Released: August 31, 1993
Genre: Pop ∙ R&B
Label: Columbia
Producer: Mariah Carey ∙ Dave Hall ∙ Walter Afanasieff ∙David Cole ∙ Robert Clivillés ∙ Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds ∙ Daryl Simmons
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Mariah Carey became one of pop music’s most immaculate divas even in the beginning stages of her career. With 6 number one records to her name at the time, she was at the road of music superstardom.
After the success of her 1990 self-titled debut album and 1991’s Emotions, she began work on her third album, Music Box. Music Box was released August 31. 1993 by Columbia Records and consists of ballads and dance tracks. The older I become, the more infatuated I am with this album because of the mellow vibes and how perfect Mariah’s vocals were and how the production was eloquently utilized.
Although Music Box showcased her growth as a vocalist, the label wanted her to appeal to contemporary audiences. However, one thing about a Mariah album… she was going to incorporate elements of the sounds she WANTED to do (R&B of course) into the songs where they could’ve been marketable for pop and R&B audiences collectively.
The Music Box album was a commercial success, becoming Mariah’s best selling album to DATE, being certified diamond by the RIAA…and selling over 32 million WORLDWIDE. Mariah also became more successful internationally thanks to Music Box. The album peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 and top R&B/Hip Hop Album charts.
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: Mariah Carey’s “Music Box.”
Dreamlover
Written by Mariah Carey ∙ Dave Hall
Described as a mid-tempo pop and light R&B track, Dreamlover is a record that has Mariah longing for the perfect lover to come into her life and rescue her. Dreamlover was Mariah’s first song to have a hip hop influenced sound to the song, which would become more prevalent in Mariah’s subsequent records after Music Box. Dreamlover became Mariah’s 7th chart topper on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, and peaked at number two on the R&B charts.
The Def Club Mix to Dreamlover was another vibe on the house music tip and was her first song collaborating with David Morales, who would eventually work on a lot of her remixes in the future. THE TRANSFORMATION FROM BEING A HIP HOP INFLUENCED RECORD TO A HOUSE MASTERPIECE IS TRULY JAW DROPPING. Whew!
Dreamlover contains a sample of:
- The Emotions’ Blind Alley.
Hero
Written by Mariah Carey ∙ Walter Afanasieff
Mariah has a very extensive catalog, so it is very difficult to pick a signature record to tie with her. But if there is one song you can pick, Hero is definitely one of them! Originally for Gloria Estefan for the Hero film in 1992, Mariah was convinced to keep the song and thank God she did!
The mid-tempo ballad is inspirational and emphasizes the importance of being confident in who you are and staying strong during times of trouble and struggle. Mariah has stated how she never personally cared for the song at first, but after fan requests and becoming a favorite throughout her fan base, she’s made it crucial to perform it any chance she gets ever since. Hero became her 8th chart topper, and is considered to be one of her most personal ballads.
Anytime You Need a Friend
Written by Mariah Carey ∙ Walter Afanasieff
One of my favorite Mariah songs period!
I’ve always said Mariah should’ve had made a gospel album because mama has the RANGE to do so! Anytime You Need a Friend is heavily influenced by gospel and has the song’s protagonist telling a friend that she will be there through the hard times and to have faith…and hope that through the guidance and love of loved ones, they’ll see it through.
The song became one of Mariah’s first singles to not reach the top ten of the hot 100 charts, but was a popular radio friendly record. Critics felt that the album lacked a song where Mariah’s voice “roamed free” and here is that song! Also, the C&C Club version of Anytime You Need a Friend is FLAWLESS!
Music Box
Written by Mariah Carey ∙ Walter Afanasieff
Want to give you all of my love. Now and forever, my love…
Mariah Carey, Music Box, 1994
The title track is deemed to be one of Mariah’s most difficult compositions due to the usage of legato to keep the tune’s softness and sweetness without using volume as a resort. Mimi’s vocals on the record are so flawless and controlled, and floats easily over the production. A song! & the Music Box (Acapella) is fucking amazing. Like oh my GOD!
Now That I Know
Written by Mariah Carey ∙ Robert Clivillés ∙ David Cole.
Now That I Know is an uptempo record with house and gospel influences. From a lyrical perspective, It is one of the purest gems from Music Box and deserves so much more! It truly should have been a hit on the radio!
Never Forget You
Written by Mariah Carey ∙ Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds
Another hit for Mariah, Never Forget You is one of her first collaborations with the legendary Babyface. The song is about the song protagonist describing her ex, and how she will never forget them since they moved on. The song was released as a double single with the subsequent song Without You in the United States, peaking in the top ten on the pop and R&B charts!
