Born To Be With You

ATTENTION APPLE MUSIC USERS: Apple Music has this record paired with Dion’s 1976 follow up, “Streetheart”. You only need to listen to the first 8 tracks. You’re welcome.

I think this was added to the list to show those who are unaware of Phil Spector’s criminal history that not everything he touches is gold.

You know the album just isn't good when the best song on it is a mediocre cover of a song that I like but not love. If I'm ever comatose, play this album because surely I'll wake up to turn it the hell off.

Bed wettingly shit. A complete and utter disaster of a record that makes me want to strangle an infant.

I think I'd rather listen to Morrissey than listen to this again.

Great easy listening. No special single song, but as a whole, just click play and sit back and enjoy.

What a strange selection for this collection. I've never heard of Dion, and am staggered to find out this was his 14th solo studio album, but having listened to it I'm not particularly surprised that it didn't make much of an impression when it was released. And very sad to find out (from Wikipedia) that Dion himself disowned the album due to Phil Spector's mangled production--Dion's description of the album as sounding like "funeral music" is spot on. (It also makes me wonder why any album that's been dismissed by its own artist was included in the project...) I *did* enjoy the bleak-but-hopeful "Your own back yard" and the simply-bleak "New York City song", perhaps because they were the two non-Spector-produced songs on the album. If nothing else, it's quite a contrast to his "Runaround Sue" jukebox days; in that sense it's a bit reminiscent to Dennis Wilson's solo album, albeit in a sort of reverse sense in terms of sobriety. The album also sounds like it should be played at a higher rpm or something, as if we're hearing it in slow-motion (or underwater). At least it's a pretty brief, unremarkable album. (2)

By 1975, Dion had already lived several musical lives — teen idol doo-wop king, folk-rock storyteller — and Born to Be With You was meant to mark his rebirth as a bruised, introspective baroque rocker. It also coincided with him clawing his way out of heroin addiction and a profound crisis of faith. His unlikely collaborator? Phil Spector, whose once-revolutionary Wall of Sound — built on layered overdubs, cavernous echo, and orchestral sweep — had begun to feel like a relic of a more innocent pop era. What followed was a toxic clash of egos and dysfunction, with Spector’s obsessive 100-take perfectionism and gun-wielding paranoia colliding with Dion’s fragile recovery and growing discomfort with the suffocating arrangements. The album bleeds that tension — strings, choirs, and reverb smother Dion’s voice until it sounds like he’s singing from inside a cathedral slowly filling with water. Dion’s vocals are gritty and weathered, often more resigned than defiant. Rather than commanding the songs, he drifts within them, allowing his voice to dissolve into the production’s shimmering fog. His phrasing is subtle, almost conversational, which makes moments of emotional clarity — like his confessional delivery on "Only You Know" — feel like someone finally surfacing for air. Musically, it’s a fascinating collision of Spector’s maximalist tendencies and Dion’s understated storytelling instincts. Tracks like the title song and "New York City Song" feel sprawling and over-orchestrated, yet there’s a ghostly beauty to their excess — a baroque rock requiem for two men’s lost primes. By contrast, "Good Lovin’ Man" offers a brief flicker of warmth, its groove looser, almost Stones-y, before the album sinks back into its somber grandeur. In the broader 70s rock landscape — defined by singer-songwriters pursuing raw honesty and bands embracing stripped-down rock or prog complexity — Born to Be With You felt out of step with its time, too emotionally direct for the era’s cynicism, yet too sonically bloated for the emerging back-to-basics aesthetic. Unsurprisingly, it flopped hard, with both Dion and Spector retreating from the wreckage — Dion toward the blues, Spector into self-imposed exile. And yet, decades later, the album’s haunted beauty has found a passionate cult following. Its emotional nakedness, its sense of two icons fighting the tide of their own irrelevance, and its sheer audacity. Sometimes, the best albums aren’t just about the music — they’re about the story. And this story is unforgettable.

The very first note of this is a typical country-twang note... siiiiigh.... but hey wait, it's not country, and this actually sounds quite nice. The second song is nice too. In fact these are all really nice songs. He's got a nice voice, it's all quite heartfelt and there's some nice melodies and interesting ideas here. Real easy listening. It's consistently good all the way through. While it's not 100% my thing, the fact that there's 20 songs and not a single bad one is some achievement. 3.5/5 rounded up to 4

Pretty easy to listen to. I’d probably put it on again as chill background music

Was my familiar with Dion’s earlier work, but this was a pleasant surprise

I was expecting a Wall of Sound pastiche. Thankfully this is more a Dion album than a Phil Spector Doo-wop record. It was uplifting, almost spiritual. The saxophone breaks come close to stealing the show. The album drifted a little towards the end, before rescuing itself with a rousing Good Lovin' Man as the closer. Dion deserves wider acclaim.

