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About John from USA: Huge Mariah fan since "Honey" in 1997. Have all albums and listen to her regularly.

Worried about Mariah's career/legacy (40,299) by John from USA Maybe I am just being a worrywart, but I can't help but be worried about the state of Mariah's career. I don't know what her strategy is at this point (assuming she even has one), but all I want is one more radio/top 10 hit. A number 1 would be amazing. Just one more hit to solidify her legendary status. She's had hits after TEOM, but much more sporadically. I know she's married with kids, but I guess I feel an artist of her caliber deserves better. Maybe I'm getting overly nostalgic listening to her back catalogue as I sip eggnog. Mariah has provided the soundtrack to my life, and I guess I just don't want the dream to ever end. I really hope she delivers with this new album. I would love another solid hit single. If Cher can do it at 53 with "Believe", than Mariah still has more than enough time for more hits. C'mon Mariah, you can do this. (Wednesday 25 December 2013; 3:18)

Stacey / Jermaine Dupri managing Mariah (39,385) by John from USA Stacey, when I say "evergreen", I'm talking about songs that the general public will always remember. Of course, as fans, we know she has endless hits, and I too am never satisfied with Mariah in concert because she always leaves out at least one or two favorites of mine. The songs that I mentioned were the ones that I believe will always be remembered and listened to by the general non-lamb public (AIWFCIY, Hero, WBT, ABMB, Without You, Fantasy, possibly Dreamlover). As far as JD managing Mariah, I am cautiously optimistic. I remember a few years ago right after TEOM came out, he said he had to tell Mariah not to whisper and use her full voice on one of the TEOM singles (forget which one). I generally do like his work with Mariah and I think he genuinely admires and respects her, and wants her to succeed. I'm nervous as hell for this next era. I know I'll love the music (I always do, except for the original version of Triumphant), but I would love another #1 or even top 5 single and #1 album. I think she can do it with the right songs and strong promotion. (Thursday 3 October 2013; 16:08)

Signature song / "evergreens" / new era (39,379) by John from USA I was reading another Mariah forum where someone claimed that Mariah has only one "evergreen" (song that will always be remembered) and that it was "All I Want for Christmas". They said Madonna has "Like a Virgin", "Like a Prayer" and "Vogue". I agree that those are Madonna's evergreens, but I think Mariah has "Hero", "Without You" (even though it's not her song), and "We Belong Together", in addition to AIWFCIY. I would also argue that "Always Be My Baby" is an evergreen here in the US, as I hear that on the radio quite a bit. Possibly even "Fantasy" and/or "Dreamlover", but that's pushing it maybe lol. Anyway, I have a good feeling about this new era, and I actually hope she does not include Beautiful on the album. I want an entirely fresh start. Given the fact that Christmas will naturally get her talked about, the fact that it's been 4 years since a studio album, and that Mariah herself seems to have worked really hard on this album (and will be more abt to actually promote it, unlike MOAIA or E=MC2 after TMB), I just feel good going into this era. (Wednesday 2 October 2013; 23:00)

Edward / new album and era (39,361) by John from USA I agree with everything you said, Edward. She really needs to bring it. This is do or die for career, and luckily, I think Mariah herself knows it. E=MC2 is one of my favorites, but I agree it sounds like a collection of singles and doesn't flow very well. TEOM (even though I find it slightly overrated) and even MOAIA flow better (even if MOAIA didn't have as many "singles" on it). I don't know why, but for some reason, I have a very good feeling about this upcoming era. I'm glad she's pushed back The Art Of Letting Go so Katy, Gaga, and Britney can do their thing for a bit. Plus, now with AI out of the way and her arm almost better, she has a clean slate and can really promote this next album. Based on how she's described the album and the people she's working with, I sense we may be lucky enough and get a combo of Daydream/TEOM. Which would basically give the world an eargasm. I hope to God I am right. I'm so excited for this new era. (Monday 30 September 2013; 16:21)

