As far as I know, this is the original version of My Heart Will Go On that was sent to Cameron.
It’s clearly not the radio edit or even end credit version we all know so well. The most notable difference is the orchestral bridge.
Most people assume that if you love “Titanic,” you also love this song. For me, I always resisted this song because of the natural groveling people do when its mentioned or played. And in a very short time it went from being a record-breaking, power-ballad to one of the most hated songs in pop culture.
Even today, I will choose many other Celine songs over this one. And I prefer The Portrait and Rose to MHWGO as well. It wasn’t until last Christmas that I really reflected upon the lyrics and realized that this song is about resiliency. Amidst the extreme love and hate for it, I completely missed the meaning of not only the lyrics themselves, but the title.
And so, regardless of what the song means to the rest of the world, I do hold a dear spot for it in my heart because in a way, its really an extra gift of an epilogue speaking to Rose’s struggle post Jack’s death.
Most of us have gone through devastating losses, maybe none compare to the sinking of the Titanic. Nevertheless, when I struggle to cope with my own losses I think about resiliency. And this song was a gift from lyricist, Will Jennings who added even more depth and color to Rose’s journey beyond her time spent with Jack, and the impact his life had on hers. And it reminds me that in tough times, we have a choice to be resilient, despite how painful the hurt is. And it reminds us with loss, there is also beauty, and hope, and growth.
