Someday (Mariah Carey song)
Encyclopedia
"Someday" is a song written by Mariah Carey
and Ben Margulies
, and produced by Ric Wake
for Carey's debut album, Mariah Carey
(1990). It was released as the album's third single in 1990 and is a jackswing
-influenced track. Though it topped the U.S. charts, it was not a huge success elsewhere. As did previous singles from Mariah Carey, "Someday" received a BMI
Pop Award.
to record executive Tommy Mottola
, that led to Carey being given a recording contract. Sony made alterations to the version on the demo tape because they thought it was too rough—the horn melodies were taken out and replaced with electric guitar melodies, and the ending was shortened by about eight seconds. Carey and Margulies were forced to accept the changes that were made because neither had been allowed to co-produce. Reportedly, Carey was unhappy with the final version of "Someday" produced, because both she and Margulies thought it had been too "polished." Carey's husband Nick Cannon subsequently confirmed in a 2011 interview with Perez Hilton that Carey is not fond of the track.
. It reached number 1 in its eighth week on the Hot 100 and spent two weeks at the top of the chart, from March 3 to March 16, 1991. It replaced "All the Man That I Need
" by Whitney Houston
, and was replaced by Timmy T
's "One More Try
". "Someday" spent 15 weeks in the top 40 and was ranked 13 on the Hot 100 year-end chart of 1991, making it one of the year's biggest hits. The RIAA
certified it gold.
, in particular the main remix of the song known as "Someday" (new 7" jackswing) and a slightly alternative and extended version of it known as "Someday" (new 12" jackswing). There is also a house
mix known as "Someday" (new 12" house), a slightly extended album version known as "Someday" (new 7" straight), and an a cappella
, "Someday" (pianoapercapella).
The single's video, directed by Larry Jordan
, was filmed on location at Bayonne High School
in Bayonne, New Jersey
and depicts a boy who treated a girl badly now wanting her back in his life. A group of hip-hop dancers appear, and at one point in the video, Carey joins them. It also featured Larry Wright
drumming on plastic buckets. The main version of the video was based on "Someday" (new 7" jackswing), but there is an extended video with the music from "Someday" (new 12" jackswing). The new 12" jackswing version of the video was replaced by the 1992 MTV Unplugged live performance of the song on the DVD/home video #1's (1999).
Worldwide CD maxi-single // Japan Only Maxi-Single Picture Disc
UK CD maxi-single #1
UK CD maxi-single #2
Spain 7" Promo Single
1 In Japan, EP
s are only eligible to chart on the albums chart.
|-
! Provider
! Certification
|-
| United States (RIAA
)
| Gold
|-
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
and Ben Margulies
Ben Margulies
Ben Margulies is a songwriter and record producer. Together, he and Mariah Carey lobbied record companies with their 5 song demo tape with songs they had co-written and co-produced until Mariah got signed to Sony in 1988....
, and produced by Ric Wake
Ric Wake
Ric Wake is a record producer who has won an Academy Award and two Grammy Awards. During his tenure as staff producer with Sony Music Entertainment he has worked with vocalists such as Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Simpson, Barry Manilow, and Marc Anthony...
for Carey's debut album, Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey (album)
Mariah Carey is the self-titled debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released on June 12, 1990 by Columbia Records. The album contains a range of contemporary genres, and the songs are a mix of slow ballads and dance tracks. Originally, Carey wrote four songs with...
(1990). It was released as the album's third single in 1990 and is a jackswing
New jack swing
New jack swing or swingbeat is a fusion genre spearheaded by Teddy Riley and Bernard Belle which became extremely popular from the late-1980s into the mid-1990s. Its influence, along with hip-hop, seeped into pop culture and was the definitive sound of the inventive Black New York club scene...
-influenced track. Though it topped the U.S. charts, it was not a huge success elsewhere. As did previous singles from Mariah Carey, "Someday" received a BMI
Broadcast Music Incorporated
Broadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
Pop Award.
Recording
"Someday" was one of the five songs on the demo tape, handed by Brenda K. StarrBrenda K. Starr
Brenda K. Starr is an American singer-songwriter. She is well known originally in dance-pop, but now mostly in salsa-based music...
to record executive Tommy Mottola
Tommy Mottola
Thomas Daniel "Tommy" Mottola is an American music executive, co-owner of Casablanca Records in a joint venture with the Universal Music Group. He is the ex-husband of Mariah Carey and is married to Mexican singer Thalía...
, that led to Carey being given a recording contract. Sony made alterations to the version on the demo tape because they thought it was too rough—the horn melodies were taken out and replaced with electric guitar melodies, and the ending was shortened by about eight seconds. Carey and Margulies were forced to accept the changes that were made because neither had been allowed to co-produce. Reportedly, Carey was unhappy with the final version of "Someday" produced, because both she and Margulies thought it had been too "polished." Carey's husband Nick Cannon subsequently confirmed in a 2011 interview with Perez Hilton that Carey is not fond of the track.
