Diane Warren and David Foster basically owned the adult pop field in the nineties. The California-born, gifted songwriter wrote staples including “Because You Loved Me,” “Un-break My Heart,” “Music Of My Heart” and “Have You Ever” which were all superbly crafted by the Canadian super-producer and can be found in the archives. Another of their hit collaborations was the 1997 ballad, “For You I Will.” Warren wrote and Foster produced “For You I Will” for the young pop/R&B diva Monica (born Monica Denise Arnold). That song became a platinum seller and was included on the smash hit soundtrack of “Space Jam” starring basketball legend Michael Jordan.
The following year, Monica had a big hit with a new cd entitled The Boy Is Mine. The cd featured the enormously successful duet with fellow pop/R&B star Brandy on the danceable title-track. Foster and Warren were again on call for the new cd and delivered “Inside,” another perfectly-crafted ballad. “Inside” was one of those catchy ballads that Ms. Warren is famous for worldwide. The tune presents a killer melodic line paired with emotional, bittersweet lyrics. Foster’s smart arrangement and high-tech production secured the total ear candy effect. With those two masters guiding her, Monica delivered an intense vocal performance. Her noteworthy singing was supported by effective guitar licks courtesy of session great Michael Thompson. Foster’s synths and programmed percussions created an intimate background that allowed the young diva to shine. As usual on these kind of dramatic ballads, there’s a climax at the end of the bridge where the singer delivers a “money note” that can foreshadow a big hit. “Inside” had all the right elements to became that big hit, but it was only the fourth single released from The Boy Is Mine. “Inside” saw the light of day in a few European countries, but this weak move by the record company took away a lot of the song’s “hit” potential. A few years later, Monica, Foster and Ms. Warren again worked on another big ballad, “What My Heart Says,” that was included on Monica’s star acting debut and the movie soundtrack for Love Song. For Foster completists, “What My Heart Says” can be found on the Japanese edition of Monica’s 2002 cd, All Eyez On Me.

Listen

Lead Vocals: Monica
Drum Programming: John Robinson
Guitar: Michael Thompson
Synthesizer Programming: Felipe Elgueta

Produced by David Foster

Lyrics

Inside…
Inside…
Inside…
Inside…
Last night when I saw you
With somebody new
You asked how I’ve been
And I I told you I was fine
And as you held each other close
I smiled and said it’s good to see you
And you didn’t know
Inside
I’m cryin’ baby
Inside
I’m dyin’ baby
I don’t want to let you see
Baby what you’ve done to me
So I keep it all inside (inside)
Inside (inside)
Sometimes when you call me
I don’t know what to say
You say I’ve been on your mind
And we’ll talk again sometime
You say you’re glad we can be friends
I say I’m over all the heartache
But it’s all pretend
Inside
I’m cryin’ baby
Inside
I’m dyin’ baby
I don’t want to let you see
Baby what you’ve done to me
So I keep it all inside
Inside
Outside I’m smilin’ baby
Outside

written by  Diane Warren

The soundtrack of the smash hit movie “Space Jam” was one of the best sellers of 1997. The album was certified platinum six times and reached #2 on Billboard’s Albums chart. “Space Jam” presented an extremely  appealing mix of R&B, Hip-Hop and Pop tunes performed by some of the most famous names in the music biz.

The opener is a danceable cover of Steve Miller’s “Fly Like An Eagle” sung by Seal that went on to became a hit single. R. Kelly’s memorable “I Believe I Can Fly” was a gospel-infused ballad that skyrocketed to the top of the charts. Other names appearing on the soundtrack were Salt’N’Pepa, Coolio, Jay-Z, D’Angelo and Barry White. Another big hit from “Space Jam” was the pop/R&B ballad, “For You I Will.” Beautifully sung by young songstress Monica, “For You I Will” was written by hit maker Diane Warren and produced by the hit man himself, David Foster. Foster gave this catchy song a radio-friendly arrangement enhanced by Monica’s ear candy vocals. “For You I Will” was a multi-format smash reaching #4 on Billboard’s Hot 100, #3 on the Adult Contemporary chart and #2 on the R&B chart.

After the success of “For You I Will,” Foster and Monica collaborated on a couple more songs for her second album, “The Boy Is Mine.” Another Foster/Warren production for Monica, a ballad entitled “What My Heart Says,” can be found as a bonus track on the singer’s 2002 album “All Eyez On Me.”

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/13-For-You-I-Will.mp3|titles=For you i will|artists=Monica]

Lead Vocals: Monica
Keyboards: David Foster
Guitar: Michael Thompson
Synclavier Programmino: Simon Franglen
Background Vocals: Jeff Pescetto & Sue Ann Carwell

Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

When you’re feeling lost in the night,
When you feel your world just ain’t right
Call on me, I will be waiting
Count on me, I will be there
Anytime the times get too tough,
Anytime your best ain’t enough
I’ll be the one to make it better,
I’ll be there to protect you,
See you through,
I’ll be there and there is nothing
I won’t do.

I will cross the ocean for you
I will go and bring you the moon
I will be your hero your strength
Anything you need
I will be the sun in your sky
I will light your way for all time
Promise you,
For you I will.

I will shield your heart from the rain
I will let no harm come your way
Oh these arms will be your shelter
No these arms won’t let you down,
If there is a mountain to move
I will move that mountain for you
I’m here for you, I’m here forever
I will be your fortress, tall and strong
I’ll keep you safe,
I’ll stand beside you, right or wrong

I will cross the ocean for you
I will go and bring you the moon (yeah, yeah)
I will be your hero your strength
anything you need (I will be..)
I will be the sun in your sky
I will light your way for all time
Promise you
For you I will

For you I will, lay my life on the line
For you I will fight, oooooh
For you I will die
With every breath, with all my soul
I’ll give my world
I’ll give it all
Put your faith in me (put you’re faith in me)
And I’ll do anything

I will cross the ocean for you (I will cross the ocean for you)
I will go and bring you the moon
I will be your hero your strength
Anything you need
I will be the sun in your sky
I will light your way for all time
Promise you (Promise you)
For you I will, I will, I will, I will,

I will cross the ocean for you
I will go and bring you the moon
I will be your hero your strength
Anything you need, (Anything you need)
I will be the sun in your sky (yeah, yeah)
I will let you wait for all times
Promise you (I promise you)
For you I will (Ooooh)
I promise you
For you I will