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Mariah's success/Chase, Nick, Jacker (37,308) by PJW from The U.K. Chase and Nick, you wrote it perfectly. To say I've been a dedicated fan is an understatement. At 31 I've been a fan since 1990 and after leaving much else behind, I've still got a box in my cupboard with every album, single and import in it. I campaigned tirelessly for her career, radio requested at home and abroad, went to the tours, the tv shows and spent many an 8 hour stretch outside a hotel. But my, and Mariah's, priorities changed. I no longer have the time or devotion to go request or multi buy like crazy and nor do I think we should. Despite radio resistance in the last decade, 2005 alone shows us that a hit can still be a hit if the work and passion are put into it. I doubt there were 200 million phone ins for WBT during its peak week and besides, at this point we also know how detrimental mass requesting and purchasing can be. Believe me, I'm always proud of Mariah's chart positions but it's not Billboard that gives me that tingle at the top of my neck, it's that voice, those tones, that arrangement, that fluidity sometimes not heard since the 90s deep cuts. That's what I love and cherish right now, not refreshing mediabase for another +0.55 rise. Let's enjoy her and nothing else. (Monday 25 February 2013; 9:43)

Chase (37,307) by Stacey from USA Well said post about your evolution as a MC fan. I fall under the same category as you. (Monday 25 February 2013; 6:38)

Mariah's chart success (37,306) by Nick from Canada I want Mariah's chart success to be because she released an undeniable hit with mass appeal, not because her fans helped manufacture success. I don't want a Mariah song to hit #1 and then drop to #50 the following week. Longevity on the charts is a big deal. As a huge Mariah fan, it really isn't my job to make Mariah successful. First and foremost, that's Mariah's job by writing, recording, and releasing good material. When she does that, she's usually very successful. (Sunday 24 February 2013; 23:48)

Edward / Jaker20 (37,305) by Chase from USA I am a fan who has backed up in recent years. For many years, I purchased every Mariah album and single as soon as it was released, even after I began to feel Mariah's music had become inconsistent and no longer represented what I had loved about her. However, I haven't jumped ship. I've been visiting this site since 1998 and always give Mariah's new material a chance. After several years of fairly consistent disappointment, I no longer rely on her music to provide the enjoyment and comfort that it did during the height of my support. My tastes have shifted along with my declining expectations. I have developed a more diverse music collection and discovered other artists who meet my musical preferences. I think you'll find that my story matches many other fans, particularly those who have grown from childhood into adulthood. That doesn't mean I have betrayed Mariah or am no longer a fan. It means I am not as devoted to her career. I am happy for Mariah. She has evolved musically and matured as a woman, wife and mother. (Sunday 24 February 2013; 21:55)

Promotion and support (37,304) by Ray from Malaysia I think everybody has to do their part in order for a song, an album, or an artist to be successful. Yes, I do agree many older fans have left the boat a long time ago. With the right song (and vocals, of course), they might just return. Fans should go out and support, but it should not just come from fans alone. A song should also reach a broader audience. The artist and his/her team must do their bit in releasing quality material and then promoting it properly. I may be wrong with my observation, but Mariah or her team seemed to lose their focus from promoting E=MC2 after she got married. And then, her focus shifted from promoting Memoirs to talking about the movie Precious almost all the time during that period. Again, I may be wrong. But I do agree that AI is a strong platform to promote. Perhaps she will utilize the opportunity at one point or another. Lets hope she holds her focus this time. Just my opinion, from another country in another continent. Love. (Sunday 24 February 2013; 19:11)

Jaker 20, promotion, record sales (37,303) by Edward from USA Jaker 20, I completely understand your point, but as I said before, a huge part of Mariah fan base have already left the boat, which makes me really sad. Record labels are not investing much in promotion anymore, record sales are down and keep going down, and heavy promotion may cost them more than the benefits they would get from the song itself, that's why promotion now falls mainly on the singer's shoulders. I thought by announcing the song on American Idol, it would've propelled to a higher position, but nothing has being said about the song. The excitement of having Mariah on the charts is wonderful, we got used to that, but obviously her management team has to do its part too. I said before that it's sad that her remaining fans can't even make an impact on iTunes sales, even when the song may not be doing well chart wise. Mariah was known for having a persistent fan base, but the same way Mariah got married and kids, and her priorities changed, her diehard fans have also grown, and when they don't get what they want, they just move on. Almost Home is a good song, it really reminds me of her hey days, let's keep supporting her and hope for Randy and the other to do their job, she needs to clean house and shake those yes people off. (Sunday 24 February 2013; 14:48)

