Ready for some more....

Two of my 11’s already gone :(

 

 

There's just a shadow of a memory

43. Forever | 6.55 Highest Scores: 10: (Liam.k.), Lowest Scores: 4.5: (Lukuzz)
42. Endless Love (ft Luther Vandross) | 6.642 Highest Scores: 9: (Josh), Lowest Scores: 3: (Jessie Where)
41. I Don't Wanna Cry | 6.642 Highest Scores: 9.5/9: (Bjork, vibe), Lowest Scores: 4: (dandy*)


The first of the triple whammy of ballads in this section at #43 is Forever, released in June 1996 as an airplay only & 5th single from Mariah's 5th studio album Daydream. The song was written by Mariah and Walter Afanasieff, and was composed throughout 1995. Upon release the song served as an airplay only song in the USA and a limited release worldwide. Due to Billboard rules the song wasn't allowed to chart on the Hot 100 due to it not having a commercial release, despite gaining a decent amount of airplay which did allow it to chart on the component charts where it hit #2 on the A/C charts & top 10 on the Mainstream top 40. Elsewhere the track was a moderate success by hitting top 20 in Canada, top 40 in New Zealand, top 50 in The Netherlands as well as charting in the lower regions of Australia. This is a really nice ballad with its simple pianos, drum sequences and chord progression's that gives it that classic retro 50's style that sounds very convincing and Mariah again hitting those dramatic high notes when the key change comes towards the final verse. While this was a highlight on 'Daydream', however this does feel more like a deep album cut than an actual single.

At #42 is Mariah's first ever "high profile" duet with Endless Love alongside American soul singer Luther Vandross. Released in August 1994 as the 2nd single from Luther's covers album simply titled Songs. The song was a cover of the classic Diana Ross & Lionel Richie hit from 1981. To give Luther's album a bigger boost it was Mariah who came up with the idea to remake the song as a duet with her. Although Luther's album was already set to contain one Lionel Richie composition, "Hello", it was obvious that having the most-popular female artist on the Sony label singing on the album would be a benefit. Upon release the song became a huge success by reaching a #2 peak on the US Billboard charts, making this Luther's highest charting pop hit of his career. Worldwide it was also a smash hit by topping the charts in New Zealand and hit top 5 peaks in UK, Australia, Ireland and Netherlands as well as reaching top 20 peaks in most countries it charted in. At the 1995 Grammy's the song was nominated in the new category of "Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals". I've always loved the original classic version of this track & Mariah and Luther do a bang up job with their version thanks to Luther's velvety soaring tenor & Mariah's beautiful five octane range that when combined together creates soothing harmonies and just an all round mesmerizing presence from 2 incredible artists.

At #41 is I Don't Wanna Cry, released in March 1991 as the 4th single from Mariah's debut album Mariah Carey and was written by Mariah and producer Narada Michael Walden, Upon release the song was viewed as a standout track by music critics and gained a high amount of airplay in the USA where it became her 4th consecutive number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart, making her the second act to have their first four entries reach number one. Elsewhere it was also successful in Canada & New Zealand where it reaching top 10 & top 20 peaks respectively as well as a top 50 peak in Australia. This is a much more down tempo ballad than what we'd expect from Mariah especially at this very early point in her career. The Spanish/Latin tones adds a very nice yet sombre atmosphere to the whole production. Mariah really captures the heart wrenching sorrow of the lyrics and delivers some really powerful yet emotional vocals. Stunning ballad through and through.

Edited July 29, 20231 yr by Nina West

Before we head into the top 40 here's a reminder of the results of 41-73:

