This week saw Mariah Carey presented with the Icon honor at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards.
And deservingly so.
Few careers can rival the colossal heights Mimi’s has ascended to.
With over 200 million (pure) records sold and 18 #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 (which she reminds us “is difficult to get. Not everybody has that”), the legendary chanteuse has blazed a trail and etched her name in the history books. On many a page.
When examining her treasure chest of brilliance, classics such as ‘Hero’ and ‘We Belong Together’ – for many – shine brightest.
However, here at That Grape Juice, we see no time more opportune than the present to delve into some of the diva’s more obscure gems.
Join us below as we countdown TGJ’s Top Underrated Mariah Carey Bops…
7) Migrate [2008]
Renown for belting ballads in ballgowns, Ms. Carey also has the unrivalled ability to deliver on a club jam with equal effectiveness.
Case in point this T-Pain assisted classic.
Lifted from ‘E=MC2,’ this Danja production screamed single and to-date has us wondering what the trajectory of the album could have been had this dropped as intended after chart-topper ‘Touch My Body.’ In its place, the syrupy ‘Bye Bye’ was carted out in a fairly contrived attempt at pulling in the Pop crowd and muffled her momentum.
Grating, as this slaps with the kind of ferocity that demands attention from the masses.
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6) Can’t Take That Away (Mariah’s Theme) [1999]
Empowerment anthems are firmly established as a cornerstone of Carey’s catalogue.
And while many make-up her list of 18 #1’s, a few have slipped under the radar – like ‘Can’t Take That Away (Mariah’s Theme).’
Housed on the ‘Rainbow’ album, the song arrived amidst stormy tides for the singer and her then-label.
But that couldn’t quell the rousing, soul-shaking quality embedded in the uplifting cut – which was co-penned by Diane Warren and produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.
Sure, its accompanying video is a dipped in mozzarella, but would it be Mariah if it wasn’t…just a bit?
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5) Camouflage [2014]
While Carey’s 2014 effort ‘Me. I Am…Mariah. The Elusive Chanteuse’ arrived during an odd window, the project remains one of the songbird’s most criminally underrated. Though, the difference in vocal clarity varied from song-to-song, some jams – a la ‘Camouflage’ – stood tall. Not just on the LP, but up against some of her most celebrated material.
A piano ballad that put Carey’s vocals at the forefront, it also – by proxy – reminded of her potent pen game as she wails about internal insecurity after a love gone wrong.
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4) For The Record [2008]
Carey’s colossal comeback with the ‘Emancipation Of Mimi’ was largely powered by mega-smash ‘We Belong Together’ and re-cemented by ‘Don’t Forget About Us’ on the project’s Platinum Edition re-release. Both songs hit #1 and, in doing so, established a new musical blueprint for Mimi: the hand-clap ballad. Or, as we like to call ’em around here, “Ballads That Bop.”
Oft helmed by Jermaine Dupri and/or Bryan-Michael Cox, such sound and subject matter (see: lovelorn) would be terrain the trio would revisit often – with varying results. That said, ‘For The Record’ from ‘Emancipation’ follow-up ‘E=MC2’ remains one of their most compelling takes on the tried and true formula. Particularly as the violin added a fresh dimension production-wise. In trademark form, Carey’s climatic whistle served as both a seal and exclamation mark to the song’s lyrics.
The lack of live performance to date somewhat adds to the track’s legend.
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3) My Saving Grace [2002]
If Mariah’s emotional acceptance speech at the BBMAs resonated, this ‘Charmbracelet’ number is its musical equivalent.
The autobiographical anthem expresses thanks to the Most High and earthy supporters, while unpacking a narrative rooted in peaks and troughs, uncertain identity, and eventual triumph.
Recorded after a period of professional and personal hardships (see: ‘Glitter’ and public breakdown the year prior), this hit home because as clearly reflective as it is of Mariah’s predicament, it’s also universal in its relate-ability.
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2) The Roof [1997]
Label conflicts at the time clipped the commercial wings of this ‘Butterfly’ blazer.
But chart issues withstanding, this deeply personal number showcased how impactful the combination Mariah’s songwriting ability and the voice that mobilises it are.
The definition of immersive, the singer paints a vivid picture of a rooftop romance that lingers in the minds of the protagonists as much as it does in the minds of the listener.
Raw and resonating R&B, this would sit comfortably on Carey’s most recent LP ‘Caution’ without sounding dusty or dated. Much like her, it’s timeless.
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1) Melt Away [1995]
Mimi’s music has always boasted a certain soulfulness, but most Lambs would agree that it wasn’t until 1997’s ‘Butterfly’ that she jumped head-first into R&B as her key driver artistically.
Prior to then, such soulful sonics manifested in the form of momentary flashes.
One of the most enduring is ‘Melt Away.’ Housed on the solid block of beauty that is the ‘Daydream’ album.
From Carey’s stylised delivery, to the butter-smooth production and vocal stacking, the song – in three minutes and forty eight seconds – captures the nostalgia of the 90s R&B scene. And remains one of the premiere glimpses into the versatility that still lives within one of music’s most gifted Icons!
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i’m so with Wendy on hating vison of love and hero. add babydoll to this list tho and im all in
DEFINITELY BABYDOLL!!! That’s one of her TRUE BOPS!!
CHILD. you got it wrong.
1. FLY LIKE A BIRD. you can’t get any better
2. FADED – nick done her wrong and here is the story
3. I WISH YOU WELL – get out and leave mariah’s version
4. Underneath the Stars – beautiful
5. All I Ever Wanted – her version of Whitney’s I have Nothing – her 2nd best vocal- ever.
Now this is a selection
You are a s*** from the 90’s
well done great picks
You the real MVP … Sam, pay attention!