Without You
Written by Pete Ham ∙ Tom Evans
The songbird supreme’s cover of Badfinger’s classic (Mariah’s version is moreso based off of Harry Nilsson’s version of this song) Without You will forever be one of the greatest recordings ever. The song was released as a double single with Never Forget You, peaking in the top ten on the pop and R&B charts! Without You was also a number one hit for Mariah in multiple countries internationally, especially in the UK.
Just To Hold You Once Again
Written by Mariah Carey ∙ Walter Afanasieff
One of my favorite highlights from the album is Just To Hold You Once Again. Mariah loves a good ballad, and she snapped with this one. From a lyrical perspective, Just to Hold You Once Again is a song where the singer is having a hard time coping with the fact that her lover is gone and how she’ll do anything to be around them again.
I’ve Been Thinking About You
Written by Mariah Carey ∙ Robert Clivillés ∙ David Cole.
Mariah’s work with Clivillés & Cole was always spectacular, but this song is so beautiful. The song describes Mariah professing her love to a guy she has been thinking about a lot. Also, the Terry Hunter Remix is top tier!
The song contains samples of Melvin Bliss’ “Synthetic Substitution,” & Slave’s “Just a Touch of Love.”
All I’ve Ever Wanted
Written by Mariah Carey ∙ Walter Afanasieff
A mf ballad! Mariah and Walter Afanasieff made classics I swear. All I’ve Ever Wanted is a true fairytale story of the song’s protagonist admitting how much she wants to be with him.
Everything Fades Away
Written by Mariah Carey & Walter Afanasieff
One of my favorite Mariah ballads of all time has to go to the haunting but remarkable gem Everything Fades Away! Available as a song on the international version of the Music Box album, the song was only available to the US as a B-Side to Hero, …until now.
Speaking how it is a fan favorite and never got the attention it deserves, Everything Fades Away was officially released on Mariah’s The Rarities compilation album in 2020, and subsequently the 30th anniversary edition of Music Box. The R&B influenced ballad is a personal record of Mariah’s, and tells the tale of a love going awry. If you’ve never seen this moment between Mariah and JOJO & Mariah’s lovely background singers, you are missing OUT HONEY! This was a top tier moment!
On September 8, 2023, Mariah Carey released a deluxe edition of Music Box to commemorate the album’s 30th anniversary. & it contains previously released b-sides and remixes, unreleased records, her top 2 record with the incomparable Luther Vandross and live versions of her biggest hits.
All I Live For (Extended Version)
Written by Mariah Carey ∙ Walter Afanasieff
We were first introduced to the greatness that is All I Live For on the Rarities compilation album, and it is all I live for! It is one of the upbeat records from the Music Box sessions that was completely unfinished..until now! Mariah wasn’t lying when she said it is a 90s record, because with the first listen I was so enamored with the production from Mariah & Walter Afanasieff.
Endless Love (with Luther Vandross)
Written by Lionel Richie
The immaculate Endless Love was a huge record in 1994 when Mariah collaborated with the legendary Luther Vandross for the second single from his album Songs, peaking at number 2 on the Hot 100 chart.
***Endless Love was originally recorded by Lionel Richie & Diana Ross in 1981.
Do You Think Of Me
Written by Mariah Carey ∙ Mark C. Rooney ∙ Mark Morales ∙ Walter Afanasieff
Do You Think of Me has been one of my favorite Mariah songs since discovering it on youtube when I was younger. Originally released as a B-Side on the Dreamlover single cd in 1993, Do You Think of Me is lyrically about the singer finding herself thinking about someone whom she knows she cannot be with.
Do You Think of Me has become a fan favorite over the years, and rightfully so because the quiet storm influenced production makes it the perfect song to sip on some wine to.
Workin’ Hard
Written by Mariah Carey
Workin’ Hard is another gem that came from the vault that should’ve been included on the original edition of the album, but nevertheless we’re here! A song Mariah solely wrote and produced with the assistance of Robert Clivillés and the late David Cole, Workin’ Hard is lyrically about the singer trying her best to make someone she’s infatuated with knows how she is feeling about him. The Terry Hunter remix of Workin’ Hard is another house influenced classic that shows how Mariah was lowkey one of the Queens of house music in the 90s.
My Prayer
Written by Georges Boulanger ∙ Jimmy Kennedy
One thing Mariah is going to do is make a record she is covering HERS, & she did just that with My Prayer. Originally recorded by The Platters, My Prayer pays homage to the 50s sound and the format of the original song. I’ve truly been amazed by this song and why it wasn’t included in the original edition of the album.It gives a “music box” type of vibe chile.
***My Prayer was originally recorded by The Platters for their 1956 self-titled album.
Mariah Carey’s Music Box will forever be one of her most eloquent records vocally, and truly one of the best records in her impressive catalog. Mariah would go on to create the music she loves and is forever one of the most remarkable artists of all time. -MW
markizdj.com 
Please remove previous comment as my recollection of the history of the album has been rebutted.
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