41. I Don’t Wanna Cry - 6.642
42. Endless Love (ft Luther Vandross) - 6.642
43. Forever - 6.55
44. Never Too Far - 6.5
45. Can’t Take That Away (Mariah’s Theme) - 6.5
46. Infinity - 6.35
47. Bringin’ on the Heartbreak - 6.325
48. Save the Day (ft Ms. Lauryn Hill) - 6.325
49. I Stay in Love - 6.3
50. Bye Bye - 6.275
51. Say Something (ft Snoop Dogg) - 6.261
52. Never Forget You - 6.238
53. The Art of Letting Go - 6.225
54. You’re Mine (Eternal) - 6.2
55. Angels Cry (ft Ne-Yo) - 6.119
56. Loverboy (ft Cameo) - 6.095
57. I Want to Know What Love Is - 6.071
58. Up Out My Face (ft Nicki Minaj) - 6.025
59. Boy (I Need You) (ft Cam'Ron) - 5.976
60. You Don’t Know What to Do (ft Wale) - 5.95
61. With You - 5.9
62. There’s Got to Be a Way - 5.88
63. Almost Home - 5.75
64. Thank God I Found You (ft Joe & 98 Degrees) - 5.595
65. Against All Odds (ft Westlife) - 5.547
66. H.A.T.E.U. - 5.452
67. Sweetheart (ft JD) - 5.35
68. In the Mix - 5.35
69. When Christmas Comes (ft John Legend) - 5.2
70. Crybaby (ft Snoop Dogg) - 4.833
71. Triumphant (Get ‘Em) (ft Rick Ross & Meek Mill) - 4.775
72. I Don’t (ft YG) - 4.65
73. Don’t Stop Funkin’ (For Jamaica) (ft Mystikal) - 4.214

oh love I don't wanna cry, one of the highlights from her debut

too bad it was never a UK single, much better than the 4th UK single Theres got to be a way

Before the countdown for the top 40 starts here's a little reminder of how many era tracks have left in the running =

Mariah Carey – 3/5
Emotions – 3/3
Music Box – 4/5
Merry Christmas/I & II – 2/3
Daydream – 5/6
Butterfly – 5/5
Rainbow – 1/5
Glitter – 0/3
Charmbracelet – 2/4
The Emancipation of Mimi – 5/6
E=MC2 – 2/4
Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel – 1/5
Me I Am Mariah…The Elusive Chanteuse –1/4
Caution –1/2
Greatest Hits – 2/4
Other - 3/9


As you can see 'Glitter' is the only album to lose all of its singles so far & 'Emotions' & 'Butterfly' are the only albums to still have all of their singles still left in the running, but for how long?

#40-#31 will be in 2's & then as we enter the top 30 the rest of the entries will be in single posts.

Nothing too glaring that I like and know that's dropped out since I last commented!

A few singles that are in my personal Top 40 are already out, not that I'm surprised:

 

Loverboy [LoverBOP deserved more x]

You're Mine (Eternal)

Boy (I Need You)

Never Too Far

I Don't Wanna Cry

Almost Home

Forever [i agree that it seems more like an album track - a gorgeous one at that!]

Ed Scissorhands, AKA "I cut you off" (No)

40. I Still Believe | 6.738 Highest Scores: 8: (gooddelta, Lukuzz, Herbs, rafik4u), Lowest Scores: 5:(Jessie Where, Simon, dandy*)
39. A No No | 6.825 Highest Scores: 9: (JackTheeStallion), Lowest Scores: 3: (rafik4u)

At the #40 spot is I Still Believe, released in February 1999 as the 2nd single from Mariah's first compilation album #1's. The song was originally sung by American singer Brenda K. Starr in 1988 with whom Mariah started out as a backing singer for her in the late 80's & she had helped Mariah jump start her career by handing a demo tape to CBS Records Executive Tommy Mottola & the rest was history. Mariah decided to cover the track as a tribute and a thank you to Brenda K.Starr for believing in her and seeing her star potential. Upon release the song was a big success in the USA where it reached a #4 peak and it was her first song to chart on radio airplay points alone. Worldwide it enjoyed moderate success by hitting the top 20 in the UK, top 30 peaks in Canada, New Zealand & Belgium, as well as top 40 peaks in Switzerland & France. This is a really good cover that Mariah obviously has a huge respect for the original artist, but makes the song her own at the same time, thanks to its elegant production, simple arrangements & stunning vocals. A decent yet rather underrated cover.