Granted, a Mariah Carey list is ALWAYS going to be very hard to pick. She is a well-known, and yet criminally underrated gem in music history. What a legend she is!
What’s her best vocal in your opinion?
Yes what do you think is her best vocal?
All I ever wanted is amazing.
Wow… I have to listen to that “All I ever wanted”
ALL I EVER WANTED or FLY LIKE A BIRD = best vocal
More Mariah underrated jams:
All songs from Emancipation that were not released as singles! That entire album deserved a video anthology!
All facts
1. Melt Away
Absolutely! ❤️ If you listen closely, you’ll hear that it inspired It’s Gonna Be Me by *NSYNC.
2. Outside
Mariah can bring the goosebumps and the tears ? A painfully honest yet beautiful song.
3. Butterfly ?
This should have been another #1. A masterpiece of a song.
4. Long Ago
Another JD produced banger. Those vocals on the second bridge? Sublime ?
5. Make It Happen
Even though this was a hit, it’s still underrated as it needs to be played by everyone on the daily lol…a beautiful song about never getting in the way of God’s Plan for your life! ?
Yes to your list all my faves Long ago is
Is so underrated and should have been a single. Her transitions are insane in that song
Now add “There for me” to your list
And that’s my list.
https://youtu.be/027a8DFvoBs
Thank you for sharing! I never heard There For Me! And co-written by Diane Warren and co-produced by David Foster at that! ?????
The Roof, Looking In, Stay the Night, Faded, Your Girl, Migrate, #Beautiful and Caution
lead the way … best vocal ever
there for me
faded
i still believe remix with krayzie bone and da brat
my all so so def remix
slipping away
4real 4 real
miss you with jadakiss
thank god i found you ft nas and joe
if we ft ja rule
to many to type tbf
I would add STAY THE NIGHT and MINE AGAIN. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_RG1O5BhBU
Till The End Of Time & So Blessed
THE END
SO WE JUST GONE ACT LIKE
STAY THE NIGHT
SIDE EFFECTS
CAUTION
GIVING ME LIFE
FADED
YDKWTD
JOY RIDE
CANDY BLING
MAKE IT LOOK GOOD
ARE NON EXISTENT
LIKE…..THIS SITE BEEN MISSING STEPS LATELY.
You’re definitely missing Breakdown which would me number one on my list but your list is quite impressive and you might just be a lamb with some of these selections
Breakdown is so underrated
lmaooooo gurl plz, 18 number ones is not that hard to get when youre banging the boss at your record label, who do you think jlo learned it from? lmfaooooooooo
oh so you think anybody can buy a number one ? So why everybody doesn’t have it ?! I can’t believe how dumb this comment is.
1. FOURTH OF JULY – My all time favorite Mariah song
2. UNDERNEATH THE STARS
3. MELT AWAY
4. BABY DOLL
5. YOURS
Her catalogue is untouchable.
Yesss Lambs these songs are so beautiful ? I literally just finished listening Slipping Away and Do You Think of Me both that definitely could’ve been on the Music Box if Tommy wasn’t such an ass smh
Omg we also can not forget Subtle Invitation ? ???
yasssss preach ?
I was WAITING for this to be listed!! And BLISS
Her voice is so breathtaking…
Shes already a legend
She actually sold albums without social media….and she’s actually worth over 500millions…her money is actually real paper…not that bullcrap her peasants are always bragging about..
Billionaires my axx
My pics are as follows:
1. Money
2. Stay The Night
3. Caution
4. Did I Do That
5. Breakdown
I just need Mariah to release an album of all her unreleased songs
Recorded after a period of professional and personal hardships (see: ‘Glitter’ and public breakdown the year prior)
Recorded after a period of professional and personal hardships (see: ‘Glitter’ and public breakdown the year prior),
Recorded after a period of professional and personal hardships (see: ‘Glitter’ and public breakdown the year prior),
Recorded after a period of professional and personal hardships (see: ‘Glitter’ and public breakdown the year prior),
This week saw The BEAUTIFUL Icon and LEGENDARY WHITNEY HOUSTON. presented with the Icon honor at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards.
1. The Roof
2. Alone in Love
3. Underneath the Stars
4. Subtle Invitation
5. Faded
6. Candy Bling
7. I wish you knew
8. Outside
9. The One
10. Always be my baby REMIX XSCAPE
11. More than just friends
12. Breakdown
13. Make it look good
14. I’ve been thinking about you
15. 8th grade
1. Sent From Up Above
2. Prisoner
3. To Be Around You
4. I’ve Been Thinking About You
5. Long Ago
6. Melt Away
7. The Roof
8. The One
9. For The Record
10. Standing O
YUP AND ALL them songs could not stop THE WIND OF WHITNEY HOUSTON.SHE was still kicking Mariah fat a ss.. By billboard and, film
Her best song will always be “I Don’t Wanna Cry” as far as I’m concerned.
? ? ? ?
While I love me some my saving grace and ctta, those aren’t bops, they’re ballads.
Mariah’s TRUE underrated bops (not on that list) are:
You’re So Cold
Now That I Know
Underneath the Stars
Long Ago
Fourth of July
Babydoll
Breakdown
Subtle invitation
I’m That Chick
I’ll be lovin u long time
Candy Bling
You Don’t Know What to Do
Caution
A No No
The Distance
Giving Me Life
Stay Long Love You
Wow! Melt Away is one of my favorite underrated jams from Mariah.and I’m a lamb! So glad u guys agreed
I agree with everything you said. Well done!!!!!