Look inside you and be strong

17. Hero | 8.214 Highest Scores: 11: (Nina West, Jord), 10: (JosephStyles), Lowest Scores: 6/6.5: (Davidson, Simon, elgornio)


At #17 is one of my all-time faves Hero, released in October 1993 as the 2nd single from Mariah's 3rd studio album Music Box. The song was written and produced by Mariah and Walter Afanasieff. Originally Gloria Estefan recorded the song for the soundtrack of the movie of the same name, after Mariah didn't connect to its style or sound. However after being convinced by Tommy Mottola to keep it, she changed some of the lyrics to more precisely fit her personality. The song has been regarded as one of her most inspirational and personal ballads of her career, and remains as one of her most performed songs. Deemed by many as her signature song. Upon release it became a huge global success by becoming her 8th #1 on the US Billboard charts, as well as top 5 peaks in Canada, France, Ireland, New Zealand and Norway, and top 10 peaks in UK, Australia & Netherlands. In 2001 following the 9/11 attacks, Mariah re-recorded the song as a mash up single titled "Never Too Far/Hero Medley", where it peaked at #81 on the US Billboard charts. The song won the awards for "Rhythm & Soul Songwriter" at the ASCAP Awards & the following year won awards for "Rhythm & Soul Songwriter" and "Pop Songwriter". The song was awarded a BMI Pop Award at the ceremony in 1995. As well as being nominated for a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

A firm iconic classic from Mariah's discography. Flawless, sentimental and uplifting, its the kind of empowerment ballad that defines an artist. The song begins with Mariah's vocals pitched against a piano, as the bass and light percussion gradually builds and delivers one of her most powerful vocal performances. There is no doubt that Mariah excels at a ballad and this one is one of her most memorable and enduring. Everything is enhanced by the vocals and soaring melodies with the track flowing perfectly along with her. The song has provided strength to many people across the world (including myself) and its not hard to see why, its simply amazing. This deserves to rank much higher on here, but at least its got a decent average and its something that will always have a special place in my heart.

I like 'Hero', although it is cheesy.

 

Always felt much bigger than a #7 to me though!

Love Oh Santa, especially the newer version!

 

Hero is great but agree it’s a bit cheesy. 17 seems about right

love Hero, one of her best, part of its cheese it's cos of those XF versions rather than poor Mariah

I think it's a classic and a shame the UK only got it to #7

Oh wow - was expecting Hero to be top 5

I got a house in Capri and my own G4

and a Benz with the doors that lift up from the floor

 

23. Get Your Number (ft Jermaine Dupri) | 7.619 Highest Scores: 10: (AaronTM), Lowest Scores: 6: (Bjork, vibe, rafik4u, dandy*)

At #23 is Get Your Number, released in October 2005 as the 4th single from Mariah's 10th studio album The Emancipation of Mimi & features American rapper Jermaine Dupri. It was written by Mariah, Jermaine, Johntá Austin and Bryan-Michael Cox, and produced by the former two and LRoc. The song is built around a sample of the 1982 song "Just An Illusion" by Imagination. Upon release the song received mixed reviews & was released as the album's 3rd single throughout Europe, where it reached top 10 peaks in Finland, Netherlands & UK, where it was released as a double a-side alongside "Shake It Off". Elsewhere it also managed top 20 peaks in Australia, Switzerland & Ireland as well as top 40 peaks in 7 other countries.

 

A good little club banger from the early 00's & one of my fave tracks from the album with its fun production that uses synthesizers which gives it an almost 80's sounding, catchy hooks & Mariah's confident vocals whose in full diva mode here as she brags about her material possessions in a tongue in cheek way. Even Jermaine's ab-libs adds a nice touch to the track & alongside Mariah proves to be a winning formula. Sure this doesn't quite rank as one of Mariah's all-time best, but not every song has to be & instead its a solid playful little bop that rightfully gave her a UK top 10 hit.

 

Just popping in to say this is by far my favourite Mariah song and should have been higher :kink:

'Hero' a bit lower here than expected!

Seeking faith and speaking words

16. When You Believe (ft Whitney Houston) | 8.238 Highest Scores: 10: (Simon, Lukuzz, Jord, Qween, AaronTM), Lowest Scores: 4: (Davidson)


At #16 is the Whitney & Mariah duet When You Believe, a song made for the 1998 DreamWorks musical animated feature 'The Prince of Egypt'. The song was written & composed by Stephen Schwartz. A pop version of the track with additional music & lyrics by Babyface. Released in November 1998, it not only served as the soundtrack's lead single but also featured on both Whitney's 4th studio album My Love is Your Love & Mariah's compilation album #1's. The original version of the song that featured in the movie itself was sung by Sally Dworsky, Michelle Pfeiffer, and a children's choir. The movie's producer Jeffery Katzenberg was the one who approached both Whitney & Mariah to do the duet, by telling them both that the other had already agreed to do it & by the time they found out, both artists had already been committed to the project. Upon release the song was a moderate success in the USA by reaching a #15 peak, despite heavy media attention and live promotion. However elsewhere it achieved much bigger success by reaching top 5 peaks in Belgium, France, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland & UK. The song went onto to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song at the Oscars. However there was some controversy due to Schwartz leaving out Babyface out of the writing credits due to his version only been used at the end credits & not in the movie itself.

