I played Music Box last night as it happens. It really is just so sweet and bliss to listen too.
The Mariah Carey Discography Rate Pt.1 • FINISHED
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londonrain
Staff member
I am still surprised the Emotions album bops are doing good! I like them, but never thought they'd go before the likes of Music Box.
londonrain
Staff member
I think this is BopJustice in full flow. All eighteen songs that have been eliminated so far are ballads.
I feel like some people needed to read our host's opening posts again:
So far, I think The Beautiful Ones is the biggest loss for me. I know it's a cover, but man something from Butterfly out so very soon?!
It truly is a beautiful song.
I'm still shocked by its super early elimination too.
The time has finally come to starting cutting remixes . . .
One hit of your love addicted me
Now I'm strung out on you, darlin'
Don't you see, every night and day
I can hardly wait for another taste of honey
#56
"Honey (So So Def Mix)"
featuring Da Brat & JD
Score: 7.243
High scores: 10×2 (@Maria, @BreatheBox), 9.8×1 (@Womanizer), 9.5×2 (@nikkysan, @Lost In Japan.), 9×8 (@The Hot Rock, @ohaimanabu, @Sprockrooster, @evilsin, @Lapras, @PayMe, @Oleander, @Sail On)
Low scores: 2×2 (@playboy69, @CasuallyCrazed), 4×1 (@abael), 4.5×2 (@If You Go, @RainOnFire), 5×6 (@EricG1990, @Imagineitwasus, @Daniel_O, @DominoDancing, @Seventeen Days, @codecat)
My score: 7.75
One hit of your love addicted me
Now I'm strung out on you, darlin'
Don't you see, every night and day
I can hardly wait for another taste of honey
#56
"Honey (So So Def Mix)"
featuring Da Brat & JD
Score: 7.243
High scores: 10×2 (@Maria, @BreatheBox), 9.8×1 (@Womanizer), 9.5×2 (@nikkysan, @Lost In Japan.), 9×8 (@The Hot Rock, @ohaimanabu, @Sprockrooster, @evilsin, @Lapras, @PayMe, @Oleander, @Sail On)
Low scores: 2×2 (@playboy69, @CasuallyCrazed), 4×1 (@abael), 4.5×2 (@If You Go, @RainOnFire), 5×6 (@EricG1990, @Imagineitwasus, @Daniel_O, @DominoDancing, @Seventeen Days, @codecat)
My score: 7.75
5 ballots: #73, 6.25 avg.
10 ballots: #70, 7.005 avg.
15 ballots: #70, 7.07 avg.
20 ballots: #65 (tied), 7.153 avg.
25 ballots: #65, 7.122 avg.
30 ballots: #62, 7.285 avg.
35 ballots: #59, 7.144 avg.
40 ballots: #62, 7.076 avg.
45 ballots: #56, 7.273 avg.
50 ballots: #57, 7.266 avg.
55 ballots: #57, 7.26 avg.
60 ballots: #57, 7.23 avg.
61 ballots: #56, 7.243 avg.
10 ballots: #70, 7.005 avg.
15 ballots: #70, 7.07 avg.
20 ballots: #65 (tied), 7.153 avg.
25 ballots: #65, 7.122 avg.
30 ballots: #62, 7.285 avg.
35 ballots: #59, 7.144 avg.
40 ballots: #62, 7.076 avg.
45 ballots: #56, 7.273 avg.
50 ballots: #57, 7.266 avg.
55 ballots: #57, 7.26 avg.
60 ballots: #57, 7.23 avg.
61 ballots: #56, 7.243 avg.
"Honey (So So Def Mix)" is the first remix to fall. The song's lyrics were written solely by Mariah; it was composed by Mariah, Sean Combs, Q-Tip, Stevie J., Stephen Hague, Bobby Robinson, Ronald Larkins, Larry Price, and Malcolm McLaren; and the original mix was produced by Mariah, Sean Combs, Q-Tip, and Stevie J. The So So Def Mix was, of course, remixed by Jermaine Dupri and features a sample of the Jackson 5 song "It's Great to Be Here".
"Honey (So So Def Mix)" was originally included as a b-side on the UK release of "Honey", and the radio edit was included as a bonus track on the Japanese release of "Butterfly". It was later also included on Mariah's compilation album "The Remixes", released October 3, 2003.
