Mariah Carey (born March 27, 1969 or 1970) is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Known for her five-octave vocal range, melismatic singing style, and signature use of the whistle register, she is referred to as the "Songbird Supreme" by "Guinness World Records". She rose to fame in 1990 with her eponymous debut album, released under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, who married her three years later. Carey is the first artist in history to have their first five singles reach number one on the "Billboard" Hot 100, from "Vision of Love" to "Emotions". She achieved worldwide success with follow-up albums "Music Box" (1993), "Merry Christmas" (1994), and "Daydream" (1995).
Introduction
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey | Introduction
An American singer-songwriter and actress. Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She is an American singer-songwriter and actress She is an American singer-songwriter and actress.
who does the voice of marceline on adventure time
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Olivia Olson
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where is she from?
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Los Angeles, California
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how did she begin her profession?
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Singing the song "All I Want for Christmas Is You
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who wrote this song?
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Mariah Carey
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how did this song perform in charts?
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No. 6 on the "Billboard"
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who is the aforesaid person who wrote it?
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I had to make my exit and say 'Mariah, you need to redefine yourself, that's fine. I'm here doing what I do and if and when you want to come back and do it again, I'm here. "My All" was written in Carey's home-studio in upstate New York, and was recorded in Afanasieff's recording studio in San Francisco. After she presented him with the melody she had developed in Puerto Rico, he began playing chords on the piano, while Carey sang the tune and directed him. After they produced the chorus, Carey wrote the lyrics, while he added a drum groove to the basic melody.
My All | Recording
Lyrically, the track features Carey reminiscing about a past lover.
Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse | Composition
It features a basic chord progression of A-F. Carey's vocal range in the song spans from the low note of E to the high note of F; the piano and guitar pieces range from F to G as well. The song contains choral lyrics written by Carey, who produced the song's melody and chorus as well. Aside from assisting with its chord progression, Cory Rooney co-arranged and produced the track as well. Author Chris Nickson felt the song was extremely important for Carey's musical transition, writing "Lyrically, this was some of her best work ever, the melody slinky and overtly sexy, confirmation – as if any was needed at this point! – that this was the new Mariah."
The Roof (Back in Time) | Composition
Carey's vocal range spans from the low-note of C to the high-note of G, while the song's chorus follows a chord progression of G–G–G/F–Em–G/D–C–G/B–Am.
Make It Happen (Mariah Carey song) | Composition
He further wrote that when he put his headphones into his computer, he was worried that Carey would sing the word "hashtag" in the lyrics, but after listening to the song in its entirety, he proclaimed it as a "perfect pop song". He was complimentary of the songs instrumental and production, and described it as "seductive". Roberts also wrote that although Carey does not enter the song until a third of the way through, she matches Miguel's "glorious tone with the confidence of someone who knows she can lift her verse to equal whatever comes her way" with a "glorious tone".
Beautiful (Mariah Carey song) | Critical reception
The song received positive reviews from critics and charted at number 13 on the US R&B Digital Songs chart.
The Distance (Mariah Carey song) | Introduction
They composed the song and recorded Carey's vocals. Knowing she wanted to introduce a male vocalist on the track, Lewis brought R&B singer Joe and pop group 98 Degrees into the studio. After a few hours, the group and Joe had recorded all their vocals and the song was complete. In an interview with Bronson, Lewis discussed the night Carey wrote "Thank God I Found You:"
Rainbow (Mariah Carey album) | Writing and recording
The song contains choral lyrics written by Carey, who also developed the song's melody and original beat. Instrumentation and production was performed by Dave Hall, while co-arranging and producing the track as well. The members of the Tom Tom Club, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, Steven Stanley and Adrian Belew are all credited as writers due to the inclusion of the music sample they wrote.
Fantasy (Mariah Carey song) | Composition
The song is performed in the key of B major with a tempo of 118 beats per minute. The first half of the final chorus is in the key of D major with the last half and outro of the song set in E major. Carey's vocals span from F to D.
The Star (Mariah Carey song) | Composition
Morffitt claims the song personally helped him get through difficult moments when "the answers seemed so far away". Following her taped performance of "One Sweet Day" at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California during The Adventures of Mimi Tour, Carey described the song's importance to her and her fans:
Hero (Mariah Carey song) | Composition and lyrical content
Nickson felt the song was superior to the studio version, due to its stripped performance and vocals: The roughness of this version succeeded in a way the recorded version on 'Emotions' could never manage. In the sterile atmosphere of a studio, where perfection, technology, and overdubbing were the rules, spontaneity had no place. On the stage, it was valued, and this performance had it. Everyone pushed everyone just a little further, to create something wonderful, and judging by the response, the audience realized it, as did Mariah when the song was finished. It was a rare moment, one that true performers strive for and don't find often enough to satisfy themselves.
Make It Happen (Mariah Carey song) | Live performances
She protested - her album was already being mastered, and she intended this ballad for her next release.
Mariah Carey (album) | Recording and composition
Author Chris Nickson wrote the following regarding the song, its lyrics and composition: That wasn't just a faith in herself and her talent, but also the ability to let herself go, to pray to God, and to trust in what would happen. These were, by far, her most inspiring words to date, letting others know that no matter what they were doing, no matter how difficult things were, with help they would win through. Musically, the piece had a restrained dance beat, very Mowtownish, that owed a little more to gospel, with a chorus - sung by Mariah, Trey and Patrique - that rose gloriously from the verse to repeat and drive and its very positive message home.
