Born To Be With You

If white bread had a soundtrack. Just awful.

This album is 10 songs too long. Maybe Phil Spector should have left it up on the shelf. Well I guess this could have also been the album he was listening to when he killed that actress in his house, like this drove him insane.

NOTE: Original track listing ends after Good Lovin’ Man I wouldn’t fault anyone for liking this album. It has its charm. But it’s not for me. To me it’s bland, not very unique, and no reason for me to come back to this record. If someone had it on I wouldn’t hate it, if it was on a playlist I probably wouldn’t skip it either. But I don’t think I’d ever go out of my way to be like “today’s a good day to listen to Dion”.

The opening title track blew me away. It's joyful, upbeat, and has a wonderful mid-'70s pre-disco sound. That one is definitely going on my playlists! I've always liked Dion's voice, and he sounds fantastic throughout this album. Phil Spector's Wall of Sound production really helps modernize the music. Without it, I think some of these songs could easily sound like they came from the mid-'60s rather than 1975. I also enjoyed hearing Dion explore different styles, from singer-songwriter to country and even psychedelic gospel. "Only You Know" was another highlight, and I realized I'd heard it before, probably on the radio growing up. I also enjoyed "New York City Song." Unfortunately, several other tracks were just okay. I appreciated the arrangements and musicianship, but the songs themselves didn't always connect with me. Overall, I enjoyed this more than I expected, especially Dion's vocals and the production. But the album never quite recaptured the magic of that fantastic opening track. Rating: 3½ stars Vinyl Verdict: NO BUY I'll happily add the title track to my playlists, but I don't need the entire album in my vinyl collection.

36 in, first album I straight up haven't heard of. Dion here truly has a great voice, and upon hearing this, immediately thought Jonathan Richman must have been really influenced by him, similar timbre and swaggering mannerisms. Before listening I had the expectation that this would have a diluted sound, as a relatively late Spector production, but I do think it sounds pretty great, really ornate and soulful, perhaps a bit too big for what's here, as the grandiosity does bounce off the songs, like the first two (I still feel they have an appeal, it just is almost a bit goofy how dramatic it gets), and when it gets more intimate, like on "New York City Song", the production feels a bit odd, as the acoustic guitars feel like they don't stay in the same spot, with inconsistent volumes. "World in His Hands" truly just feels strange, like the mix was just unfinished. "In and Out of Shadows" feels huge, and like a classic Spector production. I was a bit surprised by this record, I understand the detractors, but I'm a sucker for a Wall of Sound. Good!

It has a couple of bops. I can see why Dion complained about specter's sound on this one, it's ok but kinda over produced? Overall leaves me with the question, what's the target audience for this?? like who was listening to this?

Ok album

Worst album of the project so far. I’m not a fan of his early music genre (doo wop? Not sure) and he tried to come off as 70s soft pop, like a shitty John Lennon. Ended up sounding like an interpretation of 50s pop through a yacht rock lens. It’s a confluence of safe genres from different generations, but comes off as yawnfully middlebrow.

First listened 4th and 5th March 2026. Favourite songs are In and out of the shadows and Runaway Man.

born to like whatever man

Imponerende: Ikke bare er dette gubbete og kjedelig, det er også totalt blottet for særpreg og egenart.

Some good tracks on this. Quite enjoyed it.

I don't understand this pick. Dion made his mark in the early 60's with his first solo album but you don't pick that one and choose this one instead; The fourteenth solo record that was a commercial failure in a move to return from Christian religious music. Weird pick, and a very good album.

No fav song

A nothing of an album. Not to say ut was bad. Just extremely forgettable. I've heard every barb and idea that Dion has sung before, and done far better. Warren Zevon should have been on the list instead. Now that is a memorable artist, with a similar sound. Listen to Excitable Boy instead of this forgetful drag. If the best comment postive reviews can muster is "easy to listen to," there is a problem.

Now that this is over, I’ll never once think of it again.

The man who gave us the great Runaround Sue, but you give us this album instead? Way to kill the buzz!

Dachte es wäre aus den siebzigern, war aber älter. Folk und R&B. Hat mir gefallen und mich an das Buch Lichtjahre von James Salter erinnert.