I dig the new vocals and the slightly altered melodies, but this really doesn't hold a candle to the original, does it? The Bad Boy Mix and Dave Morales' Classic Mix are definitely more to my taste, but I felt the Bad Boy Mix was too similar to rate separately and there's no Classic radio mix, so I opted not to include either.
"Honey (So So Def Mix)" was originally included as a b-side on the UK release of "Honey", and the radio edit was included as a bonus track on the Japanese release of "Butterfly". It was later also included on Mariah's compilation album "The Remixes", released October 3, 2003.
I dig the new vocals and the slightly altered melodies, but this really doesn't hold a candle to the original, does it? The Bad Boy Mix and Dave Morales' Classic Mix are definitely more to my taste, but I felt the Bad Boy Mix was too similar to rate separately and there's no Classic radio mix, so I opted not to include either.
—
@Music Is Life (8.5) — "This is pretty good. I like the bass."
@godspeed (8.5) — "Another brilliant remix from both Mariah and Jermaine Dupri adding such a different flavor to an already great song. This is however one of the rare remixes from Mariah that I don't think is better than the original song."
@tylerc904 (7.5) — "Can't believe I never heard this before. What a treat."
@Jimmyandroid (7) — "Would always go to the Bad Boy Mix before this."
@pop3blow2 (7) — "I'll pass on this one. Kinda meandering & pointless remix."
@WhatKindOfKylie? (6) — "Honey will always be a classic song. But, sorry Mimi, you really don't need any company on this song!"
@bonnieetclyde (6) — "a bit beige. Strips away all that worked well on the original and leaves nothing exciting behind."
@Imagineitwasus (5) — "Not really a fan of this remix."
@DominoDancing (5) — "Is there even any kind of musical hook left in this version of this song?"
@abael (4) — "What's the best thing to do with an average song? Give it an annoying remix which dates it awfully."
@godspeed (8.5) — "Another brilliant remix from both Mariah and Jermaine Dupri adding such a different flavor to an already great song. This is however one of the rare remixes from Mariah that I don't think is better than the original song."
@tylerc904 (7.5) — "Can't believe I never heard this before. What a treat."
@Jimmyandroid (7) — "Would always go to the Bad Boy Mix before this."
@pop3blow2 (7) — "I'll pass on this one. Kinda meandering & pointless remix."
@WhatKindOfKylie? (6) — "Honey will always be a classic song. But, sorry Mimi, you really don't need any company on this song!"
@bonnieetclyde (6) — "a bit beige. Strips away all that worked well on the original and leaves nothing exciting behind."
@Imagineitwasus (5) — "Not really a fan of this remix."
@DominoDancing (5) — "Is there even any kind of musical hook left in this version of this song?"
@abael (4) — "What's the best thing to do with an average song? Give it an annoying remix which dates it awfully."
—
londonrain
Staff member
'Music Box' is a stunning song. So good it's included on the Japanese version of her Greatest Hits!
and I love a remix, so I of course love that 'Honey' mix.
and I love a remix, so I of course love that 'Honey' mix.
londonrain
Staff member
I’m used to hearing the Asian version of the album, so I’ve always had to sit through two versions of Honey after Outside... and tbh they weren’t really needed. Outside is a much better closer.
Time to cut another single . . .
So now I come to you with open arms
Nothing to hide, believe what I say
So here I am with open arms
Hoping you'll see what your love means to me
#55
"Open Arms"
Score: 7.317
High scores: 10×6 (@WhatKindOfKylie?, @GimmeWork, @londonrain, @Slice of Life, @PayMe, @Remorque), 9.5×1 (@RUNAWAY), 9×6 (@P'NutButter, @AdzBrown, @Robsolete, @ysev, @Blond, @RainOnFire)
Low scores: 1×1 (@BreatheBox), 3×2 (@Ana Raquel, @DominoDancing), 3.5×1 (@Aester)
My score: 8.25
So now I come to you with open arms
Nothing to hide, believe what I say
So here I am with open arms
Hoping you'll see what your love means to me
#55
"Open Arms"
Score: 7.317
High scores: 10×6 (@WhatKindOfKylie?, @GimmeWork, @londonrain, @Slice of Life, @PayMe, @Remorque), 9.5×1 (@RUNAWAY), 9×6 (@P'NutButter, @AdzBrown, @Robsolete, @ysev, @Blond, @RainOnFire)
Low scores: 1×1 (@BreatheBox), 3×2 (@Ana Raquel, @DominoDancing), 3.5×1 (@Aester)
My score: 8.25
5 ballots: #38 (tied), 8.55 avg.