Upcoming era / Special K (39,195) by John from USA Haha Special K, clearly you and I can't be in the same room together, since Butterfly is only my #5 Top MC album. Anyway, is anyone else a bit concerned about the upcoming era? Regardless of whether her new album flops or not, I'll always buy and enjoy the hell out of it. I just can't help really want her to score at least one #1 hit from this album. When I listen to the garbage that's on the radio today, I can't understand how a true talent like Mariah sometimes has trouble getting airplay (although Beautiful's airplay was pretty decent). I would love to have just one more epic era, then I don't care if she flops from here on out lol. Just one more smash era, like Daydream/TEOM/beginning of E=MC2. When I think of the lost potential of the E=MC2, I still haven't gotten over it. So much potential on such a great album. Lol. Get it together for this new era Mimi. (Tuesday 3 September 2013; 20:38)

E=MC2 / my top 5 Mariah albums (39,061) by John from USA I agree with others. I still get angry thinking about the E=MC2 era. All the stars were aligned for an epic era. She was fresh off her TEOM comeback, she looked fantastic (the hottest she had looked since like Daydream/Butterfly, I think), TMB was a smash hit, and then they released Bye Bye as the second single. I'm not sure if they allowed Perez Hilton to influence them, but Migrate should have been the second single. I was the perfect summer jam. And then IBLYLT. I think IBLYLT flopped because of the bad video and also because Bye Bye killed the album in general. Then, in the fall, maybe ISIL or That Chick. Ugh, such unfulfilled potential with that album. My top 5 albums: 1. Daydream 2. E=MC2 3. Mariah Carey 4. Glitter 5. Butterfly (Tuesday 20 August 2013; 16:40)

One more epic era, please MC? (38,448) by John from USA I understand that maybe her focus is now more on her family. She's been in the game for 23 years. I get it. But I would much rather her take her time in between albums, but really put in 100% effort to make each era epic (just as they were in the 90s and TEOM and the beginning of the E=MC2 era). If I were her, personally, I'd be trying hard for one more epic album/era. Not only to really cement herself as a legend (which she already is), but prove that she can more than hold her own against the likes of Katy Perry, Rihanna, and Britney (all of whom have questionable talent, if any). I would love another smash, epic album with a handful of hits. And then, after that, I'd probably quit and just release singles/EPs here and there. She has what it takes, the question is, does she care? I'm no longer sure she does. (Friday 28 June 2013; 19:16)

The current state of Mariah's career is a hot mess (38,443) by John from USA I'm reading everyone's comments and laughing, because I know how you all feel. There is something seriously wrong behind the scenes, and has been ever since the middle of the E=MC2 era. It's kinda said that TEOM can be looked at as a post-Tommy Mottola fluke. That was her only legit hit album without him. Ever since then, with the exception of TEOM, she's lucky to crack the Top 20, maybe the Top 10. Touch My Body, although now one of my favorites, was nothing special compared with her 90s work, but she promoted the hell out of it and looked phenomenal. She actually gave a damn, and the promo (at least for TMB) was extremely well organized and the album was done. If I were her, and saw that Beautiful was doing fairly well in airplay and sales, I'd be singing the song on every street corner and tv show to at least get me a Top 10. Now that she's had her kids and done the family thing, I'm sorry, she should be working harder and be more focused than she is. This isn't funny anymore. As someone said "thanks for the memories" I guess. (Friday 28 June 2013; 15:11)

Chase / How do you solve a problem like Mariah? (38,420) by John from USA I agree with you Chase. If she doesn't get it together, I too will be getting off this train. An artist of her caliber, with her lengendary experience, should know what organized promo is like. I read an article (I think it was 411) that speculated why the album was delayed, and they said they believe that Mariah wants to keep singing hip hop and acting like a rapper (which I believe is true), and that the album doesn't have a solid number of great songs. I think there's truth to this. Mariah seems to be obsessed with doing awful hip hop music (Triumphant, Beautiful remix, etc). And whenever she does release a good pop/R&B song (original version of Beautiful/Almost Home), she's nowhere to be found. I mean, if E=MC2 has taught us anything, promotion and solid single choices are key. She needs to do age appropriate music and videos. I honestly believe the general public and radio will welcome her if she does an album of Daydream's caliber, but she seems so damn stuck on making the same music with a thousand rappers over and over. If the The Art Of Letting Go sucks, I'm done. I can only defend her so much. (Thursday 27 June 2013; 17:41)

