Hero (Mariah Carey song)

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"Hero"
Single by Mariah Carey
from the album Music Box
B-side"Everything Fades Away"
ReleasedOctober 18, 1993 (1993-10-18)
Recorded1992
Length4:17
LabelColumbia
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)Mariah Carey
Producer(s)
  • Walter Afanasieff
  • Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey singles chronology
"Dreamlover"
(1993) 		"Hero"
(1993) 		"Without You" / "Never Forget You"
(1994)
Music video
"Hero" on
YouTube

"Hero" is a song by American singer-songwriter, and record producer

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".

The song received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics for its lyrical content, while Carey's vocal performance was praised. Aside from its lyrics, "Hero" derived its hook and sound from several musical instruments such as the guitar, piano, and organ. The song was a global success, reaching the top five in Canada, France, Ireland, New Zealand and Norway, the top ten in Australia, the United Kingdom, and becoming Carey's eighth chart topper on the US Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, it was ranked number 53 on the Decade-End Chart.

Due to fan requests and letters, as well as their connection to its personal meaning and content, the song remains one of Carey's most performed songs. Deemed by many as her

Michael Jackson & Friends in 1999, America: A Tribute to Heroes in 2001, Live 8 in 2005, and the inaugural ball for Barack Obama in 2009. Additionally, the song has been featured on all of Carey's tours, usually serving as the encore or closing number, and making its debut during the album's accompanying set of concerts, the Music Box Tour. The song was included on several of Carey's compilation albums, #1's (1998), Greatest Hits (2001), The Ballads (2008), and #1 to Infinity
(2015).

Throughout the course of her career, Carey has re-recorded the song twice, and filmed other music videos, aside from the original. The first music video for the song was filmed by

BMI
Pop Award for the Songwriter Award. The song has been covered many times during both studio and live recordings, such as on global singing competitions.

Background

Mariah Carey's second studio album, Emotions (1991), contained influences from mostly 1950s, 1960s and 1970s balladry and gospel, as well as her continued work of R&B and soul.[2] The album, while praised by some as more mature and raw, failed to reach the critical or commercial heights of her debut effort, and could not introduce Carey to a different market.[3] Following these events, Columbia decided to market the singer in a similar fashion to her debut, only have her produce a more commercial and radio-friendly album. Their plans were to tone down Carey's vocals, and soften the album's production, leaving a more contemporary pop record.[4] Agreeing to the change, Carey and producer Walter Afanasieff began writing and recording material for her third studio effort, Music Box (1993).[5][6]

Writing and recording

Aside from her work as a vocalist and record artist, Carey was becoming known as a

Sony.[8] Instead, it was agreed upon that Carey would write a song for the soundtrack that would instead be recorded by another artist.[7] Still interested in working for the film, Carey agreed to pen the feature song for the film, intended for fellow female singer, Gloria Estefan.[8] Carey and Afanasieff sat together in a studio in New York, and over the course of two hours, composed the song's melody, lyric and concept.[7] In an interview with Fred Bronson
, Afanasieff discussed the process in which they had completed the rough version of the song:

I went to New York and we were in the studio and came to a break. I was sitting at the piano and told Mariah about this movie. Within two hours, we had this incredible seed for this song, 'Hero'. It was never meant for Mariah to sing. In her mind, we were writing a song for Gloria Estefan for this movie. And we went into an area that Mariah didn't really go into-in her words, it was a little bit too schmaltzy or too ballady or too old-fashioned as far as melody and lyrics.[8]

As they completed the song's demo,

Sony Music Entertainment and Carey's fiancé, walked into the studio. After hearing the rough version of the song, on which they were still working, he became interested in it, asking what project the song belonged to. Carey explained to him the concept and how the song would be used for the film Hero.[8] Mottola immediately took an intense liking to the song, responding, "Are you kidding me? You can't give this song to this movie. This is too good. Mariah, you have to take this song. You have to do it."[8] Initially, Carey was guided by the subject of the film, but Afanasieff acknowledged that she made it a very personal song after deciding to keep it, altering some of the lyrics, key and instrumentation.[7] After their decision to keep "Hero", Afanasieff went back to the staff at Epic and told them that they had failed to come up with a song for the soundtrack. Estefan never heard the tune was originally meant for her, and the song that ended up in the soundtrack was "Heart of a Hero", written, produced and recorded by Luther Vandross.[8]
In the following weeks, after completing the song, Afanasieff spoke with Bronson about its recording, and how Carey created several versions of the track:

