In this page we regroup chants and songs that can be heard in the albums of James Horner.
To respect the copyright we do not publish the lyrics, except for the traditional songs.

 

There Are No Cats In America / Never Say Never / A Duo – 1986

 
Music by James Horner and Barry Mann
Lyrics by Cynthia Weil
 
Track 3 – “There Are No Cats In America“
Performed by Nehemiah Persoff, John Guarnieri and Warren Hays
 
Track 6 – “Never Say Never“
Performed by Christopher Plummer and Phillip Glasser
 
Track 11 – “A Duo“
Performed by Dom DeLuise and Phillip Glasser
 
“For the songs, Amblin brought in Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil, a songwriting duo whom had a long list of hit songs. We had to choose and agree where songs would be appropriate to entertain as well as not stop the story. The discussions we had drove the point that the lyrics must move the story forward or help describe the characters’ personalities. Cynthia and Barry would work together with James to write: There Are No Cats in America, Never Say Never, Somewhere Out There and A Duo. Barry and James came up with the melody and Cynthia scribed the lyrics. Barry and James came up with the melody and Cynthia scribed the lyrics. The first time we met, we discussed the sections of the script where we would insert songs. Each song situation was different, Somewhere Out There was to show that Fievel and his sister Tanya loved and missed one another. Unbeknownst to them, they were both in the same city but did not know where the other was. Never Say Never was for a moment between Henri, the French pigeon, who finds little Fievel on Ellis Island, where the erection of the Statue of Liberty is taking place, and where Fievel has landed in America. He had been separated from his family. He is sad and feels he’ll never find them. Henri raises Fievel’s spirits with this Never-Say-Never song. There Are No Cats In America was to reinforce the belief that there were no cats in the new world. The Cats in Russia were a symbol of the oppression they endured in Mother Russia. The song was about their hope for freedom from oppression. The song would be sung by many of the migrant mice expressing the experiences that troubled them but that their futures were bright in America without cats!. Similar discussions applied to “A Duo” when Fievel and the not-so-fierce cat, Tiger, meet and discover they have many ‘likes’ and ‘dislikes’ in common. By the end of the song they become buddies. “
 

Somewhere Out There – 1986

 
 
Music by James Horner and Barry Mann
Lyrics by Cynthia Weil
 
Two versions are present in the album:
 
a) Track 7 – Performed by Philip Glasser and Betsy Cathart
 
b) Track 8 – Performed by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram
Produced by Peter Asher
 
The 45RPM (MCA Records 52973A) released in 1986 proposes an instrumental version.
The song is quoted in the second track (An American Tail Overture) of the album An Americain Tail: Fievel Goes West (1991)
Steven Spielberg felt the potential of the song, “Somewhere Out There“, and surprised everyone by proposing to record a pop version for the end credits of the film. This version, probably recorded on September 26, 1986 at Abbey Road Studio 1, is performed by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram. It marked the first step of James Horner in the world of variety and it was a real success, as in the months following the film’s release on November 21, the 45 rpm sold a million copies, the song won two Grammy Awards (Best Song of the Year and Best writing for film or television song) and was nominated for Golden Globes and Oscars but lost each time against Take My Breath Away (Berlin) of the film Top Gun.
 
Grammy Awards March 2, 1987: Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil wife

Lyricist Cynthia Weil explains this triumph by the fact that the melody is “extremely bright (…) moving, very touching and endearing.”
 

Version performed by Deborah Cox & Jeremy Schonfeld.
Vienna’s Radio Symphony Orchestra with the conductor David Newman in the Vienna Concert Hall at Hollywood in Vienna 2013. Published by Hollywood in Vienna.
 

If We Hold On Together – 1989

 
 
Performed by Diana Ross
Music and Lyrics by James Horner and Will Jennings
Produced by Peter Asher
Arranged by David Campbell
Recorded and mixed by Franck Wolf
 
The song reached the #1 on the Japanese Oricon International single charts for 19 contiguous weeks becoming one of the best-selling single of the 90s in this country (465.000 copies sold and 4 platinum records): a record for a foreign singer. In total, all over the World, sold over 600.000 copies. It was also # 11 in United Kingdom and # 25 in Ireland.
 
