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Emotions formula (104,364)
by BFF from United States
(Sunday 3 December 2023; 15:07) | | |
Everything Aretha performed was gospel-influenced because she grew up ensconced in the African-American gospel tradition. She was, I will remind you, the daughter of a prominent minister. "Soul" music would not exist without gospel, blues, rock and jazz. It is a hybrid genre like pop.
You posted tons of strong opinions about "Emotions" as an album. Now others are responding. If you can't handle it, don't post lol. |
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This is a reply to message 104,353 by
Terna from Nigeria
(Sunday 3 December 2023; 10:12) | | |
Well we agree to disagree now don't we ? No need to be aggressive about it and come with the name calling, getting all ruffled about a simple opinion. And "Chain of Fools" and "Think" Gospel inflected? Now that's a first, confusing Soul with Gospel. Get Your genres right Mr.  |
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Emotions formula (104,348)
by BFF from United States
(Sunday 3 December 2023; 01:09) | | |
| You lost me at "If It's Over" as filler. This is one of the best songs in her catalogue. Aretha did plenty of dark gospel-style breakup songs, see "Chain of Fools", "Think", etc. What a silly criticism of an excellent song. |
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This is a reply to message 104,335 by
Terna from Nigeria
(Saturday 2 December 2023; 20:06) | | |
Let's count the fillers on "Emotions" shall we?
1. "And you don't Remember" - I rarely play this song, it just isn't strong enough and is indeed one of her weaker ballads with a high note thrown in just because.
2. "So Blessed" - I personally love this song, but I also recognize it ain't no classic and quite forgettable. Even Mariah herself was like "oh please which so blessed" when the lambs made her pick an absolute favorite in a versus format a few years back.
3. "You're So Cold" - Oh my, what a waste of space a better song would've occupied and it was 5 whole minutes long, hideous. Skipped every single time.
4. "If it's Over" - Another weak ballad with a high note thrown in. This song actually is sort of disjointed, as its feel doesn't match the lyrics. It is a breakup song that sounds Gospel. With the gospel sound, one expects to hear an uplifting lyric or inspiring one, but this is dark. She got it right with "I am free" and "Anytime you need a friend".
This record was also kinda what turned the general public off her high notes because the placements came across as "just because", and with such a display on the title track, the rest should've had it toned way down in the background like on "Can't Let Go". The saving grace for this album are her vocals which are top notch capturing just how powerful her instrument is.  |
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Mariah vs Brenda (104,331)
by BFF from United States
(Saturday 2 December 2023; 15:11) | | |
Brits sent the song "Sausage Rolls for Everyone" to #1 at Christmas time, so y'all don't have a leg to stand on in this regard. 
I'm not worried about Brenda Lee. I like the song, but Mariah's song is superior. They're different styles of song by different types of singers, so there's really no comparison here. |
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This is a reply to message 104,324 by
Andrew from United Kingdom
(Saturday 2 December 2023; 11:33) | | |
| Rockin Around The Christmas Tree is bloody awful. Why it is so popular in the United States is beyond comprehension. But, then, we are talking about a country that sprays cheese out of a can. I'll add it to the list of American Unforgivables. |
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Emotions formula (104,330)
by BFF from United States
(Saturday 2 December 2023; 15:00) | | |
I agree. "Emotions" is far and away a better album than the debut. The debut album is over-produced and lacks the personality and Mariah-ness that MC brought to subsequent albums.
Early on, Mariah correctly lamented that the record label watered down her sound for the album. I like the four singles and "Vanishing" from the album, but that's about it. I don't think I've ever listened to it all the way through.
The label really should have tried harder to support the "Emotions" album. It felt like they purposely held back on promotional push in order to "reign Mariah in" from taking more creative control and going in a more R&B/soul-based direction. |
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This is a reply to message 104,314 by
Andrew from United Kingdom
(Friday 1 December 2023; 17:17) | | |
""Emotions" was also a near sophomore slump that just wasn't as strong as the first record, neither were the tunes even as memorable like the debut."