There was a simpler performance on tape and a more difficult one, with Mariah singing out more, with more licks. But we chose a happy medium. The song really calls for not anything really fancy. But she's always fighting the forces inside of her because she's her own devil's advocate. She wants to do something that's so over the top and use her talents and the voice she has. But she also knows she has to restrain herself and do what the music really calls for.[8]

Composition and lyrical content

"Hero"
A 25-second sample of "Hero", featuring the song's second chorus, as well as its instrumentation and inspirational lyrics.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Hero" is a

studio album, Music Box. It incorporates music from several musical instruments, including the piano, guitar and organ. The song is set in common time with a tempo of 60 beats per minute. Carey's vocal range spans one octave and eight semitones from the low note of G♯3 to the high note of E5.[10] Originally, Carey felt the song was "too schmaltzy" and over the top for her, and not in line with her other work.[11] However, after being convinced by Mottola to keep the song, Carey changed the song and personalized it, during which time she grew to feel a connection to the song and its lyrics. According to author Chris Nickson, "Hero" is one of Carey's most personal and inspirational ballads.[11] Carey has described how the song was never her favorite, however, after all the fan letters and messages she received about the song, she felt the need to perform it as often as possible.[11] In an interview with Fred Bronson
, Carey described the song's meaning to her and to fans:

One person could say that 'Hero' is a schmaltzy piece of garbage, but another person can write to me a letter and say, 'I've considered committing suicide every day of my life for the last ten years until I heard that song, and I realized, after all, I can be my own hero,' and that, that's an unexplainable feeling, like I've done something with my life, you know? It meant something to someone.[11]

The song's lyrics describe of the individual power that lies inside every person, their ability to be their own hero. According to author Carol K. Ingall, the song inspires anyone to be a hero.[12] Ingall continued how due to a hero's power to transform and inspire those around them, so too every person has inside of them the light and force needed to help change the world.[12] Similarly, author Darlene Wade connects the song's lyrical content to the power within the soul, however also with the inclusion of God.[13]

According to Maryellen Moffitt, author of "See It, Be It, Write It", "Hero" is about looking into oneself and discovering the inner courage inside each individual, and being strong and believing in oneself through times of trouble and adversity.

The Adventures of Mimi Tour
, Carey described the song's importance to her and her fans:

I wrote a song a while back even before "One Sweet Day" and it was not my favorite song in the world, but I wrote it. Someone asked me to write a song and they told me the story, and you know it was kind of a moving concept or whatever. And I did it, and I was like you know it's not necessarily what I like per se, but after doing the song over and over again and having people coming up to and saying, thank you for writing 'Hero' because it saved my life or it saved my father's life or my brothers or sisters life, or something of that nature, I said I always have to sing that song when I'm performing because if I don't, you never know who I'm leaving out and you know what, in times of my life I've had to turn to that song lyrically and flip it onto my own life and sing it to myself. So its from the 'Music Box' album, and it’s called 'Hero', this is for you.[15]

