A mother’s love is so intense that one might think it’s impossible to capture over music, but Celine Dion attempts it with 2002’s Goodbye’s (The Saddest Word) from her album, A New Day Has Come. The song features Dion’s soaring vocals, and its lyrics make it one of her most heartfelt songs.
The opening lines, ‘Mamma, you gave life to me, turned a baby into a lady’ are filled with warmth. Yet the song becomes more bittersweet as the song enters themes of loss. The melody is swelling and powerful, such that each verse feels more powerful than the last.
Céline Dion – Goodbye’s (The Saddest Word) (Official HD Video)
Written by legend Robert John Lange, this song was made for Dion’s vocals! Lange himself was known for lyrics that resonated deeply and touched powerful emotions. The song is dramatically orchestrated, and its sweeping crescendos only amplify the emotional intensity.
In terms of lyrics, the song doubles as a love letter and a farewell—acknowledging the strength and sacrifice inherent to motherhood. The song is also mourning a day when the mother will no longer be there. Loss is inevitable and this song is hyper-aware of this. For many, it’s impossible to listen to this song without tearing up. It’s obvious that Dion was then chosen for My Heart Will Go On; she is made for tearjerkers!
Celine Dion – My Heart Will Go On (Lyrics)
This song wasn’t one of Dion’s biggest chart-toppers, but it is among her most touching ballads. It is not just a commercial success, it has touched the hearts of those who fear losing their mothers, and has stuck itself in the hearts of those who have experienced that loss.
For more of Céline Dion’s most powerful performances, follow her official pages—because her voice continues to tell stories that stay with us forever.