all that glitters (they’ll never be mc) (part III)

Pretty is seldom used to describe a song but it hits right on with “My All”, Mariah Carey’s thirteenth number one hit, the fifth single from the critically-acclaimed album “Butterfly”. It was released as a double A-side with the more urban-sounding “Breakdown”. “My All” incorporates elements from both Latin music and conventional contemporary R&B sound. It is also one of the most remixed tracks by the artist. It is usually risky to remix a track of this caliber, fortunately though all versions turn out to be fantastic as well, if not better (check out the Classic Club Mix by David Morales). In my opinion, the music video for the song is perhaps one of the best in Carey’s catalog.

… And yet you’re so far like a distant star I’m wishing on tonight…

Before Beyonce’s “Crazy In Love” and “Deja Vu”, Mariah had already partnered with Jay-Z on “Heartbreaker”, the lead single off her last album on Columbia, “Rainbow”. It was originally planned to be a part of the soundtrack to her film debut “Glitter” but as the movie was pushed back, she incorporated the material to her new studio album. I could recall the promotion for the song as it featured a lovely Mariah wearing a tee aptly designed with the word heartbreaker printed with a “Wanted” poster. Clever. The single’s video, directed by Brett Ratner, is Carey’s most expensive costing over USD 2.5 million. It featured the famous catfight between Mariah and Bianca, her alter ego. The latter also appears on the video for the equally famous “Heartbreaker (Remix)”.

… Oh why did you have to run your game on me. I should have known right from the start you’d go and break my heart…

“Thank God I Found You” gave Carey the record for number one singles in consecutive years starting from her debut in 1990 to 2000. The pop version of the song, a duet with Joe and 98 Degrees, had moderate airplay until a remix was released – “Thank God I Found You/Make It Last Forever” with Joe and rapper Nas.

… See I was so desolate before you came to me. Looking back I guess it shows that we were destined to shine…

Following a career decline, Carey rebounded with what would be the biggest song of her career. “We Belong Together” was her sweet sixteenth number one single, staying on top of the Billboard Hot 100 for fourteen non-consecutive weeks (broken by Carrie Underwood’s “Inside Your Heaven” for a week). It broke airplay and chart records left and right. And by end of 2005, it was declared the number one song of the year alongside “The Emancipation Of Mimi” as the number one album as well – a career first for Carey. It also gave her 2 Grammy Awards (Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song) among a multitude of other awards. Indeed, she proved that the Voice has indeed returned.

… And then I hear Babyface, “I only think of you” and it’s breakin’ my heart. I’m tryin’ to keep it together but I’m falling apart…

Carey did not dare mess with the brilliant formula of “We Belong Together”, so she chose “Don’t Forget About Us” as the lead single for the release of the Ultra-Platinum Edition of “The Emancipation Of Mimi”. It is on its own a soulful track but lacking the powerful appeal that the former ballad had.

… So I hope this will remind you – when it’s for real, it’s forever. So don’t forget about us…”

It was a no-brainer that “Touch My Body” would be Carey’s eighteenth number one. This cute, mid-tempo number is filled with hooks and synths that would be stuck in your head for days. Besides, right now, it’s all about having fun for Ms. Carey.

… ‘Cause if you run your mouth and brag about this secret rendezvous, I will hunt you down…