Fans' apathy (37,302) by jaker20 from US Edward, thanks for your kind message. My post might have been too harsh about MC fans being apathetic. But I'm only basing from previous posts that I have read here. It's very frustrating when MC creates a great song and two things happen, one the song is mismanaged by a bunch of clueless people who have no idea how to market her and her song, and two, the fans seem ok with it. You come here and read posters say "oh it's ok if it doesn't chart, it's not what it used to be, blah blah blah". What is the point of releasing a great song then? We used to go nuts whenever MC had a new song and we'll do anything and everything to support her. Madonna's fans got her a no.1 album last year and another top 10 hit. Where are MC's rabid fans gone? Some of you seriously are downers, and your lack of enthusiam, "oh it's ok if she doesn' chart" attitude is contagious. MC will probably read these posts and say, "you know know what, fans are right, they're happy, its a good song, nothing more to do about it, let it be". Well I am not happy. With all of MC's resources, money and influence, I want only the best and the very best to work with her. I want fans to go mad insane whenever she has a new song. And I want the whole world to know that she has a new song. Otherwise, don't make another song. Better not to put any effort than put 50% effort and destroy your legacy. I am really frustrated. (Sunday 24 February 2013; 6:50)

Enwar00 (37,301) by jaker20 from US You can't just take my post like that out of context. I'm all for discussion and decent arguments. That sentence is meant to be taken from the artist's point of view, not the listener. MC is a pop artist, not a indie artist. She makes music with universal appeal that reaches and breaks many boundaries, not just geared towards a niche market. (Sunday 24 February 2013; 6:35)

At Home (37,300) by Gerome from Canada I totally love the R&B beats of this song. It's catchy and I cannot stop singing the chorus and vocal runs at the end. The hook is amazingly wicked. (Sunday 24 February 2013; 5:03)

Music (37,299) by enwar00 from usa "A good song that only you can enjoy means nothing." Is that a joke? Absurd. (Saturday 23 February 2013; 20:19)

Mariah's lambs (37,298) by Terna from Nigeria Mariah has the most devoted fans in the world period. I know I have been. And heck, I aint even in the United States. Forget Rihanna's navy, Gaga's monsters or Nicki's barbs; the lambs rule. Once you're a Mariah fan, I don't think you can just push her aside after awhile and move on. You keep coming back, because you've found it. She's the real deal. Eventually you form a deeper connection to her and her music, and get to understand her as a person. So I find it rather insultive to say she has apathetic or fairweather fans. That's just an opinion and a wrong one at that. (Saturday 23 February 2013; 19:20)

Idol comments (37,297) by Lee from UK Well, thank the gods for that. Mariah brought it to the live shows. Her comments and criticisms were well developed and thought out. I am glad she has been the last one to speak on the panel during the sudden death rounds. She speaks to the contestants about their technicality and you can see they are really listening to her because she knows her stuff. This is what I've personally been waiting for over the last few weeks. In addition, Mariah looked hot during the last two shows, something reminded me of the Butterfly era, it could have been her smoky eyes. (Saturday 23 February 2013; 18:33)

Almost Home released too soon? / management (37,296) by Will from England Did anyone else hear Mariah on Ryan's radio show? It sounded almost as if she wasn't expecting Almost Home to be released this soon. She said something like "the next thing I knew it was being leaked and the video hasn't been finished being edited". She also mentioned that Randy hasn't heard what she's done so far, which makes me question how really involved he's been with the record. Hm. I'm not going to even give that apathetic comment more attention than it's worth. (Saturday 23 February 2013; 18:13)

