TGJ Replay: Mariah Carey’s ‘Butterfly’

Published: Thursday 2nd Oct 2014 by Rashad
butterfly-mariah carey-thatgrapejuice

After a brief break on the bench, ‘TGJ Replay’ is back!

Designed much like our ‘Retro Rewind’ and ‘From the Vault’ features, ‘Replay’ is That Grape Juice‘s newest retrospective segment – a written quest, if you will, to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday.

Unlike its ‘Rewind’ and ‘Vault’ predecessors, ‘Replay’ looks to dust off and showcase entire albums (and eras) from a library of pop and Urban pop music hits.  As September brought with it the 17th anniversary of Mariah Carey‘s groundbreaking ‘Butterfly’ album, this ‘Replay’ is set to take a flight in time back to 1997.

Join us…

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By the end of 1996, Mariah Carey had already established herself as the force of the 90s.  In addition to leaving virtually every female pop or R&B competitor in the dust with an amassment of 11 number 1 singles, the longest running #1 single in history (‘One Sweet Day’ featuring Boyz II Men), and over 80 million albums sold in 6 years, the pressure to continue this streak was ever mounting.

However, as scoring one of the biggest hits of her career with ’96’s ‘Fantasy’ (ft. Ol Dirty Bastard) would suggest, Carey was ever ready to manifest her affinity for harder Hip Hop-based/rhythmic sounds into a full body of work. Coming on the hems of a marital and (to some degree) professional divorce from husband/label head/longtime mentor Tommy Mottola, the album’s thematic conception was reportedly centered around her newfound freedom from Mottola’s svengali-esque aura – and her own burgeoning sex symbol status.  Tapping longtime collaborator Walter Afanasieff to helm, the duo created what would become (unbeknownst to them) Carey’s definitive work.

In grand diva fashion, the announcement of said newfound status was presented in music video format via lead single ‘Honey’:

Sweet and dripping with an infectious Hip Hop flavoured groove, ‘Honey’ would prove itself part of an ear candy recipe that was an instant winner with music listeners.  Becoming the third single of her career to debut at #1 on the Hot 100, she would cement herself as the only artist in history to see three singles debut atop the chart. A record she still holds nearly 20 years later.

Likewise, the video – in all its symbolic splendor – featured a scantily clad Carey showing off a svelte figure long hidden behind gowns and other coverups. The famous intro that shows Mariah shedding her clothes before diving into a pool resonated with fans as proof that a “new Mariah” was here.

Even showing off a set of moves rarely seen from her stage shows prior, Mimi – as she was affectionately known – set out to prove she was ready to up the ante. With ‘Honey’ giving the songstress her 12th number 1 hit, her name was etched in history books as she surpassed Madonna and Whitney Houston to have the most #1 hits by a female artist.  On the wings of ‘Honey,’ ‘Butterfly’ (the album) followed suit to debut at #1 in the last week of September 1997.

Despite being drenched in an Urban-based flair, ‘Butterfly’ contained enough ballad-esque elements to not alienate fans of her earlier work.  This was evidenced by the album’s second single, which also served as the set’s title track.  Reaching the Hot 100 Airplay’s top 20, the anthemic song’s “unofficial status” as a single barred it from charting on the Hot 100.  Interestingly, the tune didn’t fare much better elsewhere around the world either.

Undaunted by the response, the next releases would see Mariah continue to flaunt her love affair with rhythmic/Hip Hop music by appointing ‘The Roof’ and the Bone Thugs-N-Harmony-assisted number ‘Breakdown’ as follow-ups:


Both were moderate performers internationally.

To aid the waning interest in ‘Butterfly,’ Carey and team opted to select another ballad from the album.  Possibly in an attempt to appeal to the singer’s base legion of fans who took to the ‘Vision of Love,’ ‘Hero’, and ‘One Sweet Day’-esque numbers that ruled the charts in the early 90s,  the song ‘My All’ would round out the project’s era.

The choice proved itself a home run.

The song became the diva’s 13th chart-topper on the Hot 100 and further extended her reign as the most #1-awarded female in music history.  Quickly becoming a fan favorite, a live rendition of the tune still rings as one of the most memorable moments from her inclusion in the inaugural class of VH1’s ‘Divas’ (featuring Celine Dion, Shania Twain, Carole King, Gloria Estefan, and Aretha Franklin).

The top-rated showing would effectively help to conclude what is (arguably) Carey’s definitive era.  Despite only garnering three Grammy nominations (but zero wins), the album did manage to sell over 10 million copies worldwide and gave the diva yet another honor – the first female artist in history to have seven consecutive triple platinum certified albums in the United States.

