Always Be My Baby
| "Always Be My Baby" | ||||
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.jpg) Standard artwork | ||||
| Single by Mariah Carey | ||||
| from the album Daydream | ||||
| B-side |
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| Released | March 9, 1996 | |||
| Format | ||||
| Recorded | December 1994 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:18 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
| Writer(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
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| Mariah Carey singles chronology | ||||
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"Always Be My Baby" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her fifth studio album Daydream (1995). It was released by Columbia Records in March 9, 1996 as the third US single and fourth overall. The song was written by Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal. A mid-tempo song, its lyrics describe the feeling of attachment and unity the singer feels towards her estranged lover, even though they are no longer together, she says he will always be a part of her and will "always be her baby" even after they move on.
Music critics praised "Always Be My Baby" and it was a commercial success, becoming Carey's 11th chart topper on the US Billboard Hot 100, tying her with Madonna and Whitney Houston for most number-one singles for a female artist. It spent two weeks atop the chart and became Carey's eighth chart topper on the Canadian Singles Chart. In other regions, the song performed well, peaking at number three in the United Kingdom, number five in New Zealand, number 17 in Australia and in the top 20 in most music markets where it charted.
The song's music video features scenes of Carey frolicking by a campsite in upstate New York, as well as swinging on a large swing over a lake. Additional inter-cuts include scenes of two children, one male and female, sneaking out at night and spending time together by a campfire similar to Carey's location. Most scenes from the video were filmed at The Fresh Air Fund's Camp Mariah, named after Mariah Carey for her generous support and dedication to Fresh Air Fund children. The song was performed live during her Daydream World Tour (1996) and many of her future tours and concerts. "Always Be My Baby" was also featured in Carey's compilation albums: Number 1's (1998), Greatest Hits (2001), The Ballads (2008) and Number 1 to Infinity (2015).
Background and recording
While Carey was writing and recording Daydream in early 1995, she began searching for different producers, in order to give her work a new sound.[1] Jermaine Dupri, who had risen to fame during that period, began working with Carey on material for her album. After recording the song in December 1994, Carey recalled that she chose to work with Dupri because he had a "very distinct vibe."[1] Additionally, Carey commissioned the assistance of hip-hop and contemporary R&B producer, Manuel Seal. As Seal played different keys on the piano, Carey led him with the melody she was "hearing inside her head" and began humming the phrase "always be my baby."[1] In an interview with Fred Bronson, Carey discussed the process it took to write and produce the song:
Jermaine, Manuel and I sat down and Jermaine programmed the drums. I told him the feel I wanted and Manuel put his hands on the keyboards and I started singing the melody. We went back and forth with the bridge and the B-section. I had the outline of the lyrics and started singing 'Always be my baby' off the top of my head.[1]
Like producers before him, Dupri commended Carey's vocal abilities, "she can pretty much do anything with her voice. She's really strong vocally."[1] Another musical craft the song featured was the inclusion of heavy background vocals of her lower registers, with Carey then belting and singing the higher notes over her background vocals and melody, creating a "double voice effect."[1] When discussing the technique used in the background vocals, Carey said:
The background vocals are an important part of the picture for me. That's why I like to do them myself a lot of the time, or initially I'll lay down the tracks. I'll double my voice or do a couple of tracks of my own voice. It's easy for me to match my voice. And then if I'm going to use other background singers, I'll let them go on top of mine.[1]
Composition
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"Always Be My Baby"
 A 26-second sample of the song, featuring background vocals described as "double voice." |
| Problems playing this file? See media help. | |
"Always Be My Baby" is a ballad, which incorporates pop and contemporary R&B genres.[1] It has a moderate tempo of 76 beats per minute.[2] The song features a "double voice" which is an effect Carey created in the studio, where her lower vocal notes are used as backup, and her higher chest notes are used as the song's main focal point.[1] The song's instrumentation is written in the key of E major and increases by one semitone to F major.[2] It is set in signature common time.[2] Carey's vocals span from the note of B2 to F5.
