The Ballads (Mariah Carey album)
Encyclopedia
The Ballads is a compilation album by American pop
/R&B
singer-songwriter
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, and in North America in January 2009.
. It does not feature any new material or include songs recorded with her current label, Island Records
.
" was re-recorded and re-released to promote the The Ballads compilation. The video shows Mariah Carey walking into the recording room accompanied by her dog, lingering in the studio and singing to the song. It is intercut with a scene of New York City
during the night.
on January 20, 2009 in Washington, D.C.
, and was featured on a CBS
TV special.
A limited edition of The Ballads was being sold exclusively at all Target Stores. The CD comes in a gift pack that includes a small bottle of Carey's fragrance Luscious Pink.
said: "This release is a different type 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." Allmusic said: "And that's what The Ballads is: nothing but big love songs sung in a big voice." 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."
. 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. 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. The album also debuted at number 79 in Australia. In Japan, the album has reached number 19. 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.
The album debuted at number number 10 on the U.S. Billboard 200
with first week sales of 29,000 units. 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). It also debut at number 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
chart.
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
/R&B
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Mariah Carey
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...
. The album features some of Carey's top selling ballads over the course of her career. It was released internationally in late 2008, and in North America in January 2009.
About the album
The album contains some of Mariah Carey's hits and singles, primarily from her time at Columbia RecordsColumbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
. It does not feature any new material or include songs recorded with her current label, Island Records
Island Records
Island Records is a record label that was founded by Chris Blackwell in Jamaica. It was based in the United Kingdom for many years and is now owned by Universal Music Group...
.
Re-recording of "Hero"
The 1993 single "HeroHero (Mariah Carey song)
"Hero" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released on October 19, 1993 by Columbia Records as the second single from Carey's third studio album, Music Box . Originally intended for Gloria Estefan, the song was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff...
" was re-recorded and re-released to promote the The Ballads compilation. The video shows Mariah Carey walking into the recording room accompanied by her dog, lingering in the studio and singing to the song. It is intercut with a scene of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
during the night.
Promotion
She performed "Hero" at the Inauguration of Barack ObamaInauguration of Barack Obama
The inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States took place on Tuesday, January 20, 2009. The inauguration, which set a record attendance for any event held in Washington, D.C., marked the commencement of the four-year term of Barack Obama as President and Joe...
on January 20, 2009 in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, and was featured on a CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
TV special.
A limited edition of The Ballads was being sold exclusively at all Target Stores. The CD comes in a gift pack that includes a small bottle of Carey's fragrance Luscious Pink.
Track listing
| UK1/Asia/ Australia | Japan | US | | Title | | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 (alternate version) | "Hero Hero (Mariah Carey song) "Hero" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released on October 19, 1993 by Columbia Records as the second single from Carey's third studio album, Music Box . Originally intended for Gloria Estefan, the song was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff... " |
4:19 |
| 2 | 12 | 3 | "Vision of Love Vision 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... " |
3:31 |
| 3 | 10 | 4 | "Without You" | 3:34 |
| 4 | 11 | 15 | "Always Be My Baby Always Be My Baby "Always Be My Baby" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her fifth studio album, Daydream. It was released by Columbia Records on March 9, 1996 as the third US single and fourth overall. The song was written by Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal, who also produced the song... " |
4:18 |
| 5 | 9 | 11 | "My All My All "My All" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her sixth studio album, Butterfly . It was released as the album's fourth and second commercial single on April 21, 1998 by Columbia Records. The song was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff... " |
3:50 |
| 6 | 17 | "How Much" (feat. Usher Usher (entertainer) Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100... ) |
3:31 | |
| 7 | 16 | "Dreamlover" | 3:53 | |
| 8 | 15 | 8 | "Thank God I Found You Thank God I Found You "Thank God I Found You" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It features guest vocals from R&B singer Joe and American boy band 98 Degrees. Written and produced by Carey along with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the song was released on January 25, 2000, through Columbia... " (Make It Last Remix feat. Joe Joe (singer) Joseph Lewis Thomas , usually credited simply as Joe, is an American R&B singer and record producer.-Early life:Joe is a native of Cuthbert, Georgia and later moved to Opelika, Alabama. The son of two preachers, Joe spent much time in church singing, playing guitar, and even directing the choir... and Nas Nas Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time... ) |
5:09 |
| 9 | 12 | "The Roof (Back in Time) The Roof (song) "The Roof " is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, taken from her sixth studio album, Butterfly . It was released as the third single from the album in Europe, on March 20, 1998 by Columbia Records. Like "Butterfly" and "Breakdown", "The Roof" received a limited worldwide release due... " |
5:14 | |
| 10 | 2 | 2 | "One Sweet Day One Sweet Day "One Sweet Day" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey and R&B group Boyz II Men. The song was written by Carey, Walter Afanasieff and the members of Boyz II Men: Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, Nathan Morris, and Michael McCary. "One Sweet Day" was produced by Carey and Afanasieff for... " (feat. Boyz II Men Boyz II Men Boyz II Men is an American R&B vocal group best known for emotional ballads and a cappella harmonies. They are the most successful R&B group of all time, having sold more than albums worldwide. In the 1990s, Boyz II Men found fame on Motown Records as a quartet, but original member Michael McCary... ) |
4:41 |
