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).

Well, I guess I'm trying to be nonchalant about it

And I'm going to extremes to prove I'm fine with 38th / 6.925

But in reality I'm slowly losing my mind

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

BuzzJack asks me how I feel and I lie convincingly

'Cause I don't want to reveal the fact that that I'm suffering

So I wear my disguise 'til I log off at night

And turn down all the lights and then I break down and cry

Didn't know the story behind I Still Believe

always thought it was an original actually

Gutted for Breakdown! Some excellent lyrics there and just such a gorgeous song!

And we drifted to another state of mind

36. Underneath The Stars | 7.05 Highest Scores: 10: (Qween), Lowest Scores: 3: (rafik4u)
35. Open Arms | 7.095 Highest Scores: 10: (Qween), Lowest Scores: 4: (Bjork)


At #36 is Underneath The Stars, released in November 1996 as the 6th and final single from Mariah's 5th studio album Daydream and as a B-side to 'Forever' in Australia. The song was written and produced by Mariah and Walter Afanasieff and has been considered as one of her personal favourite songs. Before Mariah began searching for the direction for the album to take, she already had the idea for the melody for the track and felt that it would fit the album no matter what, making this the first track recorded for the album. Upon release the song was critically acclaimed, but only received a limited number of pressings in the USA & due to this it failed to make any impact on the Billboard charts & only managed a #69 peak on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay & top 40 on the US Adult R&B chart. The music video was for many years thought to be lost as it was filmed back in 1996, but Mariah herself didn't know what happened to it and then in 2020 as part of her "MC30" celebrations the video finally got released. Definitely agree that this is one of Mariah's very best album tracks & a firm highlight on 'Daydream' that deserved its time in the limelight with a full scale release that could have elevated it to smash hit status of the previous singles. This stunning tender ballad gives Mariah plenty of space to show off those amazing vocals. Then the tinkling electric piano and soft beats comes in, which gives it an almost mellow 70's sound to it. There's a lovely warmth to this number & so glad that it finally got some attention in 2020 with the video finally getting its long over due release.

At #35 another Daydream single drops Open Arms, which was originally recorded by American rock band Journey back in 1982. Mariah's released her version in December 1995 as the album's 3rd single outside the USA. Mariah co-produced her cover version with Walter Afanasieff, and has crossed paths with Journey's drummer Steve Smith who had played drums on many of her earlier singles. Upon release the song was panned by critics, but despite this it became a hit in many countries by reaching top 5 in the UK & top 10 peaks in Ireland, Poland & New Zealand, as well as top 20 peaks in Iceland & Netherlands. I do like Mariah's take on this cover with the cappella opening featuring just her vocals before she's joined by pianos & drums, then her vocals begins to soar as the chorus kicks in. However this always felt like a safe single choice in my opinion & perhaps Mariah tried a little too hard to make this cover her own, but other than that its a decent if typical power ballad.

'Underneath the Stars' should A) be higher and B) deserved a proper full single release (why were so many of her releases in the 90s botched or shelved?!)

 

'Open Arms' is a no no.

Open arms is a terrible unnecessary useless cover

Late but Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme) was super low, it's far better than some of the ballads that have finished higher, a moving classic.

 

I picked it up on secondhand vinyl recently actually, I hadn't even realised it was a single but I always wished it had been a hit.

Damn my 3 11’s all gone!

Late but Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme) was super low, it's far better than some of the ballads that have finished higher, a moving classic.

 

I picked it up on secondhand vinyl recently actually, I hadn't even realised it was a single but I always wished it had been a hit.

 

I always loved the video as it was a montage of awesome female empowerment

Losing 3 of my 10's in a row isn't IDEAL, but I' not hugely surprised. I'm a little out of whack with the general Mimi consensus.

I do like Mariah’s Open Arms, but maybe it’s a case of me not having heard the original, so for me it just comes across as being a Mariah song and I think she sounds amazing on it.

 

Although Open Arms sold less in the UK than One Sweet Day, I find it interesting that Open Arms managed to peak at #4 after One Sweet Day could only manage #6 (given that One Sweet Day was a gigantic #1 record breaking hit in the US, but here it was merely a decent sized hit).