10 ballots: #40, 8.215 avg.
15 ballots: #55, 7.743 avg.
20 ballots: #55, 7.583 avg.
25 ballots: #57, 7.406 avg.
30 ballots: #58, 7.412 avg.
35 ballots: #52, 7.396 avg.
40 ballots: #57, 7.371 avg.
45 ballots: #57, 7.252 avg.
50 ballots: #56, 7.287 avg.
55 ballots: #54, 7.361 avg.
60 ballots: #55, 7.323 avg.
61 ballots: #55, 7.317 avg.
10 ballots: #40, 8.215 avg.
15 ballots: #55, 7.743 avg.
20 ballots: #55, 7.583 avg.
25 ballots: #57, 7.406 avg.
30 ballots: #58, 7.412 avg.
35 ballots: #52, 7.396 avg.
40 ballots: #57, 7.371 avg.
45 ballots: #57, 7.252 avg.
50 ballots: #56, 7.287 avg.
55 ballots: #54, 7.361 avg.
60 ballots: #55, 7.323 avg.
61 ballots: #55, 7.317 avg.
Our next single to fall is "Open Arms", a cover of Journey's 1982 US #2 hit single. It was written and composed by Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain and arranged and produced by Mariah and Walter Afanasieff.
"Open Arms" was released as the third single from "Daydream" outside of the US on December 5, 1995, and was a top ten hit in several countries, including the UK (#4), Ireland (#7), and New Zealand (#8). The single release went on to sell over 260,000 physical copies worldwide. A Spanish language version of the song, titled "El Amor Que Soñé", was included as a bonus track on the Latin American release of "Daydream" and was also used as the single's b-side in Australia. A live performance was used for its music video, but it's blocked in the US; watch it here if you can.
This is gorgeously performed, no surprise. I don't listen to this a lot, but I always enjoy it when I do. Somehow, even though this wasn't released as a single in the US and I didn't listen to this album in full until I was a teenager, I can still remember hearing this as a kid, weirdly... I guess she was just so big at the time that even her album tracks got play or w/e? (or maybe my mind has just completely fabricated this memory dddd)
"Open Arms" was released as the third single from "Daydream" outside of the US on December 5, 1995, and was a top ten hit in several countries, including the UK (#4), Ireland (#7), and New Zealand (#8). The single release went on to sell over 260,000 physical copies worldwide. A Spanish language version of the song, titled "El Amor Que Soñé", was included as a bonus track on the Latin American release of "Daydream" and was also used as the single's b-side in Australia. A live performance was used for its music video, but it's blocked in the US; watch it here if you can.
This is gorgeously performed, no surprise. I don't listen to this a lot, but I always enjoy it when I do. Somehow, even though this wasn't released as a single in the US and I didn't listen to this album in full until I was a teenager, I can still remember hearing this as a kid, weirdly... I guess she was just so big at the time that even her album tracks got play or w/e? (or maybe my mind has just completely fabricated this memory dddd)
—
@WhatKindOfKylie? (10) — "This is just beautiful. I know that Mariah's take on this Journey classic was a controversial choice and one that didn't exactly get a lot of praise at the time either I believe. In my view though, she takes the song and as she always does with her classic covers, revamps it and makes it her own. I think this is severely underrated compared to the likes of I'll Be There and Without You, which is a huge shame in my book. It's just wonderful on every level."
@GimmeWork (10) — "One of my favorite Mimi covers. Her rendition just feels fresh but classic."
@londonrain (10) — "Way to take a schmaltzy Journey song and infuse it with real heart. Right from her delivery of 'Lying beside you here in the dark' I'm so invested in this story, and she pulls it off with such aplomb."
@Blond (9) — "Not gonna lie, I fucking love the original. Mariah kills it as well."
@Music Is Life (8.5) — "A cover of a Journey song (random but okay) this is pretty good. I don't know the original, so I can't compare the two, but this suits her lyrically, and the production and her vocals are great."
@Seventeen Days (8.5) — "The first time I listened to this, I had no clue it was a cover. Then I listened to the original and... well let's just say Mariah could run circles around Steve Perry and Journey. Can you imagine if she covered 'Don't Stop Believin''? Those high notes, yas."
@pop3blow2 (7.7) — "Just a bit unneeded. Without You part 2... and that song was kinda unneeded. I personally think Mariah was a bit over all this AC ballad stuff by this time, but 'had' to include stuff like on her albums. She wanted to be more stuff like Fantasy & Underneath... and I think the powers that be still wanted her to be everything to everybody."
