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When the now-legendary theme from Titanic landed on Céline Dion’s desk, one of her longest-serving producers said no. David Foster, who helped shape Dion’s sound for decades, openly rejected the film ballad — and he hasn’t softened his view since. His refusal surprised fans once the song became a global phenomenon.
Why David Foster turned down the Titanic ballad
Foster told the And The Writer Is… podcast in January 2026 that he advised Dion against recording the tune. He felt the song did not suit her or her long-term career.
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“I literally said that to her because I didn’t like the song,” Foster said, confirming he declined to produce it. The producer who ultimately handled the track was Walter Afanasieff.
Key points behind his decision
- Foster judged the song artistically unsuitable.
- He worried a movie single could alter Dion’s trajectory.
- His history with Dion made the refusal more striking to the public.
How the Titanic song reached Céline Dion
Dion was already familiar with soundtrack success. She lent her voice to major film projects before Titanic, including two notable contributions in the 1990s.
- 1991: A duet for a Disney soundtrack helped raise her profile in film music.
- 1996: She performed another movie single that became a hit.
Despite hesitation, her manager and later husband, René Angélil, persuaded her to take the Titanic assignment. The decision set the stage for one of pop music’s biggest moments.
Commercial impact and awards that followed
Once released, the song became a global juggernaut. It sold an estimated 18 million copies worldwide and joined the ranks of the best-selling singles in history.
- Multiple awards recognized the track’s success.
- It claimed four Grammys in 1999.
- It cemented Dion’s association with blockbuster cinema.
The tune’s ubiquity in the late 1990s turned it into a cultural touchstone, played on radio, elevators, and at award shows across the planet.
Foster’s ongoing dislike and the public’s assumptions
Foster says his dislike for the song has not changed. What frustrates him is a persistent public assumption: because he worked so closely with Dion, people credit him for producing the Titanic song.
“If [a conversation] ever gets around to Céline, that’s the first [thing]: ‘Oh, I love that Titanic song,’” he explained. He often finds himself correcting listeners who assume he produced it.
When he tells the truth, Foster says some people think he’s being evasive. To avoid the awkward exchange, he sometimes accepts the compliment and moves on.
Who actually produced “My Heart Will Go On”
Walter Afanasieff is the credited producer on the track. Afanasieff’s work alongside songwriters and Dion’s camp shaped the final recording that paired with James Cameron’s film.
Production credits and contributors
- Producer: Walter Afanasieff
- Artist: Céline Dion
- Associated project: The film Titanic (1997)