Version performed by Deborah Cox & Jeremy Schonfeld.
Vienna’s Radio Symphony Orchestra with the conductor David Newman in the Vienna Concert Hall at Hollywood in Vienna 2013. Published by Hollywood in Vienna.
 

Glory – 1991

 
 
Chant can be heard in these tracks:
Track 1 – “A Call To Arms“
Track 10 – “Charging Fort Wagner“
Track 11 – “A Epitath To War“
Track 12 – “Closing Credits“
 
[divider]Dreams to Dream – 1991 [/divider]
 

Two versions are present in the album:

a) Track 1 – “Dreams to Dream – Finale Version”
Written by James Horner and Will Jennings
Performed by Linda Ronstadt
Produced by David Foster
Synclavier programming by Simon Franglen
 
Released as a single on MCA in late 1991, the song reached to #13 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart but did not cross over to the Hot 100. The composition was nominated in 1992 for a Golden Globe award for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture.
 
b) Track 8 – “Dreams to Dream – Tanya’s Version“
Performed by Cathy Cavadini.
 
[divider]Way Out West / The Girl You Left Behind – 1991 [/divider]
 
 
Track 5 – “Way Out West“
Written by James Horner and Will Jennings
 
Track 11 – “The Girl You Left Behind“
Written by James Horner and Will Jennings
Performed by Cathy Cavadini
 
[divider]The Quiet Land Of Erin – 1992[/divider]
 
Performed by Maggie Boyle
Written by John McCambridge (1750)
 
In the album Patriot Games this traditional song appears firstly in the track “Main Title“. This lament comes from a Gaelic poem written in 1750 by an exile, John McCambridge, who expresses his dream of returning home. It will be beautifully developed in the Closing Credits with the addition of a piano à la Thunderheart, a Hornerian touch in a folkloric orchestration. Note that two versions of the Closing Credits are included in this expanded edition: the album version already available in the 1992 edition that, placed here at the end of the second disc, offers the Gaelic version, while the film’s version, placed after Boat Chase – Aftermatch, blends Gaelic and English lyrics.
 
[divider]Amandla! – 1993[/divider]
 

Music by James Horner
Lyrics by Sam Phillips
 
[divider]Sarah’s Theme – 1993[/divider]
 
 
Performed by Sarah Jessica Parker
Lyrics by Brock Walsh
 
James Horner was first approached to score the film, but due to a busy schedule during this year he could not do the film and John Debney took over. This song, performed by Sarah Jessica Parker (Sarah’s Theme, also known as Come Little Children) is one of James Horner’s most magical and wistful themes, reminiscent of his wondrous tunes heard in his ’80s scores for fantasy films and has a hint of the English traditional song Greensleeves in its melody.
 
[divider]Once Upon A Time With Me – 1993[/divider]
 
 
 
[divider]Please Wake up – 1993[/divider]
 
 
– Track 6 –  “Please Wake Up”
Written by James Horner
Lyrics by Will Jennings, Michael Tavera, Kelly Ward and Mark Young
Performed by Michael Crawford
 
[divider]He’s Gone/He’s Back – 1993[/divider]
 
 
He’s Gone/He’s Back – Only the second half is included in the album.
– Track 8 –  “He’s Back”
Music by Andraé Crouch, Sandra Crouch and James Horner
Lyrics by Andraé Crouch and Sandra Crouch
Performed by Ben Vereen
Vocal Backgrounds by The Andrae Crouch Singers
 
[divider]Roll Back The Rock (To The Dawn Of Time) – 1993[/divider]
 
 
Two versions are presented in the album:
– Track 6 – “Roll Back The Rock (To The Dawn Of Time)” perfomed by John Goodman
– Track 17 – “Roll Back The Rock (To The Dawn Of Time)” performed by Little Richard
Produced and Arranged by Thomas Dolby
Music by James Horner and Thomas Dolby
Lyrics by Thomas Dolby
 
[divider]Twilight and Mist – 1994[/divider]
 
 
Performed by Henry Thomas
Music by James Horner
Lyrics by Brock Walsh
 
For this song sung by Henry Thomas in the film, and of which only the instrumental version is included on the album, James Horner once again appealed to songwriter Brock Walsh, with whom he had worked on Hocus Pocus (Sarah’s Theme – 1993).
 