Jaker20 / now I'm getting nervous (38,414) by John from USA I agree with you 100%. It appears that Beautiful has peaked at #15, as it fell one spot to #16 this week. I honestly think we could have had a top 10 hit if she would do a proper performance of the song. I don't understand Mariah sometimes. As an artist who once was able to make each album release an event, she sure is unorganized. If I were her, I wouldn't have released Beautiful until the entire album was done. That way I could focus entirely on promo (radio interviews, tv interviews, live performances, etc) to help boost the performance of the lead single. I'm still holding out hope that the BET performance and remixes (which I'm hearing aren't that great) may help us get a Top 10. But hey, remember It's Like That only made #16, but it served the purpose of getting radio to warm up to her again. But damn. I really wanted Beautiful to be a top 10. I hope it can still happen. (Thursday 27 June 2013; 14:32)

enwar00/#Beautiful (38,314) by John from USA I agree enwar00, I've always loved Heartbreaker/If You Should Ever Be Lonely. In the 90s, she had the most epic dance remixes. That has always been one of my favs. On another note, it appears I may have spoken too soon. #Beautiful remains at #15 this week, but I think it fell a spot or two in airplay. If only she'd do some more public performances of this song. We just need a little more effort from her, and we'd have a top 10 hit on our hands. It's only in its 7th week on the chart, so I am fairly confident we can still get a top 10 out of this song. If not, It's Like That only made #16, but it still re-opened the door for her. We all know what happened afterwards. (Thursday 20 June 2013; 14:52)

#Beautiful's airplay (Z100) / The Art of Letting Go (38,306) by John from USA Is it just me, or has the song's airplay been really steadily improving? I'm impressed. I remember when it first came out, Z100 (a critically important station) wasn't playing it that much, but I've been hearing it a lot more on this station. It's too bad the song is kinda falling on iTunes. We need a public appearance or performance to increase the sales to match the (relatively, and still growing) airplay. I am confident that we will have a Top 10 hit at the end of the day. I would love a top 5. Very excited for The Art of Letting Go. I love the album title. I haven't been this excited for an era since E=MC2. (Wednesday 19 June 2013; 21:38)

Edward / this new era (37,956) by John from USA I agree with you 100%. Mariah really needs to bring it for this era. I think it's do or die. It may be her last chance to have any significant airplay, sales, chart stats. She's 43, and clearly her voice isn't exactly what it was back in the 90s, and God only knows how much longer her voice will be decent enough to even attempt to perform live. She can still do great in the studio (i.e. "Almost Home"), but her live performances are a mixed bag. I'm praying she gets her act together this era. I'm hoping for decent videos, live-ish performances (I'll take what I can get), and above all, promotion. Please Mariah, if you're reading this, we know you can do this, you are Mariah-legend-freaking-Carey. Get out there, promote, and slay them all once again. (Tuesday 21 May 2013; 14:22)

#Beautiful added by Z100, this stuff is starting now! (37,765) by John from USA I'm still not a huge fan of the song. It's just ok for me. But I am positively stoked that Z100 (an incredibly important station) has added the song. #19, here we come. (Wednesday 8 May 2013; 22:07)

Critics seem to love Beautiful/#11 on U.S. iTunes (37,728) by John from USA I don't get it. For me, the song is nothing special at all. I love Miguel's voice, but Mariah's once again barely in her own song. And it's just too short. Lke someone else said, the song doesn't even go anywhere right when you think it's about to. Sigh. But if this will get radio to warm up to her music again, then that's fine with me. I remember how happy I was to always be hearing "I Know What You Want" in the summer of 2003, since all her Charmbracelet era singles flopped. Although I actually liked IKWYW lol. I may not like Beautiful, but I am happy that everyone else seems to love it. Go figure. (Monday 6 May 2013; 22:55)

Edward/Beautiful (37,714) by John from USA I agree with everything you said man. This album will make or break Mariah. I hope she doesn't end up like Christina or Janet. She desperately needs this album to at the very least have one successful single. She needs to not be lazy this time around and promote promote promote. I downloaded #Beautiful, but I'm not really feeling it to be honest. There's not enough Mariah for me, and the hook really isn't that catchy. But at least it seems to be getting good reviews and a lot of people seem to like it. I don't see this becoming a number 1, but hey, if it does, I won't complain. I just hope the rest of her album/singles are just her without any rapper/guest singers. I still say "Almost Home" was a gem and could've done much better if she had actually promoted it. To me, that was her catchiest song since "Touch My Body". Sigh. I really hope this single/album will do well. I just want to hear her on the radio again, which we haven't since "Obsessed". (Monday 6 May 2013; 17:00)