Copyright lawsuits

"Hero" was the subject of two copyright plagiarism cases; one by Christopher Selletti and the other by Rhonda Dimmie, filed in 1993 and 1996.[16] Selletti claimed he had written the song's lyrics in the form of a poem. One day, as he drove Sly Stone in a limousine to Long Island, he claimed to show him the poem. Selletti claimed Stone complimented the poem, taking it and promising to patent it and earn him royalties.[17] After many months, the pair fell out of contact, leading Selletti to mail himself the envelope and poem, performing a "poor man's copyright".[17] Three years later in 1996, he claimed to listen to Carey's album Music Box and was shocked when he noted the song's similar lyrics. He filed a lawsuit against Carey, Stone, Sony and Stone's manager Jerry Goldstein. Selletti claimed that Stone must have sold or contributed the lyrics to Carey during the recording of the album in late 1992.[17] However, since Stone did not receive songwriting credits on "Hero", Selletti then dropped the suit against Stone, leaving him against Carey and Sony. Prior to their courtroom meeting, Carey told New York Daily News "I feel totally victimized. 'Hero' is my creation and it holds a very special meaning to me. I have every intention of fighting this all the way."[16] In court, Carey provided evidence to her innocence, in the form of a dated lyrical and music notebook, with conceptual info on the song dated back to November 20, 1992, prior to Selletti's meeting with Stone.[17] Additionally, Carey stated the fact that she had originally written it for the film Hero alongside Afanasieff, making their connection or the involvement of his material impossible. Judge Denny Chin found Carey innocent, and ordered Selletti to pay her a fine.[16]

Years later, after consulting with another lawyer, Selletti made another attempt at suing Carey and Sony. His lawyer, Jeffrey Levitt, had uncovered the fact that the film was released in October 1992, a full six weeks prior to the November 22 dating in Carey's notebook. Additionally, "Heart of a Hero", which was written by Luther Vandross for the film, was submitted in January 1992, making it impossible for "Hero" to have been the original choice of song for the soundtrack.[17] After uncovering further tapes from the studio dating to the summer of 1992, recordings provided evidence that Carey and Afansieff had indeed discussed and had parts of the song completed well before the film's October release.[17] Following the evidence from both parties, the judge dismissed the case, ruling in Carey's favor for the second time. Following the dismissal of the case, Rhonda Dimmie, another songwriter and an independent singer, filed a lawsuit against Carey, this time claiming the song to have borrowed heavily from her song "Be Your Own Hero".[18] During the short deposition made by Carey, Afanasieff revealed that they had written the song in two days during the summer of 1992, "within a matter of hours".[17] Soon after, the case was dismissed, with the judge claiming there to not be sufficient evidence on Dimmie's behalf. Following the lawsuits, in 2001 Selletti made further hints to plan another lawsuit, as well as a forensic team of specialists to conduct research on the incident.[16] Following the suits, Cindy Berger, Carey's publicist released the following statement: "This case has been thrown out of court three times. The federal judge after hearing Selletti's story and considering all the evidence ruled the case was a 'complete fabrication' and that it was filed 'to extort a settlement from deep-pocket defendants."[17]

Reception

Critical response

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Entertainment WeeklyB+[19]
Stereogum2/10[20]

J.D. Considine praised the song, writing, "["Hero"] is a lavish, soul-stirring ballad, the sort of thing other singers would pay Diane Warren to write." Additionally, he called its chorus "uplifting" and "soaring", following praise towards Carey's vocal performance.[9] Larry Flick from Billboard described it as "an inspirational winner with a sure, dignified message whose wisdom is matched by the stirring clarity of the arrangement." He added, "Carey's vocals have never been more pure-toned and plaintive. An across-the-spectrum smash, it will be heard for years to come because it deserves to be."[21] Troy J. Augusto from Cashbox named it Pick of the Week, calling it a "lushly arranged song of inner strength and the finding of one's self-worth." He felt it "plays like a companion to Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath My Wings", complete with soaring chorus, delicate vocal phrasing and a message so powerful and timeless that it's bound to be turned into a charity fundraising theme song, prom dance theme song, sandwich chain ad campaign or, probably, all of the above."[22] Rik Ambelle from Crawley News stated that Carey "really is at her best" on ballads like "Hero".[23] Entertainment Weekly wrote that "there's a timelessness" to the song "that's almost jarring — it's such a classic chest-pounder that it's as if we've always had 'Hero', and the imaginary movie scene to go with it."[24] Annette M. Lai from the Gavin Report commented that the song is "less commercial", "in that its hook is rather subtle, but still worthy of mention because of its inspiring message about believing in oneself and one's dreams."[25] Another editor, Ron Fell, called it "a wonderful song of self-assuring courage".[26] In his weekly UK chart commentary, James Masterton wrote, "The first ever Mariah Carey single that I will hold my hand up and admit to loving, "Hero" eases back on the vocal histrionics and ups the emotion to produce this tender ballad which crashes straight in to beat the peak of the last single and becomes her highest new entry ever."[27] In an retrospective review, Pop Rescue noted that Carey's vocals "are flawless, and the song flows perfectly along with her."[28] Nathan Brackett from Rolling Stone called the singer's vocal tone "golden" and regarded "Hero" as "a standard for weddings, funerals and singing auditions."[29]