Make It Happen (Mariah Carey song) | Composition
"It's Like That" is a R&B song with hip hop instrumentation that features ad-libs by Fatman Scoop and the song's producer Jermaine Dupri, while its lyrics (and Carey's vocals) discuss celebration and freedom, with Carey's alter-ego "Mimi" being emancipated. The song received generally favorable reviews from music critics, most of whom noted its catchiness and carefree message. It was also nominated for a 2006 Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. Commercially, the song charted well worldwide, becoming a top twenty hit in several countries, including the United States, while peaking inside the top-ten in over five other countries.
It's Like That (Mariah Carey song) | Introduction
Interestingly, her vocal approach here is almost emo, as she hits her rock-solid middle register and refuses to be held captive by the demons of her past." MTV News writer Jennifer Vineyard described the song in detail:
E=MC² (Mariah Carey album) | Songs and lyrics
In 2017, "Billboard" listed "It's a Wrap", "Lead the Way", "There for Me", "The Roof (Back in Time)" and "Thank God I Found You" (Make It Last Remix) as Carey's top five most underappreciated songs.
List of songs recorded by Mariah Carey | Introduction
As "Never Forget You/Without You," it reached the top ten on "Billboard"'s Hot R&B Singles chart primarily due to sales, and the RIAA certified it gold.
Never Forget You (Mariah Carey song) | Chart performance
Carey has been noted for co-writing and producing all of her original material. Of her nineteen "Billboard" Hot 100 number-one singles in the United States – the most among soloists – she has written eighteen of them. For her sophomore release "Emotions", Carey wrote all of the lyrics herself and co-composed the music with other collaborators, and is similarly credited for doing the same for the majority of the songs on "Music Box", "Daydream" and "Butterfly" (1997). The singer has collaborated with a number of songwriters throughout her career, with many of the songs reaching number-one on the music charts around the world, including "Hero", "All I Want for Christmas Is You", "Fantasy", "Always Be My Baby", "Heartbreaker", "We Belong Together" and "Touch My Body".
List of songs recorded by Mariah Carey | Introduction
Credits adapted from the liner notes of "Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse". Recording Personnel
Beautiful (Mariah Carey song) | Credits and personnel
The album opens with "Cry", a gospel song built over a piano, "simmering vocals and full-bodied runs" containing "swirling organs and scaling ad-lib." Described by "Billboard" magazine as being one of the album's most "heaviest moments," lyrically the song discusses Carey's desire to hold a lover until they both start "bawling." "Faded" is a "luscious" R&B song produced by Mike Will Made It, the song and Carey's vocals feature "climaxes" with the song taking influence from R&B hip-hop and pop genres. "Dedicated" features American rapper Nas, the song contains a sample from "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" as performed by Wu-Tang Clan and lyrically discusses nostalgia, with Mariah and Nas looking back at their past relationships and how they have shaped their lives.
Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse | Composition
"Don't Forget About Us" is a song by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey. It was written by Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox and Johntá Austin, and released as the fifth single on December 12, 2005, from the reissue of her tenth studio album "The Emancipation of Mimi" (2005), subtitled "Ultra Platinum Edition". Co-produced by the former three, the song is influenced by R&B and hip hop soul music genres, and lyrically chronicles the emotions felt by the protagonist after the loss of their relationship. Carey explained that the true meaning of the song is to be interpreted by the listener, therefore not disclosing its entire meaning publicly.
Don't Forget About Us | Introduction
Hall described his experience with writing the song with Carey: [It] was a fun song to do. Mariah brought me 'Genius of Love' and I laid some strings on it and put it into a groove I felt really fit and highlighted her voice. And that song didn't take us but a minute to do, because she really busted that out within two days. We did a rough copy and let Tommy Mottola hear it and he loved it, so all we had to do was bring it back in and mix it.
Fantasy (Mariah Carey song) | Background
Credits adapted from the liner notes of "Emotions". Recording Personnel
Emotions (Mariah Carey song) | Credits and personnel
Carey's vocal range spans from the low-note of E to the high whistle note of C. The song's lyrics and melody were written and composed by Carey, with Margulies, Miller, Klyce and Rip on the instrumentals. Lawrence and Walden produced the song, which heavily deviated from its original version on Carey's demo. Michael Slezak from "Entertainment Weekly" wrote regarding the song's instrumentation and vocals "From those opening sci-fi-esque synths to that signature dog-whistle high note, Mariah's very first single is inspired: Even folks who object to her trademark vocal excesses are hard-pressed to fault this rousing, gospel-tinged song about finding 'the one that I needed.'"
Vision of Love | Composition
"Close My Eyes" was co-written by Carey and Walter Afanasieff; Carey solely wrote the lyrics, while both she and Afanasieff composed the musical structure. It was also produced and arranged by Carey and Afanasieff. The keyboards, synthesizers and programming were performed by Afanasieff. Additional keys, drum and rhythm programming, sound design and computer programming were carried out by Dan Shea. Dana Jon Chappelle and Mike Scott served as the engineers, while Ian Dalsemer was enlisted as the assistant engineer. "Close My Eyes" was recorded at Crave Studios and The Hit Factory, both situated in New York City. It was mixed by Mick Gazauski at both Crave Studios and The Hit Factory.
Close My Eyes (Mariah Carey song) | Production and recording
It is performed in the key of A major with a tempo of 74 beats per minute in common time. "With You" follows a chord progression of A – C/G – Fm – Em – D – E, and Carey's vocals span from E to E.