 

On that note, I wonder why her singles were mostly never as massive in the UK as in the US? Clearly Mariah had some consistent success in the 90s in the UK by racking up consecutive Top 10s, but only Without You was #1 (not one of her US #1s!). It comes across to me like she veered more into “album artist” territory with Music Box and Daydream. I feel like Fantasy should have been a #1 here, but it “only” got to #4… but the album Daydream entered at #1 (and it was a late release, for some reason, it came out on Thursday instead of Monday… but still managed #1 with just 3 days of sale!). So Fantasy must have really connected to drive people into buying the album in their droves, more so than the single itself.

 

Mariah’s “major album seller” moment faded somewhat with Butterfly though, and sort of collapsed with Rainbow. :thinking: I wonder what changed, considering that it was business as usual in the singles chart with Honey (#3) and Heartbreaker (#5). Yet these didn’t translate into big album sellers like Dreamlover (#9) and Fantasy (#4) did.

 

… I didn’t expect to write this much! :lol:

 

Underneath the Stars is gorgeous btw, it’s much higher up my rank. I wonder if some of these songs suffered in this rate due to not being her most well known songs?

^I think it's to do with One Sweet Day being released in the heavy-scheduled high-sales Xmas period

while Open Arms was released in much less competitive times (Feb, I think)

 

as a fan of early day Mariah, it was very very frustrating to see her struggle in the UK

from day #1, Vision of love "only" making it to #9 in the UK... the follow up Love Takes Times barely scrapping the top 40

then coming back with album 2 and the lead single Emotions only peaking at #17

then album 3 with Dreamlover "only" peaking at #9 and Hero "only" at #7

when all of those are classics should have been massive #1s

 

but also bare in mind that US charts include airplay and Mariah was queen airplay in the early 90s (some say cos of Payola)

that's why the long stays at #1 for One sweet day etc...

 

 

 

‘Underneath The Stars’ deserved to be much higher. No way is it only a 7/10 song come on guys.

 

I am on tenter-hooks to see where ‘The Roof’ places. My favourite song of all time (not just Mariah song)… and to see how many low votes it got makes me v nervous.

Ready for another 2?

Something in your eyes captured my soul

34. I Know What You Want (with Busta Rhymes feat The Flipmode Squad) | 7.119 Highest Scores: 9.5: (gooddelta, Herbs), Lowest Scores: 2: (rafik4u)
33. Can't Let Go | 7.238 Highest Scores: 11: (Jessie Where), Lowest Scores: 4: (elgornio)


At #34 is I Know What You Want, a song by American rapper Busta Rhymes, featuring Mariah Carey and includes verses from his group The Flipmode Squad. Released in February 2003 as the 2nd single from Busta's 6th studio album It Ain't Safe No More & later added to the re-released editions of Mariah's 9th studio album Charmbracelet in Japan & the UK. The song was written by Busta, Rah Digga, Rampage, Rick Rock, and Spliff Star. Upon release the song was a hit across the globe by peaking at #3 in the USA, Australia & UK. This marked a return to form for both artists after Busta's previous single failed to make the top 40 as well as becoming one of Mariah's biggest hits in several years after a string of flop singles. This is a solid little R&B number from the early 00's with its slinky & seductive beats, addictive melodies & a hell of a catchy chorus that acts as that perfect earworm, really getting stuck inside your head. I remember being very happy that Mariah managed to score a hit during this very dark period of her career & while this is a solid return to form, its not something I really go back to anymore.

At #33 is Can't Let Go, released in October 1991 as the 2nd single from Mariah's 2nd studio album Emotions and written and produced by Mariah & Walter Afanasieff. Mariah had fallen out with her songwriting partner Ben Margulies following a financial dispute, and her record label suggested that she work with the other producers of her debut album such as Rhett Lawrence, Ric Wake and Narada Michael Walden. She chose to work with Walter, who had produced her 2nd single 'Love Takes Time'. Upon release the song ended her streak of #1 hits in the USA when it reached a #2 peak. Elsewhere its success was quite limited apart from a top 5 peak in Canada, ias well as a top 20 peak in the UK, top 30 in New Zealand & minor dents in Australia & Netherlands. This is a nice slow burning ballad with stunning instrumentals & gorgeous gospel-infused harmonies which gives the track a sense of drama, as well as Mariah's breathy vocal delivery adds a perfect tone to this rather moody number. This may not be one of Mariah's best ballads, but its a decent highlight from her early days.

The next to drop will be a 'Butterfly' track & 'The Emancipation of Mimi' track, any guesses?