I must differ, also. But go with me here, you may be surprised how this ends. "Emotions", the album, is superior to "Mariah Carey", its predecessor. The former has 80's-hangover style production, far less sophisticated lyrics, and basic tunes on half the record. The latter has the title track, Can't Let Go, Make It Happen, So Blessed and the majestic Till The End of Time - it is, in every aspect, superior. "Mariah Carey" had to have a great ballad shoe-horned onto the end of it to make it better. It is thus far the only MC album I have never owned.
However, everything else in your post is *cough* spot on. The singing style, too-clever melodies and over-production is old hat. It makes it very difficult for songs to be sung in karaoke or in tribute.
It is slightly frustrating that in tribute to Mariah she - and we - had to listen to Vision of Love and Love Takes Time. She has written over one hundred songs since then. But what successful ones can be reproduced? I think we all need and want to move past the pre-No.1's catalogue, right?
Chest voice not head voice. Semi-tone keychange not octave keychange. Simple structure chord progression not complicated altered second verse with no middle eight chord progression. Meaningful Universal lyrics not Fritos kitchen window lyrics. On trend producers not, well, Jermaine Dupri. |
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Triumphant (103,559)
by BFF from United States
(Saturday 23 September 2023; 16:08) | | |
| I think "Triumphant" had potential, but she should have scaled back the guest artists. I also remember one of the complaints about "#Beautiful" was her lack of presence on her own song. I love "#Beautiful" as a record, but I do remember wondering why Mariah was featured so little on her own song. I suspect that Miguel had already partially written/recorded the song before he and Mariah decided to collaborate. |
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This is a reply to message 103,557 by
Jamie from UK
(Saturday 23 September 2023; 14:04) | | |
| I really like Triumphant. I like the message behind it, I understand why it didn't do great as she's only technically featured on the chorus and the performance at rocafella just highlighted that fact as she just showed her face half way through the performance. So that didn't help. Perhaps if she's titled it Rick Ross-Meek Mill-Mariah Carey Triumphant it might have got more attention. As I think more people were too busy discussing her lack of presence on her own single as apposed to the actual song. But who knows. Fantastic remixes too. |
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MB30 - reflections (103,522)
by BFF from United States
(Sunday 17 September 2023; 04:05) | | |
I always thought the Butterfly and Rainbow tour performances of "Without You" were live, but maybe I was wrong on those? The TOTP Christmas performance is a little suspect watching it again today.
And, Randy, I agree that Butterfly is her best album. But I think Music Box has been unfairly maligned by fans and critics alike. I cannot imagine Mariah Carey existing without songs like "Anytime You Need a Friend", "Dreamlover", and "Hero" and her cover of "Without You". |
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This is a reply to message 103,518 by
Bill from the UK
(Sunday 17 September 2023; 02:22) | | |
| The pre-records for Without You actually began in 1994 for the Christmas TOTP performance. Then again at MSG in 1895, the Tokyo Dome dates of the Daydream tour in 1996, and then from Butterfly tour onwards. |
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MB30 - reflections (103,513)
by BFF from United States
(Saturday 16 September 2023; 16:30) | | |
I wonder why there wasn't a single live performance of "Never Forget You". It was technically a double A-side single release with "Without You" in the United States and got some airplay on R&B radio. I think it's a wonderful song and makes me wish Mariah had attempted more sessions with Babyface.
I have also always wondered why "Anytime You Need a Friend" disappeared from her set lists between 1996 and 2019. It's easily one of her best "single" releases and every bit as good as "Make It Happen", "Vision of Love", and her other gospel-style compositions. Maybe it was too demanding/hard to sing with the decline in her voice? "Without You" is pretty demanding as well, but she kept it in the setlist and didn't start using pre-recorded tracks for it until the "Charmbracelet" tour. |
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This is a reply to message 103,478 by
Bill from the UK
(Thursday 14 September 2023; 10:08) | | |
Now some time has passed, here are my thoughts.
Disc 1:
I've always loved the album, and never understood the group of fans that dismissed it. It's beautifully sung, expertly recorded, it showed more nuances to her voice than before, and her "pen game" as you kids call it these days for some reason, was superb. A 23 year-old writing Anytime You Need a Friend, Never Forget You, Hero, Dreamlover, Everything Fades Away? Wow. Speaking of Everything Fades Away, it was pleasing Mariah included this on the 'original' album. I know over the years each side of the pond has stated their case for the better finish to the album. Perhaps we can agree that All I've Ever Wanted is a gorgeous finale and send off, whereas Everything Fades Away is the hauntingly beautiful epilogue? Looking at this site's discography, more versions of the album included it than didn't, and it seems like Mariah herself views it as the true ending to the album.