It received a mixed review from The Washington Post editor Mike Joyce, who while impressed, claimed it was not as good as competing ballads of the time.[30] Paul Gettelmen of the Orlando Sentinel criticized the song, calling it a "rip-off" of Whitney Houston's "Greatest Love of All".[31] Stephen Holden, another editor from Rolling Stone also noted an inspiration and similarity to "Greatest Love of All" and calling its lyrics "made up entirely of pop and soul clichés".[32]

Chart performance

Charmbracelet World Tour
(2002–2003)

"Hero" became Carey's eighth chart topper on the US

Penn Station when she lived on Long Island.[38] In Canada, the song debuted at number 64 on the Canadian RPM Singles Chart during the week of November 6, 1993.[39] During the week of December 4, 1993, "Hero" reached its peak position of number three, staying there for three consecutive weeks,[40] and a total of 21 weeks within the top 100.[40] "Hero" finished at numbers 48 and 22 on the Canadian year-end charts for 1993 and 1994.[41][42]

The song entered the

UK Singles Chart at number eight.[53] The following week, it reached its peak position of number seven, spending a total of 15 weeks in the chart during its original chart run.[54] On November 8, 2008, following the release of the "Hero" by the X Factor finalists, it re-entered the chart at number 100.[55] Two weeks later, "Hero" managed to reach number 67 on the chart, before plummeting outside the top 100 the following week.[56] As of December 2022, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) estimates sales of "Hero" in the United Kingdom to be at 400,000 units, qualifying it for a gold certification in the UK.[57]

Awards and accolades

"Hero" was awarded and nominated for awards throughout the music industry. At the

Grammy Awards, losing to Sheryl Crow's "All I Wanna Do".[58]

Music videos and re-recordings

Prior to the song's release towards the end of 1993, Carey performed an intimate concert at

Héroe", and featured translation by Jorge Luis Piloto, a Spanish musician who had come to briefly work with Carey.[11]

In 2001, following the September 11 attacks, Carey re-recorded the song as a medley with "Never Too Far", her single at the time.[61] Titled "Never Too Far/Hero Medley", it was released as a charity single throughout October of that year.[62] In an interview with MTV, Carey described the idea behind the medley:

"I started [performing] at different charity events where I did a combination of 'Never Too Far' and 'Hero'. We made it into a medley and kinda put them both in the same key and just made it work, and people responded really well to it. It's been interesting for me, since the events of September 11, the way people have been playing 'Hero' and talking to me about 'Never Too Far', 'cause that song is also about loss. I figured that it would be a nice thing to do, to put them both out for Christmas. ... I feel like it's our responsibility to do what we can right now in terms of music, just being artists and being human beings."[62]

In 2008, prior to the release of Carey's compilation album The Ballads, Carey recorded a version of "Hero" with new vocals, releasing it on the stateside version of the album.[63] Additionally, a music video was filmed and released for the 2008 version, featuring behind the scenes footage of the song's recording, as well as Carey's writing music in the studio. The song was eventually featured on the 30th anniversary edition of Music Box released in September 2023, sub-titled the "2009 Version".[64]

Live performances

Carey performing "Hero" live during The Neighborhood Inaugural Ball for President Obama in Washington, D.C.