Critical reception
The song earned positive reviews from music critics. Ken Tucker from Entertainment Weekly complimented the song's "relaxed swing" and felt its instrumentation helped make it a standout from the album.[3] Stephen Holden, editor of The New York Times, complimented "Always Be My Baby," calling it one of "the best on the album."[4] At the 38th Grammy Awards the song received a nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.[5]
Chart performance
"Always Be My Baby" was released by Columbia Records on March 9, 1996 in Europe, and debuted at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 on the issue dated April 6, 1996, behind Celine Dion's "Because You Loved Me," which had replaced Carey's previous single, "One Sweet Day", at number one.[6] "Always Be My Baby" stayed at number two for four weeks, and topped the Hot 100 on May 4, 1996, where it spent two weeks before returning to the number two position for an additional five weeks.[6] At the end of its US chart run, the song spent a total of nine weeks at number two, the fourth longest stay in the chart's history.[6] The song became Carey's 11th chart topper in the United States, tying her with pop singers Whitney Houston and Madonna as the female solo artist with the most number one singles, a record she passed soon after.[6] After spending two weeks atop the Hot 100, the three singles from Daydream had given Carey a combined 26 weeks (six months) atop the chart, something never duplicated by another artist until Usher and The Black Eyed Peas in the mid to late 2000s.[6] In Canada, the song became Carey's eighth chart topper, after it ascended to the number one position on the Canadian RPM Singles Chart during the week of May 20, 1996.[7]
While it charted well outside the US, the song didn't manage to chart as high as her previous two singles "Fantasy" and "One Sweet Day." In Australia, the song entered the Australian Singles Chart at number 28 during the week of March 13, 1996. The song spent 16 weeks fluctuating in the chart before spending its last week at number 47 on June 30.[8] "Always Be My Baby" was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), denoting shipments of over 35,000 units.[9] The song debuted and peaked at number five in New Zealand, spending three consecutive weeks at the position. After 16 weeks, the song fell off the singles chart and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ).[10][11] In the United Kingdom, the song entered the UK Singles Chart at number three, where it peaked.[12] In its second week, the song fell to number four, staying on the chart for a total of ten weeks.[13] As of 2008, sales in the UK are estimated at 220,000.[14] In Ireland, the song peaked at number ten on the Irish Singles Chart, spending nine weeks in the chart.[15] In the Netherlands, "Always Be My Baby" entered the singles chart at number 43 during the week on April 20, 1996. The song peaked at number 27, spending one week at the position and five weeks in the chart overall.[16] "Always Be My Baby" entered the singles chart in Sweden at number 58 during the week of May 3, 1996. After peaking at number 38 and spending a total of five weeks in the chart, the song fell off the Swedish Singles Chart.[17]
Music video
The music video for "Always Be My Baby" was the second video Carey's directed.[6] In it, she is the seemingly happy narrator of a tale of young love, as a young boy and a girl elope in the middle of the night. The video was filmed on location at Carey's sponsored charity, the Fresh Air Fund upstate New York camp.[6] The video begins with scenes of Carey on a lakeside tire-swing, smiling and beginning to retell a story of young love. As she sits upon the swing, scenes of two children sneaking out of their bungalow in the middle of the night are shown. They frolic together beside a fireplace, soon coming up to the lakeside swing Carey had been on before. They soon go swimming wearing their clothes, much like Carey did in her video for "Dreamlover" though she does not jump into the water herself this time. As they jump into the water, Carey is then seen by the campfire they passed on their journey to the lake, smiling with friends and enjoying herself by the fire. Eventually the boy and girl are seen kissing underwater. The video concludes with scenes of the young boy and girl walking together back to their bungalow, walking hand-in-hand. Having possibly witnessed the entire event, Carey is seen once again by the large swing, chuckling and staring into the night's sky.[6]
An alternate video was shot for the song's remix. It too was directed by Carey, and was shot in black and white. The shot of Carey in a beret that would become the cover for this single is a scene from the video. The video features cameo appearances by Da Brat and Xscape.[6] It begins with Carey and the duo spending time recording the song in Carey's in-home studio. In the video, Carey is wearing a large white, straw hat and features long golden hair. As the trio finishes the song, scenes of Carey by her pool are shown, with cameos made by her dog, Jack. Brat and Xscape are seen poolside with Carey, playing cards and drinking beer, as the trio further bond and laugh. Towards the end of the video, scenes of the trio in the studio are shows, and intermingled with snippets of Carey walking inside her mansion, shared with then husband Tommy Mottola. The video ends with Carey and Brat bonding by the studio and pool.[6]
Live performances and cover versions
Carey performed the song throughout the entire run of her Daydream World Tour (1996), Rainbow World Tour (2000), The Adventures of Mimi (2006), and The Elusive Chanteuse Show (2014) and during select shows on her Charmbracelet World Tour (2002–03), and Angels Advocate Tour (2009–10). During the Japanese shows in 1996, Carey donned a white suit and jacket, and featured three female back-up singers. Red spotlights were used throughout the performance, as well as some light dance routines.[18] During her Rainbow World Tour, Carey wore a two piece outfit, a pair of pants and top, with golden heels. Three back-up singers were provided, one male and two female, while Carey interacted with the front row fans.[19] On her Adventures of Mimi Tour in 2006, Carey donned a pair of black leggings, worn with a bikini-like top. Wearing Christian Louboutin pumps, Carey sang on the arena's secondary stage, where she sang three of the set-list's titles.[20] On her Elusive Chanteuse Show in 2014, Carey often used the song as her encore, entering the stage in a tight-fitted blue gown and black gloves. Carey included the song in her 2015 Las Vegas residency, Mariah Carey Number 1's, where she walked through the audience for the second verse and chorus.