Dull as fuck

4/10. Not bad just not very interesting

Once a teen idol, Dion was washed up by the time Phil Spector wanted to work with him. Dion's voice shows the signs of a rough life and it adds gravitas to the music. You should know what to expect with a Phil Spector produced record, this is baroque pop complete with the wall of sound and it is only slightly updated for the time. While this style was still massively out of fashion by the time of release, I enjoyed this and could see "Only You Know" bring a huge hit if it wasn't released at the wrong time. There are some eyebrow-raising lyrics on here for sure. The lyrics on "Make The Woman Love Me" sees Dion praying to god to force a woman to love him hasn't aged gracefully. Dion does not hide his struggles with addiction, but the line about his wife and kids leaving him is bursting with unintentional comedy as it sounds like it could be from a parody song due to how Dion delivers it. This record wraps up in an easy 35 minutes and doesn't outstay it's welcome. I would definitely trade this record off the list for the sole Ronnettes debut record to be included though.

Fine but not sure what elevates this to must hear, the lead vocals were incredibly average.

I'd never heard of Dion before, and I don't think I missed out on anything. The original version of his album “Born To Be With You” contains eight songs with absolutely nothing noteworthy about them. Pop, rock, jazz, soul... You name it... and it all blends together into a completely generic, run-of-the-mill mix. It doesn't bother me - but that's the only positive thing I can think of to say about it.

Pleasant but unmemorable.

I don't understand all the hate on this. Yes, its a bit boring, but i wouldn't say its bad.. common middle ground (2.5/5)

Wasn’t bad music to listen to, but didn’t interest me all that much. Felt Jimmy Buffett-esque at times, but less fun. Looked into the artists top hits and recognized some/had a better appreciation for the artist versus this specific album.

Dion has a lovely voice, but the songs are instantly forgettable.

Why the hell does he want to force a woman to love him?? Is that not the creepiest thing ever????

It wasnt too bad but I got a bit fed up with it. Perhaps he should stick to being a Teenager in love. I only listened to the 8 tracks that are on the album not the other album Sweeheart. Maybe if I had it might have done more for me.

Easy and alright. Inoffensive. Pleasant enough and just right for getting ready for work to. I certainly wouldn't be against hearing it again. Wasn't bad at all, but when I read Phil Spector I expected more oomphy, dooty fun. Seems he did better things with women, except for, well, you know... Seriously though, for what this is, I'm impressed and I expected to get fed up. A rare 4 from me for this sort of thing

Never heard of Dion before this record and can’t wait to never hear him again. What a boring and inconsequential album. In what universe is this an essential listen? How does this advance music or make it a staple in a genre? Just easy listening garbage that could have been sung by any voice that can find a tune and hold a note

This album was mediocre at best Some stuff I enjoyed but then the songs are super repetitive to where I don’t like it as much anymore he does have a good voice in this album though despite the repetitive songs 2.5/5 Favorites: make the woman love me, only you know

First track reminds me of SNL. You can tell this is produced by Phil Spektor. Charming and slow. Some real moments of beauty in this but also boring.

Rätt trist och smörigt

Genomgående trevligt utan att någon gång göra mig riktigt entusiastisk.

Mycket trevligt!

Better then I was expecting, just not my type of music. Did somewhat enjoy it though. Soft rock with some good vocals.

Not sure I understand the hate. I mean, it is very plain, but it is not THAT bad. 6/10

I’m not gonna be an ass and give this one star, but it definitely didn’t do much if anything for me at all.

It was fine, but nothing really stood out. Felt like there was definitely an attempt to harken back to an earlier style while remaining contemporary, but it was kinda just…boring.

not very interesting

I did know of Dion but only his earlier and (according to Spotify) vastly more popular songs. I wonder why this album was chosen over ‘Runaround Sue’…

Born to Be With You - 2/5 Make the Woman Love Me - 2.5/5 Your Own Back Yard - 2.5/5 He's Got the Whole World in His Hands - 2/5 Only You Know - 2.5/5 New York City Song - 2.5/5 In and Out of Shadows - 2.5/5 Good Lovin' Man - 2.5/5 How the hell do you make only 8 songs so laborious to listen to? Have the title track on on for nearly 7 minutes and draw out the length of the other songs as much as possible! And also make the production on nearly every song sound as muddied as possible. Thanks Phil Spector. No wonder why he disowns the album, this sounds like it would be played at a funeral. That or a sappy production of something on the Hallmark Channel. Overall: 2/5 Favorites: Your Own Back Yard, New York City Song