@bonnieetclyde (7.5) — "beautiful lyrics. Lovely arrangement. I don't know the original however."
@abael (7) — "Vocally powerful, emotionally bereft."
@nikkysan (7) — "This gets a bit of flack from stans and I never really understood why? It's a solid cover and I've never even heard the original."
@Veeis (7) — "I wasn't really a fan of it but I like it more now. It's nice showstopper on Daydream after 3 huge tracks."
@Oceandrive (7) — "The cover version that absolutely no one ever asked for. It kinda works though."
@godspeed (6.5) — "'Open Arms' is the mandatory 80s rock cover of the album. It's cute and vocally Mariah truly hit a peak with this album in my opinion, so just for the vocals alone this track is worth your time. It's not necessarily a song that I would skip but it's by far the less memorable thing on Daydream."
@Imagineitwasus (6) — "So-so."
@DominoDancing (3) — "And this is just boring and feels like it consists of nothing but the same long belted notes over and over. I actually really like some of Mariah's 80s rock ballad covers (especially Bringin' On The Heartbreak), but this is really not it for me."
@BreatheBox (1) — "boring ass cover...can't believe it was a single and was (kinda) heavily promoted."
@GimmeWork (10) — "One of my favorite Mimi covers. Her rendition just feels fresh but classic."
@londonrain (10) — "Way to take a schmaltzy Journey song and infuse it with real heart. Right from her delivery of 'Lying beside you here in the dark' I'm so invested in this story, and she pulls it off with such aplomb."
@Blond (9) — "Not gonna lie, I fucking love the original. Mariah kills it as well."
@Music Is Life (8.5) — "A cover of a Journey song (random but okay) this is pretty good. I don't know the original, so I can't compare the two, but this suits her lyrically, and the production and her vocals are great."
@Seventeen Days (8.5) — "The first time I listened to this, I had no clue it was a cover. Then I listened to the original and... well let's just say Mariah could run circles around Steve Perry and Journey. Can you imagine if she covered 'Don't Stop Believin''? Those high notes, yas."
@pop3blow2 (7.7) — "Just a bit unneeded. Without You part 2... and that song was kinda unneeded. I personally think Mariah was a bit over all this AC ballad stuff by this time, but 'had' to include stuff like on her albums. She wanted to be more stuff like Fantasy & Underneath... and I think the powers that be still wanted her to be everything to everybody."
@bonnieetclyde (7.5) — "beautiful lyrics. Lovely arrangement. I don't know the original however."
@abael (7) — "Vocally powerful, emotionally bereft."
@nikkysan (7) — "This gets a bit of flack from stans and I never really understood why? It's a solid cover and I've never even heard the original."
@Veeis (7) — "I wasn't really a fan of it but I like it more now. It's nice showstopper on Daydream after 3 huge tracks."
@Oceandrive (7) — "The cover version that absolutely no one ever asked for. It kinda works though."
@godspeed (6.5) — "'Open Arms' is the mandatory 80s rock cover of the album. It's cute and vocally Mariah truly hit a peak with this album in my opinion, so just for the vocals alone this track is worth your time. It's not necessarily a song that I would skip but it's by far the less memorable thing on Daydream."
@Imagineitwasus (6) — "So-so."
@DominoDancing (3) — "And this is just boring and feels like it consists of nothing but the same long belted notes over and over. I actually really like some of Mariah's 80s rock ballad covers (especially Bringin' On The Heartbreak), but this is really not it for me."
@BreatheBox (1) — "boring ass cover...can't believe it was a single and was (kinda) heavily promoted."
—
RainOnFire
Staff member
Oh my GOD ENOUGH ALREADY
If you guys were so intent on kicking out all of the ballads, couldn't y'all band together and get Hero out at the very least?!
If you guys were so intent on kicking out all of the ballads, couldn't y'all band together and get Hero out at the very least?!
Not me getting annoyed that no songs from Rainbow are being cut and then remembering that album isn't in this rate.
Again, another two eliminations I am fine with. The version of 'Honey' with Mase on will always be the defining iteration of the song for me.
Again, another two eliminations I am fine with. The version of 'Honey' with Mase on will always be the defining iteration of the song for me.
Yeah that was a bit much. The song is good, it's the album that's average. I guess the remix just didn't focus on the aspects of the song I did like.