"Never Forget You" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Mariah Carey | ||||
from the album Music Box | ||||
A-side | "Without You" (double A-side) | |||
Released | January 21, 1994 | |||
Studio | Right Track Recording (New York City) | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:45 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) |
| |||
Mariah Carey singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Audio | ||||
"Never Forget You" on YouTube |
"Never Forget You" is a song recorded by American singer Mariah Carey for her third studio album, Music Box (1993). Carey co-wrote the slow jam with Babyface and the pair produced it with Daryl Simmons. Columbia Records released the song on January 21, 1994, as the B-side to "Without You" and promoted it to American urban contemporary radio stations as the album's fourth single. The lyrics lament the end of a romance. Strings, synthesizers, and percussion characterize the composition; Jermaine Dupri altered them for remixes.
Music critics deemed "Never Forget You" unremarkable and derivative. The song's level of emotion and Carey's vocal performance were further topics of commentary. "Never Forget You" peaked at numbers one and three on the US urban contemporary radio charts published by Radio & Records and Gavin Report , respectively. It also reached number three on Billboard Hot 100 Singles and number seven on Billboard Hot R&B Singles. Combined with "Without You", the single sold 600,000 copies in the US throughout 1994.
After the 1992 release of her first extended play, MTV Unplugged , Mariah Carey began to work on her third studio album, Music Box (1993). [1] She resumed recording with previous collaborators Walter Afanasieff, David Cole, and Robert Clivillés, and began new relationships with producers Dave Hall and Babyface. [2] The latter was known for his traditional ballad productions. [3] According to author Marc Shapiro, this aligned with the album's intended musical identity of "leaning toward the basic R&B feel while not forgetting the orchestration and polish". [2]
Columbia Records released Music Box on August 31, 1993. [4] The label promoted the sixth track, Carey–Babyface collaboration "Never Forget You", as the album's fourth single [5] and provided it to American urban contemporary radio stations in January 1994. [6] [7] It is also the B-side to the third single, "Without You", [5] [8] which was released on January 21, 1994. [9] Columbia issued the song in several formats: 7-inch vinyl, 12-inch vinyl, cassette, maxi cassette, CD, and maxi CD. [10] "Never Forget You" is Carey's first single without a music video. [11] Billboard writer Andrew Hampp thought this indicates the release was inconsequential to her and Columbia. [12]
"Never Forget You" is a pop and R&B slow jam. [6] Carey and Babyface wrote the lyrics in which the narrator softly laments the end of a romance: [13] "No, I'll never forget you / I'll never let you out of my heart / You will always be here with me / I'll hold on to your memories, baby." [14] The pair composed the music and then produced the song with Daryl Simmons. It features strings, synthesizers, and percussion prominently. [6] [15] [16] Babyface plays the drums and keyboards and Koyo performs the bass. [17] Carey and Babyface provide background vocals; the former's are overdubbed in the chorus. [13]
Jim Zumpano, Dana Jon Chappelle, and Jim Caruana engineered the track at Right Track Recording in New York City, after which Mick Guzauski mixed it in Sony Music Studios. Like every song on Music Box, "Never Forget You" was mastered by Bob Ludwig at Gateway in Portland, Maine. [17] According to sheet music published by Hal Leonard, the song is composed in 6
8 time signature with a "moderately slow" tempo. [18] It has a swung rhythm every sixteenth note [19] and lasts for three minutes and 45 seconds. [20] Carey biographer Chris Nickson felt that the waltz time evokes "an air of partners gliding around the dancefloor in memories". [13]
Jermaine Dupri produced remixes of "Never Forget You" at KrossWire Studio in Atlanta, Georgia. [20] Carey had wanted to collaborate with him after hearing his work on the 1992 Kris Kross single "Jump". [21] Phil Tan and Jamie Seyberth engineered the tracks and Dupri and Tan mixed them at Hollywood's Larrabee Sound Studios. [20]
