The Ballads is the third compilation album by American singer Mariah Carey. The album features some of Carey's top selling ballads over the course of her career. It was released internationally in late 2008, North America in January 2009, and United Kingdom in February 2010. It debuted at number ten on the US Billboard 200 marking the highest debut of the week, and also peaked atop the UK R&B Albums Chart.
The album was announced in 2008 and was set to feature various ballads both from Carey's time at Columbia Records and from the soundtrack album, Glitter (2001). The album did not feature any new material or any songs from then-label, Island Records. The album was released internationally on various dates from October 2008, and later released throughout North America on January 20, 2009. For the North American release of the album, Carey re-recorded her 1993 single "Hero". A music video was shot which showed Carey singing in a recording room accompanied by her dog. It is intercut with a scene of New York City during the night.[1] The album was later re-released in the United Kingdom under a new title, LoveSongs, on February 8, 2010.[2][3][4]
Blogcritics said: "This release is a different type of Mariah Carey album. Without her faster and hip hop songs, it is smoother as it puts the focus squarely on her vocals which has always been her greatest attribute and saving grace".[8]AllMusic stated, "And that's what The Ballads is: nothing but big love songs sung in a big voice."[7]Billboard stated that the album "will keep singing on the chart as we get closer to Valentine's Day, as it seems like a natural gift purchase."[9]
Commercial performance
The album debuted at number 17 on UK Albums Chart.[10][11] Following a successful appearance on X Factor, the album peaked at number 13 in its 4th week and remained on chart for ten consecutive weeks.[12] In 2018, the Official Charts Company reported that the album listed amongst Carey's top ten biggest albums on the chart.[13] In Ireland, the album peaked at number 8 and remained on chart for twelve weeks, and has been certified gold. In New Zealand, the album peaked at number 19, remaining on chart for three weeks.[14] The album also debuted at number 79 in Australia. In Japan, the album has reached number 19.[15] The album debuted at number 45 on the Dutch Albums Chart and fell nine spots behind in the second week. In the third week the album climbed from number 54 to 5.[16]
In 2009 for it's American release, the album debuted at number 10 on the US Billboard 200 with first week sales of 29,000 units.[17] It was the chart's highest debut in that week and the fourth compilation that Carey has charted, following #1's (number 4 in 1998), Greatest Hits (number 52 in 2001) and The Remixes (number 26 in 2003).[17] It also debut at number 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[18] As of November 2018, the album has sold 395,000 copies in the US.[19]
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