Disc 2:
Okay wow. It's strange how on The Rarities, All I Live For was just, there. It was a pleasant little bop, but I was like "yeah, I get why it was left off." How is the extended version like a thousand times better? Honestly it elevates the song to a whole new level, and her vocals are astonishing. Great to see Luther added, as I always viewed Endless Love as part of the Music Box era, and was surprised the album never got re-issued to include it after it did so well. Workin' Hard and My Prayer I can't keep away from. I adore them. I am so sad they were locked up in the vault for 30 years, but look at them now having their day in the sun. The TOTP performances and remixes I am happy with, especially as the two full-length 10-minute epic and iconic club mixes were included. The only small hang up I have is with Hero (2009 Version). Firstly, it was recorded in 2008, so let's get that out the way. Second, I think I would have preferred the Spanish version to be included as it was 'of the time', whereas this was a good stretch afterwards, so it feels somewhat out of place. Everything else is from the period (save the two new mixes). I detested the re-recording when it came out to promote The Ballads, but as I have mellowed I see it was what it was. It's fine now, I'm at peace with it, but yeh. It's the only point where I pause briefly.
Disc 3:
We all love Proctor's Theatre don't we. What a concert. For many of us, the first one we saw. I also had two worn out VHS in my time, and then switched to the DVD when that was issued. It is my go-to 'comfort' concert. Whenever I've had a bad day and I need lifting up, or I'm perturbed by the world and all what's going on, I watch it. It takes me back to childhood, the wonder that was early Mariah, the nostalgia I wallow in, the happy memories it invokes. Like a few of you, every move, hand gesture, giggle, is committed to memory. Having it on audio is so, so good.
General:
Again, I never had an issue with the original cover. It was a bit botched on the cassette version as she was half a head, but the CD always looked beautiful. It gave a Marilyn Monroe vibe, and had a certain simplicity to it. The uncropped version is equally as nice though. If anyone's gone into panic mode over the physical release having a big border around the original cover, this is a slip case that will reveal the uncropped cover beneath it.
But thank you Mariah, for everything. 10/10. |
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MB30 (103,447)
by BFF from United States
(Tuesday 12 September 2023; 02:36) | | |
| I think Mariah was more in touch with her inner child on "Music Box" than on any other album. There is a sweetness, wholesomeness, and innocence to the writing, production, and vocals that really recalls a lot of Minnie Riperton and Stevie Wonder's outputs in the 1970s. I wouldn't call it "creatively stifled", but I understand why people have that perception. Tommy and Sony overruled Mariah on some things - sometimes it was the right call (adding Walter's input on "Dreamlover"), sometimes it wasn't (leaving "Everything Fades Away" off the final track listing). |
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This is a reply to message 103,440 by
JC from USA
(Monday 11 September 2023; 15:30) | | |
Original Hero takes the cake, always. But MB30 has me feeling unfulfilled. While MB is vocally a "prime" era, she's artistically stifled and the album feels forced, likely a result of surmounting pressure resulting from Emotion's underperformance commercially (though incredible album). These new from-the-vault songs sound horrifically dated and while her vocals are amazing on My Prayer, it's a complete skip for me.
If we are going to be celebrating anniversaries of albums every dang year, I wish we'd only celebrate and spend time more with those where she is liberated as an artist. |
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9/11 and "Glitter" (103,438)
by BFF from United States
(Monday 11 September 2023; 13:18) | | |
Today marks 22 years since the release of "Glitter" and since the World Trade Center tragedy. I always think of the song "Never Too Far" on this day because it's one of Mariah's most underrated ballads and its theme of loss is really appropriate for remembering what happened on 9/11. It's also impossible for me to forget how difficult the year 2001 was for Mariah and the humiliation she experienced in a moment that was supposed to be a moment of triumph.