On the seventh season of American Idol, David Cook performed a rock arrangement of the song during the April 15, 2008 episode, in which Carey mentored the contestants on her songs.[21] His version received high praise from all three judges, and even Carey herself. Cook's studio recording of the song was released on the iTunes Store during the show's run as "Always Be My Baby (American Idol Studio Version) - Single" and was among the season's best-selling singles.[21]
In 2016 British DJ Sigala released the single Say You Do, which incorporates parts of the song into its chorus.[22]
Official versions and remixes
Carey recorded three different sets of vocals for "Always Be My Baby."
The main remix of the song was also produced by Jermaine Dupri. Known as the "Mr. Dupri Mix," it features re-sung vocals with all of the lyrics and most of the melodic structure retained while using a sample of the song "Tell Me If You Still Care" by The SOS Band. It includes a rap from Da Brat and background vocals from Xscape.
Carey recorded yet another set of vocals for dance remixes produced by David Morales that were only released on maxi-single in the UK. Named the "Always Club Mix" (along with its edit, the "Def Classic Radio Mix"), this club remix of the song has a totally new melodic structure, with the lyrics altered to fit the new melody and song structure. DJ Satoshi Tomiie also created a dance dub that used these new vocals; calling it the "ST Dub," it appeared on the maxi-single that included the Morales mixes.
The original album vocals were also remixed into a reggae version that included Jamaican-American reggae rap artist Li'l Vicious. Called the "Reggae Soul Mix," this remix includes a rap breakdown by Vicious, with him shouting over Carey's vocals throughout the track.
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U.S. CD single
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Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the Daydream liner notes.[29]
- Mariah Carey – co-production, arrangement, songwriting, vocals, background vocals
- Jermaine Dupri – co-production, songwriting
- Manuel Seal Jr. – co-production, songwriting
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
Decade-end charts
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Year-end charts
Certifications and sales
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Chart successions
| Preceded by "Closer to Free" by BoDeans |
Canadian RPM 100 number-one single May 20, 1996 |
Succeeded by "Old Man & Me" by Hootie & the Blowfish |
| Preceded by "Because You Loved Me" by Céline Dion |
Billboard Hot 100 number-one single May 4, 1996 – May 11, 1996 |
Succeeded by "Tha Crossroads" by Bone Thugs N Harmony |
| Preceded by "You're the One" by SWV |
Billboard Hot R&B Singles number one single May 4, 1996 |
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Bronson 2003, p. 845
- 1 2 3 "Mariah Carey - Always Be My Baby - Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Alfred Publishing. Retrieved 2013-09-13.
- ↑ Tucker, Ken (1995-10-13). "Daydream (1995)". Entertainment Weekly. Time Warner. Archived from the original on 2013-10-31. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
- ↑ Holden, Stephen (1995-10-08). "Pop Music; Mariah Carey Glides Into New Territory". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2010-10-20.
- ↑ "List of Grammy nominees". CNN. January 4, 1996. Archived from the original on 2012-12-07. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Nickson 1998, p. 145
- ↑ "Top Singles – Volume 63, No. 14, May 20, 1996". RPM. 1996-05-20. Archived from the original on 2013-11-04. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ↑ "Mariah Carey - Always Be My Baby". Australiancharts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 2013-10-26. Retrieved 2010-12-09.
- ↑ Kent, David (2006). Australian Chart Book 1993-2005. ISBN 978-0-646-45889-2.
- ↑ "Mariah Carey - Always Be My Baby". Charts.org.nz. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 2013-10-27. Retrieved 2010-12-09.
- ↑ Scapolo, Dean (2007). The Complete New Zealand Music Charts 1966-2006. ISBN 978-1-877443-00-8.
- ↑ "Chart Archive: 22nd June 1996". The Official Charts Company. British Phonographic Industry. 1996-06-22. Archived from the original on 2012-01-10. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
- ↑ "Mariah Carey - Always Be My Baby". Chart Stats. UK Singles Chart. Retrieved 2010-12-09.
- 1 2 "Mariah Carey Official Top 20 Best Selling Singles in the UK". MTV. MTV Networks Europe. Archived from the original on 3 November 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-10.
- ↑ "Search The Charts". Irish Recorded Music Association. Archived from the original on 2009-06-03. Retrieved 2010-12-09.
- ↑ "Mariah Carey - Always Be My Baby". Dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 2012-10-12. Retrieved 2010-12-10.