Due to fan requests and its personal lyrical content, Carey has performed "Hero" on several occasions throughout her career.

studio album Butterfly, Carey performed it alongside "Butterfly" on The Oprah Winfrey Show on September 22, 1997.[66] In between both performances, Winfrey interviewed Carey over her failed marriage to Mottola, as well as the several negative rumors that followed their divorce.[66] Two years later, she performed "Hero" together with Luciano Pavarotti in Modena, Italy during the summer of 1999.[67] Carey appeared on stage alongside him, wearing a long pink evening gown and sporting a long straightened hairstyle. The performance was filmed and released on VHS as Pavarotti and Friends.[67]

Carey sang "Hero" in Seoul, South Korea in June 1999 during the Michael Jackson & Friends benefit concert, which raised money for several charitable organizations.

We Belong Together" at the Walmart shareholders meeting. Following the performance, Carey gained heavy media coverage for her apparent weight gain, leading many to suspect her pregnancy with husband Nick Cannon.[74]

Aside from the several live televised performances, Carey included "Hero" on the set-lists on all of her tours, usually serving as one of the closing numbers.[

Mariah Carey Number 1's
, a chronicle of her 18 US number 1 hits. The song was performed 8th in her setlist. She sang on a circular platform on the stage, donning a short white dress.

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the Music Box liner notes.[81]

"Hero" was recorded at

Right Track Studios
, New York. Recording engineer, Dana Jon Chappelle.

Charts

Certifications and sales

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[138] 2× Platinum 140,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[139] Platinum 80,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[140] Gold 45,000‡
France (
SNEP)[141]
 Silver 125,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[142] Platinum 10,000*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[143] Gold  
United Kingdom (BPI)[57] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[144] 3× Platinum 3,000,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Hero"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United Kingdom October 18, 1993
Columbia [145]
United States October 19, 1993
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • cassette
  • maxi CD
 [146][147]
Canada October 25, 1993 Maxi CD [148]
Japan November 18, 1993
Mini CD
Sony Music Japan
 [149]
January 1, 1994 Maxi CD [101]
Various November 17, 2023 7-inch vinyl (Urban Outfitters exclusive) Sony Music [80][150]

Miho Nakayama version

"Hero"
Single by Miho Nakayama
from the album Collection III
LanguageJapanese
B-side"Hero (a Cappella Version)"
ReleasedDecember 14, 1994 (1994-12-14)
Recorded1994
GenreJ-pop
Length4:54
LabelKing Records
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)
  • Mariah Carey
  • Miho Nakayama
Miho Nakayama singles chronology
"Sea Paradise (OL no Hanran)"
(1994) 		"Hero"
(1994) 		"Cheers for You"
(1995)

"Hero" was covered by Japanese entertainer

Fuji TV drama series For You, which also starred Nakayama. The B-side is an a cappella version with different lyrics.[151][152][153][154][155][156]

Nakayama's version of "Hero" peaked at No. 8 on Oricon's weekly singles chart.[157] It sold over 474,000 copies and was certified Platinum by the RIAJ.[158][159]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by Mariah Carey and Miho Nakayama; all music is composed by Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff

8 cm CD single
No.TitleArrangementLength
1."Hero"Robbie Buchanan4:54
2."Hero" (a Cappella version)
  • Cindy
  • Hiroshi Narumi
4:16
3."Hero" (Original Karaoke) 4:54
4."Hero (a Cappella Version)" (Original Karaoke) 4:14

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1994) Peak
position
Oricon Weekly Singles Chart[157][160] 8

Year-end charts

Chart (1995) Peak
position
Oricon Year-End Chart[157][160] 77

Certification

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Japan (RIAJ)[159] Platinum 400,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

The X Factor UK 2008 contestants version

"Hero"
The X Factor contestants 2008
ReleasedOctober 27, 2008 (2008-10-27)
Genre
Length4:21
LabelSyco
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Quiz & Larossi
The X Factor contestants singles chronology
"Hero"
(2008) 		"You Are Not Alone"
(2009)

The twelve contestants from the

The Royal British Legion charities. The finalists performed the single for the first time on October 25, 2008, during Week 3 of the live broadcasts. The single was released on download on October 26, 2008, followed by the physical release the day after.[161]

On October 30, it was announced that the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, would waive all tax on copies sold on the single. He said, "I support the efforts being made by the X Factor contestants and in recognition of that I'm proposing effectively to waive the VAT on the sale of these singles. We will do that by making a donation equivalent to the value of the VAT."[162] Following the single's release, the music video was sent to music channels on November 8 before the fifth live show, when the contestants (excluding Diana Vickers, absent because of illness) sang it again. All the contestants appeared in the video, which also showed still images of soldiers in Iraq.[162] The contestants performed the song again with Mariah Carey on November 8, 2008, during Week 5 of the live broadcasts, a week in which Carey's music and career served as the theme.