Sorry to interrupt the MB30 celebration, but I really hope that one day we truly get "Justice for Glitter" - a 25th or 30th anniversary edition with unreleased tracks and more insight into what could have been. |
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Workin Hard x My Prayer x All I Live For x Hero 09 (103,427)
by BFF from United States
(Monday 11 September 2023; 00:15) | | |
I will probably get pilloried for this, but I prefer Linda Ronstadt's version of "I Will Always Love You" to Whitney's. I think Rondstadt's reading is more subtle and truer to the original.
Mariah took "Without You" to a place that Badfinger and Harry Nilsson could not; she didn't write the song but she sings it like she lived it. You can hear the loneliness of Mariah's childhood when she sings "You always smile but in your eyes your sorrow shows."
And I 100 percent agree. There is no "Music Box" album without "Without You". |
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This is a reply to message 103,420 by
Andrew from United Kingdom
(Sunday 10 September 2023; 17:44) | | |
I am sure that other British people here would agree that getting to No.1 in the UK in the 90's wasn't... how do I say this? It wasn't exactly an overly massive achievement. Now I know that Mariah was UK Top 5 with her 90s songs but to get to No.1 in the UK meant you simply had to be in a group of artists heavily pushed by the Record Labels in the UK - all of whom simply avoided releasing a song that would have competition in that week. When there were 2 songs going head to head that were otherwise created to get to, and destined for, No.1, these events made headlines, they made the national news.
To achieve No.1 you either had to be a seriously heavy-weight British Artist or have a one-hit-wonder generated for you - or you were a foreign artist who simply had a really good song. Mariah got to Number 2 with All I Want For Christmas Is You (something I cried about at the time). It was beaten by a very depressing song called Stay Another Day by a 90's boyband that to say they and thesong were heavily-marketed would be somewhat of an understatement. That she got to Number 2 on the strength of the song alone is remarkable.
It seems to me that to achieve No.1 in the United States (with still mindboggingly complicated ways of determining it) was not something easy. Therefore, discounting the incredible feat of getting there how many times she did, Mariah achieving Number 2's and Number 3's with songs released from an album long sinced dropped and heavy in sales figures is quite remarkable. In fact, it's astonishing.
I Will Always Love You was on the back of a Box Office Movie Hit and powerful (I personally hate it) and was the first release from the Soundtrack. The Soundtrack is revisited time and time again because it is Whitney's best work.
Funny, that Daydream is almost streamed as much as it. Mariah not only answered Whitney with Music Box, she came at her title with Daydream. And won.
Knowing some Atlanta-born poster here's propensity for defending Whitney, I shall say only this: whoever can listen to I Will Always Love You from start to finish without turning it off, turning it down, or tearing their ears off is superhuman. What the bloody hell are you supposed this song? The acappella begining is unnerving, the ridiculous bellowing at the end is unsingable, the whole thing is a shit-show. That I saw Whitney live in person sing this is one of the greatest memories of my life. But not as great as hearing her sing I Love The Lord. Now *that* is singing. Just like My Prayer is *singing*.
I shall stop typing now. Apologies, I'm on a bit of a Mariah buzz. I feel like a kid again lol. Peace. AJ. |
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Workin Hard x My Prayer x All I Live For x Hero 09 (103,398)
by BFF from United States
(Saturday 9 September 2023; 21:53) | | |
Yes, I agree. "Without You" deserved to be on the final track listing over "My Prayer." The way she sings the line "You always smile but in your eyes your sorrow shows" gets me every time.
My only complaint about "Without You" is that it was massive internationally but only went to #3 in the United States. It really should have been a moment akin to Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You". The way she sings it eclipses the Harry Nilsson version and the Badfinger original. |
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This is a reply to message 103,393 by
Edward from USA
(Saturday 9 September 2023; 17:15) | | |
| The same sentiment here. "All I Live For Extended" is just brilliant. I don't know why she cut it off and put that short lived whistle at the end on "The Rarities". "My Prayer" was executed beautifully, vocally and emotionally, but I can understand why "Without You" was chosen, it sounds more current even today. As for "Working Hard", I'm still getting used to it, but I like it. Obviously I had to replace "All I Live For" with the extended version on "The Rarities", what a difference. |
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MB30 reaction (103,373)
by BFF from United States
(Friday 8 September 2023; 14:51) | | |
"My Prayer" brought tears to my eyes when I heard it. Such a gorgeous rendition and somewhat left field for Mariah in terms of covers. More evidence that Mariah needs to put together a "cover songs" compilation album. She's done so many great ones, and it would be nice to have them all in one place.