Spotify users: this album is paired with another album called Streetheart. You only have to listen to the first 8 songs (up to Good Lovin' Man) to finish this album. This was so laborious I'm so glad that it was only 8 songs. It was pleasant enough but so boring and unremarkable I wanted it to be over.

WTF. Was this recorded at the right speed? It's like a dirge to doo-wop. This is Dion of Dion and the Belmonts, right? The guy in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

Lots of love songs

Don’t really understand why this has so many bad reviews. Sure the lyrics are a bit shallow but music is very easy to listen to and it has a funky chill vibe

A very nice listen. Had hints of maybe James Taylor mixed with John Lennon? A calm, but moving listen.

Great voice, great mellow album, can definitely hear the blues influence, especially in the first track (favourite).

Pretty cool to have on in the background.

I was like- why does Dion sound like this? And then song three- about being sober. Lol. Good for him, bad for music?

Before I die, though? You sure about that?? Because while this isn't the most gawd awful album I've ever heard or anything, it's far from memorable or seemingly influential. Just eight of the blandest and most forgettable soft rock tracks I've listened to since I don't know when. You're telling me that this guy has thirteen other solo albums, and this is the one? Because it feels like a compilation of Neil Diamond's lowest rung, least liked fillers. It's a 2/5 out of respect for Dion and the Belmonts.

I just did not find this interesting

Pretty forgettable

Like being spoonfed warm diarrhoea.

Some songs were okay but overall just dragged way too much. Lot of decent ideas that seemed to be executed poorly

A laborious slog, even at 30-ish minutes. Vanilla soft rock that's eternally an eighth of a beat too slow. I'd fall asleep to it, if it's navel gazing and pretentiousness didn't piss me off. 1,001 Albums to Listen to Before I Die? To know to never listen to this crap again? Is that the purpose of this entry? A tale of warning? Beware the boomers and their famous producers!! Ugh .. (1/5) Zero if I could.. can't wait for all the Bread and Gordon Lightfoot to pollute my algorithms for a week until I slowly purge it. Maybe some speed metal or some punk will clean it out, like a fast-acting Drano or something?

looks like Mulligan or O'hare. nowhere near as funny.

Loved it, this album opens with the title track and does it so well. He then just continues to get more impressive. The range of his vocals are so so good. The production is of course amazing but it’s by he who shall not be named. The first two tracks makes me want to make a rom com, first song used for the shot of the woman crying in her car about the man. The second is the shot of the man walking sad on the streets of NYC, peak winter. (He’s got) takes me back to primary school, however he does it a whole lot cooler than we could. Only you know blew me away, it’s gorgeously romantic and such beautifully crafted lyrics. Good loving man is a tone switch I needed and I appreciate it a lot, great way to close this album.

****

5/5 loved, maybe the best so far. Go on Dion.

Awesome sentimental bops

Surprised. Never heard of this until now. I dig the Phil Spector sound. Solid vocals. Awesome.

Rains coming but 5. Never heard of this guy till now but this album for me is great. Not the best vocals but lyrics and music is right there.

beautiful and soothing classic rock that really makes you feel nostalgic and happy - i don't come across stuff like this often, but i really like it.

Beautiful ballads and songs that rock and move and make you want to dance. So many genres are spanned on this album with BeeGees, the Eagles, disco, and even Simon and Garfunkle adjacent songs. I have never heard of this singer, but what an excellent song writer. Production is outstanding with supremely awesome backing instruments. This album is a banger and feels like it could be the Guardians of the Galaxy Pt 4 soundtrack.

*Important to note: Steaming platforms combine two records into one 20 song mix. “Born to be With You” is the first 8 tracks. A fascinating record in that it sounds unfinished, raw, and underproduced. Something about it feels like a forgotten art project worn by time.

