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Lau said:
Why do you like her mariahlullaby?

I think most people have the wrong impression of her. She's really down-to-earth and fun; she has a killer sense of humor (the first time I met her she was joking around with me about my teachers and wrote a note to them as a joke). Her music is amazing. Not just vocally, but creatively she had done some of the best work in the genre IMO. I'm not talking about songs like "It's Like That" or "Heartbreaker" (which are both very good song, I think, especially HB) but her groundbreaking songs like "The Roof" and "Fantasy (Remix)."

Yes, I will she admit she dresses sexily and flaunts her body, but I have never her do anything lewd. She is a very private person, actually, and is not promiscious at all. In her entire career, she has had only 3 boyfriends and that includes her husband. She is on her fourth at the moment. She quietly says she doesn't believe in casual sex.

I guess the real reason I love Mariah is because we share similar values AND she is someone I can admire (creatively, in her life, etc.). She's a bit diva-ish sometimes, but honestly, most of the rumors you'll hear about her come from the Mirror in the UK and were made up but she doesn't bother suing because she would rather spend her energy elsewhere. She is very involved in philanthropic efforts, quietly donating her time and money to funds. She has a children's camp in NY for underpriveleged children (named in her honor) and she comes for a day or two every summer and days in between she invites people from the entertainment industry to speak to the kids (it's a career-awareness camp, meaning they learn about different jobs). She has spent the last three Thanksgivings at orphanages with children, celebrating and sharing food. She invited 100 orphans to her home for Christmas and took them all sledding, gave them presents, etc. She doesn't ask for anything in return and politely turns down most awards given to her for her charity efforts (though she did receive a Congressional Award in 1999).

The Mariah people see on TV is the result of her a) trying to keep her true self/life private and thus she gives "superficial" answers to interview questions to avoid talking seriously about some things and b) joking. For example, most people fail to realize Mariah was joking the whole time during her episode of MTV Cribs -- she thought it would be funny to see people's reaction.

I understand people dislike and even hate Mariah. I dislike other celebs. I respect everyone's opinion, I just don't want this thread to turn into an argument -- only a thread for celebrating MC.
 
edesignuk said:
She may as well just walk around with no clothes on at all with her lips welded to her own butt cheeks
That I would pay $1.99 to see! :D

She and Christina both need to get back to singing though. They both have good voices, and choose to sing poppy crap and dress like... well, you know. It's too bad really, because they could be really good artists if they wanted to.
 
mariahlullaby said:
I think most people have the wrong impression of her.
...
Two things:

(1) I was just kidding around... I obviously don't know her, but she's a fun target. Certainly no actual offense was meant. :)

(2) That was a very well-written reply.
 
I'm not a Mariah fan (but I don't hate her either).

Oddly though, I've grown into the habit of gauging guys based on their opinion of her. In my experience, guys who like/adore her are to be avoided because they tend to be... um... needy. It is kind of a Mariah Litmus Test®. Any signs of honey or butterflies... I'm off on my merry way.

Edit: damn, three ellipses. Now those, I LOVE <3.
 
The problem with Mariah is the same problem with pop music in general (Britney) they are over produced and under talented. It all sounds the same and they are only selling a look and not the music. Now granted Mariah was one of the few good singers of her time but her time has come as the early 90's are over and she has turned into just another washed up pop singer.
 
jsw said:
Two things:

(1) I was just kidding around... I obviously don't know her, but she's a fun target. Certainly no actual offense was meant. :)

(2) That was a very well-written reply.


No offense was taken ;) And thanks.
 
i think she's squandered a lot of her potential...

when she emerged as a pop/r&b singer way back in the day, nobody else had a voice like hers. what did she have, like an 8octive range or something? totally nuts...

she got swept up in the over-produced, synthesizer, take-off-your-clothes-to-sell-music scene...

i don't feel strongly one way or the other i guess, just think she could have been much greater than she's turned out to be
 
I'm going to join up on mariahlullaby's side, I think. Carey's music just appeals to me. I wouldn't say that I actively go out and search for her music, but every song that I hear from the radio I seem to enjoy. Mariahlullaby is right in saying that "The Roof" is a great song, and I really like "Breakdown" as well. It seems like her collaborations with, well, virtually anyone, seems to appeal to my ears.
 