With You (Mariah Carey song) | Background and composition
The song was performed 8th in her setlist. She sang on a circular platform on the stage, donning a short white dress.
Hero (Mariah Carey song) | Live performances
Credits adapted from the liner notes of "Emotions".
Make It Happen (Mariah Carey song) | Credits and personnel
The chorus was sophisticated and natural, with each following line "cascading onto one another", something that would have proved difficult for a "less skilled vocalist". Carey started leaning away from the "standard Celine Dion ballad" and more towards R&B jams. However, she was not going to completely abandon the type of songs that made her famous. For this reason, Carey wrote "When I Saw You" with Afanasieff, a song that would truly embody some of her earlier work, as well as show off her powerful vocals. Returning to her R&B territory, Carey recorded "Long Ago", the second song she wrote alongside Dupri and Seal which contains a strong hip hop background.
Daydream (Mariah Carey album) | Conception and composition
It was mastered by Bob Ludwig at Gateway Mastering in Portland, ME.
Close My Eyes (Mariah Carey song) | Production and recording
Crazy personal," Henderson continued calling the album's lyrical content an "deliberately confusing innocence with insight, obliviousness with bliss." Carey's voice on the album was described by Elysa Gardner of "USA Today", as "artful melisma, robust belting and decorative high notes." Gardner continued, noting Mariah's use of her "supple middle and lower registers to convey feeling simply and directly."
Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse | Music and lyrics
Serving as an airplay only song in the US, and a limited release around the world, the song received a well amount of chart success specifically in the U.S.. In the United States, "Billboard" rules did not allow the charting of non-commercially released songs. For this reason, it did not chart on the Hot 100, however peaking at number two on the Adult Contemporary chart. Outside the US, the song peaked at number 11 in Canada, 40 in New Zealand and 44 in the Netherlands.
Forever (Mariah Carey song) | Introduction
J. Freedom De Luc of "The Washington Post" likened the "echoing" repetition of "Side effects" to that of Rihanna's on her 2007 single "Umbrella". In an interview with Jennifer Vineyard of MTV News, Carey explained why she felt compelled to write the song: 'I wrote it because it was necessary for me to write it,' Mariah said of her most personal, and angriest, song to date. Fans might be surprised at her references to 'the hell that we built' and the 'violent times,' but Mariah thinks this song is for 'anyone who’s been in an abusive relationship.' 'You know what? I’ve been through too much at this point,' she said.
Side Effects (Mariah Carey song) | Production and composition
The song received mostly favorable reviews from music critics. AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine picked the song as a highlight from "The Emancipation of Mimi". Caroline Sullivan of "The Guardian" wrote a positive review for the song, praising the "headbanging Fatman Scoop rap", also noting that "Carey is very much a presence, unfurling her three octaves judiciously." Keith Caulfield from "Billboard" magazine assured that "Mariah Carey finally returns with a certifiably hot track. It's Like That is a sparse, bass-heavy, beat-driven cut that is primed for radio and dancefloors". Tom Sinclair of "Entertainment Weekly" described the song as "almost as cool as Run-DMC song (which shares the same title), with Carey fantasizing about easing into a nightclub buzzed on Bacardi.
It's Like That (Mariah Carey song) | Critical reception
Similarly, "The Michigan Daily"s Chris Gaerig criticized Carey's "airy vocals" and wrote "Carey sounds like a 13-year-old boy going through puberty, singing love songs to a grade school crush."
Shake It Off (Mariah Carey song) | Critical reception
The song is included on the U.S. release of "The Essential Mariah Carey". On Carey's official Facebook page on May 12, 2012, shortly after the release, she wrote, "I spent four years writing this song, only because after I performed in Schenectady, NY, I started hearing this melody and singing it over and over to myself as I was taking a bath, looking at the moon.. Four years later, as I was leaving a devastating part of my life behind, I wrote the second verse, the bridge and the outro." An acoustic version was featured on her compilation album "The Rarities".
Close My Eyes (Mariah Carey song) | In other media
Credits adapted from "The Emancipation of Mimi" liner notes.
Say Somethin' (Mariah Carey song) | Credits and personnel
As Carey sings the second chorus, she reverts to the singular conversation with her deceased father, however now revisiting 2005, "And you never got a chance to see how good I've done / And you never got to see me back at No. 1", referencing her return to the top of music with "The Emancipation of Mimi". The song does not feature a bridge, instead repeating the chorus twice, once in the same key as the rest of the song, while the other in a raised octave. During the last chorus, Carey's voice is doubled, with her regular tone voice singing softly over the piano chords, while her more prominent and higher pitched vocals are laid over it.
Bye Bye (Mariah Carey song) | Composition
Carey began writing poetry and lyrics while attending Harborfields High School in Greenlawn, New York, where she graduated in 1987. Carey began vocal training under the tutelage of her mother. Though a classically trained opera singer, Patricia never pressured her daughter to pursue a career in classical opera. Carey recalled that she had "never been a pushy mom. She never said, 'Give it more of an operatic feel.' I respect opera like crazy, but it didn't influence me." In high-school, she was frequently absent because of her work as a demo singer; her classmates consequently gave her the nickname Mirage.
Mariah Carey | Early life
"Say Somethin'" is a mid-tempo song lasting three minutes and forty-four seconds, while drawing influence from R&B and hip-hop music genres. It incorporates its beat from several musical instruments, including the organ, bass drum and several electronic and computerized sound effects. According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by EMI Music Publishing, the song is set in common time with a moderate tempo of 88 beats per minute. Written by Carey, Snoop Dogg, Chad Hugo, and Pharrell Williams, and produced by The Neptunes, the song is composed in the key of E minor, with Carey's vocal range spanning from the low-note of F to the high-note of B.