Born to be With You I really really liked this, but there’s no clear discernible, describable reason quite why though. It’s not necessarily musically groundbreaking or thrilling or melodically inventive, but there is a feel to the whole thing that I really liked, a kind of slightly quirky middle of the roadness that I found interesting and engaging. It definitely shares that feel with Spector’s early-mid 70s work, especially Lennon of course, and it is a sound I really like; slower tempos, lots of reverb and separation, but great overall. There is some really nice instrumentation throughout as well, and I like the slight country influences scattered around, particularly on something like New York Song, and there is also some very George-esque slide in places. I’ve also always liked his voice, my mum had a late 80s album of his and although it was a bit cheesy he sounds great on it, and despite being pushed back in the mix a little he sounds great on this too, I love his tone and the New York accent that slips through. He sounds particularly great on In and Out of the Shadows and Only You Know. I listened about 5 times on repeat and it got better each time, and it’s definitely going in rotation. Solid 4. 🐣🐣🐣🐣 Playlist submission: In and Out of the Shadows.

A commercial and critical misstep for Dion and Phil Spector was not really unexpected from either of them in 1975. This album has been rescued from the bargain bin of history by pretentious rock snob wankers who have declared this a "cult work of genius". Nice try, guys, but I ain't falling for your hipper-than-thou, gate-keeping, willful obscurantism. (Secretly, I can hear how elements have influenced some bands that name-check this record, like Primal Scream or Spiritualized, but they are allowed to be influenced by various things. What I hate are people who claim this as "a lost work of genius that you wouldn't know", which is just a form of one-upmanship. See also: Surf's Up, the works of Skip Spence, Gene Clark's solo albums, etc etc) This album is over-polished, soporific and dull. Not terrible, but it is also hard to believe this is the same man who sang 'The Wanderer' and 'Runaround Sue'. I would happily listen to those vital and exciting singles any day of the week.

"You've lost that lovin' feelin'/ Now it's gone, gone, gone, whoa-oh-oh-oh" Variety: 1 Adequacy: 2 Listenability: 1 Uniqueness: 1 Emotionality: 2 = 1.4 rounded down to a 1 INTRO Looking at these albums has been a bit of a rollercoaster. Sometimes I'll wake up and see something like Hole or Stan Getz and be pleasantly surprised. Sometimes I'll see something like Morrisey or Soul II Soul and dread the next hour. This morning the rollercoaster has stopped mid-loop, and we're all hanging upside down waiting to be rescued. The only thing I can offer up as a reaction to seeing Dion in the queue ( Dion? Really? The "Wanderer" guy?!!) is sheer bafflement. Absolutely zero clue what to expect here. I think we here in the U.S. might sometimes get thrown for a loop by a list made my someone across the pond. It's completely understandable that some stuff hits at differently to people given the vagaries of time and circumstances, geographical location, local tastes, history, etc... But Dion? Frankie Valli had a weird 70s comeback run over here though, so... THE TRACKS Side One "Born to Be with You" - Not what I was expecting AT ALL. This is like some sort of weird thing where you get to 70s Beach Boys and are thrown by the disconnect between their popular material and what you are actually getting. The sleepy, soulful performance and the slow motion orchestral bits give the impression of floating underwater. This is more Lou Reed and less Doo-Wop. Though, to be fair there is some crossover between those two, so maybe this makes more sense than I think it does. "Make the Woman Love Me" - Schmaltzy early 70s pop fodder gets a bit of a lift from Dion's voice and the production, but not enough to make this anything special. Eric Carmen meets Van Morrison. "Your Own Back Yard" - Inoffensive, capable little country-tinged thing. Forgotten as soon as it was over. "(He's Got) The Whole World in His Hands" - Nothing much going on here aside form the crazy muffled production sound. Side two "Only You Know" - Another Lou Reed-ish number here. At least it starts that way. Then it takes a sharp turn down soft rock alley and we get lost in the maudlin slush. "New York City Song" - Huh? What's that? I think Spector must have recorded this one in an a open manhole. "In and Out of the Shadows" - More slow motion soul, but a poor imitation of the feel of that first track. "Good Lovin' Man" - Some real energy, bluesy guitar work and game for it background singers can't save this muddy sounding mess. I honestly searched around for alternate versions of this to make sure my laptop speakers just weren't flitching out on me, but no. I'm wondering if Spector's famous "Wall of Sound" by this point just meant he took the master tapes and let them soak in some dirty dishwater before running them over a couple times with a truck. Lo-fi I don't have issues with generally, but this is not the sort of thing suited for that approach in my opinion. HIGHLIGHTS - "Born to Be with You" - Dion's vocals are the loose stitching barely holding this thing together - The runtime LOWLIGHTS - "Make the Woman Love Me" - "(He's Got) The Whole World in His Hands" - "Only You Know" - "New York City Song" - The general production of this is very unappealing. FINAL THOUGHTS Poor Dion, looking like Warren Zevon's meek uncle on that cover. I still remain a bit baffled by this choice, but I can see it. Just. It was totally not what I expected, and based on some reading after, it apparently wasn't what Dion expected either. He didn't seem to happy with the outcome, and seems like this was largely a Phil Spector production with a lot of outside writers and would call it an album in search of a voice. Say what you will about the man, Spector at one time seemed to make inspired choices, and Dion I guess was one of them. But while I can appreciate the circumstances, and even be a bit impressed with how Mr. DiMucci handles himself here, it's still so full of that early to mid-70s soft rock feel that puts me in mind of Bread, Air Supply and that ilk. A touch more soulful because of Dion's strong vocals, but the atmosphere so undynamic that I felt more drained than relaxed by any of it. If I want a lushly orchestrated, odd take on pop balladry I'd much rather hunt down some Scott Walker. At least he's interesting. And this even fails as a Phil Spector project in my mind as a good portion of it sounded awfully mixed. PLAYLIST ALTERATIONS - "Born to Be with You" alone gets rescued from the burning dumpster but still doesn't make the playlist