Train Wreck = Mariah Carey

Young years: great voice, marry CEO (or watever) of Sony, get a record deal. Spit out some records, some hits and then see the opportunities arrise. Dress elegantly, speak like a lady and sing from the heart.

mid years: divorce your husband because you got what you wanted out of him, fame and a record contract. Move on to Sean Puffy Combs and become a slut. Dress like a whore, sing about nothing.

later years: have a serious mental breakdown because your career has stalled and no one likes your "chunky" demeanor compared to Britney/Cristina. Go on TRL, make a complete ass of yourself and check into a mental institute.
 
MacNut said:
The problem with Mariah is the same problem with pop music in general (Britney) they are over produced and under talented. It all sounds the same and they are only selling a look and not the music. Now granted Mariah was one of the few good singers of her time but her time has come as the early 90's are over and she has turned into just another washed up pop singer.

Sorry, I don't love Mariah, but there is no way you can compare her to Britney. Mariah has sold more records than any other female EVER!

You have to give her credit because she writes her own songs, always has, and has a hand in producing the records as well. Also, her range is exceptional.

Just because I don't like her, doesn't mean I won't recognize her talent. Britney is completely different.

About the washed up pop singer thing.....her newest album has become one of her best...
 
I am wondering one thing.

What demographic of people listen to her music?

Young, middle aged, white, black, male, female?
 
eva01 said:
I am wondering one thing.

What demographic of people listen to her music?

Young, middle aged, white, black, male, female?

It's a good question. In 1990, when she was brand new, a friend at work (37 years old) and I (30) bought the CD because Whitney Houston was lagging. However, Whitney has come back in a big way with many hits and a great voice and poor Mariah just doesn't have the sound from those first tracks.

When I heard Mariah's latest, I thought "who is that?" because she didn't sound like anyone I'd heard. I'm sure she's sweet but she definitely seems confused.
 
crdean1 said:
Sorry, I don't love Mariah, but there is no way you can compare her to Britney. Mariah has sold more records than any other female EVER!

You have to give her credit because she writes her own songs, always has, and has a hand in producing the records as well. Also, her range is exceptional.

Just because I don't like her, doesn't mean I won't recognize her talent. Britney is completely different.
I actually didn't know that Mariah wrote her own songs-- does that only include lyrics or the music itself? If so, then she's gained some more respect from this gal. As far as Britney, I don't think her voice is special, I KNOW she does NOT write her own music-- but her music is written so well, that's why covers of her songs sound so solid and great because it is well written; but each artist interprets that music differently. I think Britney's strength lies in her ability to entertain/perform... I've heard her shows are awesome because that's what she's good at.
crdean1 said:
About the washed up pop singer thing.....her newest album has become one of her best...
Really? I've only heard that one single... maybe I'll go peruse iTunes later and give it a listen.
 
Lacero said:
I like Charlotte Church more than Mariah Carey.
Charlotte Church, hmmm as per my first post in this thread but I like her music and she seems like fun so I'll put up with the preamble and even let her stay for breakfast. :D
 
I won't say anything about Mariah's personality or image, because I really don't care about that.

Her music is actually very good. Great production, amazing vocals, well written songs prior to glitter. I'll go through each album in order of release, excluding #1s, Greatest Hits, the Remixes, and Merry Christmas:

"Mariah Carey", her first album, is a bit 80's, but it really grows on you after a couple listens Good songs: Vision of Love, Vanishing, Prisoner.

Emotions, album # 2 - a bit overdone, but good none-the-less. Emotions is such a vocally stunning song - name 5 other people who can sing this song. It's a bit ridiculous, but it never fails to amaze me, not just for the high notes but for every vocal element. Good songs: Can't Let Go, So Blessed, Till the End of Time, The Wind.

MTV Unplugged - I haven't gotten to listen to this whole album, unfortunately - only "I'll Be There" which went to #1 on the charts. It certainly is a good rendition.

Music box, album #3 - This album has gone 10x platinum. I just want to point out that statistic :). A very well rounded album, IMO. Good songs: Anytime You Need a Friend, Hero, All I Ever Wanted.

Daydream, #4 - My personal favorite. I grew up on this CD. I'm a fan of the ballads, but Fantasy and Always Be My Baby are just too good to ignore - no apologies feel good pop. The singing is top notch. Good songs: Fantasy, One Sweet Day, Open Arms, Always Be My Baby, I Am Free, When I Saw You, Melt Away, Forever, Looking In. No, I didn't put every song, just most of 'em :p.