- ↑ "Mariah Carey - Always Be My Baby". Swedishcharts.com. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 2013-10-24. Retrieved 2010-12-10.
- ↑ Argenson 2010, pp. 17–22
- ↑ Argenson 2010, pp. 29–33
- ↑ Argenson 2010, pp. 42–46
- 1 2 Cantiello, Jim (2008-04-16). "'American Idol' Recap: Teary David Cook, Powerful David Archuleta Master Mariah Carey Night". MTV News. MTV. Archived from the original on 2010-04-20. Retrieved 2010-12-10.
- ↑ "Sigala Drops New Song 'Say You Do' Feat. DJ Fresh". Capital XTRA. Capital XTRA. 2016-01-26. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
- ↑ Always Be My Baby (US CD Single liner notes). Mariah Carey. Columbia Records. 1996. 44K 78277.
- ↑ Always Be My Baby (UK CD Single liner notes). Mariah Carey. Columbia Records. 1996. 663334 2.
- ↑ Always Be My Baby (US 12-inch Single liner notes). Mariah Carey. Columbia Records. 1996. 38-78276.
- ↑ Always Be My Baby (UK 12-inch Single liner notes). Mariah Carey. Columbia Records. 1996. 38-78276.
- ↑ Always Be My Baby (US 12-inch Single liner notes). Mariah Carey. Columbia Records. 1996. 44 78313.
- ↑ Always Be My Baby (UK 12-inch Single liner notes). Mariah Carey. Columbia Records. 1996. 09-870783-17.
- ↑ Carey, Mariah (1995). Daydream (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Mariah Carey. New York City, New York: Columbia Records.
- ↑ "Australian-charts.com – Mariah Carey – Always Be My Baby". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ↑ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. April 6, 1996. p. 78. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
- ↑ Nanda Lwin (1999). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
- ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2976." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2970." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
- ↑ "RPM Dance". RPM. July 1, 1996. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
- ↑ "The Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. July 6, 1996. Archived from the original on May 13, 2008. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ↑ "Mariah Carey - Always Be My Baby" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Always Be My Baby". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ↑ マライア・キャリーのアルバム売り上げランキング (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on December 6, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 17, 1996" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved May 20, 2015.
- ↑ "Dutchcharts.nl – Mariah Carey – Always Be My Baby" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ↑ "Charts.org.nz – Mariah Carey – Always Be My Baby". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 1996-06-16". Scottish Singles Top 40. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ↑ "Swedishcharts.com – Mariah Carey – Always Be My Baby". Singles Top 100. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ↑ "Mariah Carey: Artist Chart History" Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ↑ "Archive Chart: 1996-06-16" UK R&B Chart. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ↑ "Mariah Carey – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Mariah Carey. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
- ↑ "Mariah Carey – Chart history" Billboard Adult Contemporary for Mariah Carey. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
- ↑ "Mariah Carey – Chart history" Billboard Adult Pop Songs for Mariah Carey. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
- ↑ "Mariah Carey – Chart history" Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs for Mariah Carey. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
- ↑ "Mariah Carey – Chart history" Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs for Mariah Carey. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
- ↑ "Mariah Carey – Chart history" Billboard Pop Songs for Mariah Carey. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
- ↑ "Mariah Carey – Chart history" Billboard Rhythmic Songs for Mariah Carey. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
- ↑ "Hot 100 Singles of the '90s". Billboard. December 25, 1999. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
- ↑ Gavin Ryan (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
- ↑ "RPM Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. December 16, 1996. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ↑ "RPM Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. December 16, 1996. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ↑ "Jaarlijsten 1996" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
- ↑ "Top Selling Singles of 1996". RIANZ. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ↑ "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40-1996 wg sprzedaży" (in Polish). Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on June 4, 2015. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
- 1 2 3 4 "The Year in Music: 1996" (PDF). Billboard. December 28, 1996. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ↑ Kent, David (2006). Australian Chart Book 1993-2005. St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-45889-2.
- ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Mariah Carey – Always Be My Baby". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
- ↑ "British single certifications – Mariah Carey – Always Be My Baby". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 7, 2015. Enter Always Be My Baby in the field Keywords. Select Title in the field Search by. Select single in the field By Format. Select Silver in the field By Award. Click Search
- ↑ "American single certifications – Mariah Carey – Always Be My Baby". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 7, 2015. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH
- 1 2 Trust, Gary (February 17, 2014). "Ask Billboard: Katy Perry Regains No. 1 Momentum". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
Bibliography
- Argenson, Jim (2010), Mariah Carey Concert Tours, St. Martin's Press, ISBN 978-1-155-56204-9
- Bronson, Fred (2003), The Billboard Book of Number 1 Hits, Billboard Books, ISBN 978-0-8230-7677-2
External links
