Jennifer Rush vs. Céline Dion | Face Off

In the fourth edition of Face Off (2026), Jennifer Rush and Céline Dion face off for the best rendition of “The Power Of Love.” 

[otw_shortcode_dropcap label=”A” size=”large” border_color_class=”otw-no-border-color” shadow=”shadow” square=”square”]h, let the Face Off begin! The sun has set on Head 2 Head (2021 – 2025), but the musical competition has “only just begun”, Karen Carpenter! In Face Off, musicians compete to determine who delivered the best version of a song. In most cases, the musicians are performing the same song or a remix, rearrangement, or variation of the song.  Each performance will be evaluated for vocal or instrumental performance, production, and so on and so forth. After blurbing about each performance, I will briefly deliberate and deliver a verdict about who wins the Face Off.  Draws and ties are acceptable, but in most cases, one band, group, or musician will get the edge. In the fourth edition of Face Off (2026), Jennifer Rush and Céline Dion face off for the best rendition of “The Power Of Love”. May the best musician win![/otw_shortcode_dropcap]

1. Jennifer Rush, “The Power of Love”

Jennifer Rush » Sony Music Entertainment (Germany) GmbH » 1984

[nx_pullquote]“‘Cause I’m your lady / And you are my man / Whenever you reach for me / I’ll do all that I can.”[/nx_pullquote] Woo! In the year of our lord, 1984, Jennifer Rush (b. 1960) released a powerful song.  That song, folks, was none other than “The Power of Love”.  “The Power of Love” appeared as the closing cut on her self-titled debut album. Rush penned “The Power of Love” alongside German 🇩🇪 songwriters and producers Gunther Mende (b. 1952) and Candy DeRouge (b. 1944), and American songwriter Mary Susan Applegate (b. 1955). In Rush’s hands, the powerful ballad only dented the pop charts, failing to reach the top 40; it peaked at number 57 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Technically, Rush herself is a one-hit wonder… just not for “The Power of Love”… “Flames Of Paradise”, her duet with Elton John (b. 1947), reached number 36 on the pop charts.  But, this isn’t about “Flames…” but rather “The Power of Love,” a fabulous song and performance from Rush.

The six-minute “The Power of Love” begins abruptly, with Rush singing beautifully against a rhythmic, synth-driven backdrop. The sound is striking. Her tone is rich, and she sounds, dare I say, powerful. Her bread is truly buttered when she hits the beloved chorus, excerpted earlier.  With the chorus adding some more punch, it transfers into the second verse, which features an expanded sound.  By the second iteration of the chorus and the first appearance of the post-chorus (or second chorus), “The Power of Love” has grown even bigger.  Rush’s performance is big, but she never over-sings or, dare I say, overpowers.  Still, as they’re “heading for something,” Jennifer asserts, “Sometimes I am frightened, but I’m ready to learn / ‘Bout the power of love.” Following the post-chorus, she kicks things up a notch with the bridge, which continues touting that love power! “The sound of your heart beating / Made it clear suddenly,” Rush sings, and adds, “The feeling that I can’t go on / Is light years away.”  The chorus and post-chorus follow, gloriously, with Jennifer capping things off on the outro, patterned after the bridge and post-chorus.  Had she been the only musician to record “The Power of Love”, it would be sufficient.  What I’m saying is, Jennifer Rush does a fine job, and this song sounds like quintessential 1980s pop/rock. Did it deserve more love? Yes, for sure.

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2. Céline Dion, “The Power Of Love”

The Colour Of My Love » Sony Music Entertainment (Canada) Inc. » 1993

[nx_pullquote]“Your voice is warm and tender / A love that I could not forsake.”[/nx_pullquote] Aww, you know what it is? “The Power of Love”! Céline Dion (b. 1968) struck gold with this high-flying, powerful love ballad.  Although it sounds original in her hands, “The Power of Love” was originally performed by Jennifer Rush in 1984. Dion’s cover arrived in 1993, nine years later. It is the opener from her album, The Colour Of My Love, released the same year. David Foster (b. 1949) produced Dion’s ultra-successful rendition. How successful is ultra-successful? Well, “The Power of Love” spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.  It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Furthermore, it was nominated for the Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

[nx_pullquote]“The whispers in the morning / Of lovers sleeping tight / Are rolling by like thunder now / As I look in your eyes.”[/nx_pullquote] Oh, the amour! And so begins “The Power of Love,” abruptly, with cool, calm, collected, and sophisticated vocals by Céline Dion. Dion is supported by gorgeous production. I love the colorful keys and rhythmic programming.  After wowing with the first verse, she delivers the crème de la crème, the chorus.  Initially, we only hear the main chorus (it expands later).

“‘Cause I’m your lady

And you are my man

Whenever you reach for me

I’ll do all that I can.”

During the first chorus, Céline Dion digs in more, showing off the pureness of her prodigious instrument. Her tone is angelic.  Also upping the ante during the chorus are bombastic, hard-hitting drums.  During the second verse, Dion brings it back down, supported with a fuller accompaniment. As the second verse progresses, she lets loose more, leading into that inescapable powerhouse chorus, which expands, including the second chorus (post-chorus):

“We’re heading for something

Somewhere I’ve never been

Sometimes I am frightened

But I’m ready to learn

Of the power of love.”

Following the power showcased during the chorus, the bridge continues the excellence (“…The feeling that I can’t go on / Is light years away”). During the third iteration of the chorus, there are selective harmonized background vocals, providing contrast and elevating “The Power of Love” to even higher heights. The extended post-chorus that follows is powerful, too. All told, Céline Dion put her foot into “The Power of Love”. This is one of the best covers that feels like it should be an original! Epic vocals and superb production with the previously established, dedicated, love-driven songwriting and tuneful melodies make this record truly timeless and unforgettable!

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Deliberation

Ah, we’ve arrived at the deliberation! To Deliberate is “to think about or discuss issues and decisions carefully.” With that definition courtesy of my go-to, Merriam-Webster, briefly break down these two distinct performances with some notes!

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Verdict

After much deliberation, yo boi, The Musical Hype, has reached a verdict. In the case… I mean, in the Face Off between Jennifer Rush and Céline Dion, Céline Dion comes out on top! Sorry, Jennifer, but this one was easy to decide. What was the difference? Well, once Dion takes your song, more often than not, her version becomes the definitive version. Dion has released many covers, many of which matched or surpassed the original. Céline, a once-in-a-lifetime talent, excels at adult contemporary power ballads.  This is one of the most popular and renowned songs in her illustrious career. And with that said, stay tuned for the next Face Off! 

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