At #39 is A No No, released in March 2019 as the 2nd and final single from Mariah's 15th studio album Caution & samples Lil' Kim's "Crush on You". The song was written by Mariah, Robert "Shea" Taylor, Priscilla Hamilton, Mason Betha and Camron Giles. As well as the writers of the sampled track who also received writing credits. Originally the song was released as a promotional single in November 2018, then Epic Records serviced the track to rhythmic contemporary and urban contemporary radio as the album's 2nd single. The release was also supported by remixes featuring Stefflon Don & Shawni, each accompanied by a music video. Upon release all versions of the track received positive reviews, but only the original solo version managed to chart at #17 on the US R&B digital charts, making this the first Mariah album to have no charting singles on the Billboard Hot 100. Easily the most uptempo & catchiest track on 'Caution' with its funky yet laidback R&B grooves, clever lyrics which sees Mariah at her most playful. This is a good solid number that if released back in her heyday then it easily could have been a smash hit.

Edited August 9, 20231 yr by Nina West

Ready for another 2?

As long as Through The Rain ain’t in there!

'A No No' is well good, I actually really liked the Caution album a lot.

Underneath the guise of a smile gradually I'm dying inside

38. Breakdown (ft Krayzie Bone & Wish Bone) | 6.925 Highest Scores: 10: (elgornio), Lowest Scores: 4: (Lukuzz, Herbs)
37. I'll Be Loving U Long Time | 6.975 Highest Scores: 10: (Qween), Lowest Scores: 4: (dandy*)


At #38 is Breakdown, released in January 1998 as the 3rd single from Mariah's 6th studio album Butterfly & features rap verses by two members of the group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Krayzie Bone and Wish Bone. During the recording sessions for the album which took place from January 1997 to August 1997, Mariah conceptualized a song titled "Breakdown" with Sean Combs protégé, producer Stevie J.[ Both men had also worked on the lead single & after Mariah expressed interest in collaborating with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, the rest was history. Upon release the song received limited promotion from Columbia, which Mariah took issue with after they wouldn't issue a standalone commercial release in the USA, making it ineligible to chart on the Hot 100. It was later released as a double a-side with 'My All'. Worldwide had a mixed reception by reaching a top 5 peak in New Zealand and hit top 40 in Australia. Although it wasn't officially released in the UK, it managed to chart as a double a-side with 'My All' at #98 on import sales. This really SHOULD have been a smash hit & would have been if the label wasn't so biased towards Mariah's R&B output. The hypnotic melodies & flawless production which blends Mariah's vocals with Krayzie & Wish Bone perfectly & (pardon the pun) creating soothing harmonies. This is one of the many prime examples of Mariah transitioning into urban music effortlessly.

At #37 is I'll Be Loving U Long Time, released in July 2008 as the 3rd single from Mariah's 11th studio album E=MC2, with the song's hook and instrumentation is derived from sampling DeBarge's "Stay with Me". The track was written by Mariah, Aldrin Davis, Crystal Johnson and Clifford Harris, and produced by the former two. For it's single release an official remix featuring American rapper T.I. alongside the original version. Despite being expected to become a huge smash hit the song had a weak chart performance upon its release by only managing to reach a #58 peak on the Billboard charts. Elsewhere it managed top 40 peaks in Japan & Slovakia, as well as minor peaks in Canada & UK where it peaked at #84 in the latter due to digital sales. This is yet another Mariah single that deserved better upon its release & if it wasn't following the lacklustre 'Bye Bye' (which killed all momentum for this era), then this easily could have generated more hype & better sales. Easily one of the best tracks on 'E=MC2' with its breezy laidback grooves, infectious hooks & gorgeous arrangements makes this a perfect summer jam. Good track an underrated gem for sure.

Edited July 31, 20231 yr by Nina West

'I'll Be Lovin U Long Time' is decent!

A No No and I'll Be Loving U Long Time are bops!

I think the physical release for 'I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time' got cancelled, this was on the B-List on Radio 1.

'Loving U Long Time' was easily the best single from that album.

Breakdown being this low down… :( I think it’s head and shoulders above many of the songs that are still left to be revealed hmm. Some of her very best lyrics! Deserved to smash, but she was experiencing difficulties with Columbia at the time (as referenced in Nina’s write up).

I remember being obsessed with 'I'll Be Loving U Long Time' at the time, I really overplayed it. Funnily enough I've played it more this past week than I have since the year it was released.