Celine Dion Reps Respond To Adele ‘Song Stealing’ Claims

Published: Wednesday 3rd Jul 2013 by David

Representatives of ‘A New Day Has Come’ performer Celine Dion have responded to claims she intentionally did not credit a performer, whose material she performed during an appearance on Time Square’s ‘Katie’ back in April.

After performing the song ‘Water and a Flame’ on the hit talk show, last week saw its original performer Daniel Merriweather slam the star for failing to publicly credit him for forging the song- suggesting that she intentionally tried to pass the lyrics off as her own.

He shared in an open letter:

“It is astounding that Celine Dion tries to pass off lyrics that I wrote as her own. Now, if I had written the song for her, it wouldn’t bother me so much, but Water and a Flame is a very personal song that I wrote right after a break up I was going through and is one of my personal favourite songs on my album Love & War.

“This song has every ounce of my heartache and pain in it and she pretends as if she wrote it herself.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I am genuinely flattered that anyone would want to cover one of my songs, but there is an age old etiquette amongst artists that one gives credit where credit is due. Thank you Celine Dion for singing my song, but if you had seen even half of what I have seen in my life time you wouldn’t be able to get out of bed in the morning let alone sing, so just be mindful of the fact that songs are a connection to the ether, and an insight to our inner most thoughts and feellings and for some of us it may be all we will ever have.”

Featuring ‘21′ singer Adele, the original ‘Water and a Flame‘ was released on November 2nd 2009- well before the release of the ‘Cold Shoulder‘ star’s groundbreaking LP ‘21′ and four years before it would be covered by Dion during her well received appearance on the talk show.

In response to Merriweather’s open slamming, Celine’s reps issued the following statement today:

“She loves Daniel Merriweather and Eg White’s (the co-writer) song so much, and would never want to do any harm to them … nor take away anything from them … in fact, the opposite would be true.

Throughout Celine’s 32-year career she has always been very vocal about sharing the credit for her successes. She has been very vocal about the fact that she does not write her own songs… and that she is fortunate to have wonderful and talented writers to provide these gifts to her.


“For her to be accused of ‘stealing’ a song is not only grossly inaccurate, but also very hurtful. During the thousands of interviews that she’s given over the years, it’s often that she will not mention the names of the writers involved. It’s something that may not come up a lot in the interviews.

“That said, when a Celine Dion album is released, we always include complete and accurate writer credits in an updated bio, and of course, inside the CD packaging. Celine’s new English album will be released worldwide this [autumn]. We are very excited about this new album, and we hope to have great success with it … and great success for all those who have contributed.”

Source.

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  1. BarbzRUs July 3, 2013

    Queen.Definition of a true diva. She can still sing live today.

    • JOHNVIDAL July 3, 2013

      She can but rarely does! Don´t be an asshole.

    • Brazilian Beyonce!!! July 3, 2013

      Babe don’t please…..
      Mariah & Celine are both Iconic Vocalist true Divas..
      Not cute just stop okay? 🙂 <3<3

      • Draggin4MrsCarter July 3, 2013

        How can you say Mariah is a vocalist when she doesn’t use her vocals? I’m sorry, but even Rihanna puts more effort in nowadays.

      • JOHNVIDAL July 3, 2013

        @draggin
        All you are saying is applicable to both Celine and Mariah. I don´t see the difference. Mariah´s lipped intro at the BET awards was as amazing as Celine´s whole concerts in her never ending tours and Vegas shows. You are so damn ignorant. Both still have voices and lip a lot. Young stars lip a lot too, and lip way easier songs. So just be nice please.

      • KILLSXX July 3, 2013

        But one of those vocalist voice has remained throughout the years.

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  2. SummertimeSadness July 3, 2013

    I can’t even deal with the epicness right now. Queen Celine she really is.

  3. toohofortv July 3, 2013

    I think, Daniel Merriweather is an awesome vocalist, but he is stupid for this. I mean, if his business is right, he’s about to get a nasty check. Wth is he thinking? I saw this rant of facebook and completely was disgusted. He needs to take a cue from his fellow aussie singer/songwriter, Sia, and flip this situation into a lucrative side hussle (ie; songwriting and producing). He really may have made a mistake here. Dumbass! Obviously his credits would’ve been included in the packaging. SMH!