[divider]Whatever You Imagine – 1994[/divider]
 
 
Performed by Wendy Moten
Lyrics by Cynthia Weil
Music by Barry Mann and James Horner
Produced by Keith Thomas
Executive Producer: Jay Landers
 
[divider]Reach For The Light -1995[/divider]
 
Performed by Steve Winwood
Composed by James Horner and Barry Mann
Lyrics by Cynthia Weil
Backing Vocals: Bonnie Keen, Chris Rodriguez, Micah Wilshire, and Tina Clark
Chorus: Caitlin McCollister, Elizabeth Winwood, Emily Estes, Evan Brooder, Gianno Caputo, Holly Burt, Jamie Grable, Joel Dunham, Katy Dunham, Lauren Caputo, Leah Lofton, Mary Claire Winwood, Natalia DiGesare
 
[divider]There Are Flowers Growing Upon The Hill – 1997[/divider]
 
Track 1 – “Main Title” includes “There Are Flowers Growing Upon The Hill” (Gaelic Version)
 
Track 13 – “Going Home” includes “There Are Flowers Growing Upon The Hill” (English Version)
 
Performed by Sara Clancy
Music by James Horner
Lyric by Will Jennings
 
[divider]My Heart Will Go On – 1997[/divider]
 
 
Performed by Céline Dion
Music by James Horner
Lyrics by Will Jennings
Produced by James Horner and Simon Franglen
 
Céline Dion’s biggest hit, one of the best-selling singles of all time, and was the world’s best-selling single of 1998.
 
Three versions of the song exists:
 
a) The original James Horner / Simon Franglen produced version appears on the Titanic soundtrack and has an extended ending with, longer segmented vocalizations by Céline Dion. Simon Franglen mixed the final film and soundtrack version, expanding on the demo and adding orchestra to the final chorus. The single also played over the ending credits of the film.
 
b) The radio version was produced further by Walter Afanasieff who added strings and an electric guitar, as well as rearranged portions of the song. This version appears on the 4-track maxi single as well as on Dion’s album, Let’s Talk About Love.
 
c) An edited version of the song, that had dramatic moments of dialog of Jack and Rose lead characters from film inserted in between Dion’s vocal lines. It was included later on the Back to Titanic second soundtrack album. (source: Wikipedia)
 
James Horner secretly wrote this song for Celine Dion, who he had known since she was 16, but did not know whether she would accept because she had become a renowned singer, and no one even knew that such a song existed.

 

“I played it for her in her room at Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas. They had a fountain in their room and I had to get the maintenance staff to turn off the fountain because I was going to play this small piano and sing, and I didn’t want this waterfall sound in the background. That’s how I got Celine to agree do this song. Personally, I liked it but I did not know much about contemporary music. But I knew it was a good enough song, but it was a good for the kind of movie, spiritually.”
James Horner
[divider]I Want To Spend My Lifetime Loving You – 1998[/divider]
 
 
Performed by Marc Anthony and Tina Arena
Music by James Horner
Lyrics by Will Jennings
Produced by Jim Steinman
 
[divider]Windsong – 1998[/divider]
 
 
Written by James Horner and Will Jennings
Choir Direction/Arrangement by Lebo M.
 
Cette chanson est chantée en swahili.
This song is sung in Swahili.
 
[divider]Then You Look At Me – 1999[/divider]
 
 
Performed by Céline Dion
Music by James Horner
Lyrics by Will Jennings
Produced by James Horner and Simon Franglen
 
The version from Céline Dion‘s album (All the Way… A Decade of Song) was produced by David Foster
 
[divider]Yours Forever – 2000[/divider]
 
 
Performed by John Mellencamp.
Written by James Horner, John Mellencamp and George Green
Produced by John Mellencamp, James Horner and Michael Wanchic
 
[divider]Where Are You Christmas? – 2000[/divider]
 
 
Two versions are presented in the album:
 
a) Track 14 – “Where Are You Christmas ?“
Performed by Faith Hill
Written by James Horner, Will Jennings, and Mariah Carey
Produced by Byron Gallimore and Faith Hill
Arranged by David Campbell
 