Say Somethin' (Mariah Carey song) | Composition
"Billboard" writer Kenneth Partridge complimented the song for its dance appeal, adding that the only thing missing was a cameo from Nile Rodgers. Melinda Newman of HitFix praised the song's "playful" sentiment, writing that it was the best song that had been released from "Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse" so far. "Entertainment Weekly" writer Melissa Maerz complimented the interpolation of "I'm Caught Up in a One Night Affair", describing it as "nostalgic", and further stated that Carey embodies the "bravado" of American singer Jennifer Holliday in the broadway musical "Dreamgirls". Digital Spy's Lewis Corner praised Dupri for producing a piano "disco stormer" with throwback appeal.
You Don't Know What to Do | Critical reception
As noted by Scott Shelter of PopCrush, "listeners are treated to notes from the upper reaches of Mariah’s five-octave range, which she rarely shows off anymore." In an interview for Vevo, Carey stated that she felt that Legend was the "perfect choice" to re-create the song as a duet with, and that his "soulful" creative decisions "took it up several notches".
When Christmas Comes | Background and composition
"Fantasy" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey from her fifth studio album "Daydream" (1995), released on September 12, 1995 by Columbia Records as the lead single from the album. The song was written by Carey and Dave Hall, both serving as primary producers alongside Sean Combs. The song heavily samples Tom Tom Club's 1981 song "Genius of Love" and incorporates various other beats and grooves arranged by the former. The song's lyrics describe a woman who is in love with a man, and how every time she sees him she starts fantasizing about an impossible relationship with him.
Fantasy (Mariah Carey song) | Introduction
And it gave me a new perspective on this song, which is one of the first songs I recorded for [The Emancipation of Mimi]. It's got a hot vibe to it, when you're driving around in the car on a normal, rainy day in Paris, driving around in circles in a Maserati — who doesn't do that every day?
Say Somethin' (Mariah Carey song) | Background
"Make It Happen" is a song by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey. Written and produced by Carey and C+C Music Factory's David Cole and Robert Clivillés. It was released on April 4, 1992, by Columbia Records as the third and final single from her second studio album, "Emotions" (1991). The pop-, R&B-, and dance-influenced track incorporates traces of gospel in its bridge and crescendo. Described by author Chris Nickson as Carey's most personal and inspirational song (up until "Hero"), it tells of her personal struggles prior to her rise to fame, and how her faith in God helped sustain her.
Make It Happen (Mariah Carey song) | Introduction
In an interview with "Newsweek", Carey described how she felt regarding the song: "You're right. It is a totally different approach for me musically. When I heard it at first I thought it was a cool and interesting track, but I didn't know if it was very me." Additionally, Carey outed the lines "Something like volcanic / You and me seems organic / Just like stars and planets" as "nonsense", but claimed she "loved it".
Say Somethin' (Mariah Carey song) | Composition
The song was released as a special promotional single to raise money for Team USA at the 2010 Winter Olympics. It was released exclusively to the American and Canadian iTunes Stores and AT&T wireless devices on February 9, 2010.
100% (Mariah Carey song) | Introduction
"You Don't Know What to Do" is a song by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey included on her fourteenth studio album, "Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse " (2014), and features rapper Wale. The track was released on June 30, 2014, as the third single from the album. It was written by Wale, Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox, with production helmed by the latter two. The song contains an interpolation of "I'm Caught Up in a One Night Affair" written by Patrick Adams and Terri Gonzalez, both of whom received songwriting credits as a result. The single's artwork caused controversy when the media criticised Carey for photoshopping and re-using images of herself.
You Don't Know What to Do | Introduction
Singing, to her, represents a physical challenge, not an emotional unburdening." While reviewing "Music Box", Stephen Holden from "Rolling Stone" commented that Carey sang with "sustained passion," while Arion Berger of "Entertainment Weekly" wrote that during some vocal moments, Carey becomes "too overwhelmed to put her passion into words." In 2001, "The Village Voice" wrote in regards to what they considered Carey's "centerless ballads," writing, "Carey's Strawberry Shortcake soul still provides the template with which teen-pop cuties draw curlicues around those centerless [Diane] Warren ballads [...] it's largely because of [Blige] that the new R&B demands a greater range of emotional expression, smarter poetry, more from-the-gut testifying, and less [sic] unnecessary notes than the squeaky-clean and just plain squeaky Mariah era.
Mariah Carey | Musical style
Winter Olympics" soundtrack on February 9, 2010, to raise money for the U.S. Olympics Team. The R&B ballad contains elements of gospel music, and was written by Carey, while Crystal Johnson, Jermaine Dupri, and Bryan-Michael Cox produced and wrote additional lyrics to the track. The singer's vocal range spans from the note of E to F#. The track is composed in the key of A major in common time and a tempo of 60 beats per minute, with the long chord progression of the song being A, A/F♯, A/D, E/G♯, A/F♯, A/E, A/D, C♯, A/F♯ and A/E.
100% (Mariah Carey song) | Background and composition
In order to successfully take the album in a new direction, Carey and Afanasieff sought out new and innovative producers, as well as some from Carey's previous releases. Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds first began working with Carey on "Music Box", where he helped produce "Never Forget You," as well as being part of the songwriting process. Additional writers and producers were Robert Clivillés and David Cole (a pair also known as C+C Music Factory) and Daryl Simmons. While the album featured a range of music producers, the bulk of the songwriting was done by Carey and her writing partner, Walter Afanasieff.