A big soaring power ballad by two of the greatest female singers of all-time, that might have been regarded as a step backwards had either of them recorded it individually. But together, they created something wonderful and magical. The fact that these 2 artists came together was a feat within itself, given the rumoured rivalry throughout the 90's (which was never really proven) & when both were asked they kinda threw some light shade at each other or just brushed it off altogether. Both Whitney & Mariah sound fantastic on this with Whitney's deep rich tones that grounds the song while Mariah handles the 2nd verse with her trademark style of vocal runs and the increase of her higher register before they both belt out the chorus, blending and harmonizing beautifully. Then there's of course that key change moment with addition of the gospel choir, followed by soaring vocals & soulful riffs, making this collaboration an almighty triumph. This may not be the best of either artists discography, but its still a great song.

there were much much better ballads lower

Love When You Believe, two epic voices, would have loved more duets from them 😭

A few songs in the Top 30 that wouldn't be in mine or songs that would but certainly not be ahead of songs that didn't make it. 'Big Energy' certainly has no right being this high, it doesn't even sound like Mariah.

 

I first heard 'One Sweet Day' about a year ago and it came at a time when someone I knew sadly passed away suddenly so the message of the song really hit deep. I think it's a really gorgeous song.

 

I've been having such a moment to 'Someday' since the rate, I'd easily give it a 10 now. Shocked that Mariah doesn't like it! It reminds me slightly of 'Emotions' actually. It's so joyful and Mariah's vocal slays as usual.

 

'Hero' and 'When You Believe' are both classics but I must admit there's loads of other Mariah songs I'd prefer to listen to. I do really enjoy them, I believe I gave each an 8, I guess X Factor did have a slightly detrimental effect though.

The next to drop will be a lead single

 

Any guesses?

Maybe Honey? :thinking:

Maybe Honey? :thinking:

 

I'll be so peeved if 'Honey' finishes below 'Touch My Body'

I'll be so peeved if 'Honey' finishes below 'Touch My Body'

I love both, both need to be top 10!

c'mon 'Honey' hang on a bit longer 🙏

Catching up on this. Didn’t realise I’d give Oh Santa a 10 I do like it, but in hindsight not that much :lol:

 

Hero and Anytime you need a friend both feel very music classic Mariah to me so gutted to see those leave before the top 10 although I’m not too surprised at the same time.

 

Seeing all these songs in the rate makes you realise just how much material she has and how overall strong her discography is.

Edited August 16, 20231 yr by Jord

The next to drop will be a lead single

 

Any guesses?

 

Obsessed?

Seeing right through you like you're bathing in Windex

15. Obsessed | 8.428 Highest Scores: 11: (liam.k.), 10: (elgornio, JosephStyles, rafik4u, Qween, AaronTM), Lowest Scores: 5.5/5: (Nina West, dandy*)


At #15 is Obsessed, released in June 2009 as the lead single from Mariah's 12th studio album Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. The song was written & produced by Mariah, Tricky Stewart and The-Dream and lyrically describes her dilemma regarding constant claims of a prior relationship from rapper Eminem, although he is not specifically mentioned. At the time of its release the song was the center of controversy, as critics & the media suggested that she was aiming at Eminem, who had claimed that they were in a relationship at one point & had negatively referenced her in some of his songs. Upon release the song peaked at #7 on the US Billboard charts, becoming her 27th top 10 hit there & would be her last until a certain classic X-Mas song would finally reach the top 10. Worldwide the song wasn't released in certain parts of Europe, as Island Records decided to release the 2nd single 'I Want To Know What Love Is' instead. But did find success in some countries by reaching top 10 peaks in France & Italy, as well as hitting top 20 peaks in Australia, Belgium, Canada & Japan. In the UK it was lined up for an August release, but got pushed back several times & was ultimately cancelled, despite heavy radio & airplay. The song managed a #52 peak there after the album was released due to digital downloads. In 2019, the song became viral due to a TikTok challenge, which caused it to surge in popularity again & even got a response from Mariah herself.

This has never been one of my fave Mariah singles, probably due to the awful auto-tune spoiling it for me, but even I could admit that this deserved far more than its mere #52 peak in the UK, I know was down to it's physical release getting cancelled, which to this day I still don't understand why. Now I do like the concept of this mid-tempo bop with the bass notes giving the sound a grander scale, set alongside simple beats & repetitive handclaps which does get a little monotonous at times. Plus this could have done with switching up the melody a little more in places could have balanced things out a little more. The remixes this track got were really good though, especially the Cahill & the Friscia & Lamboy radio mixes, both of which were included on the album & in my opinion the latter could have been used as the main single mix.

Like 'Obsessed' Oops at them delaying the chart impact for it though.