    • Dev July 3, 2013

      I agree, He was picking situations with Robin Thicke some time back for calling his album love and war as if no two albums had ever had the same title, and I also don’t understand his piece when he had a co writer but sill claiming that he also should get recognition for the songs lyrics (Nice shade via Celine’s reps)
      Daniel needs to focus on recording new music instead of making a big deal out of a small situation, he could’ve just tweeted it was great to see Celine cover one of my songs today, the original version with Adele still available on iTunes… or something to that affect but no.
      Daniel is coming across as an angry unsuccessful artist

  4. BeyWhoUWanna July 3, 2013

    Celine is where Mariah should be 2bh.

  5. JanetXone July 3, 2013

    I understand his point but he should have kept quiet and made sure his name was on the publishing for the album because then he could have made big bank. Now the song might be pulled off and the opportunity might be gone.
    Like some said above, Sia is a performer too but she’ll go down in history as one of the greatest writers of all time and that’s a beautiful thing. I think Daniel should try that too.

  6. Draggin4MrsCarter July 3, 2013

    THIS is a TRUE diva.
    Take note Mariah.

    • Common Sense July 3, 2013

      Why would Mariah need to take notes lol? She, unlike Celine, writes her own songs. Not to mention Celine has lipped nonstop for almost 20 years. What good is it that she can still sing live if she never does?

      • Draggin4MrsCarter July 3, 2013

        My dear, the fact that Nicki Minaj could outsell a new Mariah album with her eyes closed tells you SO MUCH about where she is today.
        Celine preserved her voice and her class for over 32 years and Mariah now needs to use smaller singers and payola cheques just to make it onto the charts.

  7. Lana Del Slay July 3, 2013

    Daniel is amazing but this wasn’t the way to go about it. Had he played his cards right he could have timed a new album to come out around the same time as Celine’s version of the song so he’d get the exposure.

  8. Brazilian Beyonce!!! July 3, 2013

    Queen Of Pop ballads in my opinion, I grew up listening to this woman. True Diva
    Greatest Vocalist of all time.
    I respect her a lot.

    • BionicGlam July 3, 2013

      Mariah should learn from her but she’s too busy being jealous of younger models.

      • Brazilian Beyonce!!! July 3, 2013

        Mariah is amazing and I doubt she’s jealous babe she’s been the “It” Girl she’s a legend now and deserves respect. I think you misunderstanding her she’s a great person.
        Lol which models are you talking about babe?

      • Common Sense July 3, 2013

        Mariah should learn to be like a name stealing lip sync queen? Last I checked, Mariah wasn’t the one trying to steal people’s band names just so she could name her Vegas show.

  9. DOSSOME July 3, 2013

    Gurl Bye…Celine doesn’t steal songs.Guy gets all salty and overly sentimental just because Queen Celine didn’t mention his name on a talk show,ch…..

    • BeyWhoUWanna July 3, 2013

      No sweetheart, wrong is wrong. Celine should have credited him BUT he shouldn’t have been so quick to insult her.

    • JOHNVIDAL July 3, 2013

      Exactly! It´s ridiculous. Damn this guy would be histerical if he were a writer in Rihanna´s or Beyonce´s team! Do they ever mention the writers of their songs? Like at all?
      And btw: have you noticed this post is already becoming the perfect excuse for a Mariah Carey bashing party? Lol omg these empty people… well, I suppose half of the comments are just the same person 🙂

      • DOSSOME July 3, 2013

        Cici Slaaaaays/Xtinaalovee changed username and resumed trolling…

  10. Pour It Up July 3, 2013

    Celine>>>>>>>>>>>Mariah imo

  11. JOHNVIDAL July 3, 2013

    Hmm… TGJ only reports about Celine Dion (one of the biggest ones) when there´s something controversial to say, which is once every two years lol
    Well there is nothing controversial really. Celine Dion has to be the megastar who insists the most in giving credit to her writers. Like seriously. And I remember watching that interview in April (not performance) and she didn´t say anything wrong. It would be crazy if she had to say who the writer of a certain song she´s talking about is, every damn time. Like I said she does it way more than any other artist I know.
    This guy is crazy and out of place. Celine fans are already asking her to pull off that song and change the album title. This guy is stupid.

    • QueenCeline July 3, 2013

      I think they’re going to start posting on the legends because they did Shania last week. It’s good to have a little variety don’t you think?

      • JOHNVIDAL July 3, 2013

        Of course!!! But I tell you they won´t. They do it twice per year with Celine, just when it´s convenient for them.

    • Brazilian Beyonce!!! July 3, 2013

      I agree

  12. Mark111 July 3, 2013

    Aww, did the lil girl want a shout out? Be happen that anyone even covered your song.

  13. Brazilian Beyonce!!! July 3, 2013

    Well why do you people have to drag MC to this? This is about Celine DOESN’T involve Mariah ugh

  14. Mark111 July 3, 2013

    Aww, did the lil girl want a shout out? Be happen that anyone even covered your song.