Music Box (Mariah Carey album) | Introduction
It was mixed by David Frazer at Tarpan Studios in San Rafael. The keyboards, bass and rhythm engineering was carried out by Louis Biancaniello, while Joe Franco performed the percussion, Vernon "Ice" Black played the guitar, and Rich Tancredo also performing on the keyboards. Walter Afanasieff played the synth horns. Carey provided her own background vocals along with Billy T. Scott, Jamiliah Muhammed and The Billy T. Scott Ensemble. The song was released in the United Kingdom as the fifth and final single on May 6, 1991. On July 24, 2020, Carey released a five-track digital extended play of the song as part of her 30th-anniversary celebrations of her debut album "Mariah Carey".
There's Got to Be a Way | Background and release
"You're Mine (Eternal)" was released as the third single on February 12, 2014. Commercially, the song has had limited success, charting inside the top 40 in Hungary, Korea, and Spain. In the United States, the song peaked at number 88 on the Hot 100, but became Carey's 17th number-one single on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart, placing her in fifth position as the artist with most number-one songs on that chart. "You Don't Know What to Do" impacted urban contemporary radio on June 30, 2014 and rhythmic contemporary radio on July 1, 2014.
Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse | Singles
Credits adapted from the liner notes of "Butterfly". Recording Personnel
Close My Eyes (Mariah Carey song) | Credits and personnel
Credits are referenced from the album's liner notes.
With You (Mariah Carey song) | Credits and personnel
The song became Carey's fourth chart topper in the US, finishing number 25 on "Billboard's" year-end chart. Aside from peaking at number two in Canada, it charted at number 49 in Australia. A fifth single, "There's Got to Be a Way", was released in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number fifty-four.
Mariah Carey (album) | Singles
Mariah Carey (born March 27, 1969 or 1970) is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Known for her five-octave vocal range, melismatic singing style, and signature use of the whistle register, she is referred to as the "Songbird Supreme" by "Guinness World Records". She rose to fame in 1990 with her eponymous debut album, released under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, who married her three years later. Carey is the first artist in history to have their first five singles reach number one on the "Billboard" Hot 100, from "Vision of Love" to "Emotions". She achieved worldwide success with follow-up albums "Music Box" (1993), "Merry Christmas" (1994), and "Daydream" (1995).
Mariah Carey | Introduction
She wants to do something that's so over the top and use her talents and the voice she has. But she also knows she has to restrain herself and do what the music really calls for.
Hero (Mariah Carey song) | Writing and recording
Writer Barry Walters from "Rolling Stone" felt the song failed to produce a significant and memorable hook, though noting its dance appeal: "it has a beat that makes you move, but the songs' pop hook doesn't stick." While "New York Times" columnist Jon Pareles called the song an "earthy delight", Glenn Gamboa from "Newsday" felt Carey's vocals could have easily been replaced by a less skilled singer, and wrote "she sounds like a hook girl in her own song. Her vocals could have been delivered by Kelis or Amerie and no one would have been the wiser."
Say Somethin' (Mariah Carey song) | Critical reception
While very different than anything Carey had ever recorded, the track was described as "street Hip-Hop music, with a booming bass." The second song from "Butterfly", "My All", spent one week atop the charts. Carey described the song as "[having] a lush sound and intense styling." Solely written by Carey and Walter Afanasieff, "My All" featured guitar arpeggios, which were synthetically created with the clever use of sampling and playing keyboard notes. As a result, the song was well-received, being called a "slinky, slow jam R&B sound, that fit Mariah like a glove."
Number 1's (Mariah Carey album) | Writing and composition
"Emotions" is a disco song and is written in the key of A minor with a tempo of 115 beats per minute. Carey's vocal range spans more than four octaves on the track, from C to E, with the highest note being sung with arpeggios. The sheet music of the song has a 8va marking on the last part of the song. It was later publicly revealed that the track borrowed from Maurice White's "Best of My Love", written for the band The Emotions. This situation led to an out-of-court settlement between both sides.
Emotions (Mariah Carey song) | Composition
"100%" is a song performed by R&B singer Mariah Carey originally recorded as soundtrack promotional single from motion picture "Precious" but then reassigned to the "AT&T Team USA Soundtrack" for the 2010 Winter Olympics. The song was also due to feature on Carey's now cancelled thirteenth studio/second remix album, "Angels Advocate" though it was never tipped as a single from the latter. The piano-driven contemporary R&B ballad is themed around reaching your potential with lyrics like "don't stop till you make the finish". Written by Carey, Crystal Johnson, Bryan-Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri and produced by the latter two. Carey does not share production credits following "Say Somethin'".
100% (Mariah Carey song) | Introduction
"Thank God I Found You" is a song by the American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey. It features guest vocals from R&B singer Joe and American boy band 98 Degrees. Written and produced by Carey along with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the song was released on January 25, 2000, through Columbia Records as the second single from her seventh studio album, "Rainbow" (1999). "Thank God I Found You" is a pop power ballad that was inspired by a relationship Carey was going through at the time, and lyrically recounts a powerful love relationship in which the protagonist tells her lover "thank God I found you".
