Mariah Carey: The singer's Top 10 most successful songs of all time
You'll never guess Number 1...
Mariah Carey surely needs no introduction - as one of the world's biggest ever pop stars, it's no surprise that she's still one of the most successful singers of all time. Well, is it any wonder, seeing as she created one of the most iconic Christmas classics of all time, 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'?
To celebrate her amazing career, her album 'Music Box' being re-released and the launch of a Mariah Barbie, we've taken a look some of the biggest and most successful songs in Mariah's catalogue - can you guess what Number 1 might be?
Note: The below information is from the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), however it is a good reflection of Mariah's successes globally.
10) Mariah Carey - 'Honey'
'Honey' was released in August 1997 and appeared on Mariah's sixth album, 'Butterfly', going to Number 1 in the US. It achieved Platinum status one month after it was released - which means 1 million records sold.
The song was a totally different sound for Mariah than anything she'd previously released, with a lot more R&B and hip-hop influences. Watch the music video below:
9) Mariah Carey - 'Hero'
One of her most well-known and memorable songs, 'Hero' was released in October 1993 and featured on her third album, 'Music Box', which was re-released for its 30th anniversary. It was certified 2x Multi Platinum (2 million sales) 26 years after its release in October 2019, and also went to Number 1 in the US.
Although Mariah originally wrote it for Gloria Estefan to sing on the soundtrack for the 1992 film Hero, she recorded it for herself instead, and it is widely considered to be her signature song. Watch the music video below:
8) Mariah Carey - 'Obsessed'
'Obsessed' was released in June 2009 as one of the singles from Mariah's 12th album, 'Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel'. Although it only reached Number 7 in the US charts, it was certified 2x Multi Platinum in July 2019 - so it's still a popular song!
Her now-ex-husband Nick Cannon revealed at the time that the song was inspired by one of Mariah's favourite films, Mean Girls - and the lyrics of the chorus are a line from the film: 'Why are you so obsessed with me?' Mariah is also able to poke fun at herself, starring in the video as both herself and a male alter-ego. Watch it below:
7) Mariah Carey - 'Touch My Body'
'Touch My Body' was released in February 2008 as the lead single from Mariah's 11th album, 'E=MC²'. It hit the top spot in the US charts, and gave Mariah the record for most Number 1 singles in United States history. It was certified 2x Multi Platinum in July 2019.
Mariah also had a bit of fun with this music video, as it stars 30 Rock actor Jack McBrayer as an IT technician who has a daydream about the pair being in a relationship - watch it below:
6) Mariah Carey ft. Miguel - '#Beautiful'
Mariah released '#Beautiful' featuring singer Miguel in May 2013, which appeared on her 14th album 'Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse'. Although it peaked at Number 15 in the US charts, it was certified 2x Multi Platinum in July 2017. Watch the music video below:
5) Mariah Carey - 'Fantasy'
Mariah fans won't be surprised to see 'Fantasy' make the Top 5 of her most successful songs! The track, which heavily features the singer's famous whistle register, was released in September 1995 from her 5th album 'Daydream', and is still a hugely beloved track 25 years on.
The song features a sample of 'Genius of Love' by Tom Tom Club, and peaked at Number 1 in the US, receiving 3x Multi Platinum certification (3 million sales) in October 2019. Watch the music video below:
4) Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men - 'One Sweet Day'
Mariah teamed up with R&B quartet Boyz II Men for November 1995 single 'One Sweet Day', which featured on her 5th album 'Daydream' and hit the top spot in the US. The single, which was a tribute to lost loved ones, was certified 3x Multi Platinum in October 2019. Watch the music video below:
3) Mariah Carey - 'Always Be My Baby'
This classic Mariah track was released in March 1996 as a promotional track from her 5th album, 'Daydream'. It reached Number 1 in the US, and was certified 3x Multi Platinum in October 2019.
The song was used by British DJ Sigala in his 2016 single 'Say You Do', and had a resurgence in 2019 after being the inspiration for the title of the Netflix film Always Be My Maybe starring Ali Wong, Randall Park and Keanu Reeves, as well as being part of the film's soundtrack. Watch the music video below:
2) Mariah Carey - 'We Belong Together'
'We Belong Together' was released in March 2005, and was considered to be a comeback single for Mariah. It hit Number 1 in the US, and was certified 4x Multi Platinum (4 million sales) in July 2019. Billboard cited the song as being the most successful song of the decade in 2010.
Featuring on her 10th album, 'The Emancipation of Mimi', 'We Belong Together' won Mariah a multitude of nominations and awards. Watch the music video below:
1) Mariah Carey - 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'
Unsurprisingly, Mariah's most successful song of all time is 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'. What is surprising is that the song never reached Number 1 in the US, as rules were changed over the years over what could count as a charting single. Thankfully, in December 2019, 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' got the recognition it deserved, and went to Number 1!
The song featured on Mariah's 4th album, 'Merry Christmas', for which Mariah also recorded covers of various traditional Christmas songs. Watch the music video below:
In November 2023, Mariah opened up about the song, explaining how it was the first Christmas song she'd written, and she wanted it to be timeless. She told This Morning: "When I first wrote it, I wanted it to be timeless. I didn't want it to be something that felt like a specific year - I wanted it to be something that I could have heard as a little kid growing up."
Also in November 2023, Mariah announced there would be a new Barbie doll based on her. The doll is wearing a red, sequinned dress which is based on the dress she wears in the second music video for 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'.
Mariah Carey - 'Dreamlover'
Super fans of Mariah might be disappointed to see that 'Dreamlover' is not on the list - but not to fear, the song came in 11th in her most successful songs, being certified Platinum in September 1993 and featuring on her third album 'Music Box', due for re-release for its 30th anniversary.
But, it's such a good song, so we've added it anyway! Enjoy...
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