  15. NickiSaidDis July 3, 2013

    Excuse me, why has this become a free for all to bash Mariah. This is about a REAL diva not a fake one.

    • Common Sense July 3, 2013

      But CD Dion is the most fake diva out off all of them LOL! She f****** wrote the book on lipping.

      • Millivanilliriah July 3, 2013

        If Celine wrote the book, Mariah is the publisher! 😆

    • DOSSOME July 3, 2013

      So a nicki stan can tell REAL from FAKE??That’s new

      • NickiSaidDis July 3, 2013

        We Nicki Stans are very good at spotting the real from the fake, just like clear channel when Mariah paid them to play her song. BOOM.

    • JOHNVIDAL July 3, 2013

      B**** please! lol Who are you and who do you stan for? Ok. Celine and Mariah are on that level, you know, untouchable for almost anyone.

  16. ratedxxx(tic toc) July 3, 2013

    I cannot stop laughing…umm you stan for the biggest fraud and known swagger jacker, and you’re going to post this b*******?

    first of all I’ve seen many singers sings other people songs, while they are doing a tour or a concert…

    how did she steal the song? is the song on her new album? NO, did she say she wrote the song? NO

    I’m sorry I couldnt get pass the, “she pretended she wrote the song”

    how did she pretend to write the song? did she say she wrote it?

  17. VisionOfMimi July 3, 2013

    Daniel darling, try working for Beyonce and see how you like it.

    • AzealiaBankable July 3, 2013

      What’s that supposed to mean?

    • conversationchamber.ipbhost.com July 3, 2013

      Um. Daniel Merriweather would probably jump at the chance to write for Beyonce.

      • COCKINESS July 3, 2013

        he wont see a dime for it though. beyonce will simply remove his name and put hers as she has done many a times

  18. LaLopez July 3, 2013

    I always liked Celine because she embraced the new girls, she didn’t bully them like some others did.

  19. Common Sense July 3, 2013

    Reminds me of when CD Dion tried to take Muse’s name for her show and got her ass sued lol!

  20. Brazilian Beyonce!!! July 3, 2013

    Janet Jackson is sooo underrated I’ve been listening to “The Velvet Rope” that album is everything no wonder they call her the queen of Pop!

    • Mark111 July 3, 2013

      Right?! Her best album.

  21. DOSSOME July 3, 2013

    Please Sam,we intelligent people want to enjoy commenting on this site…It’s uncomfortable having to deal with so many stupid people at once (that’s assuming they’re different people actually,lol)…

    • JOHNVIDAL July 3, 2013

      LOL

  22. ratedxxx(tic toc) July 3, 2013

    and I see that grape juice is using this post to find a way to bash mariah…

    please I know yall dumb asses are behind all these so call usernames..

    and dead a at beyonce stan saying she should have credit him….you stan for a broad who never gives people credit until her ass get sued or gets call out…

    the irony…..delusional is a hell of a drug…

    celine is doing a cover of a song, why should she say who wrote the song?…unlike you fav who’s always claiming songwriting credit on every damn thing she has s*** to do with,
    celine has always been up front, never claimed any songwriting credits

    • Brazilian Beyonce!!! July 3, 2013

      This has got nothing to do with beyonce babe 🙁
      Stop!

    • Draggin4MrsCarter July 3, 2013

      Sweetie just no. We’ve already discussed this. You can’t say someone is a fake user just because you don’t like their opinion. Didn’t you see what happened to Queen Barb?

      • STONY July 3, 2013

        totally agree with you rated xxxx preach preachhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh babe

  23. Keep Quiet July 3, 2013

    Céline is a True Diva, well done.

    Mariah, sit down and learn the definition of a true diva.
    This no name Merriweather can go back to nowhere where he truly belongs.

    • FentySoSnatched July 3, 2013

      What has his name got to do with anything. If the song was good enough to use, it should have been good enough to have her say who actually wrote it.

    • JOHNVIDAL July 3, 2013

      Why is Celine a diva and Mariah isn´t? LOL Trying so hard! And btw your comment is too similar to several others in this post. Something smells FAKE!

  24. The Voice of Reason July 3, 2013

    Ugh these people are only now coming out other legends like MARIAH and MADONNA are known to steal songs and have been in so many lawsuits whether Celine intentionally discredited him or not its nothing new here and not even big.

    • Common Sense July 3, 2013

      What about Celine’s lawsuit that she actually LOST? Unlike Celine Mariah never lost a lawsuit because it was just money hungry people attacking her.