Thank God I Found You | Introduction
We had fun. And so, if nothing else, it was a good experience... and diva-ism, whatever." The song was co-written by Stephen Schwartz and Babyface, who also produced the song. Carey had previously collaborated with Babyface on her albums, "Music Box" (1993) and "Daydream" (1995). Babyface expressed how he went through more than one version of the song and described its production as a beautiful movie ballad, something different than he, Carey or Houston ever recorded. In an interview with "Vibe", Carey said that she "liked [the song] the way it was." She had characterised it as "a very big ballad but in an inspirational way" and denied speculation that there had been past rivalry or animosity between her and Houston prior to its recording: "I never even really talked to her until this.
Number 1's (Mariah Carey album) | New material
He described the production as a "mumbo jumbo of disparate elements", and wrote "the mighty may have fallen here".
Loverboy (Mariah Carey song) | Critical reception
It received a double Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America and is her thirteenth single which shipped over a million copies. It also peaked at number six on the Australian Singles Chart and has also received a platinum certification by the Australian Recording Industry Association and gold certification from Recorded Music NZ.
Beautiful (Mariah Carey song) | Introduction
"Billboard" Pop 100 chart upon the release of the album.
Side Effects (Mariah Carey song) | Introduction
Adapted from the "Number 1's" liner notes. Production
Number 1's (Mariah Carey album) | Personnel
During the months spent conceptualizing the album, Carey decided to write a song that would illustrate her lifestyle prior to her success. She felt listeners' hearing her rags-to-riches story might inspire them to pursue their dreams. As a result, Carey wrote what was described by author Chris Nickson as her "most inspirational song" (up until "Hero"), titled "Make It Happen".
Make It Happen (Mariah Carey song) | Background
Then, the pre-chorus continues describing Carey's emotions in the present, "And everyday life goes on / I wish I could talk to you for a while", and how the loss of her father still affects her day-to-day life. While the verses are dedicated to him, the chorus was written in a third-person point of view, for her fans: "This is for my peoples who just lost somebody / Your best friend, your baby, your man or your lady / Put your hand way up high / We will never say bye / Mamas, daddies, sisters, brothers, friends and cousins / This is for my peoples who lost their grandmothers / Lift your hands to the sky / Because we won't ever say bye bye".
Bye Bye (Mariah Carey song) | Composition
"Sometimes I hear it and feel that this is going to touch a lot of people, and that's why it's important that no matter what's ever happened to me over my career, that I stay the course and continue to write and try and reach people who need." Anyone who manages to do the reverse, and touch Mariah with one of their songs, "I'm indebted to them forever."
Bye Bye (Mariah Carey song) | Background
Additionally, he described its content and instrumentation: As a song full of gospel and soulful influences, it allowed Mariah to really tear loose and show what she could do – which in reality was far more than the vocal gymnastics that seemed to comprise her reputation so far. From a deep rumble to a high wail, she covered five octaves wonderfully, as the power of the tune built. The backing vocals – which once again had those churchy harmonies – filled out the spare melody, as did the stately horns, which entered towards the end. The song was truly a vocal showcase for Mariah.
Emotions (Mariah Carey album) | Music and lyrics
Mike Wiss of Idolator described the song as being as "legendary" as the artwork: "Mariah Carey has had a really tough year. She literally rang in 2017 with one of the worst (not-quite) live performances of all time and endured the various humiliations of Mariah's World. He added: "Happily, everything else is spot on. Mariah's voice is in fine form and the decision to interpolate Donnell Jones' "Where I Wanna Be" is inspired." Hugh McIntyre from "Forbes" wrote that the song "doesn’t see the pop star stepping too far out of the comfort zone she’s created over the past decade, opting for a laid back vibe that may please her true devotees, but which might not be uptempo enough to catch the attention of fairweather fans".
I Don't (Mariah Carey song) | Critical reception
Agreeing to the change, Carey and producer Walter Afanasieff began writing and recording material for her third studio effort, "Music Box" (1993). The B-side for the single, Everything Fades Away, was never included on the "Music Box" album, and was not performed by Carey for years until the early 2020 leg of her The Butterfly Returns residency, when she performed parts of the song with her background singers and singer JoJo as part of a series of snippet videos recorded for her fans.
Hero (Mariah Carey song) | Background
"Emotions" is a song by American singer Mariah Carey from her second studio album "Emotions" (1991). It was written and produced by Carey, Robert Clivillés, and David Cole of C+C Music Factory and released as the album's lead single on August 13, 1991. The song's lyrics has its protagonist going through a variety of emotions from high to low, up to the point where she declares, "You got me feeling emotions." Musically, it is heavily influenced by 1970s disco music and showcases Carey's upper range and extensive use of the whistle register.
Emotions (Mariah Carey song) | Introduction
"It's Like That" was written by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal and Johntá Austin, while Carey and Dupri produced the song, with additional co-production by Seal. The song also features Dupri and Fatman Scoop providing adlibs and rap in the intro and outro, respectively. It samples Run–D.M.C.'s hook "It's Like that Y'all" from their track "Hollis Crew" (1984). "It's Like That" is a hip-hop song, about Carey going to a club to relax and forget her troubles, refusing to give in to stress, strife and sadness. Sal Cinquemani of "Slant Magazine" went further, writing that in the song Carey arrives at the party "already shit-faced": "I came to have a party/Open off that Bacardi…Purple taking me higher/I'm lifted and I like it." As described by PopMatters's Jozen Cummings, "Hand claps and a playful whistle set the pulse for four bars.
