These Are Special Times is a holiday studio album by Canadian singer Celine Dion released in 1998. The record combines classic Christmas carols, contemporary holiday songs and newly written material, presented in lush, orchestral pop arrangements that emphasize Dion’s range and dramatic delivery. The album was made with veteran adult‑contemporary producers and arrangers, and its sound mixes string‑heavy orchestration, choir backing and piano with occasional pop and R&B touches.
Music and production
Musically the album balances reverent versions of traditional hymns and carols with modern pop ballads and seasonal originals tailored to Dion’s vocal style. Production favors polished, cinematic arrangements: sweeping strings, layered backing vocals and piano prominently support lead lines. Contributors on the project include established producers from the adult contemporary field, and the record reflects careful studio craftsmanship intended to create a warm, festive atmosphere rather than a spare, acoustic holiday sound.
Release and promotion
Released to coincide with the winter holiday season, the album was promoted through televised specials, year‑end appearances and seasonal singles aimed at mainstream radio. Television performances and family‑oriented programming helped the record reach a wide audience during the shopping period, and the album received sustained attention each subsequent holiday season as retailers and broadcasters returned to familiar festive titles.
Singles and notable tracks
The album mixes familiar standards and newly written material; it also features high‑profile collaborations and singles that received airplay at the time of release. These tracks helped the album reach listeners beyond regular fans of seasonal music and reinforced its presence on adult contemporary and holiday playlists.
Reception and legacy
Critics generally praised Dion’s vocal performances and the record’s polished production, while some noted that the arrangements leaned toward a grand, traditional pop approach rather than intimate reinterpretation. Commercially the album was a strong seasonal seller, achieving multi‑platinum status in several markets and becoming one of the better‑selling holiday releases of its era. Over time it has remained a recurrent seller each winter and is often cited among modern pop holiday albums.
Editions and variations
Different editions of the album were issued in various regions, sometimes with bonus tracks, alternate mixes or duet versions added for specific markets. These variations helped tailor the release to regional tastes and encouraged renewed interest through reissues and compilations in later years.
Significance
These Are Special Times demonstrates how a major pop artist can produce a holiday record that appeals both to mainstream adult contemporary audiences and to listeners seeking classic carols performed with contemporary production values. Its continuing presence on holiday playlists and in catalog sales underscores its role as a modern festive standard in Celine Dion’s discography.