  25. ratedxxx(tic toc) July 3, 2013

    OH MY GOD, the f****** irony….

    first it was celine was wrong she should have give the songwriter credit for a song she was doing a cover of.

    now mariah is using payola………

    the f****** irony

  26. IDIOTS July 3, 2013

    WE HAVE A BUNCH OF IGNORANT IDIOTS WHO CANNOT ACCEPT ONE DISCIPLINE OF AN ART,NO ARTIST CARRIES THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DOING EVERYTHING IN A SONG,IT IS F******* OPTIONAL! ALL SHE HAS TO DO IS SING,AND YES SHE ACCORDING 2 ME THE GREATEST VOCALIST,UNLIKE WHITNEY (R.I.P LOVE) WHO WAS BETTER CELINE NEVER LOST HER VOICE (That doesn’t take away the legendary status from whitney or mariah).THE INDUSTRY IS STRUCTURED THIS WAY,WITH “SONGWRITER” being a different entity from the title “SINGER” It takes minimal intelligence 2 recognise that.JUST BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T WRITE IT DOESN’T MEAN YOUR TALENT SHOULD BE TRASHED.OTHERWISE tHROW shots at MJ for having Mr Jones produce Thriller album! I MEAN REALLY,can we get over the whole “she didn’t write it”… That is of little matter if it fails to be a hit.YES,CREDIT SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE GIVEN WHERE IT IS DUE,However,I become tired of idiots saying if you didn’t write it its not yours,Could you be any more dumber!?! *screams*

    • Common Sense July 3, 2013

      Of course she never lost her voice, she never used it! It’s like she’s saving it for a rainy day that never seems to come.

  27. ekta July 3, 2013

    how can u steal a song ,,,,queen celine!!!!
    Common sense
    i just can’t stop laughing…..umm it’s like a big fraud doing a small thing!!!!
    Seriously!!!!!
    Plsssss try to act smart if can’t be smart

  28. Barb B**** July 3, 2013

    Idgaf Celine is not like that imma need someone to post all them songwriting lawsuits Mariah was in from the the 90s that’s the real tea.

  29. LaLopez July 3, 2013

    Typical Mariah stans. They can’t believe how the balls to open their mouth and criticise her. Nicki and Beyonce could never hold a light to Mariah but that doesn’t change the fact that she’s the floppiest of all the 90s divas.

    • NickiSaidDis July 3, 2013

      You are very immature but I don’t expect much from Jennifer. Didn’t she steal songs from Mariah too?

      • LaLopez July 3, 2013

        A deflated Barb calling me immature? Should I laugh or should I cry?

      • VisionOfMimi July 3, 2013

        For once i agree with NickiSaidDis, how do you explain what Jlo and Tommy did to Mariah with IR.

    • Common Sense July 3, 2013

      The floppiest diva from the 90s, yet she still had the song of the decade for the 2000s? LOL keep trying with your ghetto Selina impersonator.

      • JOHNVIDAL July 3, 2013

        I know! This particular comment by this person was hilarious. A joke in itself.

  30. ratedxxx(tic toc) July 3, 2013

    do you morons ever do yall f****** research…celine never said she wrote the song, all she did was sing the damn song

    you don’t need to give songwriters credit when you are doing a cover of a song….

    its one thing if she said, I wrote the song, or this song is going to be on my album….

    all she did was sing it..the people who are claiming celine should have give credit..

    umm..i’ve never seen none of yall favs give any credit for doing a cover of somebody else’s songs….

    and I could understand if she was going to be profited for singing the song….

    • BarbzRUs July 3, 2013

      Ignore them, they’re stupid.

  31. Grande The Way July 3, 2013

    As if Celine would steal songs. Someone obliviously wanted a quick check.

  32. k***. July 3, 2013

    Beyonce will always be brought to any discussion, whatever it was about….. She just has a unique way of making the world super pressed…

    **goes to sleep***

    • royalkev July 3, 2013

      I really don’t understand why B is getting several mentions in a C. D. post. The same people complaining about her will have a meltdown if you randomly return the favor when it comes to their favs.

    • Lou July 3, 2013

      Those are the same people that do not do their research and ‘hate’ Beyoncé for what shes done when they respect others that are guilty of the same if not even worse.

    • RIRI SLAY July 4, 2013

      Because he is offender of all crime in the industry and this is one she is famous for .

