It’s All Coming Back To Me Now
On May 16, 2025, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay delivered a thrilling and theatrical performance of “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” by Céline Dion during their concert, “Tyler’s Suite / I Love the 90’s”, held at the inclusive and vibrant Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida. Accompanied by the ever-versatile Kevin Wu on piano, the chorus brought dramatic flair, emotional intensity, and full-throttle passion to this unforgettable power ballad.
Originally penned by Jim Steinman—known for his sweeping, operatic style and collaborations with artists like Meat Loaf and Bonnie Tyler—“It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” became an iconic anthem of longing and romantic devastation when Céline Dion released it in 1996. With its haunting piano intro, lush orchestration, and explosive vocal climaxes, the song is a showcase of vulnerability and strength, wrapped in theatrical grandeur. It is a favorite among LGBTQ+ audiences for its emotional boldness and unapologetic melodrama.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay fully embraced the song’s over-the-top beauty, transforming it into a collective catharsis. Their voices swelled and soared in rich, multi-part harmony, channeling the passion of heartbreak and the power of remembrance. With impeccable dynamics and expressive phrasing, the chorus skillfully navigated the song’s sweeping arc—from quiet introspection to full-bodied power—and turned it into a communal experience of love lost, remembered, and relived.
Kevin Wu’s piano accompaniment was central to the performance’s impact. His playing was at once commanding and sensitive, capturing every nuance of the song’s rise and fall, from whisper-soft verses to thunderous choruses. With his touch, the piano became both heartbeat and backdrop, giving the chorus room to unleash their voices while keeping the emotional core tightly anchored.
Within the broader theme of the evening—which paired the heartfelt storytelling of Tyler’s Suite with the celebratory nostalgia of 1990s pop—this performance served as a powerful fusion of emotion and entertainment. It offered a moment of cathartic drama that resonated with audience members on many levels: as fans of a classic diva anthem, as members of a community that knows the experience of longing and rediscovery, and as participants in a shared musical journey.
Performed in the sanctuary of Allendale United Methodist Church, a space of love, affirmation, and LGBTQ+ advocacy, “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” became more than a ballad. It was a moment of theatrical transcendence—where vulnerability met vocal firepower, and the past came rushing back with breathtaking force.