Butterfly - #5 - I love and hate this album. This is where she started branching out heavily for the first time into hip-hop, but she still had some excellent material. Good songs: Butterfly, My All. Both of those songs are probably in my top 3 Mariah songs. edit - Oh, and how can I leave out Outside, another one of my all-time favorites. It's corny, but this song helped me get through some hard times during highschool.

Rainbow - #6 - hmm.... Not bad, but not of the caliber of her earlier CDs. Good songs: Petals, Can't Take That Away.

Glitter - #7 - Horribly under-rated, but certainly not a good album. Only 2 good songs: Lead the Way, Never Too Far.

Charmbracelet - #8 - Worse than Glitter IMO. Through the Raid would have been good, but she decided to do a weird head to chest voice thing which totally ruined the song for me. Subtle Invitation, has some amazing vocals at the end, though. She shows off her range in chest voice. She hits some really high notes in her full, chest voice. No good songs, though.

The Emancipation of Mimi - #9 - Critically acclaimed, but it doesn't do it for me. It certainly is a refreshing change from Glitter and Charmbracelet. I'm sick of all this hip hop crap though, ie. Shake it Off, It's Like that, Get Your Number. However there are some good songs: Mine Again, Stay the Night, Circles, Secret Love (which is only on the Japanese version of the album).



Some things to note - she's the biggest selling female recording artist in history - that says something about her music. I respect the people that say they don't like her, musical tastes are subjective. I don't respect people who say she can't sing, because that's just not true. She has a voice that professional vocalists would do just about anything to have. She excels in every element of singing: power, range, control, vocal improvisation, pitch, vibrato, etc. I've listened to female vocalists all my life, and Mariah is a medical wonder. She can sing lower than many men (into the Baritone range, listen to the final note she sings at the end of My All), and higher than almost anyone in the world. She held the record for the highest note for years and years, but she was beat by Adam Lopez. I think Betty Wright can sing higher, too, but I'm not sure.

Anyways, no one is going to read all this, so I should finish up. She has had some really great producers in the past, and her vocals are almost always perfect. She has sung some really good stuff, and really bad stuff. She isn't given enough credit as a songwriter and producer. She co-produces most of her material and she writes nearly everything. Her personality and her public persona do not match her music, if you ask me, I actively choose to ignore what I see her doing on TV.

Lacero said:
I like Charlotte Church more than Mariah Carey.

Ewww. Charlotte Church is so over-rated. She has horrible posture when she sings. Notice how her jaw quivers with her vibrato, that means she is closing her vocal chords which is not only bad for them, but it means that she isn't fully in control of her voice. I think it shows in her music. She's not a good singer, if you ask me.

_Emerson
 
Sdashiki said:
mid years: divorce your husband because you got what you wanted out of him, fame and a record contract. Move on to Sean Puffy Combs and become a slut. Dress like a whore, sing about nothing.

later years: have a serious mental breakdown because your career has stalled and no one likes your "chunky" demeanor compared to Britney/Cristina. Go on TRL, make a complete ass of yourself and check into a mental institute.

Oh c'mon... this isn't fair. I'm not one to defend her public image because I don't like it, but I disagree completely. She got a record deal and then married Tommy Mottola, not the other way around. She was already world famous when they became romantically involved. She has infinite regret for that marriage, and she has said so. Mottola did great things for her career, but she did not marry him to get where she is now. I don't believe she had an agenda in marrying him.

Sing about nothing? Some of the songs she wrote after the marriage were deep and heartfelt. They divorced right before her Butterfly album, she's said plenty of things in her songs on Butterfly and onwards.

Her career had not stalled at the time of her mental breakdown, that happened shortly afterwards. She broke down as she was promoting Glitter, she overworked herself, it's that simple. She's human too.

_Emerson
 
crdean1 said:
Sorry, I don't love Mariah, but there is no way you can compare her to Britney. Mariah has sold more records than any other female EVER!

You have to give her credit because she writes her own songs, always has, and has a hand in producing the records as well. Also, her range is exceptional.

Just because I don't like her, doesn't mean I won't recognize her talent. Britney is completely different.

