Award winning songwriter Diane Warren is introducing something very different from what her fans normally hear…
A reggae album!
“Songs in the Key of Diane: A Reggae Compilation of Diane Warren Songs” features 13 re-imagined version of her songs by reggae and Pacific Island artists. Five of the songs have never been released.
Speaking on the album Warren said, “I’ve always loved reggae. It’s music that just makes you feel good. My music has always had that rhythmic Caribbean feel, starting with ‘Rhythm of the Night.’ It’s cool to have fresh covers of the old hits-it’s like putting a new set of clothes on them-but I’m even more excited about the songs that haven’t been heard before. There’s such a wide variety of artists on this record, which made it so much fun to do.”
She adds, “what makes a song great is its ability to stand on its own two feet and be able to work in different genres, like reggae. If the melody, lyrics and rhythm are there-the bones-it should work in any style of music. I could write something as a ballad and have it turned into a killer dance track. I love taking a song and flipping it on its head.”
Warren continued, “I just thought it was really cool to place me in this world where people might not be as aware of me. When Steve (Rosen) came to me with the idea, I just said, ‘f**k, yeah, let’s do it.’ I’m really happy with the choices that they made, even the artists I wasn’t familiar with.”
The album was over three years in the making and includes Common Kings, Sammy Johnson, Fiji, Eli-Mac, Anuhea, Pia Mia, Lea Love, Gramps Morgan, MAKUA, Analea Brown, Save Ferris with Monique Powell, Nomad, and Boostive & Through The Roots with Divina.
Speaking on the previously unreleased songs Warren said, “that’s what was most interesting to me. Being able to place these songs with these reggae and Pacific Island artists so that they can be heard was a big attraction for me. I write songs without having any idea about who can perform them, and then along comes an artist who fits it perfectly. That happened throughout this project.”
Speaking on the album Steve Rosen said, “it was a chance for these artists to showcase their voices on a Diane Warren song. Diane’s involvement allowed us to realize these songs in a new way. Collaborating with her is a roller coaster we are privileged to ride. Just honored to be part of her world. Her songs are timeless. It’s a testament to her writing that you can even do a project like this.”
The track listing for “Songs in the Key of Diane”:
“Rhythm of the Night” by Common Kings
“I’ll Never Get Over You Getting Over Me” by Eli-Mac
“You Kind of Beautiful” by Fiji
“Can’t Fight the Moonlight” by Anuhea
“Hey Haters” by Pia Mia
“She’s Fire” by Boostive & Through the Roots with Divina
“I Heart U” by Sammy Johnson
“Forgot to Forget You” by Lea Love
“I Wish That” by Gramps Morgan
“I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” by Analea Brown
“When I See You Smile” by Makua
“Kiss Me Tonight” by Save Ferris
“Blame it on the Rain” by Nomad