Chart performance
"Someday" continued Carey's streak of number 1 hits in the U.S., becoming her third consecutive number 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. It reached number 1 in its eighth week on the Hot 100 and spent two weeks at the top of the chart, from March 3 to March 16, 1991. It replaced "All the Man That I Need
All the Man That I Need
"All the Man That I Need" is a song written by American songwriters Dean Pitchford and Michael Gore. The song was first recorded under the name "All the man I need" by singer Linda Clifford, in 1982, for her album I'll Keep on Loving You. Pitchford and Gore had in mind Clifford and her husband...
" by Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
, and was replaced by Timmy T
Timmy T
Timmy T is a Freestyle performer and musician. He is best known for his 1991 Billboard Hot 100 #1 single "One More Try."...
's "One More Try
One More Try (Timmy T. song)
"One More Try" is a song recorded by Timothy Torres, known professionally as Timmy T. It hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on March 23, 1991. The song was both written and produced by Torres, who was inspired to create the song after breaking up with a girlfriend.A Cantopop version of...
". "Someday" spent 15 weeks in the top 40 and was ranked 13 on the Hot 100 year-end chart of 1991, making it one of the year's biggest hits. The RIAA
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
certified it gold.
Remixes and music videos
A large number of remixes were produced by Shep PettiboneShep Pettibone
Robert E. Pettibone, Jr. is a record producer, remixer, songwriter and club DJ, one of the most prolific of the 1980s. His earliest work known to the public was for one of New York City's top disco/dance radio stations, WRKS 98.7 "Kiss" FM, and later as remixer/producer for the disco label Salsoul...
, in particular the main remix of the song known as "Someday" (new 7" jackswing) and a slightly alternative and extended version of it known as "Someday" (new 12" jackswing). There is also a house
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
mix known as "Someday" (new 12" house), a slightly extended album version known as "Someday" (new 7" straight), and an a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
, "Someday" (pianoapercapella).
The single's video, directed by Larry Jordan
Larry Jordan
Larry Jordan is an independent filmmaker who has been working in the Bay Area in California since 1955, and making films since 1952. He has produced some 40 experimental and animation films, and three feature-length dramatic films. He is most widely known for his animated collage films. In 1970 he...
, was filmed on location at Bayonne High School
Bayonne High School
Bayonne High School is a four-year comprehensive public high school located in Bayonne, Hudson County, New Jersey, operated by the Bayonne Board of Education....
in Bayonne, New Jersey
Bayonne, New Jersey
Bayonne is a city in Hudson County, New Jersey, United States. Located in the Gateway Region, Bayonne is a peninsula that is situated between Newark Bay to the west, the Kill van Kull to the south, and New York Bay to the east...
and depicts a boy who treated a girl badly now wanting her back in his life. A group of hip-hop dancers appear, and at one point in the video, Carey joins them. It also featured Larry Wright
Larry Wright (street drummer)
Larry Wright is a well-known New York City busker. He's credited as the first major drummer to use five gallon plastic buckets instead of a normal drum kit. He uses his foot to lift the bucket changing the sound patterns....
drumming on plastic buckets. The main version of the video was based on "Someday" (new 7" jackswing), but there is an extended video with the music from "Someday" (new 12" jackswing). The new 12" jackswing version of the video was replaced by the 1992 MTV Unplugged live performance of the song on the DVD/home video #1's (1999).
Track listings
Worldwide CD single- "Someday" (new 7" jackswing)
- "Alone in Love"
Worldwide CD maxi-single // Japan Only Maxi-Single Picture Disc
- "Someday" (new 7" jackswing)
- "Someday" (new 7" straight)
- "Someday" (new 12" jackswing)
- "Someday" (pianoapercapella)
- "Alone in Love"
UK CD maxi-single #1
- "Someday" (7" jackswing)
- "Someday" (12" jackswing)
- "Someday" (12" house)
UK CD maxi-single #2
- "Someday" (7" jackswing)
- "Vision of LoveVision of Love"Vision of Love" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It served as Carey's debut single, the first from her self-titled debut album. Written by Carey and Ben Margulies, "Vision of Love" was released on May 15, 1990 by Columbia Records. After being featured on Carey's demo tape for...
" - "Love Takes TimeLove Takes Time"Love Takes Time" is a song written by Mariah Carey and Ben Margulies, and produced by Walter Afanasieff for Carey's debut album, Mariah Carey . It was released as the album's second single in the third quarter of 1990...
" - "Alone in Love"
Spain 7" Promo Single
- "Someday"
Peak positions
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 44 |
| Canadian Singles Chart | 1 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 21 |
| Finnish Singles Chart | 17 |
| French Singles Chart | 38 |
| Japanese Albums Chart | 481 |
| UK Singles Chart | 38 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | 5 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 3 |
End of year charts
| End of year chart (1991) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 13 |
1 In Japan, EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
s are only eligible to chart on the albums chart.
Sales and certifications
{| class="wikitable" border="1"|-
! Provider
! Certification
|-
| United States (RIAA
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
)
| Gold
|-