written by David Foster, Claude Kelly & Emanuel Kiriakou

May 2010 saw the release of Charice’s first international album. Her self-titled record debuted at #8 on Billboard’s 200 and sold about  43.000 copies on its first week.

David Foster and his sister Jaymes were the executive producers of “Charice” and enlisted a team of young music-makers to work on the album. The first single, “Pyramind” was a dance number featuring Iyaz and produced by Twin & Alke that became a top twenty single in the UK and a big hit in Japan but it wasn’t well received in the US. The reason could be that Charice was well-known in North America for her brilliant covers of famous ballads by the likes of Celine Dion and Whitney Houston and those audiences probably didn’t buy the modern dance approach of “Pyramid.” Thankfully, Foster produced two tracks on “Charice” that are perfect for Adult Pop lovers. One song entitled “Note To God” was written by Diane Warren and it’s obviously a fantastic showcase for the young Filipino’s voice. “Note To God” was released in the US several months before the album and it helped consolidate Charice’s reputation among music lovers. The second Foster production was another ballad entitled “In This Song.” Co-written and co-produced with the talented Emanuel Kiriakou, “In This Song” was another perfect tool for Charice with its sweet melody and dramatic crescendo. The singer’s voice soars high on this number with its crystal clear tone and impeccable control. Unfortunately the rest of “Charice” wasn’t as impressive with too many songs a tad generic with their teen pop/dance feel. Charice is an amazing talent but we think she’s at the top of her game singing stuff like “In This Song” and can leave the forgettable material to other not as gifted singers.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/in_this_song.mp3|titles=In This Song|artists=Charice]

Lead Vocals: Charice
Drums: Dorian Crozier
Piano, Acoustic & Electric Guitars: Emanuel Kiriakou
Piano & Keyboards: David Foster
Background Vocals: Claude Kelly

Strings Arrangement by David Foster
Produced by Emanuel Kiriakou & David Foster

Lyrics

I may not know where I’m going now
This broken road is trying to tear me down
But deep inside I’ve found
A secret place that I never knew
Where I feel safe when the world is untrue
Here’s what I’ve learned to do

Just sing this song
And it takes me right back where I belong
And everyday there’s a new bridge to cross
But I’m never far from home
If I put my heart, my soul, my all in this song, oh

I don’t depend on friends ’cause they come and go
My belief in myself is gonna carry me through
That’s why I’m learning, oh
I’m learning, yeah, I’m learning to sing

Just sing this song
And it takes me right back where I belong
If everyday there’s a new bridge to cross
But I’m never far from home
If I put my heart, my soul, my all

I may not have all the words that I need to say
And know I won’t always be strong
But I’m never afraid because I hold my destiny
And it depends on me alone, alone so

Just sing this song
And it takes me right back where I belong
And everyday there’s a new bridge to cross
But I’m never far from home
If I put my heart, my soul, my all

I’ll keep giving my heart, my soul, my all
In this song, in this song, in this song

written by  David Foster & Linda Thompson

“Grown-Up Christmas List” is a famous Christmas song co-written by David Foster with his ex-wife Linda Thompson. Since the original performance by Natalie Cole on Foster’s 1990 album, “River Of Love,” this beautiful tune has become a new holiday classic with dozens interpretations by superstars like Barbra Streisand, Aretha Franklin, Michael Bublè, The Manhattan Transfer and Amy Grant.

For the 2010 holiday season Foster teamed up with his last protégée, young Filipino sensation Charice, for a new version of this modern day classic. Charice’s “Grown-Up Christmas List” was released in November as the title track of a three song EP produced by Foster. Although Charice still echoes of her main influences like Whitney Houston, Céliné Dion and Mariah Carey, she also shows considerable growth in personality to fully place her thumbprint on the song. Foster’s tender arrangement and perfect piano accompaniment back-up the young singer beautifully as she delivers her heartfelt vocal performance with rare finesse and style.

Also included on “Grown-Up Christmas List” are the cute, up-tempo “Jingle Bell Rock” and a great version of John Lennon’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over).” Given Charice’s fine work on this Christmas project, her guest starring on the hit TV series “Glee” and her fantastic performances on the last Foster & Friends event, we can easily predict her great success for the new year.

Also a Merry Christmas to all of you!

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/grown_up_christmas_list.mp3|titles=Grown-Up Chirstmas list|artists=Charice]

Lead Vocals: Charice
Piano & Keyboards: David Foster

Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

Do you remember me?
I sat upon your knee
I wrote to you with childhood fantasies
Well I’m all grown up now
Can you still help somehow?
I’m not a child but my heart still can dream

So here’s my lifeful wish
My grown up Christmas List
Not for myself
But for a world in need

No more lives torn apart
That wars will never start
And time will heal our hearts
And every man will have a friend
That right will always win
And love will never end
This is my grown up Christmas List

Why does this illusion call the innocence of you?
Maybe only in our blind belief can we ever find the truth

Not for myself
But for a world in need

No more lives torn apart
That wars will never start
And time will heal our hearts
Every man will have a friend
That right will always win
And love will never end
This is my grown up Christmas List
This is my only life long wish
This is my grown up Christmas List

Written by Diane Warren

In the Spring of 2009, 17 year old sensation Charice released her first international single, “Note To God.” The young Filipino singer premiered the David Foster produced, Diane Warren penned song on Oprah with huge success.

The legendary TV personality and Foster were the key figures who brought Charice to the attention of international audiences. While Oprah welcomed Charice many times to her show, Foster gave her big exposure during his various concerts and charity events.  “Note To God” is a powerful, meaningful ballad that was previously sung in 2006 by R&B singer Jojo. Charice’s version is clearly the definitive one, not simply for her inspired vocal performance, but also thanks to Foster’s dramatic, gospel-tinged arrangement. The young, gifted singer, under Foster’s guidance, shows the amazing growth of her singing style which is inspired by Céliné Dion and Whitney Houston, but has a clear personal stamp that is all Charice’s own. “Note To God” was a huge seller on digital retailers like ITunes and made Billboard’s Hot 100 at #44 with basically no radio airplay.  After the success of “Note To God,” Charice started working on her soon to be released international debut album. Foster will obviously be among the music makers enlisted for this important project that should considerably increase Charice’s worldwide popularity.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/note_to_god.mp3|titles=Note To God|artists=Charice]

Lead Vocals: Charice
Keyboards: David Foster

Produced & Arranged by David Foster

If I wrote a note to God
I would speak what’s in my soul
I’d ask for all the hate to be swept away
For love to overflow

If I wrote a note to God
I’d pour my heart out on each page
I’d ask for war to end
and for peace to mend this world

I’d say
I’d say
I’d say

Give us the strength to make it through
Help us find love, cause love is overdue
And it seems like so much is going wrong
On this road we’re on

If I wrote a note to God
I’d say please help us find a way
End all the bitterness, put some tenderness
in our hearts

I’d say
I’d say
I’d say

Give us the strength to make it through
Help us find love, cause love is overdue
And it looks like we haven’t got a clue
Need some help from you

Grant us the faith to carry on
Give us hope when it seems all hope is gone
Cause it seems like so much is going wrong
On this road we’re on

No
No

We can’t do it on our own

So
So

(Give us the strength to make it through
Help us find love, cause love is overdue)
And it looks like we haven’t got a clue
Need some help

Grant us the faith to carry on
Give us hope when it seems all hope is gone
Cause it seems like so much is going wrong
On this road we’re on

No
No
(No) We can’t do it on our own

(So)
So

If I wrote a note to God