"Workin' Hard" is better than either of the Cole + Cliviles tracks on the original album. I can totally understand why Mariah's message on Twitter says she's looking back with a bit of regret on this album... because "My Prayer," "Workin' Hard", "All I Live For", "Everything Fades Away", and "Do You Think of Me" are all better than songs that made the final track list.
I would have left off "Just to Hold You Once Again", "I've Been Thinking About You", and "All I've Ever Wanted" to make room for unreleased songs and b-sides if there was a concern that the album would be too long. I wouldn't be able to leave off tracks 1-7 on the original album - those are all songs I never skip. |
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Music Box 30th anniversary revealed (103,302)
by BFF from United States
(Monday 4 September 2023; 14:43) | | |
I'm so glad we are getting a high quality version of the Extended/Uncut Version of "Anytime You Need a Friend". This is my absolute favorite song on the album.
I wonder which of Mariah's other albums will get an "anniversary" re-release. I would like to see that happen for "Daydream" and "Glitter". |
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This is a reply to message 103,266 by
Robert-Anthony from United States
(Thursday 31 August 2023; 16:45) | | |
It will be out on 9/8. Here's what will be included on the 4LP 3CD cassette anniversary edition:
Expanded edition with bonus tracks
1. My Prayer - new track from the recording sessions
2. Hero - 2009 Version
3. AYNAF - Extended Version
4. Music Box - Acapella... Oooh wee. I need to hear this version.
5. Dream Lover - Live at the Top of Pops
*Live at Proctor's Theatre
1. new remastered audio
*Behind the Scenes of Dream Lover video - Mini Documentary
*Dream Lover video 4k
*MC Then and Now featurette
*And many more bonus features |
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Discounted singles (103,238)
by BFF from United States
(Monday 21 August 2023; 21:46) | | |
I think "Love Muffin" and "Ken Lee" should have been discounted to $0.49. They would've gone to #1 for sure.
"Love muffin, boy give your love to me. My muffin needs your lovin' so relentlessly."
"Kee Leeeeeeeeeee, Tuliboodiboodoubtyou." |
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This is a reply to message 103,225 by
Bill from the UK
(Saturday 19 August 2023; 22:17) | | |
Being the UK there weren't any tactics like this, other than the CD singles being released in "two parts" to sustain sales in the second week, and make rabid fans like me buy every version for different remixes or the alternative cover art (shout out to the UK exclusive Always Be My Baby artwork). I have been known to narrow my eyes in suspicion at the "one week only" #1s. I agree with what you say about My All and Thank God I Found You. I wouldn't say it applies to Heartbreaker and One Sweet Day though, because they had quite long stays at the top (especially OSD), plus Heartbreaker's great video would have helped as that whole thing was a hoot. This is why I roll my eyes when the (ducks) yaas queens lay down the "she's had two hundred thousand number ones" trump card. It's like, ask Joe Public to name 6 of them. Go on I'll wait. And yes, we all love Loverboy for all sorts of reasons (my affection for it is because it's such a mess), but there's no way that would have even cracked the top ten stateside were it not for it being sold for a penny or whatever it was. I always felt the UK's chart position of #12 was justified. It didn't warrant a top ten position, but deserved to knock at the door and be asked to the party, only to be sent away.
I've had too much wine. |
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Loverboy (103,140)
by BFF from United States
(Sunday 6 August 2023; 14:21) | | |
I think the released version with the "Candy" sample can best be described as an "interesting mess". Critics were right to call it subpar in comparison to Mariah's previous output. The video was fun, but the low quality of the released version definitely contributed to the underperformance of the "Glitter" soundtrack.
The "Firecracker" version is vastly better than the released version. I personally think Mariah could have gotten away with releasing it even with Jennifer Lopez using "Firecracker" for "I'm Real". The original version of "I'm Real" ended up underperforming any way, and that song did not become a hit until it was remixed with Ja Rule.
