The Ultimate Mariah Carey Mixtape
Oct 26 '09
The Bottom Line What can I say? The woman knows her way around a slow jam.
I've always had a bit of a problem expressing myself. It may have been the fact that I have a bit of a stutter that rears its ugly head from time to time or the fact that I was a pretty isolated only child for a large majority of my early childhood and never learned how to verbalize all the thoughts swirling in my head. Whatever the cause may be, I often have a hard time putting said thoughts to paper and have it come off exactly as I want; I may use writing as a hobby, but I'm the first to admit that I'm extremely self-critical and unsure as to the quality of my writing. One way in which I express myself to my loved ones without much fail has to be the mixtape.
Combining my love of music with my lack of verbal ability and need to please sounds dangerous in theory, which it has at times felt. Being able to use the rhythms, lines, and chords of my favorite artists to express the love, lust, and longing that was in my heart to the ones I hold nearest and dearest was a total blessing. I was able to recommend music, make a personal gift, and bond a little bit more with the person it was intended for, three things that I love doing and eagerly strive for ways to continue implementing them in my life to this day.
Which brings me to the ultimate mixtape. Writer's block has shone the light on a new idea that I'm slightly surprised I hadn't thought of before; what better fun for me than to make playlists and write about ‘em to people who also love music? Heaven, right? I figured I would use some of my favorite artists and simply go through the music in their catalog that resonated with me or that I'm most drawn to. The more ardent a fan I am of somebody, the more slightly obscure or left center the choices will be. Let's kick this now semi-regular series off with my favorite artist: Mariah Carey.
The Roof
This is honestly my favorite song of all time, let alone my favorite Mariah Carey track. The sample is absolutely spellbinding (the addition of Mobb Deep on the remix is a genius touch) and melodic enough to allow Mariah to just kind of flow over top of it. Edgy, gritty, truthful, and one of the most refreshing things she has ever done. In actuality, it was the perfect way to ease fans into the idea of MC doing more hip hop-based records. A masterpiece.
Bliss
One of the most romantic songs I've ever heard. The atmosphere is sensual and erotic without being trashy or Mariah trying to be something that she's not. Her whistle register is stunning and unmatched in today's music. In short, this is a wonderfully dreamy way to spend almost six minutes of your time. All the best sensual songs seem to be around this length, funnily enough. It reminds me a lot of old school r&b, which is a genre I would love to hear Mariah explore on future albums.
For the Record
In the best possible way, this is a pretty weird song for MC and one that I welcomed with open arms. It's not what you expect from her, which is something that she needs to incorporate more into future records (experimentation); everything about it is kind of off but it packs quite a wallop from the first listen. Plus the self-referential verse is something that only Mariah could have came up with. Brilliant.
Mine Again
The return of the voice, indeed. Simply timeless. This made my top ten because it's just Mariah vocally letting loose. No bells, no whistles, nothing but a simple yet powerful melody the voice that fans have come to adore. That hook is one for the ages and never fails to give me chills. The angst, the longing, the passion. Unmatched by anyone.
Vanishing
There cannot be a top Mariah Carey song list without at least one song from her debut, the album that started it all. I picked this song because of its bare bones structure and the dynamic, raw vocal. The gospel tinges are a nice touch. This is the definition of a total powerhouse ballad. The last 30 seconds never fail to make me tear up; it's only the tip of the iceberg of things to come for an all time great.
Fourth of July
This is a very wise, wistful follow-up to "Underneath the Stars". One of the ‘prettier' songs I've heard from her. Feels a lot more adult, as well, just from how lived-in the production feels. So relatable. It straddles the line between seductive and innocent quite impeccably, which is a theme through Mariah's later work. She'll flirt with being a little too out there and then she'll reel it in just enough to be playful. Extremely underappreciated part of MC's catalog. Completely and utterly mixed tape ready, hence its place on my list.
Stay the Night
I would have loved to have heard this as a single, simply because it's so different for Mariah. The production (from Kanye West, of all people) is spot on. It feels like a perfect progression for Mariah; it's modern without selling out. Almost as if this is the type of music she should be making. Focus is all on her voice, where it should be. Greatly appreciated the fact that it stayed true to who she was and gave a shout out to where she came from. Beautiful.
Never Too Far
If Mariah has a "showstopping" ballad in her catalog, this is it. This is perfection on all accounts; the melody is sublime, her vocals have aged to a beautiful spot, the emotion is palatable, and it is jam packed with such grace and elegance. This ending song from Glitter walks the line between being schmaltzy and genuine oh so well, partially because it's extremely appropriate in context of the film. It hits you in the gut with some of those high notes, in one of Mariah's more underrated vocal performances.
Long Ago
This is where we first got hints at MC's "urban" leanings and it could not have played out any better. Such a smooth production. To play on the lyrics, it's a haunting, unassuming little track that sticks with you long after the first listen. She sounds extremely comfortable and at ease; maybe a hint at the direction she really wanted to take her career? This is one that my mom and I used to sing together in the car on the way to school. Total jamfest. So many years later and it still holds up.
Make It Happen
Mariah needs more recognition for her uptempo songs, especially those that are in the same stratosphere as this gem. Inspirational and a total feel good song. One of those songs that motivate you to do what you have to do and to keep hanging on because things are going to get better. Her runs toward the end of the song are dynamite.
H.A.T.E.U.