Music critics deemed "Never Forget You" forgettable [lower-alpha 1] and unoriginal. [lower-alpha 2] They compared it to Babyface's other compositions such as Boyz II Men's "End of the Road" (1992). [28] [31] [32] David Browne of Entertainment Weekly said "Never Forget You" squanders Babyface's abilities. [22] New York Times writer Deborah Frost suggested it "seems designed to showcase his skills as a pop charmer rather than [Carey's]". [33]
Critics evaluated the song's level of emotion; several described it as genuine. [lower-alpha 3] Bill Speed and John Martinucci from the Gavin Report called it "a ballad that puts you into a sentimental mood before you can say 'I like this'". [7] Toledo Blade writer Stewart Walker thought it showcased "Carey as one of those rare artists who can actually convey her feelings to her listeners". [36] In contrast, Dayton Daily News critic Dave Larsen derided "Never Forget You" as overblown [16] and Mike Joyce of The Washington Post felt that "even Aretha Franklin would be hard pressed to make an emotional statement" given the lyrics. [14]
Carey's vocal performance was another topic of commentary. Cleveland.com's Troy L. Smith considered it the song's highlight. [30] Richmond Times-Dispatch writer Patrick McCarty said she "spirals to unnerving heights with volume and shrieks to spare"; [15] Fort Worth Star-Telegram writer Dave Ferman reckoned her voice was more restrained than on songs from her previous albums. [37] Billboard writers Andrew Hampp and Princess Gabbara complimented Carey's harmonies with Babyface. [12] [38] According to Julianne Shepherd of Vibe , "her piercing vocals amplify [his] signature indelible melodies". [31]
Chart (Publisher) | Week | Year |
---|---|---|
Hot 100 Singles ( Billboard ) [39] [40] "Without You"/"Never Forget You" | 3 | 16 |
Hot R&B Singles ( Billboard ) [41] [40] "Never Forget You"/"Without You" | 7 | 61 |
Top 100 R&B Singles ( Cash Box ) [42] [43] | 5 | 35 |
Urban ( Gavin Report ) [44] | 3 | N/A |
Urban ( Radio & Records ) [45] [46] | 1 | 39 |
"Never Forget You" is one of the best-performing songs produced by Babyface in the 1990s. [47] Combined with "Without You", the single sold 600,000 copies in the United States throughout 1994. [48] An urban radio success, "Never Forget You" peaked at numbers one and three on charts published by Radio & Records and Gavin Report, respectively. [44] [45]
At the time of the single's release, Billboard allowed an A-side and B-side to chart together if both received radio airplay. [49] [lower-alpha 4] "Never Forget You" received some spins from pop radio stations and charted with "Without You" on Hot 100 Singles beginning February 12, 1994. [8] The single peaked at number three in the week ending March 19, 1994. [39] It is Carey's 13th-best performing title on the chart as of 2018 [update] [50] and remains her sole double-sided appearance. [39]
On Hot R&B Singles, "Never Forget You" debuted at number 94 in the February 5, 1994, Billboard issue. [51] "Without You" was listed with it from March 12, 1994, [10] and the pair reached number seven in the week ending April 9, 1994. [41] [lower-alpha 5] The peaks on both the Hot R&B and Hot 100 charts were the second lowest of Carey's career at the time. [39] [41]
1994 US maxi cassette/maxi CD single [20] [52]
1994 US 12-inch vinyl single [53]
| 2020 MC30 digital EP [54] [55]
|
Album versionLocations
Personnel
| Dupri remixesLocations
Personnel
|
"Without You" is a song written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans of British rock group Badfinger, and first released on their 1970 album No Dice. The power ballad has been recorded by over 180 artists, and versions released as singles by Harry Nilsson (1971), T. G. Sheppard (1983) and Mariah Carey (1994) became international best-sellers. The Nilsson version was included in 2021's Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Paul McCartney once described it as "the killer song of all time".
"I'll Be There" is the first single released from Third Album by The Jackson 5. It was written by Berry Gordy, Hal Davis, Bob West, and Willie Hutch.
"Sweetheart" is a song originally recorded by American singer Rainy Davis. It was written by Davis and Pete Warner, and produced with Dorothy Kessler. The track was released in 1986 by independent record label SuperTronics as a single from Davis's 1987 studio album Sweetheart. A freestyle, hip hop pop, and synth-funk song, "Sweetheart" appeared on R&B and dance music-based record charts in the United States.