Beautiful? Eh, I'm not so sure (37,706) by John from USA I was terrified to hear it, and well, I guess I was right. There's simply not enough Mariah (once again, she's featured on her own song, though not to the extent of Triumphant) and the hook is kinda weak. I wish "Almost Home" was the first proper single from this album. It's a much superior and catchier song. "Beautiful" is too short too. Damn. I really thought she was gonna bring it this time around. So disappointed. Maybe it'll grow on me if I hear it on the radio. It's not as awful as the original version of "Triumphant", but it's not the smash hit with killer vocals/hook that I was hoping for. Sometimes Mariah makes it so hard to keep being a fan. Where are the classic poppy songs we all want to hear (Someday, Dreamlover, Fantasy, Heartbreaker, etc)? (Monday 6 May 2013; 14:13)

Chase (37,677) by John from USA I agree with you. If Idol has done anything positive for Mariah, it's keeping her name in the headlines. Other than that, I think Nicki has ruined it for her. Nicki needs to go. They are unfairly blaming Mariah for low ratings, but Idol is such a bore now. The show is too stale, it's been on too long. Mariah joined the party way too late, unfortunately. As for "Triumphant", well, the original version was garbage. Everyone knows that. I mean, she was featured on her own song. The remixes were better, and got her a #1 dance hit at least. "Almost Home", to me, is a fantastic song (my most played song on my iPhone), but it got no promotion or buzz around it. I think Mariah and her camp know that she needs at least a solid hit single from this next album. Based on what she's said in interviews, she really wants this next one to be a success. I'm both extremely excited and terrified to hear "Beautiful". But if she's taught us anything, don't count her out. (Friday 3 May 2013; 21:56)

Thank you Mariah for your inspirational music (37,667) by John from USA Mariah has been my absolute favorite artist since 1997 when I saw the "Honey" music video (I was a 13 year old guy, enough said ). And for me, it has never been just about her amazing vocals and catchy songs, but her lyrics. I have been going through an awful time these last few months. A few months ago, I was left by my girlfriend (who I wanted to marry) of 5 years for basically no reason. It's really stripped my faith away in almost everything. Some of Mariah's songs have become harder to listen to (e.g. "Love Takes Time"). But ironcially, my favorite Mariah song of all time "Someday" has taken on a whole new meaning for me, because that's what I'm going through right now. "Almost Home" has become my current anthem as I try to push through this pain and go about my life and finish graduate school. I'm still in a lot of pain and life sucks right now. But I will say Mariah's music has been helping me a little. Thanks Mariah for creating the soundtrack to my life. (Wednesday 1 May 2013; 15:46)

I have a great feeling about this upcoming Beautiful era (37,649) by John from USA I don't know why, but I do. I'm very impressed with the buzz that 20 second snippet of her giggling has caused. Well over 2 million views in just 3 days. Mimi's not playing around this time. This shows that people still do care about Mariah. She just needs to put out good, original music in her full voice and promote it. And by the looks of it, she does intend to actually promote "Beautiful". I think this time around, she will have time to actually consistently promote this era. She's not pregnant/trying to get pregnant or getting married like she was during the last few eras. I think she's hungry enough to have success on the radio this time. And she looks fantastic in the "Beautiful" clip. And I have a feeling she will be trying something new with this single. I'm very happy that (from what we know), there will be no rap on it. And even though American Idol's ratings have tanked, it has kept her name in the media. Very good feeling about this era, as I believe she is well-positioned to have a hit album/single. I haven't been this excited since right before E=MC2. (Monday 29 April 2013; 15:42)

Agree with everyone (no duets please) (37,610) by John from USA I agree. If Mariah is looking to have another comeback (or even a radio hit single), it has to be about her voice. If Adele has taught us anything (even though I'm not a fan of hers), it's that you don't need rappers, auto-tune, and club beats to have a hit single. If Mariah is able to deliver with an undeniably catchy song, with no whispering and a great chorus, she will be good to go. I would love an upbeat, poppy song like "Someday" (my all time favorite) or "Fantasy" (original version, the better one in my opinion), but I'm not holding my breath. I'm praying to God the first single is good and that it receives at least some promotion. After the garbage that was the original version of "Triumphant" and "Almost Home" (which is a gem) receiving no promotion, I am so ready to hear my Mariah on the radio again. I am so ready to actually be excited about an era (which I have not been since E=MC2). Please Mariah, deliver on this album, I know you can do it. Like you said during TEOM era, "You can't count talent out!" (Wednesday 24 April 2013; 21:16)