Almost Home (37,295) by Jenny from South Africa I just adore this song. I really don't hear any similarities to Rihanna's voice in the song, but I'm a fan of Rihanna, so it wouldn't be a trainsmash to me if there's any. First listen I also didn't immediately recognise Mariah's voice in verse 1, but on the second listen I did. The chorus is catchy right from the first listen though. And everytime I listen to the song, I love the whole thing more and more. I think this will be a much easier song to sing live than Triumphant. I would love for this song to be a commercial success, but even if it isn't, I'm just thrilled to have a new MC song I can listen to over and over again and enjoy like crazy. It's such a feel-good song. (Saturday 23 February 2013; 16:33)

Jaker20, MCArchives fans are not apathetic about Mariah's music (37,294) by Edward from USA I don't know if you're new posting here, but one thing I can assure you, all fans posting here care about Mariah's chart success, and we all buy her music when it comes out, but unfortunately it's not only up to us here whether she does well on the charts. Remember this website caters to Mariah's fans around the world, not just the USA. There's nothing posters from the UK or any non US territory could do to help Mariah chart here in the US. I don't think that posters/fans here are apathetic, I do believe we are a sure part of her fan base that supports her, and hence we've been coming to this message board for 15 years, even when we regurgitate the same topics. The MCArchives family wants Mariah to always be No. 1, but sometimes we let our frustrations get the best of us. Many great albums never saw chart success, but they won many awards based on the quality of the music. I wouldn't like Mariah to compromise the integrity of her music just to be relevant, she would look desperate, and be considered a sellout. (Saturday 23 February 2013; 14:38)

Almost Home - my review (37,292) by PieterLamb from Indonesia At first listening of this new song, I still trying to absorb the overall song, not because the song is bad, or worst compared to her previous work, or Mariah's signature songs. But I think the song is too light for Mariah's impressive range. Then I play it over and over again and conclude this song has fresh tunes, fit to the current era and hopefully will be #1's hit everywhere in this universe. I just love it, MC. (Saturday 23 February 2013; 12:09)

Almost Home (37,291) by Andrew Lo from Philippines I am listening to it every single second hahaha. I can't stop. Too bad it's not even on radio (Philippines). It was released here over iTunes and it went no.1 on its first day. But that is zero airplay. Guess we Filipinos love her all the way. I can't understand why lambs aint buying the single. Where are the millions following her on tweeter and facebook fans? I don't really get it. (Saturday 23 February 2013; 10:14)

Chart performance is a measure of success (37,290) by jaker20 from US Is not the only measure, but it is a measure. Why do you think people here are wondering where MC's fans have gone? Isn't that a contradiction? Saying it's ok for her songs to not chart, and then say where her fans have gone? Her fans are only half here for her, they have become apathetic about her and her songs, so just like the posters here, they do not care if her songs chart, don't care if she's on the radio, or if the song succeeds. Wow, MC should really be concerned by fan's apathy. Well because her songs have flopped and they don't hear her anywhere, so many of them most likely don't even know she's got a new song. A good song that only you can enjoy means nothing. This is the keyword for MC's fans now: apathetic. They do not care one way or the other, as long as its a "good song". Well let me tell you, what is a good song when no one can hear it? Sting once said, any artists who only care about their art and not widespread success are hypocrites. It is sad, fans don't rally behind her anymore. MC needs new breed of fans. And did I just read someone just reprimand another fan for buying multiple copies of Almost Home? You actually get criticized for being a dedicated and enthusiastic fan. You know what fan is short for? It's suppossed to be short for fanatic. MC's lost them types of fans. (Saturday 23 February 2013; 8:52)

Really? (37,289) by nikki from usa This song is not "her first single", this isn't a Mariah Carey/Island Def Jam production, this is a Disney production. The point of the song is to promote the movie, not Mariah. If it does well enough, it may be put on her album, but other than that this is a separate project. Most movie theme songs these days are rarely heard of, so I'd wish people would quit acting like this will make or break her. It's not that deep. People keep saying Mariah's past her prime... since '98. Do we keep having to go through this song and dance every year no matter how much that thought process is proven wrong? Great music doesn't have a prime, it simply has to be 1 of 2 things: universal or catchy. Mariah Carey didn't have a decade of hits by luck or accident, therefore as long as she continues to make music there will be future hits. The only question is how much time that will take. Mariah's formula for musical success has always been by doing well on several music formats. Since releasing E=MC2, she released "Memoirs" and a second Christmas album. Did anyone seriously expect these to be groundbreaking blockbusters? (Saturday 23 February 2013; 5:45)