Not for me, elevator music

I sat listening to this while reading a good book and sipping a glass of whiskey. It was a pleasant accompaniment. It is solid easy listening and Phil Spector's mix suits Dion's voice nicely

Thank you for everyone who told me not to listen to the whole album that Spotify shows. Very dull

Easy listening crap that does not belong here.

some surprisingly good stuff in there but otherwise mostly lightly irritating crooning

Easy listening.

Wasn’t that into it at first but it really grew on me. Not sure what it is specifically but I really enjoyed it.

So this is an album released to little critical acclaim, after the producer couldn't be bothered to release it for a year, and it was disowned by its artist upon release? Why is this here? I get that it was an influence to later artists, but how much of that is nostalgia? This isn't great. It's bland and boring and the album doesn't have much to say or really anything at all new to offer. I've heard of Phil Spector before (there's that one Christmas album on the list and probably some other stuff that he produced), but this album feels like it was left on the list by accident. It's telling that my favorite track is just a traditional melody, I really don't think there was much worth my while here. At least it's only eight songs and I can ignore the other twelve that Spotify appended to the back of this album. Back into the dustbin this goes. Favorite track: If I had to choose one to listen to again (I do, but only due to self-imposed rules), then "(He's Got) The Whole World in His Hands"

This album felt a bit bland to me, but I don't have anything particularly bad to say about it as it was a fairly pleasant listen.

It's like an alternative version of All Things Must Pass but with weirder songs. This is possibly one of the stranger picks for this list and I'm here for it

Ræv

This reminds me of that meme. Say only the vowels of Celine Dion's name. You're welcome. That's the best I have to offer for this album.

New York can keep him.

Kinda cheesy.

Album 328. Born To Be With You — Dion (1975) I kinda like it. I knew Only You Know well for years and it was a surprise to listen to full album. Moreover, the linked album is two-in-one that contains his next work Streetheart that I decided not to skip. Chill pop rock. I like the sound and vocals, how they drifts... 3/5 Liked: — Only You Know — New York City Song — In and out of the Shadow — Runaway Man

Absolutely love Dion, but this didn’t work for me. Pretty much all the same song

Good album. Sometimes has a Jim Croce vibe, other time more R&B. Enjoyed the listen.

Not bad but a bit long and not particularly memorable

PER PRIMA COSA PERCHÉ DEVI GIOCARE CON ME METTENDOMI DODICI TRACCE IN PIÙ. AVREI DATO TRE STELLE MA PER COLPA DI SPOTIFY IL POVERO DION SI PRENDE 2. 2/5

Didn’t know what to expect but pretty enjoyable

pleasant enough. Wouldn't be upset to never hear again

This album was boring at best. Another one of those why is this on the list.

Pretty boring

Fine. Kinda woe is me vibe for most of it which I didn't love. Otherwise it's just fine, nothing spectacular. His voice is pretty good though.

Boring, boring, boring. Why did I need to listen to this??

Indulgent and stupid music. Who likes this? Maybe the same cohort that would be goth or emo had they been born a decade later.

3.6

Это нормально. Но это всё. Не думаю, что мне стоит знать этот альбом

every single song is far too repetitive and uninteresting

örks

Dion it's a surname many people relates to Celine, the canadian singer. But Dion Francis DiMussi it's also known like that being this particular word his first name and also the name of his band. Dion and the Belmonts. Initially he was the leader, but then he embarked on a solo carreer and the recognition came with this one: His album number 14. His music combines Doo-Wop, R&B, blues, rock and even pop. 6 of the 8 tracks of this record were produced by Phil Spector who had previosuly expressed admiration by the group. With his own unique wall of sound and his orchestral arrangements that were a trademark, Phil managed to put Dion in a spot where the elegance of the music flows with the power of the vocal performance. The Recording sessions were chaotic with Phil sometimes drinking and his temperament and mood being also unpredictable. Bruce Springsteen visited the studio and Dion himself, when the record was completed, despised the whole production saying that it made him sound like music for a funeral. The album never got attention from the media or from people only until the 90s where Bob Gillespie from Primal Scream cited it as one of his biggest influences. Unknown to many, magical to others, this one is a record you need to keep on your list if you wanna understand how pop was conceived before what we know today.