Mariah still needs to put out remix EPs for the Glitter album singles on streaming. Does anyone know if she's planning some type of "Glitter" anniversary release? |
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This is a reply to message 103,139 by
Billy from Greece
(Sunday 6 August 2023; 11:47) | | |
| So, I was thinking about "Loverboy" this morning and watched a video combining the original visuals with the Firecracker version. When "The Rarities" was released in 2020 and I listened to the original (Firecracker) version for the first time I was ecstatic and I was immediately filled with a "coulda woulda shoulda" feeling of what this song could have become, not to mention the lost potential of the "Glitter" soundtrack or even the trajectory of Mariah's career thereafter. It screams smash hit. In a way, the skeleton of the song, namely the track, the key in which it is written, the way the vocals pop in the chorus, brought to my mind the "Heartbreaker (Remix)", which she has often referred to as her favorite version. It is just impeccably catchy and the fact that they ripped her off and sabotaged her so badly just shows that Mariah's musical instincts were so on point that everybody was paying attention. She was at the top of her game creatively. Anyway, as far as the "Candy" version is concerned, I was similarly obsessed with when it came out in 2001. I remember hearing the remix on the radio for the first time on a hot day in June while waiting in my mother's car. While the rap intro was going on I was like, wait, these sighs and "oohs" in the background sound familiar and then I was in shock. Is this the new single? Remember back then, it was usually by accident that you came across a new release. I couldn't wait to hear it again. Although it was chaotic in a way, I mostly associated exuberance, fun and sexiness with the song, which was then enhanced by the saturated colorful visuals. Even the single cover is gorgeous and a total classic in my opinion. I can understand why the song did not have a mass appeal in the form that it was eventually released, although it remains a favorite of mine. Technically speaking, the key in which "Loverboy" was rewritten buried the chorus and made all parts sound a bit cluttered. Actually, Cameo's "Candy" has quite an unconventional beat, which makes it a difficult sample in my opinion, although it's been widely used. Still, whatever the circumstances, I love "Loverboy" in all its forms and still enjoy it to the max. |
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MB30 (102,901)
by BFF from United States
(Saturday 17 June 2023; 20:03) | | |
I like "Now That I Know" but "I've Been Thinking About You" not as much. I thought the uptempo songs on "Emotions" were better than on "Music Box". I totally agree about Mariah's work with C+C Music Factory. Those songs were so upbeat and fun to listen to; thinking about them makes me miss early 90s Mariah.
I hope the Music Box anniversary release has some fun goodies. |
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This is a reply to message 102,899 by
Jamie from UK
(Saturday 17 June 2023; 12:03) | | |
How can you not love Now That I Know and I've Been Thinking About You? Classic 90's pop with amazing vocals. I loved the MC and C&C uptempo collaborations they brought a happy vibe to early Mariah albums, shame it only lasted two.
I'd love Mariah to do an upbeat, radio friendly song now. Even if she takes a step back from the music and just inputs on the lyrics. Sometimes it's hard to create magic when you've been writing songs for so long, I'd just love a good solid song/album. |
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Rainbow was bigger than Daydream (102,746)
by BFF from United States
(Saturday 20 May 2023; 22:18) | | |
I definitely loved the "Rainbow" era. Mariah seemed to be having fun with the promotion and seemed more relaxed than in previous eras. Out of her #1 singles, I have always felt that "Thank God I Found You" was the most under appreciated - especially the original version. The song probably would have been better as a duet with Joe rather having 98 Degrees on it, but it's still a great slow jam/ballad. "Crybaby" was also a great song that probably should have gotten an official release rather than as the double A-side with "Can't Take that Away". The only song on the album I don't care for is "X-Girlfriend".