About the washed up pop singer thing.....her newest album has become one of her best...
Im not saying that Britney is better then Mariah because Britney is maybe the worst singer out there now. What I am saying is that Mariah has gotten into the trap of current pop music which is over produced and under talented. Meaning that her ability is either not what it was or that they are selling an image over talent.
 
scem0 said:
Oh c'mon... this isn't fair. I'm not one to defend her public image because I don't like it, but I disagree completely. She got a record deal and then married Tommy Mottola, not the other way around. She was already world famous when they became romantically involved. She has infinite regret for that marriage, and she has said so. Mottola did great things for her career, but she did not marry him to get where she is now. I don't believe she had an agenda in marrying him.

Sing about nothing? Some of the songs she wrote after the marriage were deep and heartfelt. They divorced right before her Butterfly album, she's said plenty of things in her songs on Butterfly and onwards.

Her career had not stalled at the time of her mental breakdown, that happened shortly afterwards. She broke down as she was promoting Glitter, she overworked herself, it's that simple. She's human too.

_Emerson

Thank you! And yes, while Tommy certainly helped her career that is not why she married him. She felt she had found someone who shared her interests, her drive; few people realize that she had a deal almost signed with Warner Bros. before she went with Sony. And she helped his career, too -- he was given the promotion of head of Sony Records chiefly because of her success.

And the "breakdown" was overwork, correct. It wasn't even a mental breakdown but a "physical and emotional breakdown," a tag that got twisted in the media.

I suggest that those who believe she hasn't write heartfelt or deep songs listen to the following:

Petals (Rainbow) - Haunting, raw song about the guilt she felt about her divorce, her love for her stepchildren, and an apology to her sister

Looking In (Daydream)- Chilling song about the state of the music industry, her marriage, and her insecurity

Clown (Charmbracelet) - A slick, sophisticated song about Eminem

Outside & Close My Eyes (Butterfly) - Both are personal, raw songs about her childhood

The Wind (Emotions) - A song set to an old jazz piece about a friend killed in a drunk driving accident

This is a small sampling of her lyrical prowess. She also produces, writes the melodies (though she has help with the more complicated song, since she has only basic piano skills).

She produced and wrote the song "Vanishing," for instance, herself.

Also check out "The Roof" and "Breakdown" for great production.

Lastly, I suggest you take a look at the "Butterfly" video. Few people that Mariah (who co-directed the video) patterned it after Tennesse William's Babydoll and the plantation home, the man watching her through a hole in a wall, the nightgown, the crib-like bed, all come from the film as a testament to her life.
 
mariahlullaby said:
Outside & Close My Eyes (Butterfly) - Both are personal, raw songs about her childhood

Outside is a great song. As I said before, it was especially applicable to my life when I was in high school. I was in the closet and very lonely, I wasn't your typical kid, so I felt on the 'outside' all the time.
Oh, and God knows
that you're standing on your own --
blind and unguided
Into a world divided
you're thrown
Where you're never quite the same

Those are the most poignant to me, but they don't really care the same weight unless you hear them sung.

mariahlullaby said:
She produced and wrote the song "Vanishing," for instance, herself.

I had no idea! That song is one of my favorites. It's increadibly simple, but I guess you could say that it is beautiful in its austerity and simplicity. I'd imagine Le Corbusier and Adolf Loos liking this song, it's totally void of any form of ornamentation.

_Emerson
 
I don't have any in my iTunes collection and I don't think I could name a song of hers of the top of my head before reading through this thread; I still can't hear them even after reading some of the titles. I mostly know of her via reputation which is generally poor amongst friends...

So I guess she's not high on my list of 'have to get to the radio to turn that trash off' artists which is topped by Celine Dion and Simply Red.
 
hi, yeah you know i respect the hell out of Mariah....shes not only managed to rectify her sinking career, but shes also a bit more "ladylike" and for her, thats a BIG deal...


However i have to say, being that shes up there alongside Whitney Celine and ....well herself as the top Vocalists in the business she isnt in my opinion "there".

Shes got what 160 million albums? i think Celine has about 189 million....dunno about whitney...but anyways i think that since shes been branded as the "most successfull" female of all time....(which is not in overall sales BTW because Celine has sold more overall Albums) but in #1 hits rather....


Anyways in a battle of Vocals, who would win...factoring in all aspects???

i would be close, surely...
 
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