The 10 Best Diane Warren Songs of All-Time
Diane Eve Warren is an award-winning American songwriter, musician, and record producer. Warren’s career was jump-started in 1985 with “Rhythm of the Night” by DeBarge. From there, she wrote some of the most iconic songs of the past few decades. Warren has written hits for everyone throughout her career, from Mariah Carey and Celine Dion to Lady Gaga and Whitney Houston. Here are 10 of Diane Warren’s best songs of all time:
10. Blame It on the Rain by Milli Vanilli (1989)
This classic dance track was co-written by Diane Warren and produced by Frank Farian. Milli Vanilli originally recorded it, but the vocals were later revealed to have been lip-synced by Fab Morvan and Rob Pilatus. The song became a huge hit anyway, reaching number one in several countries. It is about a man who is heartbroken after his relationship ends.
9. Love Will Lead You Back by Taylor Dayne (1990)
Warren wrote this song with Taylor Dayne in mind. It was released as the third single from her debut album and became one of her biggest hits. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed there for two weeks. In addition, it topped the charts in Canada and New Zealand. It describes a love that is so strong it will never die. The lyrics are incredibly powerful, and the song is a perfect example of Warren’s talent as a songwriter.
8. There You’ll Be by Faith Hill (2001)
The song was written by Diane Warren and performed by American country singer Faith Hill. It was released in 2001 as the fourth and final single from her album Pearl Harbor. The song is a power ballad about a mother’s love for her son, going off to war. In an interview with Billboard magazine, Warren stated that “There You’ll Be” is the song she is most proud of in her career. The song was used as the main theme song for the 2001 television movie Pearl Harbor, which starred Hill’s husband, actor Tim McGraw. The song became Hill’s biggest hit in the United States, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Adult Contemporary chart. It was also a top ten hit in several other countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
7. How Do I Live by Trisha Yearwood (1997)
Warren wrote this song for the 1997 romantic drama film “Con Air.” LeAnn Rimes originally recorded the song, who had a major hit with it. When Trisha Yearwood released her version in 1997, it became one of her biggest hits. The song describes the dilemma of a woman who her lover has left. The lyrics express the deep love and commitment for him and her fear of living without him. Yearwood’s version of the song was a huge success, spending 73 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming one of the longest-charting singles of all time. It won a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
6. Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now by Starship (1987)
Warren’s third number-one single, this song, was written for Mannequin. Many artists have covered the song, but the original version is still the best. The song is about two people in love who are determined to make it work, no matter what. It’s a feel-good song that will always make you happy. It explains that if two people are in love, nothing can stop them.
5. Look Away by Chicago (1988)
Warren wrote the power ballad “Look Away” for Chicago’s rock band. The song was released on their album Chicago 19 and peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also reached number one in Canada and Australia and was certified gold in the United States. The song has been covered by many artists, including Celine Dion, who recorded it for her album Let’s Talk About Love.
4. I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith (1998)
Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” is one of those perfect Diane Warren power ballads: It’s stirring, anthemic, and built on a simple but effective hook. It also helped that the song was performed by one of the biggest rock bands in the world. The track was originally written for the 1998 blockbuster film Armageddon, and it went on to become a massive hit for Aerosmith, spending four weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100. It earned Warren her first and only Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.
3. How Do I Live by LeAnn Rimes (1997)
LeAnn Rimes’ cover of “How Do I Live” was released in 1997 and quickly rose to the charts. The song became one of the most popular country songs of all time and has been covered by many artists over the years. “How Do I Live” is a beautiful ballad about love and loss, and it’s easy to see why it has become such a classic. The song is about a woman wondering how she will survive after her lover dies. It’s a sad but ultimately hopeful song, and Rimes’ powerful vocals make it all the more moving. “How Do I Live” won a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and was nominated for several other awards.
2. Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion (1996)
This song was co-written by Diane Warren from the album “Falling Into You.” It was released as a single in 1996 and became a worldwide hit, reaching number one in the United States, Canada, and several other countries. The song won the Grammy Award for Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television. The lyrics are about the importance of a loved one’s support.
1. Un-Break My Heart by Toni Braxton (1996)
Toni Braxton’s 1996 ballad “Un-Break My Heart” is a Diane Warren classic. The song is about a woman begging her lover to take her back, and the lyrics are incredibly dynamic. Braxton’s performance is stunning, and the song spent 11 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song is about heartbreak, but it also has a message of hope and resilience.
Conclusion
Diane Warren is a hugely successful and acclaimed songwriter, with many of her songs becoming hits. “Un-Break My Heart” is one of her best-known and most popular songs and is a perfect example of her talent for writing emotive lyrics and creating moving melodies.