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'What If?' Kate's recording of a song from the soundtrack of 'Christmas Carol: The Movie' Released November 26, 2001 Debuted at #6 on the UK Top 40 and hit #1 in Ireland
The single can be ordered from and amazon.de
LISTEN TO THE ENTIRE SONG AT MP3.COM!* WATCH THE VIDEO! Windows Media Player 28K 56K 128K 300K 800K Real Player 28K 56K 128K 300K 800K The song comes during a point in the film when the hospice run by Belle (Kate) has had all its equipment removed by Scrooge's bailiffs and she reminisces about the love they once had for each other. |
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Press Release from EMI Records
Watch the interview Kate gave on the set of the music video!**
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The news that Kate had recorded the song was leaked in June 2001. Kate's spokesman, Robert Garlock, told BBC News: "She wanted to be the voice in the film and the executives at EMI were taken with it and asked her if they could have her permission to release it. She said as long as the proceeds went to her charities. She just wanted to be a part of the project and it turned out well. So if some charities could get some money out of it, she was happy to help out." The proceeds will go to the NSPCC and Sargeant Cancer Care for Children.
Kate's comments about the project: "We recorded the voices for the film about a year and a half ago, and obviously they go off and do the animation which takes a very long time. So they came back at the beginning of this year, six months ago, and said, 'look, the film's ready but we've been playing around with some things and we've decided that the character that we asked Kate to play, Belle, should have a song, and a ballad was written, and would Kate like to do it?' And I sort of laughed and went, 'Oh God', you know, and said, 'I don't know about that'. And I said, 'look, I can sing a bit but, you know, I'm not a singer but I'm perfectly happy to give it a go, and it will be fun and why not? And if you think it's rubbish, just get someone else to do it and I really don't mind'. So I went in and did the song and it seemed to work."
The music video for the song premiered October 17 on GMTV, billed as 'Britain's biggest breakfast show'.
The video was filmed in mid-August in a period house in Brick Lane, East London. Columnist Richard Jobson watched the shoot: "Spent the day with Kate Winslet as she filmed the video for upcoming single 'What If', the theme of the animated adaptation, 'Christmas Carol: The Movie'. Currently 4/1 on to be number one, she has bequeathed her royalties to charity. I asked her if she would be interested in creating a girl band with her fellow female thesps - she gave me that look which said - shut it, fool. As for 'Christmas Carol: The Movie', the feeling is it is going to be huge. From 'The Snowman' team, it hits the right buttons for both young and old - and with Ms. Winslet holding the big notes - it would seem success is unstoppable."
Gennaro Castaldo, spokesperson for HMV, said that Kate’s single was certainly worth a bet: "When you hear it, you think maybe she missed her vocation. She's just got an amazingly strong voice. It's a really Christmassy song, and a very powerful ballad."
A reviewer commented: "What If? is sure to surprise many, via the sheer beauty and power of Kate's vocal cords. As for the song, well, it's a customarily emotional, Disney-style ballad which is tipped for chart-topping status."
Upon release, chart analysts predicted the record will debut in the Top 10.
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LYRICS:
Here I stand alone With this weight upon my heart And it will not go away In my head I keep on looking back Right back to the start Wondering what it was that made you change
Well I tried but I had to draw the line And still this question keeps on spinning in my mind
What if I had never let you go Would you be the man I used to know If I'd stayed, if you'd tried If we could only turn back time But I guess we'll never know
Many roads to take Some to joy, some to heartache Anyone can loose their way And if I said that we could turn it back Right back to the start Would you take the chance and make the change
Do you think how it would have been sometimes Do you pray that I never left your side
What if I had never let you go Would you be the man I used to know If I'd stayed, if you'd tried If we could only turn back time but I guess we'll never know
If only we could turn the hands of time If I could take it back would you still be mine Cause I tried but I had to draw the line And still this question keeps on spinning in my mind
What if I had never let you go Would you be the man I used to know What if I had never walked away Cause I still love you more than I could say If I'd stayed, if you'd tried If we could only turn back time but I guess we'll never know
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KATE WINSLET RECORDS DEBUT SINGLE FOR INCLUSION IN MUCH ANTICIPATED BRITISH FILM
One of Britain’s most versatile actresses, Kate Winslet, has recorded a song for the soundtrack of 'Christmas Carol - The Movie' - the highly anticipated animated reworking of the much-loved Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol.
What If the song performed by Kate Winslet, will be released as a single by EMI on 26th November 2001. The soundtrack album will be released by EMI on 3rd December, and the UK theatrical release of the film is on December 7th, 2001.
What If is written and produced by Steve Mac. In the past 18 months, Steve has written and produced 7 number one singles in the UK music charts. Steve has, and continues to work with, acclaimed International artists such as Westlife, Boyzone, Five, O Town, Mariah Carey and Samantha Mumba, to name a few.
Kate Winslet is the voice of Belle in the film. Belle is a strong and determined woman, once rejected by Scrooge, who dedicates her life to those in need. Joining Kate are Nicolas Cage as Marley’s Ghost, Simon Callow as Scrooge and Charles Dickens, Jane Horrocks as the Ghost of Christmas Past, Sir Michael Gambon as the Ghost of Christmas Present, Rhys Ifans as Cratchit and Juliet Stevenson as Mr. Cratchit.
CHRISTMAS CAROL - THE MOVIE combines the techniques of animation and digital paint, using live action sequences to open and close the film. The project brings together a rich array of international vocal and animation talent, which guarantees to deliver a powerful, moving and funny reqorking of the Dickens classic.
CHRISTMAS CAROL - THE MOVIE reunites producer Iain Harvey with director Jimmy Murakami (The Snowman, When the Wind Blows) and is executive produced by Nik Powell and Rainer Mockert. The score is composed by Julian Nott (Wallace & Gromit).
The film is released throughout the UK on 7th December 2001 through Pathe Distribution Ltd.
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*Thanks to Dakota for the tip!
**Thanks to Ruth of Discover Kate for the link!
Thanks to George for writing down the lyrics and to Dakota for clarifying
before I had the opportunity to download the song!
