Where do I even begin with this woman? She is one of those artists(much like most of the others that I take the time to write these birthday tributes for) whose music is deeply ingrained in my life, brain, and heart. I know that may sound melodramatic, but it’s true. As I type this, I’m listening to her debut album(as in, the vinyl/LP/record). Some of my earliest memories of anything involve her debut album and her breakout song “Vision Of Love”. For example, in the music video for that song(which you will see below), Mariah sits and stands in a huge windowsill as she sings. When I was little, I would stand in front of the windowsills and emulate Mariah’s actions in the video whenever my mom did her deep cleaning of our windows and windowsills, which she usually took the curtains and blinds down for. Cute, huh?
Two other specific memories of her and her music involve a family trip to Atlanta, GA when I was little. On the car ride down from NC, my sister Nikki and my brother Gary had an impromptu contest on who could hold the final note from “Vision Of Love” the longest. Haha. The other memory is of watching her VHS entitled “The First Vision” along with many other similar music documentaries repeatedly as a child. It basically centered around her early life and the creation of her debut album. As I mentioned in her fellow Aries Stephanie Mills’ birthday post from earlier this week, there were many of these that my sisters and I spent our free time looking at back in the day.
At any rate, with all of these memories in mind, as well as considering that a great deal of Mariah’s music is especially meaningful to me personally, I HAD to write a post for her. As per usual, I will highlight a few of my favorite songs by her, why they are my favorites, and what they mean to me. Before I do that, I have to say that two things that really makes me appreciate Mariah so much are: 1) she wrote and/or co-wrote such personal and telling songs. Most of my favorite singer-songwriters do that, which is why they are my favorites; their songs are relatable in that way, and 2) Her background vocal arrangements. I am a huge fan of layered background vocals(I really need to start an entry series on that, but I digress). Mariah is in a special category of singers who stacked their vocals and/or arranged their background vocals so intricately, creating a very lush and plentiful sound. It is such a joy to really listen to. With that being said, here we go!
The Songs
“Vision of Love”: I mean, it’s her debut song and it made folks sit up and take notice immediately. The why behind it being a favorite was covered above. #Memories #Vocals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0WvD9CF72s
“Vanishing”: This song is a wonderful example of her vocal ability, plus it’s just a beautiful song with deep lyrics. I love this live version in particular, but the album version is equally amazing. She basically sounds exactly like the album here.
“Sent From Up Above”: An album cut from her debut album that I have just always adored. It’s so breezy and delightful, yet meaningful with soulful vocal delivery. It’s about being thankful to God for the blessing of the love in her life.
“All In Your Mind”: I can’t get past her first album! Haha. The nostalgia with this song is REAL. Again, that VHS and my sister Nikki singing this a lot growing up are basically all I think of whenever I hear it, to the point that it brings tears to my eyes remembering the simple joys of a carefree childhood. Notably though, this is the song that introduced the world to Mariah’s version of Deniece Williams’ and Minnie Riperton’s “whistle register”.
“Alone In Love”: Last song from her first album, I promise! Another non-single from her debut that I gravitated towards. I just loved it for its melody as child, but as an adult woman who has experienced some things, I have found the meaning of the song to be relatable before as well.
“Can’t Let Go”: Another song for the “hits different now that I’m an adult woman” file. Haha.
“Dreamlover”: A song that usually puts me in my feelings nowadays because it always reminds me of how much my mom loved it back in the day. Around the time of its release, my late sister Jamie would always make sure she had the cassette to play it in the car for my mom when we were going places. Once I got older and realized that Mariah had sampled an old song by The Emotions entitled “Blind Alley”, it made sense why my mom liked it so much.
“One Sweet Day”: A song that has come to mean so much to me in the 20+ years since its release, just due to me actually losing close family members. SUCH a moving song about loss and knowing that you will be reunited with your loved ones who have passed away “one sweet day”.
“Babydoll”: A non-single from my favorite Mariah album: Butterfly. That album is EVERYTHING to me! I loved this song literally from the first time I heard it in 1997. Everything about it: the beat, the background vocal arrangement(only Mariah and Trey Lorenz are singing backgrounds and they sound like 50 people. LOVE layered background vocals and harmonies!), the ad libs. Just YES! As the years rolled by and I got older, I also grew to relate to the lyrics at different points.
“Outside”: My favorite Mariah song period. I don’t even know where to begin with this song! I was only a preteen when this album was released, yet I remember the song having an emotional impact on me even then. It’s not that I could necessarily relate to the words then; I think it was just how beautiful the composition is in itself coupled with Mariah’s vocals. However, over the next few years, specifically my teen years, the song became much more profound for me. For me personally, Outside flawlessly explains the feeling of never truly feeling understood by others, and of always feeling that you are “somewhat out of place everywhere”. She uses words like “ambiguous”, which really drives this point home. It expresses a desire to fit in comfortably somewhere and be accepted as you are, unconditionally. For me, that desire includes having others “get” you, including your quirks, flaws, annoyances and all, and still love you. That is pretty much the story of my entire teenage years and adult life thus far.
“O Holy Night”: Similar to what I said in Diana’s post about including a Christmas song…I KNOW it’s not Christmastime, but this is my favorite version of O Holy Night, which is one of my favorite holidays songs in general. Mariah’s rendition is my go-to version. It always evokes emotion for me.
“Rainbow(Interlude)”: This was just an interlude, but it’s still among my favorites by Mariah. The melody and the lyrics are so beautiful. I can personally relate to its meaning. Again, that’s something that I will always appreciate about her music and why it is so special to me,
“Always Be My Baby(Remix)”: The first of two of my favorite remixes of hers that samples a smooth 80s R&B jam.
“My All(Remix)”: Samples Loose Ends’ “Stay A Little While Child” wonderfully. Mariah really did it justice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peZqNcv9ifk
“Say Somethin'”: This was instantly one of my favorite songs from this album when it first dropped. I love the beat, melody, and her vocals.
“Fly Like A Bird”: This is probably the Mariah song that means the most to me, after Outside. It was released during my sophomore year of college, which started out a little rocky for me. In essence, the lyrics that struck me instantly when I first heard it are: Sometimes I’m so despondent That I feel the need to Fly like a bird Take to the sky I need you now, Lord Carry me high Don’t let the world break me tonight I need the strength of you by my side Sometimes this life can be so cold I pray you’ll come and carry me home Those lyrics are pretty self-explanatory, I think. They brought tears to my eyes then and still do today. Once again, I felt like Mariah was reading my mind. Her songwriting has meant a great deal to me throughout my life.
Happy Birthday once again to the one and only Mariah Carey!