There were a few moments I liked on this but it’s all been done better elsewhere. I’d prefer to listen to the doo wop stuff.

So downbeat and slow that Dion’s own description of the album as funeral music is fitting. It’s not free of its charms- Only You Know is a nice song, though the Arctic Monkeys cover is probably better- but it’s pretty forgettable in all. And the version of The Whole World in His Hands is diabolical.

What a strange choice for this list. Dion of ‘and the Belmonts’ fame pairs up with Phil Spector for an attempted comeback. The result probably isn’t among Phil Spector’s greatest crimes (even musically), but it’s certainly not one of his finest hours either. It almost sounds like a self-parody of his production style, with the enormous, reverb-drenched Wall of Sound (and fury) signifying nothing. It’s also so slow I genuinely wonder whether they were compensating for not having enough songs or something. Some of the early tracks had a certain charm, but this had definitely worn off by the end.

Favorite Track: New York City Man

Dreary... if this was played at a funeral, the corpse would rise out of the coffin to turn it off

4/10 - It’s less whiny than some of his earlier stuff, but it just doesn’t do anything. It’s dull.

It's a whole lot of just nothing. I listened to this album twice and I'm not sure I'll ever be able to pick these songs out of a lineup. 4/10

This was ok. 4/10.

I'm gonna keep it short and sweet (something this album didn't do). This album bored me to pieces. I didnt come away with anything from it, and for an project based around 1089 essential albums, i can safely file this under a non-essential album. Surely there's better wall of sound-esqe albums to listen to yeah? I know for damn sure Phil Spector produced better than this. 1/5

I admit I read the reviews and they may have influenced me. I did not enjoy this, really at all. I want and listened to pere ubu instead.

Don’t judge a book by its cover this album was awesome.

Sappy, overproduced schlock like this is doing you no favors in making the woman love you.

stronger second half of the album

Eh... fine background but for me not a repeat listen.

Pretty forgettable altogether, just did not stick with me. Wasn't outright bad though. Only You Know was pretty well put together - I've been looking at songs to use in film/soundtrack and was slightly disappointed to see it was already used in a popular show, I guess I have to watch more TV as well

I knew Dion for being like, doo-wop. Run Around Sue, The Wanderer, Teenager in Love, etc. I didn't realize he had such range. This album had a completely different tone than what I expected when I saw the name, and it was a welcome surprise (even though I also really enjoyed his doo-wop era - I just don't think I want a whole album of it ever). The songs here felt more soulful, longing, yearning, full of deep and complex emotions. Genuinely moving in a way I was not expecting. Might revisit it at some point.

Very mid album. Decent singing voice, but no song really stood out to me much as enjoyable. They were all just fine

I hope Dion isnt born to be with me

Sometimes you can totally judge a book (or album) by its cover. I saw this cover and thought wow this is gonna be a steaming pile of dogshit and I was not wrong. This was one of the least enjoyable albums I’ve ever had the displeasure of having to listen to. Who thought this was a good idea?

it is on the list because some other british band guy I found out about through this list put this album on their personal list, but I dont think this album makes any other lists in the world

Just kind of reads as lame. An alcoholic who’d go on to be a murderer helping a washed-up star get a few songs out, all in the same once-inspired now-tired sound he was famous for a decade prior. What’s there to like here that isn’t done better earlier and elsewhere?

You were definitely born to be with someone else, Dion. Perhaps someone who thinks mayonnaise is spicy?

Album should have been called Boring to be with you

Generated 9/3/26, listened on 9/6/26. Felt like a good safe listen to start the vacation backlog after having my mind blown by Quicksilver this morning. It was. I don't remember it at all a few hours later but I remember actively not minding it being on for 35 minutes so, moving on.

Surprisingly fun - dug it. 4/5

3.2/5 it was overall good just not great not bad though