5 Songs by Mariah Carey that should've hit #1 | mcarchives.com

Friday 15 February 2019

5 Songs by Mariah Carey that should've hit #1

Mariah Carey stormed through the 90's and 2000's decade with 18, yes 18 songs that hit number one. She holds the record for the most number ones by a female artist and is only third in line overall behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley. Not too shabby. The "Elusive Chanteuse" came mighty close to adding number 19 to that list when her holiday classic "All I Want For Christmas" made the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 in 2018, nearly 25 years after the song came out.

I consider myself a lamb (her true fans) and with that comes the knowledge that there are several other songs of hers that should've been number one as well. Take a look at 5 that didn't make the coveted pole position but deserved to.

"#Beautiful" featuring Miguel - 2013. Peaked at number 15.
Mariah excels in so much but her R&B tinged songs are just the bees knees. This song is dripping in lyrical floetry by her and Miguel with a beat that is jam-worthy and more.

"Butterfly" - 1997. Did not chart.
Mariah's number one streak at this point was pretty amazing as she had two tracks before "Butterfly" debut at the top ("Fantasy" and "Honey"). This could've kept that going, as it's such a pretty ballad that only highlighted what an amazing vocal range she has.

"Anytime You Need a Friend" - 1993. Peaked at number 12.
I believe this was her lowest charting single up to this point in her career... but it was and is soooooo good! The gospel choir in the background and the uplifting lyrics are amazing and should've netted her another number one.

"Whenever You Call" featuring Brian McKnight - 1999. Did not chart.
This was featured as a bonus track to her first compilation of number ones 20 years ago. Should've been number one too. Mariah expertly collaborated with other R&B artists over her illustrious career (Luther Vandross, Boyz II Men) and Brian was no exception. Just a perfect song.

"When You Believe" duet with Whitney Houston - 1998. Peaked at number 15.
How in the hell did this track not hit number one? I'm baffled. The two biggest voices of the 90's come together for an unbelievable track where they equally shined. You can't get better than this when it comes to what a duet could be.

(Instinct Magazine)



COMMENTS
Bill from the UK wrote:
No Migrate?
(Friday 15 February 2019; 14:51)
IheartMC from USA wrote:
Love this. I do agree some of those deserved the coveted #1 spot. However, please do include Can't Let Go, Make It Happen, Shake it Off, Never Too Far, I'll Be Loving You Long Time, The Roof, Breakdown, I Still Believe. Ugh and don't even get me started on some of the genius work on certain album cuts (For The Record, Mine Again, Stay The Night, Make It Look Good, YDKWTD, Inseperable). This woman is so talented and can most certainly be called the queen of music. You can tell music is her best friend, she pays attention to detail on each track and makes sure the listener goes on a wave or "joyride".
(Friday 15 February 2019; 15:55)
Lainsky from Philippines wrote:
WYB and Butterfly, yes. I remember when Honey debuted #1 and then the video of Butterfly was released. I told myself that it will be her next song to hit the top spot of Billboard Hot 100. Only to find out in my big disappointment that they have changed the rule. Unreleased single commercially was not eligible to chart. What a blow back then. The same feeling went to Breakdown in which I believe could have been another No.1 hit. That was the time I started to think that there were people out there who would do anything to stop Mariah from breaking the Beatles record. Remember the controversies when she beat Elvis Presley? Anyway, I did not mind if the rest of this list has failed because they were just okay for me. However, to add my own list, Sweetheart, Lead The Way (which is impossible due to Glitter fiasco), Shake It Off, For The Record and Cruise Control, Standing O (which were all wrongly ended up as album tracks but huge potential commercially), and of course, Caution (hopefully).
(Saturday 16 February 2019; 14:10)
B from USA wrote:
I agree with #Beautiful and Butterfly. However, I'd include Breakdown, Can't Let Go (which would've been Mariah's sixth consecutive #1 if Sony hadn't pulled the single in attempt to boost sales of Emotions), and I Still Believe. When You Believe deserved to be a #1 on the Hot 100 for the simple fact that it was a miracle that Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston collaborated on a record.
(Saturday 16 February 2019; 17:00)

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