My body was actively rejecting this album as I listened to it. I had to immediately put on my high energy playlist when it ended. I was quite surprised to see I had a "liked" song on my Spotify from this artist. It was "The Wanderer" from Dion and The Belmonts. Guess I enjoyed the Doo-wop / Rock and Roll era much more. Apparently Dion was not happy with this album and called it "funeral music." I agree. Let's just bury it and not speak of it again.

i did not need to hear his before i die

Just 70s dentist waiting room soft rock dogshit. Everyone’s tastes are their own thing, but I just can’t imagine a world where this vanilla lame fest is “essential” to anything.

No thanks

Nope Nope Nope Nope Nope

Like most of 1970s Phil Spector produced albums, the Wall of Sound doesn't work here. While musically, Dion is quite talented and has a knack for songwriting & arrangement, its a completely overproduced and drab record. The "rock" is tuneful but meandering, the traditional songs sound like funeral wailing, and the country music is trite. Unsure how this made the list except for favoritism or something.

One of my favorite obscure discoveries of the past decade, "Only You Know" is one of the greatest songs I have ever heard, as this album is full of gut-wrenching emotion which goes perfect with the wall of sound production style. 5/5

I enjoyed this album. I could definitely hear the influence of folk songs, but also the more upbeat sound of early rock and roll. This was my first time for listening to an album by this artist and I will listen again when I'm in an easy listening mood.

To me, this is surprisingly good. I am completely caught off guard. I’m actually at a loss for words. I can’t describe what it sounds like really either. Like Bowie perhaps? Well done. Not “to the moon” great by any means. Choice cut: He’s got the whole world in his hands

old timey, wouldn't call it jazz? lovely though

Despite having a murderer produce most of the tracks, and the fact that the artist called it "funeral music" due to said production, this is still pretty damn good. 4.5 bumped up to 5.

Super! Coup de cœur pour Runaway Man .

honestly 10/10

This was new to me and is great!

Now this is music brother!! Holy shit, he had me from the moment I pressed play just a timeless sound. I can’t believe that I’ve never heard any of these songs before today but I’m glad that I know them now! I wish I can transport back in time and listen to this for the first time again, 20 stars!! Y’all need to get your ears checked in my humble opinion.

i like this chill music

Wow. Phil Spector on production with the honest, earnest voice of Dion powering through really came through for me. It absolutely sounds like Primal Scream and a lot of other lush bands that appeared in the later 90's early auts. An underappreciated legend, I wish that this album was individual on Spotify. Just Wow

Pretty solid album through and through, I would recommend it to people and listen to it again

Hmm, I love this.

Amazing

I had never heard Dion's solo recordings, only his Dion and the Belmonts material. This album was fantastic! Very smooth, great emotional construction, I really enjoyed being introduced to this,.

The first few songs started off slow for me, but this album ended up having a great sound and interesting variety. Liked it more than expected.

Finally! 5

nice, love it!

10/10 didn’t know Id like an album like this as much as I did, but hey, these songs are actually really good

Slaps

Amazing! I loved the vocals.

