Celine Dion to unveil new song, `I Knew I Loved You,' during Oscar tribute to Ennio Morricone

(AP) Celine Dion will unveil her new song, "I Knew I Loved You," during a tribute to Italian composer Ennio Morricone at this year's Academy Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Wednesday.

Morricone, who will receive an honorary Oscar at the Feb. 25 awards, orchestrated the song for 1984's "Once Upon a Time in America," directed by Sergio Leone.

Songwriters Alan and Marilyn Bergman wanted to write lyrics for the song, but the film's producers felt none were needed. The Bergmans got their chance with Dion's version.

Morricone, 78, has received original score Oscar nominations for "Days of Heaven," "The Mission," "The Untouchables," "Bugsy" and "Malena."

The new rendition of "I Knew I Loved You," produced by Quincy Jones, will appear on Morricone's upcoming greatest-hits album and on Dion's forthcoming record.

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