It's Like That (Mariah Carey song) | Composition and lyrics
Estefan never heard the tune was originally meant for her, and the song that ended up in the soundtrack was "Heart of a Hero", written, produced and recorded by Luther Vandross. In the following weeks, after completing the song, Afanasieff spoke with Bronson about its recording, and how Carey created several versions of the track: There was a simpler performance on tape and a more difficult one, with Mariah singing out more, with more licks. But we chose a happy medium. The song really calls for not anything really fancy. But she's always fighting the forces inside of her because she's her own devil's advocate.
Hero (Mariah Carey song) | Writing and recording
Credits for "E=MC²" adapted from the album's liner notes.
Bye Bye (Mariah Carey song) | Credits and personnel
In the studio, she presented him with the demo of "Vision of Love" which she had written with Margulies years prior. Lawrence saw "potential" in the song, but he did not think much of it in its early stages. He described the song's sound as having a "fifties sort of shuffle". According to Lawrence, Carey needed a more contemporary sound, so they met in the studio alongside Margulies and producer Chris Toland. They added a new arrangement to the original chord progression, while Carey changed the song's melody and key. Afterwards, Margulies added few drum notes to the arrangement, including additional guitar and bass notes.
Mariah Carey (album) | Recording and composition
"Triumphant (Get 'Em)" is a song by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey. It was written and produced by Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox, with additional writing credits and features by American rappers Rick Ross and Meek Mill. Released on August 3, 2012, Carey revealed that she wrote the song during difficult and personal experiences in her life, and that writing the song helped alleviate the pain. She later stated that "Triumphant (Get 'Em)" was written when her husband Nick Cannon was in the hospital with acute kidney failure in early 2012, and was also inspired by the death of her past collaborator and friend, Whitney Houston.
Triumphant (Get 'Em) | Introduction
The song was well received by critics, many of whom complimented the lyrics, as well as Carey's vocals. The song was not commercially successful due to its limited release and other factors. The song was the center of a very public controversy between Carey and her label Sony Music, based on what she perceived to be weak promotion of the single. It peaked at number 40 in Belgium Wallonia, number 45 in Italy and number 65 in the Netherlands. Stateside, due to "Billboard" rules at the time, it was not eligible to chart on the Hot 100, though it managed to reach number six on the dance chart.
Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme) | Introduction
"Chicago Sun-Times" critic Michael Corcoran called it a "so-so composition" and described it as a "zombie dance-pop" production, though he said the song was salvaged by Carey's "stunning vocals".
Make It Happen (Mariah Carey song) | Critical response
According to Carey, the song also has a more personal message, relating to the difficulty of getting rest with such a work-filled schedule. She claimed that through writing, recording and producing her music, as well as all the promotional appearances, it became increasingly difficult for her to unwind and sleep at night. At one point in the song, Carey sings "I gotta get me some sleep," before finishing the final chorus. In her 2020 Memoir “The Meaning Of Mariah Carey” Carey revealed that the songs lyrics were inspired by the angst she felt after her 1997 romance with baseball star Derek Jeter abruptly ended.
Crybaby (Mariah Carey song) | Background and composition
For the final chorus, the song's key shifts up one semitone to B major. Carey's vocal range spans from F to E in the song.
Almost Home (Mariah Carey song) | Background and composition
The first part is the caption from Carey's "first and only self-portrait", a drawing she drew as a child which is included as part of the album's back cover, while the second half is a nickname she's adopted recently. Summarizing the title and album's concept, Carey said "This album is a reflection of some of the peaks and valleys that made me who I am today. I've always known me. I am Mariah." Carl Williot from Idolator called the album title both "absurd" and "insane". He also lambasted Carey for including "annoying" punctuation in the track listing, including a hashtag (#) for the song "#Beautiful", a period (.) for the song "Cry." and appending characters to the song "Money ($ * / ...)".
Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse | Title and artwork
The song opens with a verse performed by Miguel, which begins with the lyrics "Hop on the back of my bike, let the cool wind blow through your hair". At first, it does not appear to sound as though it is a song by Carey, as Miguel performs the first 90 seconds. Carey and Miguel embark on a motorbike cruise at sunset, as he sings about her beauty in the lyrics "let the moonlight kiss your skin". After the first 90 seconds, Carey assumes the lead artist role and performs the rest of "#Beautiful". Carey responds with "I like when you run red lights, don't stop till you thrill me", which Randall Roberts for "Los Angeles Times" thought would alarm mothers and police officers.
Beautiful (Mariah Carey song) | Composition and lyrical interpretation
Peaking at No. 1 on the "Billboard" Hot 100 for the first time the same year, the song ended up giving Carey her nineteenth chart-topper in the USA, which not only extended her record as being the solo artist with the most number-one singles on the Hot 100, but also made her the only artist in history to have a number-one single in four consecutive decades. In January 2020, it was announced that Carey would be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame during that year's ceremony on June 11, 2020 at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.
Mariah Carey | 2018–present: "Caution", "Merry Christmas 25", and "The Rarities"
Carey had the chorus and concept composed, and after meeting with Boyz II Men, they realized they too had a similar idea in development. Together, using Carey's chorus and idea, as well as the melody they had produced, they wrote and composed the song. It was produced by Afanasieff, who built on the song's melody and added various grooves and beats. While the album's development was underway, Carey expressed interest in working with Jermaine Dupri, whom she had been a fan of since his 1992 song, "Jump". Soon after, Carey, Dupri, and Manuel Seal began composing a song for the album, with Carey and Dupri becoming close friends and frequent collaborators on later albums.
Daydream (Mariah Carey album) | Conception and composition
Credits for "E=MC²" adapted from the album's liner notes.