This song was going to be recorded by Mariah Carey who herself wrote and coproduced it, but as it was going to be part of the soundtrack, released by a label other than Sony (with which Mariah had contracted), her ex-husband Tommy Mottolla denied her permission, so the song was given to Faith Hill.
 
b) Track 17 – “Christmas, Why Can’t I Find You?“
Performed by Taylor Momsen
Music by James Horner
Lyrics by Will Jennings
 
[divider]Come, Come All Ye Whos / Who-bilation / How I Love Who-liday Shopping / Happy Who-lidays – 2000[/divider]
 
 
Performed by members of “Grinch” cast
Music by James Horner
Lyrics by Cynthia Weil
 
The song Happy Who-lidays is included in the track “The Shape Of Things To Come“.
 
Note: The track 23 “He Carves The Roast Beast” includes “Welcome Christmas“
Written by Dr. Seuss and Albert Hague
Performed by Taylor Momsen, Jim Carrey and members of “Grinch” cast
[divider]The Lark in the Clear Air – 2001[/divider]
 
The track “Iris – Part 8” includes the traditionnal tune “The Lark in the Clear Air“
Performed by Kate Winslet
Music by Caisleán U, Néill
Lyrics by Samuel Ferguson (1850)
 
Dear thoughts are in my mind
And my soul soars enchanted
As I hear the sweet lark sing
In the clear air of the day
For a tender beaming smile
To my hope has been granted
And tomorrow she shall hear
All my fond heart would say
I should tell her all my love
All my soul’s adoration
And I think she will hear me
And will not say me nay
It is this that gives my soul
All it’s joyous elation
As I hear the sweet lark sing
In the clear air of the day
 

[divider]All Love Can Be – 2001[/divider]

 

A BEAUTIFUL MIND

A BEAUTIFUL MIND

WILL JENNINGS

WILL JENNINGS

CHARLOTTE CHURCH

CHARLOTTE CHURCH

AWARDS / NOMINATIONS

AWARDS / NOMINATIONS


Music by James Horner
Lyrics by Will Jennings
Performed by Charlotte Church

[divider]Eyes Of The Heart – 2003[/divider]
 
Written by James Horner, India.Arie, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Big Jim Wright and Obatalye Samuel
Produced by Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and Big Jim Wright
Performed by India.Arie
 
[divider]Tirut Tebatin Lig – 2003[/divider]
 
Track 2 – “Ethiopia ii” includes “Tirut Tebatin Lig”
Traditional Ethiopian Song
Performed by Ejigayenu “Gigi” Shibabaw as featured on the album Ethiopie, Chants de L’amour
 
[divider]Remember – 2004[/divider]
 
 
Music by James Horner
Lyric by Cynthia Weil
Produced by David Foster
Performed by Josh Groban with Tanja Tzarovska
Arranged by David Foster, Jochem Van Der Saag, Randy Kerber and James Horner
 
[divider]Listen To The Wind – 2004[/divider]
 
 
Song not used in the film.
Music by James Horner
Lyrics by Glen Ballard
Performed by Hayley Westenra
Produced by Glen Ballard and James Horner
 
[divider]I See You (Theme from Avatar) – 2009[/divider]
 
 
Performed by Leona Lewis
Music by James Horner and Simon Franglen
Lyrics by Simon Franglen, Kuk Harrell, and James Horner
Produced by Simon Franglen and James Horner
 
 
[divider]Entre La Luz Y El Pecado – 2011[/divider]
 
 
Lyrics by James Horner
Performed by Clara Sanabras
This song can be heard in the following tracks in the album:
Track 1 – Entre La Luz y El Pecado
Track 2 – The Death of Padre Christopher
Track 11 – Jose’s Martyrdom
Track 14 – Just Another Chapter of History (Closing Credits)
While listening to the song, James Horner confided he had written a short poem, which someone had translated into Spanish. The poem went “Between the Sky and the Earth, between light and dark, between Faith and Sin, there’s only my heart; just God and my heart”. He then suggested I should create my own interpretation from these words. At first, he asked me to sing with a lot of air in my voice, a lot of breathing. Then he whispered to me “Sing this the way you would sing it”. I ended up singing without having to think at all, as if it had been written for me.
Clara Sanabras
Read more: CLARA SANABRAS : FOR GREATER CLARA
Scroll to Top