her identity. In the final scene, the motorcyclist removes the helmet, revealing Dion herself.

Promotion

On 27 October 2007, Dion appeared on the fourth series of the British talent contest The X Factor as a mentor to the contestants. She also performed "Taking Chances" on the live show, marking the world-exclusive debut of the song and her first UK performance in five years.[43] On 12 November 2007, Dion appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, where she performed the song and took requests from Oprah's audience.[44] On 14 November 2007, she performed the track on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.[45]

On 17 November 2007, Dion performed the song on the Thanksgiving episode of All My Children.[46] The following day, she performed it live at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles.[47] On 23 November 2007, Dion performed "Taking Chances" and "Alone" on the American talk show The View.[48] On 27 November 2007, she performed the track on ABC's dance competition series Dancing with the Stars.[49] "Taking Chances" was also included in the set list of the Taking Chances World Tour.[50] Dion also performed the song during her 2017 European tour.

"Taking Chances" was used as theme music for promotional trailers for the CBS series Moonlight. It was later used in 2009 on So You Think You Can Dance Canada during the Top 20 performance show in a routine choreographed by Stacey Tookey.[51]

The song was covered on Fox's TV series Glee by Lea Michele as Rachel Berry in the episode "Preggers" from the first season.[52] Her version peaked at number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100.[53]

Accolades

The song was nominated for Single of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2009.[54]

Formats and track listing

Remixes

  1. "Taking Chances" (I-Soul radio edit) – 3:57
  2. "Taking Chances" (I-Soul extended remix) – 7:33
  3. "Taking Chances" (Jason Nevins remix) – 3:43
  4. "Taking Chances" (Jason Nevins extended mix) – 6:24
  5. "Taking Chances" (Matt Piso radio edit) – 4:53
  6. "Taking Chances" (Matt Piso club mix) – 7:16
  7. "Taking Chances" (Ralphi Rosario & Craig J. radio edit) – 3:44
  8. "Taking Chances" (Ralphi Rosario & Craig J. full vocal radio edit) – 4:11
  9. "Taking Chances" (Ralphi Rosario & Craig J. vocal mix) – 9:02
  10. "Taking Chances" (Ralphi Rosario & Craig J. thick dub) – 8:07

Credits and personnel

Recording locations
Personnel
  • Kara DioGuardi – songwriting, backing vocals
  • Dave Stewart – songwriting
  • John Shanks – production, guitars, bass
  • Jeff Rothschild – drums, programming, mixing
  • Ned Douglas – keyboards

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Taking Chances, Epic Records.[55]

Charts

Certifications and sales

Certifications
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[88]
digital
Gold 20,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[89] Gold 40,000
United States 498,000[90]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States 18 September 2007 Digital download Epic [91]
Japan 24 October 2007 CD SMEJ [92]
United Kingdom 29 October 2007 Digital download Epic [93]