I wonder how many of the songs that ended up on "Rainbow" were originally intended for "Glitter". I'm pretty sure I remember Mariah saying that "Heartbreaker" was originally intended for the project when it was called "All That Glitters". |
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This is a reply to message 102,745 by
Robert-Anthony from United States
(Saturday 20 May 2023; 20:56) | | |
| Well, here it is as I promised. I am probably going to get a lot of push back for making this statement. This is why I have made such a bold statement. Rainbow was MC's liberation album. She had creative authority to do what she wanted to on Rainbow. She wanted to fulfill her contractual obligations to Sony Music. So she recorded Rainbow in 6 months. The recording of Rainbow has been her shortest time ever to record an album. The Heartbreaker single Jay-Z feature was a first for MC. It was the first time in her career that another artist was featured on one her lead singles. MC wrote ballads that were closer to R&B than pop for Rainbow. Many of the ballads mirrored sentiments she experienced in her personal life. The first week album sales of 323,000 were the highest in her career at the time. It was the first time a single's remix was featured on the album's initial release. Mariah started this trend that many R&B/Hip Hop have duplicated. It was the first time a Mariah Carey album had two interludes included in the album's tracklisting. The Biana alter ego was introduced. The Heartbreaker video was more expensive than Fantasy. Heartbreaker is one of the most expensive videos ever made costing 2.5 million. Promotion and tour was bigger than Daydream. Agree or disagree? |
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Favorite 90s singles cover (102,727)
by BFF from United States
(Sunday 14 May 2023; 22:53) | | |
| I love the image they used for the "Anytime You Need a Friend" single. I wish that song had performed better on the Hot 100. Great song that deserved a better peak charting position. |
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This is a reply to message 102,719 by
Robert-Anthony from United States
(Saturday 13 May 2023; 14:15) | | |
| My favorite 90s singles cover is Never Forget You/Without You. I love this cover because of the beige/almond background and MC's innocent pose. What is your favorite 90s singles cover? |
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Lovers and Friends performance (102,672)
by BFF from United States
(Sunday 7 May 2023; 15:57) | | |
| One Sweet Day with Boyz II Men |
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This is a reply to message 102,669 by
Robert-Anthony from United States
(Sunday 7 May 2023; 08:51) | | |
| Well, MC made us proud Lambs. She has her voice. I loved the Til The End Of Time - Camouflage - Vision of Love - hello lovers and friends intro. Mimi is even looking like she stepped back into her Touch My Body video. |
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Why is MC such a brilliant songwriter? (102,664)
by BFF from United States
(Friday 5 May 2023; 18:04) | | |
I love Stevie Wonder and agree with everything you said, but he didn't write the lyrics or the music for "For Once In My Life".  That song was recorded before he started taking more creative control over his music. |
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This is a reply to message 102,645 by
Robert-Anthony from United States
(Monday 1 May 2023; 20:00) | | |
| This question came to my mind yesterday watching one of the American Idol contestants perform one of Stevie Wonder's most well known hits- For Once In My Life. Stevie Wonder will always be regarded as a brilliant songwriter because of his unique ability to draw in the listener with his lyrics and melodies. And that is exactly what MC does with her lyrics and melodies. Lastly, MC does that unique humming and singing to the melody of her songs that very few singers do. ABMB is a huge example of MC at her best. MC is one of the greatest songwriters to live. What do the Lambs think? |
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What is your initial fan story? (102,624)
by BFF from United States
(Monday 24 April 2023; 20:00) | | |
| For me, hearing "One Sweet Day" on the radio when my mom was picking me up from school is probably my earliest memory of being aware of Mariah's music. My maternal grandfather had recently passed away, so the song had particular resonance for my mom and our family. I was three years old when Mariah first came out but really became cognizant of her music around the "Daydream" era. |
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This is a reply to message 102,618 by
Robert-Anthony from United States
(Monday 24 April 2023; 01:02) | | |
| What fascinated you about MC at any era that compelled you to become a lifetime fan? For me, it was Love Takes Time. Hearing this gem constantly on the radio made me know I was going to be a fan for life. |
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Legacy (102,610)
by BFF from United States
(Saturday 22 April 2023; 15:13) | | |
I totally agree, Randy. AIWFCIY is one of the least impressive popular songs in her catalogue. I also think that "Hero" is pretty overrated, and the fact that she wrote it for someone else indicates to me that it shouldn't be considered her signature song. To me, "Vision of Love" is her signature song. It is one of the most triumphant, mature, transcendent, and confident songs in her catalogue. I think it needs to elevated above "AIWFCIY" and "Hero" - neither of those songs truly represent her artistry.