      • RIRI SLAY July 4, 2013

        she

  33. Damo July 3, 2013

    Daniel needs to grow up and stop throwing cheap shots at legends for publicity, celine has always said she does not write ALWAYS, how many interviewers ask you who wrote the song? his a fool she would never say she wrote a track i’ve watched so many where she clearly says she is not a writer, his very foolish for this, respect the greats, stupied Bottom!

    • Anon July 3, 2013

      Why should he respect the greats if they don’t respect him enough to thank him for his work. Being a legend doesn’t give you a pass to be inconsiderate.

  34. royalkev July 3, 2013

    I never saw this Celine Dion performance, but I never got the impression that she was the type to intentionally discredit anyone. I’m sure this is just a misunderstanding. To be honest, the actions Daniel took seems unprofessional and this only would be called for if Celine and this guy exchanged words privately, otherwise this is a matter that could have been dealt with better. I hope he’ll behave more like an adult next time he’s faced with this kind of situation.

  35. DOSSOME July 3, 2013

    See what happens when one is forced to miss out on formal education for the sake of commenting on TGJ…ANYBODY BELOW 6YRS SHOULD NOT COMMENT.PERIOD!!!!!!!

  36. ci slays me with her vids July 3, 2013

    Three words..#power of love <<<3

  37. Dom July 3, 2013

    Damn Mariah really has people pressed FFS bringing her up any chance they get

  38. S****** Blonde July 3, 2013

    She’s honest, end of story, this woman is supreme in every possible way, never heard of this guy, good luck with the money made talking about Celine.

  39. truth tella July 3, 2013

    Nicki Minaj is closer to Celine status than Mariah, sorry. People will pay to see Nicki perform…no one is paying to see Mariah in concert. Plus, Nicki’s ballads have almost always been better than Mariah’s recent offerings.

  40. Millivanilliriah July 3, 2013

    #TEAMCELINE

  41. ETRCMC July 3, 2013

    She’s the Queen. Who cares. She’s flawfree tbh

    • steph July 3, 2013

      NOT WHITH THAT HORSE FACE SHE AINT

      • doesnt matter September 14, 2013

        how wise to insult her with her look!
        she’s a singer, not a model!

  42. steph July 3, 2013

    NEVER been a fan of her voice but she can sing. Just dont like her tone. Whitney & Mariahs TONE>>>>>>>>>>CELINEs but i do respect her but her songs and voice is boring

  43. JER July 3, 2013

    This isn’t news. This isn’t even a controversy. Everyone knows Celine Dion doesn’t writer her music. What is the drama here and why did this need to be posted?

  44. Team Tasia July 3, 2013

    Why does everything turn into a competition?

  45. I Hate Stans July 3, 2013

    Wow, so because people don’t have the same opinion as you “Regulars” who frequent this site, they have to be a “Fake” person? What kind of backwards ass logics do you stunt queens use. This is a blog and opinions tend to differ, that’s normal.
    The fact that Sam or whoever dignified themselves into proving they were in control of the situation by banning one of many users, including the “Regulars” who use multiple screen names to try to get their point across,really says alot about the integrity of this blog. Sam I’ve been with you since the beginning when no one knew what a grapejuice.net was! that was wrong! Why not ban the regular bullies who bash people with different views,they are the one make this an uncomfortable place to comment or share opinions?

    Anyway Daniel get over it,She never stated she wrote it.
    Celine mentioning your name won’t help your life alert style career.

  46. Tika July 3, 2013

    What is this idiot talking about? She performed his song on TV why is he talking like she recorded it and released it in any fashion. He put his foot in his mouth way too early and if she planned to use it on a record she probably won’t now.

  47. Shauwndapooh July 3, 2013

    An iconic/legendary vocalist who is an international superstar takes time out to sing your song lucky plenty of people sung songs that have a lot meaning to them without writing them

  48. MC July 3, 2013

    This is stale, late tea.

    1. Celine barely claims song writing credit so this guy was just grasping at straws.

    2. The irony of this site posting about anyone’s song writing debacles when they can’t be brought to post about their faves woes. #Thirst #Reachingforthestars

    3. She’s still the queen and you will deal.

  49. Gary C July 3, 2013

    I’ve watched the whole ‘Katie’ thing on youtube now. She doesn’t claim she wrote it. In fact she talks about her husband “bringing” her songs and how that’s the key to her success. Funnily enough she also says she didn’t even want to record “My Heart Will Go On” until he convinced her! We all know she doesn’t write her own stuff (not in English anyway). Merriweather may have cost himself a new house/car – over nothing.

  50. rih rox July 3, 2013

    I felt his pain.

    That h** is a freaking THIEF.

  51. Adele Fan November 16, 2013

    Adele is amazing and has the best voice I ever heard!

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