References

  1. ^ "Taking Chances - Celine Dion : Listen, Appearances, Song Review : AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  2. ^ Lester, Paul (30 June 2006). "The weirdest story in pop". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  3. ^ a b "The Dave Stewart Songbook: The Stories Behind The Songs - Volume One". Amazon.com. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  4. ^ a b "Taking Chances by Celine Dion - Songfacts". Songfacts. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  5. ^ "Big News Announced!". Celine Dion Web. 12 September 2007. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  6. ^ Lamb, Bill (11 September 2007). "Celine Dion Is Back and Taking Chances". About.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  7. ^ a b "John Shanks - Credits : AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  8. ^ a b "Kara Dioguardi - Credits : AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  9. ^ a b "TeamCeline 24-hour Advance Preview!". Celine Dion Web. 12 September 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2012.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  10. ^ "Amazon.com: Taking Chances [CD-Single]". Amazon.com. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  11. ^ "My Love: Essential Collection - Celine Dion". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 15 November 2008.
  12. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Taking Chances World Tour: The Concert : AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  13. ^ a b c Top 100 Pop Songs 2007 Archived 3 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 19 January 2008.
  14. ^ a b c Lamb, Bill (14 November 2007). "Celine Dion - Taking Chances What Might Have Been". About.com - The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  15. ^ "Dave Stewart of Eurythmics: Songwriter Interviews". Songfacts. Retrieved 9 September 2012.
  16. ^ Taylor, Chuck. "Taking Chances - Billboard Review". Billboard. Archived from the original on 11 November 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
  17. ^ Rodman, Sarah (13 November 2007). "Dion takes few risks on 'Chances'". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
  18. ^ "Taking Chances - Amazon Review". Amazon. 2011. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
  19. ^ Levine, Nick (29 October 2007). "Celine Dion: 'Taking Chances'". Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  20. ^ Harris, Chris (10 September 2007). "Celine Dion Returns With 'Taking Chances'". Billboard. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  21. ^ "Canada Singles Top 100 (September 29, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. 29 September 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  22. ^ "Canada Singles Top 100 (October 6, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. 6 October 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  23. ^ "Canada Singles Top 100 (October 13, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. 13 October 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  24. ^ "Canada Singles Top 100 (October 20, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. 20 October 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  25. ^ "Canada Singles Top 100 (October 27, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. 27 October 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  26. ^ "Canada Singles Top 100 (December 1, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. 1 December 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  27. ^ "Canada Singles Top 100 (December 8, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. 8 December 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  28. ^ Gold & Platinum Certification Archived 23 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 20 August 2008.
  29. ^ "US Singles Top 100 (December 1, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. 1 December 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  30. ^ "US Singles Top 100 (December 8, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. 8 December 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  31. ^ "US Singles Top 100 (December 15, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. 15 December 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  32. ^ a b "US Singles Top 100 (December 22, 2007) - Music Charts". A Charts. 22 December 2007. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  33. ^ Trust, Gary (8 April 2012). "Ask Billboard: Does Lionel Richie Make Billboard Chart History?". Billboard. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  34. ^ "Rock on the Net: Celine Dion". Rock on the Net. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  35. ^ Taylor, Chuck. "Queen Of Hearts: Global Superstar Celine Dion Once Again Takes Her Show On The Road." Billboard. 16 February 2008.
  36. ^ a b "The Official Charts Company - Celine Dion - Taking Chances". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
  37. ^ a b c d e "Céline Dion – Taking Chances" (in French). Le classement de singles. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  38. ^ a b c "Céline Dion – Taking Chances". Top Digital Download. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  39. ^ a b c "Céline Dion – Taking Chances". Tracklisten. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  40. ^ a b c d "Céline Dion – Taking Chances" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  41. ^ a b ""Taking Chances" Music Video!". Celine Dion Web. 18 September 2012. Archived from the original on 13 November 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  42. ^ "Dave's taking chances with superstar Celine!". Sunderland Echo. Retrieved 9 December 2007.
  43. ^ Brook, Stephen (29 October 2007). "The X Factor: the second live show". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  44. ^ "Celine on Oprah!". Celine Dion Web. 10 November 2007. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  45. ^ "Celine on Ellen!". Celine Dion Web. 10 November 2007. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  46. ^ "Celine Dion - All My Children - Taking Chances (2007)". YouTube. 3 October 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  47. ^ "ITV to Broadcast The 2007 American Music Awards !". Celine Dion Web. 27 September 2007. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  48. ^ "Celine Performing on The View!". Celine Dion Web. 22 November 2007. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  49. ^ "Celine Performs on Dancing With The Stars this Tuesday!!". Celine Dion Web. 25 November 2007. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  50. ^ Wener, Ben (30 November 2008). "Set list: Céline Dion at Honda Center". The Orange County Register. Freedom Communications. Archived from the original on 7 November 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2011.
  51. ^ Serpick, Evan (12 July 2006). "Platinum Weird: The Strange Saga". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 21 April 2026.
  52. ^ "Preggers". Fox Broadcasting Company. Archived from the original on 21 November 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
  53. ^ "Glee Album & Song Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  54. ^ "Juno Awards 2009". Altius Directory. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  55. ^ Taking Chances (liner notes). Epic Records. 2007.
  56. ^ "The ARIA Report, Issue 923". ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  57. ^ "Céline Dion – Taking Chances" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  58. ^ "Céline Dion – Taking Chances" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  59. ^ "Celine Dion Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  60. ^ "Celine Dion Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  61. ^ "Celine Dion Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  62. ^ "ČNS IFPI – CZ Radio – Top 100 – 51. týden 2007" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  63. ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. 1 December 2007. p. 81. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  64. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  65. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography Céline Dion". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  66. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot 100 [ 2008/01/23 公開]". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  67. ^ "Celine Dion - Taking Chances - Top 40" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  68. ^ "Céline Dion – Taking Chances" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  69. ^ "Céline Dion – Taking Chances". VG-lista. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  70. ^ "Romanian Top 100 – Issue nr: 49/2007 (17 Decembrie - 23 Decembrie 2007)" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on 21 December 2007. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  71. ^ "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (in French). BAnQ. Archived from the original on 9 August 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
  72. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 200812 into search. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  73. ^ Fernando Salaverri (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  74. ^ "Céline Dion – Taking Chances". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  75. ^ "Céline Dion – Taking Chances". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  76. ^ "Official Singles Chart on 11/11/2007 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
  77. ^ "Celine Dion Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  78. ^ "Celine Dion Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  79. ^ "Celine Dion Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  80. ^ "Celine Dion Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  81. ^ "Celine Dion Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 24 January 2016. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  82. ^ "Global Dance Songs". Billboard. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  83. ^ "Swiss Year-end Charts 2007". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  84. ^ "Charts - Year End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  85. ^ "2008 - The Year in Music: Top Canada AC Songs" (PDF). Radio & Records. 12 December 2008. p. 67. Retrieved 3 September 2019.
  86. ^ "Charts - Year End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  87. ^ "Charts - Year End 2008". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  88. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Celine Dion – Taking Chances". Music Canada. Retrieved 7 July 2008.
  89. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Celine Dion – Taking Chances". Music Canada. Retrieved 28 December 2024.
  90. ^ Gary Trust (8 April 2012). "Ask Billboard: Does Lionel Richie Make Billboard Chart History?". Billboard. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  91. ^ "Celine Dion – Taking Chances". Discogs. Retrieved 23 February 2017.
  92. ^ "Celine Dion – Taking Chances" (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  93. ^ "Music Upfront" (PDF). Music Week. 27 October 2007. p. 29. Retrieved 29 December 2022.