From TGJ’s standpoint, ‘Butterfly’ soars as the first time where her total package worked and the fullness of her product seemed authentically her. Arguably, she would not see another milestone album of this magnitude until nearly a decade later via her comeback album ‘The Emancipation of Mimi.’

Yes, we still bump ‘Whenever You Call’ and ‘Honey’ here at TGJ HQ on the regular.  But, as always, we turn to you to ask:

Your thoughts?

Comments 47

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  1. Del Bey October 2, 2014

    one of my all time favourite mariah albums, the cover is giving me life, Close My Eyes is my favourite song from the album, it brings me to tears (y’all should listen) Butterfly and My All are also imaculatly flawless tracks #queen

    • Fancy BISH October 2, 2014

      YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAS 😉

  2. Skyfall October 2, 2014

    The era was her best, every song on the album was great!!!!

    • LB October 2, 2014

      My all >>>>>> Any Mariah Carey song over. Her best song to date, ever.

    • KatyKadet October 2, 2014

      No the album is a snooze fest

      • Del Bey October 2, 2014

        KatyKadet sounds like a cereal #hush

  3. Skyfall October 2, 2014

    This seems to be everyone’s favorite Mariah album lol.

  4. LB October 2, 2014

    First of all, Rashad I love you so much because this is my fav Mariah Carey album ever, and BY FAR HER BEST ALBUM TO DATE

    Now let me read.

  5. LB October 2, 2014

    Yes Yes Yes at this piece, 10/10

  6. GaGa’s Tampon October 2, 2014

    This album is a masterpiece from begging to the end I don’t get why it didn’t get any Grammys

  7. GaGa’s Tampon October 2, 2014

    Breakdown is one of her most underrated songs it could have been a hit

    • Fancy BISH October 2, 2014

      Breakdown, that ending and those ad-libs tho 😉 PURE SLAY!

  8. KatyKadet October 2, 2014

    Who cares nobody mariah is only good for a throwback

    • LB October 2, 2014

      Just stop babe, you can’t win this one. Quit whilst you’re ahead.

    • Del Bey October 2, 2014

      people care hun, what they dont care for is a kids bop album

    • P**** Juice October 2, 2014

      Tell me n*****, do u really think any1 in 20 years will remember a song from katy? Does katy have a song you can call a classic? Inb4 u say dark horse lmfao!!!!!!

      • LB October 2, 2014

        Apart from maybe Teenage Dream and Fireworks, I don’t think any Katy Perry song will be remembered.

        People can’t even remember Kate Hudson had an album called one of the girls

  9. Realest October 2, 2014

    One of the best albums ever by one of the best singers/artists ever.

    I. Am thankful that there was once a time where the most popular musical acts were true musicians and could make quality music and still be on top. This album was still selling like 250k in it’s like 15th week.

  10. LDN Chick October 2, 2014

    Flawless perfection. A masterpiece.

    • P**** Juice October 2, 2014

      Something your fave will never have, a classic album.

      • LDN Chick October 2, 2014

        Yours either.

  11. NOLIES October 2, 2014

    I finally listened to her new album, and while it is her best since the comeback, nothing will top Butterfly. That era is her most beautiful musically. That album had spots of darkness, while still giving hope to life. It actually was one of the first albums my Mother ever bought me before she passed. Butterfly, Breakdown, Babydoll, MY ALL, THE ROOF, and etc. The perfect album. She has also never been as gorgeous as she was during that era. I would love to go back and relive and those 95-98 R&B album eras. I was like 6, but I still vividly remember those hits.

    • Fancy BISH October 2, 2014

      Your mom bought you a classic! 🙂 Your comment is everything, thank you #Nolies #MomsAreTheBest

  12. Del Bey October 2, 2014

    some of my all time mariah favs:

    Close My Eyes
    Butterfly
    Anytime You Need A Friend
    We Belong Together
    Petals
    My All
    The Roof

  13. LB October 2, 2014

    My fav Mariah Carey albums.

    – Butterfly
    – Me. I am Mariah…The elusive Chanteuse
    – Rainbow
    – #1s
    – Mariah Carey (Vision of love, Love takes time <3)
    – BoreDream

  14. P**** Juice October 2, 2014

    Her best imo. My All >>>>> Careers.

  15. Dem Lessors October 2, 2014

    I’ve never listened to a full Mariah album before, I’m going to give this a spin.

  16. CocoR October 2, 2014

    Her Magnum opus!
    The Roof and Breakdown are my faves.

  17. Molly October 2, 2014

    Haven’t heard this album in full but I love The Roof!

    • skyfall October 2, 2014

      we dont care what you’ve heard ho.