"Breakdown" is a song recorded by American singer Mariah Carey for her sixth studio album, Butterfly (1997). In the lyrics, she describes the aftermath of a partner ending their love for the other and the trouble of hiding the pain it caused. The track features rapping by Krayzie Bone and Wish Bone, members of the group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. Before they wrote and performed their raps, Carey composed the music with Stevie J and penned her lyrics. The latter pair produced "Breakdown" with Sean "Puffy" Combs. An R&B, hip hop, and hip hop soul song, "Breakdown" features keyboards, synthesized drums, and background vocals prominently. Columbia Records released it to American rhythmic contemporary radio stations in January 1998 as the third single from Butterfly.
"Anytime You Need a Friend" is a song by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey. The song was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff, for her third studio album, Music Box (1993). It was released on May 24, 1994, through Columbia Records, as the fifth and final single from the album. The song is influenced by pop, R&B and gospel genres. While the album focused heavily on pop oriented and radio friendly material, "Anytime You Need a Friend" deviated from the formula, finishing as the only gospel-infused song on Music Box. Lyrically, the song's protagonist tells her love interest that anytime he may need a friend, she will be there unconditionally for him. Throughout the song's bridge and climax, critics noted the lyrics altering from those of a friend, to those of a lover.
"Can't Let Go" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her second studio album, Emotions (1991). It was released as the album's second single in November 1991 by Columbia Records in the United States and the first quarter of 1992 elsewhere. It was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff. The protagonist of this synthesizer-heavy ballad laments an ex-lover who has moved on, and though she tries she "can't let go." Its music video was directed by Jim Sonzero.
"Make It Happen" is a song by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey. Written and produced by Carey and C+C Music Factory's David Cole and Robert Clivillés. It was released on April 4, 1992, by Columbia Records as the third and final single from her second studio album, Emotions (1991). The pop-, R&B-, and dance-influenced track incorporates traces of gospel in its bridge and crescendo. Described by author Chris Nickson as Carey's most personal and inspirational song, it tells of her personal struggles prior to her rise to fame, and how her faith in God helped sustain her.
"Emotions" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey for her second studio album of the same name (1991). It was written and produced by Carey, Robert Clivillés, and David Cole of C+C Music Factory and released as the album's lead single on August 13, 1991 by Columbia Records. The song's lyrics has its protagonist going through a variety of emotions from high to low, up to the point where she declares, "You got me feeling emotions." Musically, it is a gospel and R&B song heavily influenced by 1970s disco music and showcases Carey's upper range and extensive use of the whistle register. Jeff Preiss directed the song's music video.
"I Don't Wanna Cry" is a song recorded by American singer Mariah Carey for her first album Mariah Carey (1990). Written by Carey and producer Narada Michael Walden, Columbia Records released it as the album's fourth single in March 1991. A Latin soul–influenced pop ballad, the torch song describes the end of romance. It features drums, guitars, digital synthesizers, and a classic song structure with highly delineated section roles. Modulations occur between these segments that emphasize the singer's emotions. Varying from whispering to belting, Carey's vocal range spans more than two octaves.
"Love Takes Time" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey for her eponymous debut studio album (1990). Written by Carey and Ben Margulies, while produced by Walter Afanasieff, the song was released as the second single from the album on August 22, 1990, by Columbia Records. An adult contemporary-influenced ballad, the song follows its protagonist lamenting the loss of a lover and confesses that "love takes time" to heal and that her feelings for her ex-lover remain.
"Dreamlover" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter and record producer Mariah Carey, released in 1993 by Columbia, as the lead single from the singer's third studio album, Music Box (1993). Its lyrics were written by Carey, with music composed by Carey and Dave Hall, and was produced by Carey, Walter Afanasieff and Hall. The song incorporates a sample of the hook from "Blind Alley" by the Emotions—previously used in "Ain't No Half-Steppin'" (1988) by Big Daddy Kane—into its melody and instrumentation. "Dreamlover" marked a more pronounced attempt on Carey's part to incorporate hip hop into her music, as was seen in her decision to work with Hall, who had previously produced What's the 411? (1992) by Mary J. Blige. This was partly in light of the mixed reception to her previous studio effort Emotions (1991), which featured gospel and 1960s soul influences. Lyrically, the song pictures a protagonist calling for a perfect lover, her "dreamlover," to whisk her away into the night and not "disillusion" her like others in the past.