New single/album, please promote (37,596) by John from USA I am ridiculously excited and nervous at the same time. I know that we shouldn't care how she does on the charts. Even though both "Triumphant (Pulse Remix)" and "Almost Home" flopped, I loved them both. I listen to "Almost Home" every day, it's the first single since "It's Like That" that I liked the first time I heard it (didn't have to grow on me like "Touch My Body"). I don't want Mariah to go the way of Janet, and have her music go completely unnoticed. Mariah's God-given talent deserves recognition, and she's so much better than the wannabes out today (Rihanna, Katy, Kesha, etc). Even if her album is like E=MC2 or MOAIA and only has one solid hit single, I will be happy. I think (hope) that Mariah knows she needs a solid radio hit single. I hope she's willing to at least put in some work to properly promote it. I'm hoping this era at least lives up to the (albeit short lived) E=MC2 era. Please Mariah, just give us one more epic era, then you can retire haha. You are not that old, you can do it. (Monday 22 April 2013; 16:45)

I wish "Almost Home" didn't flop (37,562) by John from USA It really is a shame, and I don't know who to blame. I think "Almost Home" was her best song in years. For me, it's the first song since "It's Like That" that I liked within one listen (TMB and Obsessed had to grow on me, as did others). I love the video, we finally get something mature and age appropriate for her, but of course it's after the death of the music video. If only radio would have given the song a chance, I know it would have taken off. Great vocals, great lyrics, great hook. Even though I'm sad it flopped (it deserved to be a number 1), I think the quality of her work has been improving, and I'm hoping it's indicative of what we have in store on her new album (which I am dying for). (Monday 15 April 2013; 1:59)

All I want is one more epic/semi-epic era (37,493) by John from USA I understand that the general public is not into Mariah as much as it was in the 90s. The general public also isn't as into Celine or Madonna as much either (Celine hasn't had a radio hit since the early 2000s I think). I totally get that "what goes up, must eventually come down". She's been here for 23 years. It's just that I get so frustrated when I see artists like Rihanna, Britney, Katy Perry, and Kesha getting all these hits with minimal (if any) talent. But they are the new generation, and going to do their thing. Mariah said during the TEOM era "you can't count talent out". And she's right. She came back for an epic era once, and she can do it again if she really wants to. I don't care if Rihanna ties her in #1s some day, records are meant to be broken. Even if Mariah only gets one more #1 single and album, I will be happy. I just want to experience one more era (even if it's short lived like E=MC2). You guys feel me? Happy birthday Mariah. Love you "forever". (Wednesday 27 March 2013; 13:41)

How do you solve a problem like Mariah? (37,438) by John from USA I agree with what others have said. Mariah and her team need to be more "stealthy" and stop bragging about her 200 million records sold and 18 number 1s. Rihanna already has 12 number 1s, and you don't hear her or her team bragging about it (though her albums never really sell that well, at least). If Mariah really wants to have another legit hit album with more than one successful radio single (at the very least), she needs to be hungry and really work for this success. Artists over 40 (especially Mariah, who unfortunately always ends up an underdog) face an uphill battle to get played on the radio. She needs and undeniable, catchy pop song, and needs to do radio interviews/promotion to get it played. Perform on SNL, Jay Leno, Letterman, GMA, whatever it takes. She needs to promote promote promote. If you look at TEOM and E=MC2 (at least for TMB), she was everywhere and it worked. After TMB, she fell off the face of the Earth, and so too did E=MC2. I still blame her and her team for the relative failure of E=MC2, because in my opinion, that was her best and most radio-friendly album she made in the 2000s (cough *Migrate* cough). Same thing with MOAIA. Obsessed was a sleeper hit and eventually top 10, but it was really way to in advance of the album, and she didn't really promote afterwards. I know she has a family now and that's her top priority, but I'm praying she doesn't become like Janet. It seems that it's 3 strikes and you're out. I'm terrified for this new era. (Tuesday 19 March 2013; 14:06)

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