My Heart Will Go On — The Power Ballad That Sailed Across Oceans

Matthias Orgler -

When you think of ultimate movie ballads, “My Heart Will Go On” almost certainly tops the list. From the opening flute solo to Celine Dion’s soaring vocals, it’s a masterclass in building emotional arcs through clever songwriting choices. But there’s more happening under the hood than meets the ear! From repetitive melodies that shift color beneath different chords, to a classic 90s key change, James Horner’s score is brimming with lessons you can use in your own music.

1. A Repetitive Melody That Feels Fresh with Each Chord

Take a look at the verse chords:

E  B(add 11)/F#  Asus2/E  E(add 9)  B

In “My Heart Will Go On,” the melody often repeats, but the underlying chords keep shifting. This re-contextualizes those same notes, so they sound fresh each time (not unlike the intro of Can't Fight This Feeling). Specifically, when the melody hovers over B, we see a move from the 3rd of B (d#) to the 4th (e), which is an inverse of the usual 4 → 3 resolution. It’s as if the song momentarily upends our expectations—keeping our ears perked up.

Lydian Flavor Over the A Chord

Another highlight is how the same two melody notes (d# and e) played over an A chord can create a #11 sound (that sharp 4th characteristic of Lydian). In a typical major chord, you’d hear a perfect 4th, but that raised 4th or #11 note gives a glimmer of brightness and a subtle tension that never fully resolves. It’s a classic “movie magic” trick: a dash of Lydian can make any passage feel magical or otherworldly.

Songwriting Tip #1:
Reuse a short melodic figure but shift the underlying chords to hear how each chord colors that same melody differently. It’s an easy way to create variety without crafting brand-new melodies for every section.

2. The Chorus: Simple Progression, Clever Counterpoint

vi (C#m) → V (B) → IV (A) → V (B)

At face value, that’s a straightforward progression. But the real secret is counterpoint: while the chords descend, the melody rises. This interplay creates a gentle tug-of-war that feels uplifting—like love itself, rising above challenges.

  1. Chords move down: from C#m to B to A (the bass lines or chord roots are stepping down).
  2. Melody goes up: each phrase in the chorus climbs higher, culminating in that iconic big note.

It’s a brilliant way to add internal tension and release without using tons of complex harmony.

Songwriting Tip #2:
When designing your chorus, try letting one element rise while another falls. A descending chord progression against an ascending melody (or vice versa) can really hook listeners’ emotions.

3. The Classic Key Change: A Staple of Power Ballads

Near the end of the song, we jump from the home key of E (and its relative minor C#m) into a higher realm of Ab (and its relative minor Fm) —Fm to Eb to Db, etc. This shift is huge for two reasons:

  1. Emotional Elevation: Suddenly the vocals soar above a brand-new tonal center, signaling that final push of feeling.
  2. Fresh Palette: The new key infuses a renewed energy, so the last part of the song doesn’t feel repetitive.

Pop and power ballads often lean on this trick. When used tastefully, a key change is like turning on a spotlight after the stage has been in dim light—bam—instant drama.

Songwriting Tip #3:
To give your final chorus extra lift, transpose everything up a half or whole step – or even the iconic major third like here. It’s a tried-and-true pop move, but if you set it up with a brief transition chord or two (or even a drum fill), it can still feel fresh and triumphant.

4. Other Notable Touches

  • Instrumentation & Dynamics: Part of the emotional impact comes from how the arrangement swells. Soft, intimate strings and piano in the verses build into a full orchestra behind that iconic chorus. This dynamic evolution underlines the key changes and the melodic lifts, making each shift feel bigger.
  • Vocal Ornamentation: Celine Dion’s phrasing includes subtle runs and embellishments, guiding the listener through those chord changes. These details soften any harmonic shifts, making them flow effortlessly.

5. Bringing It into Your Own Songs

Melody vs. Chords “Re-Contextualization”
Write a short, catchy melody (just a handful of notes). Then, experiment with new chords beneath it. Could those notes imply a Lydian flair, or a suspended tension, if you swap in a chord with a #11?

Counterpoint in the Chorus
If your chord roots go down, try writing a melody that ascends. It can be as simple as stepping up a scale while the chords shift downward.

Plan a Powerful Key Change
Don’t just plop it in—build up to that higher key. Maybe use a pre-chorus or an instrumental break to hint at the shift. Once it lands, let your vocals or lead instrument shine.

Layer Your Arrangement
Start small in the verse, gradually add orchestral or synthetic layers, and unleash them in your final chorus. Dynamics can be just as effective as chord choices.

6. Why It All Works

“My Heart Will Go On” combines simplicity (straightforward chord progressions) with canny twists (Lydian notes, melodic re-contextualization, and a dramatic key change) to create a ballad that swells with feeling. James Horner didn’t overload the track with complexity—he found a few truly powerful moves and leaned on them in exactly the right spots.

The lesson? Sometimes, sticking to a simple, repeating figure and then changing the chords can be more moving than a maze of complex harmony. When you add a final key change for that last emotional push, you get a power ballad that resonates for decades.

So the next time you’re writing a love song or a big, sweeping pop anthem, take a page from “My Heart Will Go On.” Don’t be afraid of repetition—so long as you change the scenery beneath it. Let your chords shift, build a sense of rising vs. falling, and, if you’re feeling bold, give your finale a key change. Because when it comes to love and music… sometimes you need that final, soaring statement to say it all.