I know some Dion from the 60s, but this was the first exposure to his later work. It was not what I would expect from a former teen-idol doo-wop star. Quite good!

loved!!

Awwww yeah! Now this is an album. I've always had a soft spot for Dion (and the Belmonts). This is great. Not sure I can swing a 5, but the lower end of a 4.5 is where it's at. Let's. Go! Update: I just read some of y'alls reviews and you're certifiable. Wild stuff happening over there from some of you.

Very cool and soulful. Feels like this album must’ve been one of Father John Misty’s influences.

Never heated him before, but nice mellow rock with nice singing and production

Запись не зря дразнили похоронным маршем. Кажется, она повлияла на некоторые современные.

Not his best work but as old timey background music it's pretty good

Unexpectedly good

A seriously melodramatic album featuring such hits like ‘god why don’t women like me’, ‘I’m a terrible alcoholic’ and the quite repetitive ‘he’s got the whole world in his hands’. Thought it was great.

When I started listening to 'Oldies' back in the early 80s, Dion was always one of my favorites and I was surprised to see this album pop up. Maybe not a 4, but close enough for me. Catchy tunes.

Other than the awful version of “He’s got the Whole World In his Hands” it’s quite nice

This is a vibe I really enjoy -- sort of doo-wop, sort of rock, sort of oldies. Thumbs up

让心安静的好听

when i saw that the run time was 1h18min, my expectations were a bit low but this album really surprised me. the songs complimented each other & nothing felt like it was out of place. lyrics & overall production were pretty good. my personal favourite was 'Runaway Man', but this album holds itself really well

An admirably strange and diverse record from a legacy artist. I have a friend of mine who’s a big Dion guy and I get it now. Second-degree Spector’s production touches are often cool and sometimes unwelcome. I guess Dion himself wasn’t pleased with this after it came out, but I think it’s a record to be proud of. Lots of guts and personality in his voice.

jkjkjjbk

I enjoyed this! I know Dion from the song "The Wanderer" so I was interested to hear his later work. I saved "The Way You Do the Things You Do," and "Runaway Man." Overall a fun ride!

Amazing record, classic rock with so much character that just keeps suprising me and comes back everytime

I liked this album. He is a great song writer.

I really liked this one. He reminds me a lot of Billy Joel. Has a soft rock vibe to it; Just a dude that can sing well with some catchy tunes.

Čudan album, fora

I was vaguely familiar with him before this but not much I really love the instrumentals this type of music is really beautiful to me and his voice is pleasant and fits the music I dont really have a favourite song in particular though I think they are all nice but nothing astounding just pretty music 4 stars 7.9/10

I found out about Dion from an episode of the Cher Show that’s posted on YouTube. It was a sample of Dion & The Belmonts- I Wonder Why. I thoroughly enjoyed that song and consequently, I enjoyed this album!

Really really good easy listening. A warning: Spotify pairs it with another album, Streetheart. So be aware Born To Be Wuth You is only the first 8 tracks

Surprising

I actually really liked this. Say what you like about Phil Spector, I love that goddam wall of sound!

Solid addition to the 70s folk rock canon.

Lush production, definitely where Father John Misty would pull sounds/influence from. While not overwhelming in catchiness, there is something about it I want to return to

Actually quite nice? Sounded like Father John Misty as times - which is 50ish years later. What a 75 banger.

This is in many ways an extremely perplexing choice for the list - it's the only Dion album on there, and it's not from his "peak" era of fame as a 60s doo-wop artist, the Wikipedia page is remarkably slight and doesn't really give you a whole lot of context on the album, at least not enough to explain why it would be considered "essential" aside from stating that some other artists found it influential in later years. That being said, I found it to be a really beautiful album. This style of baroque pop is right up my alley, the production is gorgeous and while there are a couple of less-good tracks (I could have done without "He's Got the Whole World in his Hands") I definitely can see myself putting some of these songs into my regular rotation. I'm glad I was prompted to listen to it by this generator and I hope that Dion has come to appreciate his work here more than he initially did. Faves: Born To Be With You, New York City Song

Really enjoyed this. Love the Phil Spector 70s production. Sounds like George Harrison, but more focused on New York. Really cool.

Love Dion, I understand this album was originally released in England only, great to be able to listen to it now.

I was not that familiar with this artist - great set of well constructed songs with great songwriting and lyrics.

Love Dion