Chart performance

On November 2, 2008, the single debuted atop of the

UK Singles Chart, staying there for three consecutive weeks and becoming the fastest-selling single of 2008.[163] The song sold 100,000 copies in the first day of its release and 313,244 copies by the end of the week. It raised over £1 million for Help for Heroes.[citation needed
]

It was suggested that the song would become one of the biggest-selling releases of the decade, with

HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo saying: "This is proving to be one of the biggest single releases for years if not the decade. Only Leona Lewis's debut hit "A Moment Like This", which sold over 500,000 copies in its first week, can compare. It's selling more than most Christmas No 1s would, and HMV has placed an urgent order for more copies."[164] On December 28, 2008, the UK Singles Chart listed it as the second biggest selling single for the year end countdown and the nineteenth best-selling single of the decade.[165] The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) certified the song double-platinum, denoting shipments of over 1.2 million copies within the country.[166]

Charts and certifications

Other cover versions and uses

"Hero" has been covered several times through live performances, as well as recorded studio versions. Additionally, since its debut, it has achieved strong media attention. In 2009, prior to the election results,

first season of the show, as a song chosen for her by the public. In 2013, Dami Im recorded a version for her album Dami Im. The album was #1 in Australia
.

See also

  • List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1993
  • List of Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles of 1994

References

Citations

  1. ^ "Singer Mariah Carey sings her song "Hero" at the United States Capitol". Alamy. May 15, 1996. Archived from the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved September 23, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Nickson 1998, p. 55
  3. ^ Nickson 1998, p. 57
  4. ^ Nickson 1998, p. 80
  5. ^ Nickson 1998, p. 86
  6. ^ a b c d e Nickson 1998, pp. 100–102
  7. ^ a b c d e Shapiro 2001, pp. 72–73
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Bronson 2003, p. 823
  9. ^
    Considine, J. D. (November 17, 1998). "The Stars Align; It Is A Rare Day Indeed That Brings New Releases By Chart Toppers Garth Brooks, Jewel and Mariah Carey. We're All Ears". The Baltimore Sun. Tribune Company. Retrieved April 13, 2011.[permanent dead link
    ]
  10. ISBN 978-1-4234-1996-9
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  11. ^ a b c d e Nickson 1998, pp. 113
  12. ^ a b Ingall 1997, pp. 137
  13. ^ Wade 2010, pp. 110
  14. ^ a b Moffitt 2010, pp. 73
  15. ^ The Adventures of Mimi Tour DVD (American DVD liner notes). Mariah Carey. Island Records. 2006. 659444-9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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    Bob Guccione, Jr. Archived
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  17. ^
    News Corporation. Archived from the original
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  18. ^ Walker 2008, p. 55
  19. EBSCOhost 127282271
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  20. ^ Breihan, Tom (February 21, 2022). "The Number Ones: Mariah Carey's "Hero"". Stereogum. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  21. ^ Flick, Larry (October 16, 1993). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 61. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  22. ^ Augusto, Troy J. (October 23, 1993). "Pop Singles: Reviews – Pick Of The Week" (PDF). Cashbox. p. 9. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 12, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  23. ^ "By Rik Ambelle". Crawley News. September 22, 1993. page 58.
  24. ^ "Celebrate Mariah Carey's birthday with the ultimate ranking of her No. 1 hits". Entertainment Weekly. March 27, 2018. p. 94. Archived from the original on November 20, 2018. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
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  29. ISBN 978-0-7432-0169-8. Archived
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Works cited

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