"Butterfly" is considered by most OG fans to be her best album, but, to me, "Emotions" is either a very close second or tied for first place. That era was Mariah at her most authentic. She was in full control of the creative direction of that album. Her presentation was reserved but confident, and her image was very simple. I would've pushed her tour during the "Emotions" era to silence the naysayers - "Unplugged" was great but not enough. She was not yet in the unhealthy marriage to Tommy (that relationship should have remained professional). And she was not pandering to any particular audience in the way she did post-1997. |
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This is a reply to message 102,605 by
Randy from USA
(Saturday 22 April 2023; 03:34) | | |
| One of the things that bother me with the newer fans, delusionals and yass queens is the over celebration of AIWFCIY. A few years ago the older Stans were on here arguing what MC's signature song was. We tentatively settled on Hero. But now it's clear what she's going to be known for if this yearly record keeps happening. I think that the noise around that song fades away some of the most amazing singer songwriter compositions ever recorded. Mariah Carey is more than some relic you drag out of the closet and dust off on November 1st. Another damaging thing that the newer fans, delusionals and yass queens celebrate is her whistle register. Yes it is lovely. But that register doesn't make a great singer. I remember in the promotion for Emotions she said she didn't use it more on the track because she didn't want it to become a gimmick. She laid off it quite a bit on Music Box and Daydream but when the voice changed around #1s it was on full display for Rainbow. I think it's a crutch used to prove she can still sing. But if you have lost your belting register, are you gonna whistle your next albums? I just worry that Mariah's career is in a bleak spot and people are shining spotlights on things that narrow her legacy to a whistling Christmas act. Thoughts? |
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"Emotions" album appreciation (102,592)
by BFF from United States
(Thursday 20 April 2023; 03:03) | | |
| Yes to all of this. And Trey Lorenz, Patrick McMillan, and the other guys backing her up during live performances were phenomenal. |
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This is a reply to message 102,586 by
Jamie from UK
(Wednesday 19 April 2023; 21:19) | | |
| Emotions album is one of my favourites, it oozes soul, her voice is so warm and the ballads are perfect. Till the End of Time is a masterpiece, it's beautiful. And one of my all time favourite songs is Can't Let Go. The video portrays a classy Mariah, something about her in that video is different she shows so much passion. Her image was so refined during this album wholesome, relatable and appealing. |
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Anytime You Need a Friend - Extended (102,591)
by BFF from United States
(Thursday 20 April 2023; 02:39) | | |
| What crazy person decided to leave out the extended fadeout on this song? The vocals at the end are absolutely sublime and should have been included on the final studio version. Mariah totally goes off, and I'm here for it. |
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Female singers (102,581)
by BFF from United States
(Wednesday 19 April 2023; 13:38) | | |
I disagree that Mariah's "racial identity" was concealed during her early years by Tommy. She is on the record in one of her first TV interviews in 1990 about this.
Critics like Nelson George who made Mariah's "racial identity" into a big deal were the problem, not Tommy. No other female singer of that era (or any era, really) was called upon by critics to constantly explain her "racial" background. No one made a big deal about Whitney Houston's background, Celine Dion's background, or Toni Braxton's background. Just Mariah's. And the people who constantly asked her to self-identify so were feeding into racialist and racist thinking. This is the same BS that got applied to gay/lesbian artists who would rather focus on their musical output than constantly have to discuss their sexual orientation.
The implication of this never-ending discussion is that African-Americans somehow are inherently better singers than people of European descent or that skin color has anything to do with singing ability. And Mariah was called upon to pander to this nonsense. Listen to a Janet Jackson record alongside a Celine Dion record, and you'll know that this is absolute BS. Fans who continue to focus on this (and even Mariah herself) cheapen Mariah's artistry and accomplishments. |
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This is a reply to message 102,580 by
Robert-Anthony from United States
(Wednesday 19 April 2023; 03:10) | | |
| One thing that I did notice from 1990-1997 is that Tommy concealed her bi-racial identity in any way that he could. Go back and watch those early 90s performances and interviews, it was hard to tell during those years that MC was bi-racial at least for me. Tommy's oppressive behavior over MC really did something to her emotionally and mentally. MC was never the same woman after 1997. |
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