E=MC² (Mariah Carey album) | Personnel
"Hero" is a mid-tempo ballad. It was written and produced by Carey and Afanasieff, and was released as the second single from her third studio album, "Music Box". It incorporates music from several musical instruments, including the piano, guitar and organ. According to the sheet music published at Musicnotes.com by Alfred Music Publishing, the song is set in common time with a moderate tempo of 62 beats per minute. It is composed in the key of E major with Carey's vocal range spanning from the low-note of G to the high-note of E. The song's chorus has a basic chord progression of G–G–G/F–Em–G/D–C-G/B–Am.
Hero (Mariah Carey song) | Composition and lyrical content
"It's Like That" was one of Carey's biggest commercial successes in years, after an almost two-year absence from the charts, becoming her most successful single in the US since "Loverboy" (2001). On the US "Billboard" Hot 100 chart, the song debuted at number 53, becoming her highest-debuting Hot 100 song in almost five years. It eventually peaked at number 16, and stayed in the top forty for fifteen weeks, being ranked 69 on the Hot 100's "2005 year-end chart". It was certified gold by the RIAA, becoming Carey's first gold digital single. The single was slightly more successful outside the US.
It's Like That (Mariah Carey song) | Chart performance
As Seal played the piano, Carey began humming and playing with certain notes in the B-section, until she came up with the chorus for "Always Be My Baby". After the rest of the song was written and composed, Carey recorded the song alongside longtime background singers Kelly Price, Shanrae Price, and Melonie Daniels. Together, they built "a wall of background voices" in which she would cover with her final belting notes. The song featured a downbeat rhythm, while its composition was described as "sassy and soft R&B" which displayed a "sexy and slow jam". "Underneath the Stars" was the first song recorded for "Daydream".
Daydream (Mariah Carey album) | Conception and composition
Credits adapted from the "Music Box" liner notes. "Hero" was recorded at The Plant Studios, Sausalito, California and The Record Plant, Los Angeles. Vocals were mixed at Right Track Studios, New York.
Hero (Mariah Carey song) | Credits and personnel
"It's Like That" is a song recorded by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey for her tenth studio album, "The Emancipation of Mimi" (2005). Written by Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal, and Johntá Austin, and produced by Carey, Dupri, and Seal, the song borrows the hook "It's Like That Y'all" from the Run–D.M.C. tracks "Hollis Crew" and "Here We Go (Live)". Several other tracks were contenders for the album's lead single. However, plans were changed when Island Def Jam Music head L.A. Reid suggested to Carey she record a few more strong songs to ensure the album's success, therefore "It's Like That" was written and chosen as the album's lead single, being released on January 25, 2005.
It's Like That (Mariah Carey song) | Introduction
After Carey sings the line "Take me anywhere", she releases a little giggle. "#Beautiful" ends with a textured layering of both Carey's and Miguel's vocals which gradually fade as the song draws to a close.
Beautiful (Mariah Carey song) | Composition and lyrical interpretation
"I am celebrating that I've grown into a person and artist who no longer feels imprisoned by my insecurities ... I can now honestly say, 'This is me, the real me, take it or leave it'."
It's Like That (Mariah Carey song) | Background
"Get Your Number" is a song by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey. It was written by Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Johntá Austin and Bryan-Michael Cox, and produced by the former two and LRoc. It was released as the third international single from Carey's tenth studio album, "The Emancipation of Mimi" (2005). The song is built around a sample of "Just an Illusion" (1982) by British band Imagination. Due to the inclusion of the sample, several other writers are credited as songwriters. Lyrically, the song features the protagonist persistently asking for the phone number of an individual at a club. The song received generally mixed reviews from music critics at the time of its release, with many both praising and criticizing the inclusion of the sample, as well as the song's production and lyrical content.
Get Your Number | Introduction
"I Don't" is a song by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey, and features rapper YG. Carey previewed the track during an episode of her E! docuseries, "Mariah's World", on January 29, 2017. Epic Records released it as a single five days later on February 3. The song samples the Donell Jones song "Where I Wanna Be".
I Don't (Mariah Carey song) | Introduction
It is set in signature common time. Carey's vocals span from the note of B to F. Describing the track as "buoyant", "Pitchfork"'s Jamieson Cox wrote that "there are moments ... where all you hear is Mariah singing over rock-solid piano chords," finding the arrangement and simplicity "almost surprising given her taste for the ostentatious." Jordan Runtagh, writing for "People", described the song as "somewhere between a breezy love song and wistful breakup ode". "The Daily Telegraph" described the track as a love song whose "lyrics describe the sense of attachment Carey still feels towards her former lover". Its lyrics feature several ad libs, opening with "doo-doo-doo dow", which is also used throughout the song's chorus.
Always Be My Baby | Composition
"Forever" was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff in early 1995. The song is written in the key of A major and features a basic chord progression of A-C/G-Fm/E-D-E. Throughout "Forever," Carey's voice spans from the low note of C# to the high note of A. According to author Chris Nickson, the song's instrumentation and throw-back melody bring reminders of 1950s and 60s balladry. The throw-back was featured through the chord changes, and in the way that the guitar arpeggios "stayed at the forefront of the music." "Forever" finds Carey displaying subtle and harmonizing vocals, with Nickson describing her voice as "undeniably rich." Stephen Holden from "The New York Times" described it as a "50s-style rock-and-roll ballad," while calling Carey's voice "magnificent."
Forever (Mariah Carey song) | Composition