  18. B**** I Can’t Even Spell Welfare October 2, 2014

    My FAVORITE Mariah album! This is, without a doubt, her finest hour. ‘Butterfly’ is truly the album where everything came together.

    * bumps “The Roof” *

  19. Nope October 2, 2014

    SMH at these children who’ve never heard a Mariah album. That’s what’s wrong with yall.

    • JOHNVIDAL October 2, 2014

      LOL I know! I can´t believe they spend the day shading while they don´t know what a true great is or why they are true greats. No wonder why they think some of the mediocre artists we have today are good.

  20. Fancy BISH October 2, 2014

    These comments are giving me pure LIFE 😉 CHILE, Mariah won’t playing with this one, the masterpiece BUTTERFLY…still sounds fresh to this day! She was s*** and fearless on this album…she showed vulnerability and a new found independence….Mariah slayed effortlessly on Butterfly, every track is laid back and smooth…..you can tell every song was personal and meant something to her…go to youtube, then to Itunes and get your whole life with Butterfly, a true R&B classic! Outside makes me cry everytime I listen to it…Mariah, you a legend boo boo 😉 #ThatVoice

  21. Mark111 October 2, 2014

    I still play Breakdown every other day. To the lambs, is this her best work? If not, then what is MC’s best work?

    And that photo! People forget before Bey, before J.lo, MC was the golden chick in the game.

    • CherylSoldierr October 2, 2014

      Not aaliyah?

      • Mark111 October 2, 2014

        Aaliyah was a tomboy, she would later become more elegant, but it was very short lived. She set her own lane that other still follow today.

        Now I’m talking the girl with the golden skin tone and hair. People say J.Lo started it, but really it was MC. MC was the first to be a pop artist and still balance her pop image and urban image, with remixes etc. The first to fuse pure pop with hip hop, something J.lo rode her whole career on.

  22. Sisqo is King October 2, 2014

    Mariah was so damn gorgeous!! hits queen slayed with competition!!

  23. BeyRihLiyah October 2, 2014

    breakdown is life !!!!!!!!!!!! even tho rainbow is my favorite era this era is my 2nd favorite

  24. JOHNVIDAL October 2, 2014

    Wow BUTTERFLY album!
    It´s definitely her best artistically. So many things came together, there was sadness but there wa salso an incredible feeling of hope and beauty, like the bith of a buttefly. It´s not her best vocally, or her best mix of quality and commercial appeal (Daydream would be that probably), but this is her best as an artist.
    “my all” is so beautiful and simple, “Honey” is like the announcement of the rebirth, “BUTTERFLY” is so damn touching and hair raising at times… and “Whenerver you Call”… I think that´s the most beautiful song on the album.
    Her belting was still very Daydream like but she definitely started showing the big change in her vocals with that stunningly s*** voice, which perfectly suited all the new R&B/hip hop songs like it was nothing. Impossible to see more vocal versatility in such a short time. Because Mariah´s voice has been in constant chage, from the beginning. Her voice in her debut album is so different from her voice in “Music Box”, just 3 years later, and different from her voice in “Daydream” and tremendouly different in “Butterfly” just 1 or 2 years later and so on. What an instrument! But also, for that same reason, so delicate.
    No other voice like hers, despite the big amount of attempts we´ve seen in the last 15 years 🙂 (apart from the songwriting of course).

  25. JOHNVIDAL October 2, 2014

    So now we can´t write “S.E.X.Y.”??? Ok then…

  26. Bitchpleaseeee October 2, 2014

    SMFH at these kids with Mariah album. I mean you kids trying to say Breakdown is more favourable than MyAll? I know MyAll is simple but too damn good and favourable than Breakdown with that same old beat to it. Overall the entire album is a classic thought >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

  27. RoyalKev October 2, 2014

    This is a very solid album. It’s certainly one of Mariah’s top 3 imo (with Daydream and TEOM being the other 2). My favorite song by Mariah is ‘Always Be My Baby’, but ‘Breakdown’ has always been a close 2nd! … Followed by WBT of course.

  28. Mimi Carey October 2, 2014

    THE BEST!!! I still listen to this album daily. The title track still gets me choked up!!! It’s one of the most beautiful well written songs ever, and the vocals …. THE F****** VOCALS>>>
    When will your favs

  29. Stephon Maurice Jackson October 2, 2014

    Classic

  30. Lindsay Lohan October 3, 2014

    THE ROOF.
    BREAKDOWN.
    .
    That’s all I’m going to say. No further words can describe how immaculate this album was.
    .
    By the release of this totally different music, she also effectively killed the rumors that she doesn’t actually write her own music.

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