Readers of That Grape Juice know what avid music lovers we are – especially of hits past.
So, as our retrospective features ‘From the Vault’ and ‘TGJ Replay’ allow us the chance to re-spin the gems and jams of yesterday of one artist, our newest feature Chart Rewind – a variation of our current Retro Rewind assay – accedes salutes to an entire era of music history.
Next, we’ll salute ‘Hero’ – the 8th of a historic 18 #1 singles by pop icon Mariah Carey. As diehard Carey fans – affectionately called #Lambs – already know, the song almost belonged to another chart-topping diva: Gloria Estefan. Originally penned for the legendary Latin pop songstress, Carey – originally disenchanted with the song – later opted to keep it and make some “flavorful” changes to its arrangement. The reworking not only met MC’s favor, but apparently the buying public’s as well.
Just ten weeks after its release, ‘Hero’ topped the Hot 100 for four weeks (where it was found this week 23 yeaers ago). Ousting Janet Jackson‘s scorching ballad ‘Again’ from the top spot, Carey’s uplifting tune went on to quickly earn platinum status. And, while it was not honored by any major awards academy, it endured to become her signature song.
Tuck in below to see who joined her in the top 25 this week in 1994:
Hot 100 This Week in 1994
Hot 100 This Week
Click here to read this week’s full “chart check” of the Hot 100.
back when Oinkriah was payola queen lol
Such a beautiful song. Lyrics, Vocals and Arrangement. I miss the “tommy” days.
Such a beautiful, inspirational, uplifting gem! It’s a shame that she hates singing it live, though.
Wow january of 1994 was lit and in the middle of 94 aaliyah and brandy both debuted with their hit lead singles and tlc would dominate with their crazysexycool era
TLC and Aaliyah were EVERYTHING! ?
That chart was LIT! Gawd I miss the 90s.
Right!
I think “Hero” is her signature song when talking in a global scale, it wasn’t for Gloria, although she has a lot of beautiful/inspiring songs as well, unknown to many. My favorite song on that 1994 chart is “Linger” by the Cranberries, a phenomenal song.
“Linger” is like the ultimate wedding song.
Truth be told I’m not the biggest fan of “Hero” it’s the only song I skip when listening to “Music Box”
She’s a fat flop whale nowadays. No1 cares what mother moo accomplished centuries ago back when she payola’d her way to the top.
Hero is a classic. And Janet Jackson’s Again still gets me teary eyed. Honey, the whole janet. era was something special. The video for “Again” is so stunning as well. It’s like Janet sat back & really took pride in her videos, I mean every shot & angel was captured so beautifully. The last era of great music imo. It’s gone down hill terribly since and it’s only getting worse. Look at the current top 25. Just tragic.
Where Are You Now slays my whole life lol #janet.
Hero, Again & Breathe Again all in the top 10 in one week. 3 classics by three of the greatest divas all at once. Last great era of music for sure, it ain’t gon ever be like this again.
I just wanna know how payola makes one go to a music store and purchase a full album.
I swear people text anything for attention
Now Mariah is a fat flop who can’t hold a note longer than Beyonce’s ability to count until 5
Just hang it up grandma nobody is here for your s***** elevator music that is only played in old age homes
Who? Busy going back in time because she can’t get a hit today??
Sad pathetic fat whale turned into a cheap reality star nobody cares about her purchased number ones most of them are forgettable
Fat lisynching cow she can’t even sing this song anymore?
Back when people cared because today she is irrelevant
How am I irrelevant dahhling if I made the first headline of 2017?
Nobody cares about her anymore she might as well just join Whitney and Micheal and overdose on drugs
Beautiful song and great talent from Mariah Carey. People need to understand no one, absolutely no one with a 5 octave voice, could continue to sound the same over 26 year’s later. Constantly performing and hitting high notes like Mariah did causes a lot of strain on your voice. Y’all speak as if she isn’t one of greatest voices in entertainment, that only a few could hold a torch to. Side note: she’s no where near fat!! I would like to see some your pictures. Then again most of y’all calling her that are immature teens
It’s just the same trolls repeating and responding to themselves on every Mariah post. They’re insufferable
Comparing the 1994 charts to today’s charts is truly depressing.
Lets b real here, we all know Tommy paid for the majority of her number 1 hits (whether we want to admit it or not). But when they got divorced he stopped paying for them. Which is why Butterfly and Rainbow didn’t sell as well as her previous albums. And yes Tommy did pay/influence radio stations to play her music, he was THE CEO of Sony. All it took was one phone call.
Butterfly sold like 11 million copies, had 2 number 1 singles and was on the charts for over a year. Number ones sold around 15 million… Rainbow sold like 8 million and had 2 number 1 hit singles. All post Tommy and she was still on top. But ok.
Your assumptions are real pathetic!! She’s had multiple #1’s and muliti platinum albums after him. He was only around for about 6 year’s
Mariah is the only active artist to be ranked on the billboard hot 100 every year since 1990 except 2007. So 26 years out of 27.
Nice