"My All" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her sixth studio album, Butterfly (1997). It was released as the album's fifth single overall and second commercial single on April 21, 1998, by Columbia Records. The song was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff. "My All" is built around Latin guitar chord melodies, and makes subtle use of Latin percussion throughout the first chorus, before taking on a more conventional R&B-style beat. Carey was inspired to write the song and use Latin inspired melodies after a trip to Puerto Rico, where she was influenced by the culture. The song's lyrics tell of a lonely woman declaring she would give "her all" to have just one more night with her estranged lover. It is the first song Carey wrote for the Butterfly album.
"Hero" is a song by American singer-songwriter, and record producer Mariah Carey released on October 18, 1993, via Columbia Records as the second single from her third studio album, Music Box (1993). The song was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff. While writing the song, Carey did not connect to its style or sound, therefore forfeiting it to Gloria Estefan, who was intended to sing it for the soundtrack of the film of the same name (1992). However, after being convinced by Sony executive Tommy Mottola to keep it for herself, she changed some of the lyrics to more precisely fit her personality. Lyrically, the song is regarded as one of Carey's most inspirational and personal ballads, with its protagonist declaring that even though people may feel discouraged or down at times, in reality, they are "heroes" if they look inside themselves and see their own inner strength; in time, it will help them "find the way".
"Fantasy" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released on August 23, 1995, by Columbia Records as the lead single from her fifth album, Daydream (1995). The track was written and produced by Carey and Dave Hall. It samples Tom Tom Club's 1981 song "Genius of Love". The lyrics describe a woman who is in love with a man, and how every time she sees him she starts fantasizing about an impossible relationship with him. The remix for the song features rap verses from Ol' Dirty Bastard, something Carey arranged to assist in her crossover into the hip-hop market and credited for introducing R&B and hip hop collaboration into mainstream pop culture, and for popularizing rap as a featuring act.
"One Sweet Day" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey and American vocal group Boyz II Men. The song was released on November 14, 1995, as the second single from the former's fifth studio album, Daydream (1995) by Columbia Records. The artists co-wrote the song with Walter Afanasieff, who co-produced it with Carey. Lyrically, the song speaks about the death of a loved one, how the protagonist took their presence for granted and misses them, and finally about seeing the person in heaven. The artists wrote the song about specific people in their lives, being inspired by sufferers of the AIDS epidemic, which was globally prevalent at the time.
"Always Be My Baby" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter, and record producer Mariah Carey for her fifth studio album, Daydream (1995). It was released by Columbia Records on February 20, 1996, as the third single in the United States and fourth worldwide. Written and produced by Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal, "Always Be My Baby" is a midtempo song, with lyrics describing 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.
Here Is Mariah Carey, also known as Mariah Carey or This Is Mariah Carey, is the third video album by American singer Mariah Carey. It presents Carey performing live at Proctor's Theatre in Schenectady, New York, in July 1993, and also includes non-concert footage. Carey performs ten songs during the video; four are from her third studio album Music Box (1993), which Columbia Records commissioned Here Is Mariah Carey to promote. She is sporadically accompanied by a band, choir, dancers, and string musicians. In creating the stage for the performance, production designers sought inspiration from works by Boris Aronson and Josep Maria Jujol. Lawrence Jordan, who collaborated with Carey on previous occasions, directed the hour-long video.
Music Box is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released by Columbia Records on August 31, 1993. The album comprises ballads primarily written by Carey and Walter Afanasieff, with whom she had previously worked on Emotions (1991), and a few urban dance tracks. During the course of the album's development, Carey wanted to broaden her audience, choosing a more pop/R&B oriented sound. During this time frame, she experimented with different musical instruments, leading the album's sound away from her more contemporary previous two efforts.
"Endless Love" is a song written by Lionel Richie and originally recorded as a duet between Richie and singer/actress Diana Ross. In this ballad, the singers declare their "endless love" for one another. It was covered by Luther Vandross with R&B-pop singer Mariah Carey, and also by country music singer Shania Twain. Richie's friend Kenny Rogers also recorded the song. Billboard has named the original version as the greatest song duet of all time.
"Photograph of Mary" is a dance, R&B, and pop song recorded by American singer Trey Lorenz for his eponymous debut studio album, Trey Lorenz (1992). Epic Records released it as the album's second single in December 1992. Written by Seth Swirsky, the lyrics concern a man regretting the end of a relationship with a woman while looking at her picture. A "na na na" hook functions as the chorus. Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey produced "Photograph of Mary" and others produced remixes.
Books