Almost Home (37,288) by Andrew Lo from Philippines I agree, where are the 9 million fans on facebook? Where are the 9 million tweeter followers? (Saturday 23 February 2013; 4:43)

Almost Home (37,287) by Giselle #1 Mariah Critic from USA I love Almost home. I think people need to move on about "chart performance". Almost Home is already a winner it's gotten amazing reviews from critics more then Triumphant got. It also charted higher then Triumphant on iTunes. The days of Mariah Carey, Madonna, Celine, Janet, Toni Braxton, even Barbra, Diana, Aretha, Prince ruling radio is over. It's sad but true, radio is very different then when these legends ruled. What bothers me though is where are the lambs? All these years the lambs have always showed their support for her, remember ''Through the rain" horrible radio play but amazing single sales, Loverboy, TGIFY all had big single sales when radio was weak. A lot of lambs have left her. Mariah has a lot of fair weather fans. (Saturday 23 February 2013; 3:21)

Gerome (37,286) by Nattalie from USA Look, I'm not casting any shade, but obviously you don't know what R&B is or have forgotten. Maybe you should listen to Patti Labelle or Maxwell or might of fact anything Mariah besides this song and her remixes. (Saturday 23 February 2013; 0:42)

Almost Home, mismanagement, relevance (37,285) by Edward from USA Will we get to a point where we could appreciate Mariah’s music without considering it to be good or bad based on chart performance? I know we all want her to be successful, and when she doesn’t do well we tend to blame the record label, lack of promotion, mismanagement, or even Mariah herself for not being out there in every TV show as if she were desperate. If Mariah is being mismanaged, then it’s her fault, she’s been in the music industry for 22 years, she should know better. Other singers put songs out and they become popular easily regardless the quality of their lyrics, sound or vocals. Britney’s collaboration with WilI.I.Am is doing well chart wise, but I think the song is garbage, and I haven’t seen a poster or Britney or Will.I.Am promoting it. I hate when Mariah is not doing well on the charts, but I have come to the realization that, even though Mariah can kick most singers assess with the quality of her music and vocals, she is not hot anymore, those days seems to be gone. I do believe it’s going to be harder for her to be played on the radio, even when she might have a potential hit record. She has an amazing 22 years trajectory with more ups than downs, and I’m happy that unlike many other great artists from the nineties, she hasn’t faded away through the years. Rihanna, Beyoncé and Katy Perry are the hot singers of the moment like Mariah once was, and eventually, others will follow. I just hope for an album well put together and with minimal whispering. (Saturday 23 February 2013; 0:31)

[...] (37,284) by George Golden from UK Guys, we shouldn't be worried if Mariah gets a number one or not. Most songs that are number one these days are not exactly great, are they? It's just the sign of the times. Rihanna can get 100 number ones for all I care, she can not touch Mariah .This new song will definitely do well. Lets give it time. At this point, Mariah should be aiming for more number one albums, not singles. I must say she is looking really smashing lately. Especially in that leather dress. Smoking hot. Beyonce who? Mariah can really look hot tamale when she wants to. Lol. (Friday 22 February 2013; 22:45)

Sounding like Rihanna (37,282) by RadChad from United States I agree with Zachary. Honestly, Rihanna never came to my mind at all when I first heard the full song. The only similarity I hear is the beat sounding like Diamonds' half brother (which is the only thing I could criticize about it) but vocally she's in great shape and sounds nothing like Rihanna IMO. I think you all are associating her vocals with Rihanna's because she's using her lower register so strongly in the verses, but you have remember two things. 1. Mariah's been using that register for years, think Melt Away, Baby Doll, Petals. And 2. Mariah is Rihanna's biggest influence, so if anything Rihanna pick up a few things from Mariah's sound and incorporated it into her sound. But all that's besides the point as far as I'm concerned. Mariah still sounds like Mariah to me. (Friday 22 February 2013; 21:59)

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