So I packed up my Louis Vuitton, jumped in your ride and took off

32. Shake It Off | 7.261 9.5/9: (JackTheeStallion, Simon, Jord, JosephStyles, Jay), Lowest Scores: -1: (Jessie Where)
31. The Roof (Back In Time) | 7.275 Highest Scores: 11: (Davidson), 10: (elgornio), Lowest Scores: 3: (Herbs)


At #32 is Shake It Off, released in July 2005 as the 3rd single from Mariah's 10th studio album The Emancipation of Mimi. It was written and produced by Mariah along with Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, and Johntá Austin. The song was one of the tracks she recorded during her 2 day trip to Atlanta to collaborate with Jermaine Dupri & following this recording session the track was briefly selected as the album's lead single, replacing the other 2 contenders "Stay The Night" & "Say Somethin'". Upon release the song was released in some countries as a double a-side single alongside "Get Your Number", while some countries had the latter track released instead. In the USA it reached a #2 peak, blocked by her own hit "We Belong Together" & Kanye West & Jamie Foxx's "Gold Digger". Furthermore, it marked the first time a female lead artist occupied the top two positions of the Hot 100. Elsewhere it also found success by reaching top 10 peaks in New Zealand, Australia & UK as well as a top 20 peak in Ireland. Mariah's on top form with this bouncy yet sultry R&B number with its simple sparse production which gives it classy & elegant vibe. The chorus is catchy & the lyrics are fantastic which made an instant highlight upon the album's release.

At #31 is The Roof (Back In Time), released in March 1998 as the 3rd single for the European market from Mariah's 6th studio album Butterfly. The song was written and produced by Mariah and Trackmasters, and is built around a sample from "Shook Ones (Part II)" by Mobb Deep. The extended remix features a rap verse by Mobb Deep. The track only received a limited worldwide release due to her conflict at the time with Sony. In 2020 Mariah revealed that the lyrics were about her relationship with New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, In 2022 Mariah revealed a re-recorded version of the song, titled "The Roof (When I Feel The Need)" & features vocals from singer Brandy & appears on the expanded edition of the album for the album's 25th anniversary. Upon release it didn't chart in most major music markets due to its limited promotion & release, with the exception of Netherlands & UK respectively where in the latter it charted on import sales alone. Yet another major lost opportunity as this like 'Breakdown' deserved so much more than the lacklustre releases they got. This has to be one of Mariah's most alluring singles of her career with its heavy beats, sleek grooves & Mariah's seductive vocals adds a sense of mystery to the production. A hidden gem from Mariah's discography.

Time for another results re-cap with 31-40

31. The Roof (Back In Time) - 7.275
32. Shake It Off - 7.261
33. Can't Let Go - 7.238
34. I Know What You Want (ft Busta Rhymes) - 7.119
35. Open Arms - 7.095
36. Underneath The Stars - 7.05
37. I'll Be Loving U Long Time - 6.975
38. Breakdown (ft Krayzie Bone & Wish Bone) - 6.925
39. A No No - 6.925
40. I Still Believe - 6.825

'Can't Let Go' being that low is so unjust :cry: :cry:

 

Absolutely hate 'Shake it Off'. And 'The Roof' being yet another undeservedly botched 90s single! Why did this keep happening to so many of them?

Having a bit of a catch-up...

 

'Infinity' is one of my favourite Mariah singles of recent years, I just love how dramatic it is with the belting chorus and the ascending violin strings.

 

I hadn't heard 'Never Too Far' before the rate but, wow, what a stunning song! I think it started off as an 8/10 but I had to elevate it to one of my 10s. The lyrics are so poignant and the vocal is phenomenal. Shoutout to 'Lead the Way' from the same album which is the best Mariah song I've heard.

 

'Forever' is a beauty, I can see why it might not be for everyone but I think it's so undeniably sweet and romantic.

 

If I could go back, I'd give 'I Don't Wanna Cry' a 10. It's one I've kept returning to since I rated, I just feel every word of the chorus, her vocals are show-stopping and so expressive.

 

I know she's little more than the hook on it, but 'I Know What You Want' with Busta Rhymes has kinda stood the test of time. I still hear it a lot on nights out! The production reminds me slightly of 'Let Me Blow Ya Mind'.

 

'The Roof (Back in Time)' is such an interesting song, it's subtly catchy, relying on the seductive grooves and breathy vocals to pull you in. I love the intro with the little piano melody before the rest of the production comes in. Another one I think I'd revise to a 10/10.