At times cold and distant, at times sorrowful and near a breaking point, this is magnificent. This is her best single in quite a long time, the production washed in shades of blue, vocally loaded down with the kind of confusion and intensity that someone in this situation feels. It's such a realistic, open look at a situation that most people have dealt with at once point or another, verbalized with a sublime sense of maturity and vulnerability. By the slightly surprising last verse, the emotional journey has been complete; for those who think that she's not a singer that you feel very often, this is a good place to see that she's still near the top of her game.
You're So Cold
Thanks to the deceptive intro, you think you're in for a vocal clinic of epic proportions, thumping keys, windy production, and all. If they had continued in that direction for the track, it would have still been one of the songs I put on this list, but the intro gives way to an attitudinal dance song. It's made that much more interesting by the bluesy edge that the production has, a hip little exercise in spreading her wings and seeing what other sounds are out there. Vocally, of course, it's a masterpiece, as Carey is so in control and simply sees what her voice can do at times. The song isn't spectacular, but it was included to show that just how strong her vocals can be on uptempos and the varying perspective that it provides.
My All/Stay Awhile (So So Def Remix)
One thing the average casual fan may not know about Carey is that she's not slouch when it comes to the remix, so it's only natural to include at least one. Produced by Jermaine Dupri, this reimagined take on her 1998 hit is sexy, seductive, and fun, a winning trifecta capped off by the re-sang vocals and solid guest verses from Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz. It shows everything great about a Mariah remix; this ends up being a fresh take on an already great song through the new lyrics/back-up vocals, as well as the already mentioned vocals. With the release of her remix of H.A.T.E.U, it seems that her ability to provide different pictures of her songs has not changed.
I Wish You Well
Armed with only a piano and a choir, Carey delivers a stirring message to those who have tried to cause her harm or have had a negative impact on her life. It's not defiant, angry, or even aggressive. It's a tasteful, intelligently written ode to forgiveness and growth, quoting religious text and sounding quite at peace with how her life has gone. The name of the game is contentment and she plays it well. As with most Mariah ballads, there are some powerful vocals, but they're backed by some real emotional depth on this album-closing gospel-tinged ballad. If she ever makes a gospel album, I'm there.
Petals
Addressing her family (a topic that doesn't find its way into her music too often), this song was lost, due to the underwhelming album that it came from. You hear the pain in her voice whenever she addresses "Dandelion" (rumored to be her estranged sister); you hear the desolate quality to her voice when she alludes to her marriage, which may have contributed to the broken relationships she had with her siblings. It's simple yet powerful, a swirling wind of echoing back-up vocals and warm piano. Her delivery is almost like she can't bring herself to face the situation and she has to softly say what's in her heart. Solid.
Subtle Invitation
Utilizing a saucy jazz-influenced aesthetic with more than average instrumentation, this is a self-assured and quite an interesting direction change for Mariah. Usually you expect heavy synths, thumping basslines, or a handful of guest rappers, but this is tasteful and demure, an exercise in creating a complete listen from start to finish. The horns are lively and the pace steady and swaying. With the heart of the song being in soul music, the jazz flourishes are much appreciated, especially just as a fan wanting to see one of my favorite voices against all types of varying textures and sounds.
I Wish You Knew
Flirty and gentle, this is a very apropos song about having a crush and wanting so bad to tell the other person. It has some interesting production choices, the live effects helping to create a whole ambiance for the song to thrive. The verses are sweet and tender while the hook reads as a crying out to this mystery man to hear what she has to say. With the cooing back-up vocals and stunning instrumentation, it's just a track that's extremely good ear candy; it may not be the flashiest, most tricked out piece of ear candy, but with the whistle notes and easy delivery, it's worth note.
All My Life
Giggly and girly, this slice of heavenly roller skating music showcases a lot of Mariah's personality. It's got a sensual undertone to it with a noticeable glow to the youthful vocals and delicious strut. This is one of the most conclusive pieces of evidence that Mariah doesn't take herself too seriously and tries to bring in that sense of exuberance to her music. She does the same thing in her "regular" music but its apples and oranges. If you ever wondered what time of music Mariah would have performed had she came out in the 80s, this is definitely a song for you to explore.
All in Your Mind
Though some could accuse this hidden gem of being a bit dated, the quality of everything included more than makes up for it; vocally, this is one of the clearest and most precise performances I've heard from Carey, effortlessly pleading with her love interest to see his unnecessary paranoia. The layering in the hook is quite touching and the uplifting lyrics make for a positive listen; it's just pleasant all the way around, especially once you get to the freeing ad libs, a chunk of the song that will be more than enough to garner repeat listens.
Breakdown
Fan favorite Breakdown is one of the songs that signaled the shedding of Mariah's skin, so to speak, as her refreshingly honest and raw take on her insecurities and relationship problems was shrouded with smoldering grooves. The guests on the song add instead of subtract, making it an effective step in the hip hop direction, almost adding a bit of street credibility and approval for the woman most thought would never have a rapper guest on her song. It's vulnerable, somber, and still holds up a decade later. Complexly beautiful.
Mariah Carey has had twenty years worth of quality material, yet it seems that most people tend to only scratch the surface with her. She's more than just the sex kitten diva or the demure church girl she's put out in the media throughout the years; in her dozen or so studio albums, you find complexity and intellect that your average pop diva doesn't include. Not all of her material is great, of course, but there's a lot more there than you originally think. While her singles have been a major part of her legacy as an artist, it's her album cuts that solidify the type of artist that she is, one that continually evolves, grows, and learns. While her latest album has been commercially ignored, it's a sign that the next phase of Mariah Carey's already legendary career is just beginning. If you're one of those latecomers, here are just twenty places to start digging into an underrated catalog of soul, sass, and sensuality.
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Member: Shilo Adams
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