| 11 | 14 | 14 | "Anytime You Need a Friend Anytime You Need a Friend "Anytime You Need a Friend" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. The song was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff, for her third studio album, Music Box . It was released on May 31, 1994 through Columbia Records, as the fourth and final single from the album. The... " |
4:26 |
| 12 | 16 | 7 | "I'll Be There" (feat. Trey Lorenz Trey Lorenz Trey Lorenz is an African American singer and songwriter. He was born in Florence, South Carolina and is a graduate of Wilson High School.-Biography:... ) |
4:43 |
| 13 | 17 | 10 | "I Still Believe" | 3:54 |
| 14 | 6 | 18 | "Reflections (Care Enough) Reflections (Care Enough) "Reflections " is a song written and produced by American singer Mariah Carey and Philippe Pierre for Carey's eighth studio album, Glitter. The ballad has Carey, in character as Billie Frank in the film Glitter, reflecting on how her mother didn't "care enough" for her... " |
3:23 |
| 15 | 5 | "Open Arms" | 3:30 | |
| 16 | "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" (feat. Westlife Westlife Westlife are an Irish boy band established on 3 July 1998. They are to disband in 2012. The group's line-up was Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden . The group are the only act in British and Irish history to have their first seven singles peak at number one... ) |
3:25 | ||
| 17 | 3 | 9 | "Endless Love" (feat. Luther Vandross Luther Vandross Luther Ronzoni Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times... ) |
4:18 |
| 18 | 19 | "All I Want for Christmas Is You" | 4:01 | |
| 4 | "Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme) Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme) "Can't Take That Away " is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released by Columbia Records on June 6, 2000, and was written by Carey and Diane Warren, and produced by Carey and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for Carey's seventh studio album Rainbow . It was released as the album's... " |
4:32 | ||
| 7 | "Butterfly Butterfly (Mariah Carey song) "Butterfly" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her sixth studio album, Butterfly. It was released as the second single from the album on December 1, 1997 by Columbia Records. The song was written by Carey and Walter Afanasieff; both of them producing and arranging the song as... " |
4:35 | ||
| 8 | 6 | "Love Takes Time Love 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... " |
3:49 | |
| 13 | 5 | "Can't Let Go" | 4:27 | |
| 18 | "Never Too Far Never Too Far "Never Too Far" is a song written and produced by American singer Mariah Carey, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for Carey's tenth album/soundtrack, Glitter. The protagonist of this ballad states that although physical distance can sometimes separate lovers, the love they share will never be too far apart... " |
3:55 | ||
| 13 | "When You Believe When You Believe "When You Believe" is an Academy Award-winning song by American recording artists Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. The song was written and composed by Stephen Schwartz for the 1998 DreamWorks animated feature The Prince of Egypt. A version of "When You Believe" was produced as a single with... " (with 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... ) |
4:31 | ||
| 19 | "The Roof" (Mobb Deep Extended Version)2 | 5:30 | ||
| 20 | "Always Be My Baby" (Mr. Dupri Mix feat. Da Brat and Xscape)2 | 4:39 |
- 1 – The Ballads was released in the UK and then re-released without "All I Want for Christmas Is You" on the 8th February 2010 as LoveSongs.
- 2 – Tracks included as iTunes bonuses.
- A US deluxe edition exclusively sold through TargetTarget CorporationTarget Corporation, doing business as Target, is an American retailing company headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the second-largest discount retailer in the United States, behind Walmart. The company is ranked at number 33 on the Fortune 500 and is a component of the Standard & Poor's...
includes a 3mL rollerball of Carey's fragrance Luscious Pink.
Critical reception
BlogcriticsBlogcritics
Blogcritics is a blog network and online magazine of news and opinion. The site—a self-proclaimed "sinister cabal of superior writers"—was founded in 2002 by Eric Olsen and Phillip Winn...
said: "This release is a different type 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." Allmusic said: "And that's what The Ballads is: nothing but big love songs sung in a big voice." Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
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."
Charts
The album debuted at number 17 on UK Albums ChartUK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
. Following a successful appearance on X Factor
The X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
, the album peaked at number 13 in its 4th week and remained on chart for ten consecutive weeks. 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. The album also debuted at number 79 in Australia. In Japan, the album has reached number 19. 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.
The album debuted at number number 10 on the U.S. Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
with first week sales of 29,000 units. It was the chart's highest debut in that week and the fourth compilation that Carey has charted, following #1's
Number 1's (Mariah Carey album)
#1's is the first compilation album by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, released by Columbia Records on November 17, 1998. The album contained Carey's thirteen number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as four new songs. In Japan, #1's also included her popular single "All I Want...
(number 4 in 1998), Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits (Mariah Carey album)
Greatest Hits is the eleventh album by American singer Mariah Carey, released in the United States on December 4, 2001 by Columbia Records. It is a greatest hits double album: CD 1 is primarily a collection of Carey's hits from 1990 to 1995, while CD 2 is primarily a collection of hits from 1996 to...
(number 52 in 2001) and The Remixes
The Remixes (Mariah Carey album)
The Remixes is the first remix album by American singer Mariah Carey, released in the United States on October 14, 2003 by Columbia Records...
(number 26 in 2003). It also debut at number 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
chart.
Chart performance
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Albums Chart | 79 |
| Danish Albums Chart | 25 |
| Dutch Albums Chart | 5 |
| Irish Albums Chart | 8 |
| Japanese Albums Chart | 19 |
| New Zealand Albums Chart | 19 |
| Swedish Albums Chart | 22 |
| UK Albums Chart | 13 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 | 10 |
| U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums | 7 |
Certifications
| Country (Provider) | Certification Music recording sales certification Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,... (sales thresholds) |
|---|---|
| Ireland (IRMA Irish Recorded Music Association Irish Recorded Music Association is the Irish record industry association. IRMA is a non-profit association set up to manage and control the music industry in the Republic of Ireland.-Goals and activities:... ) |
Gold |
Release history
- Italy – October 17, 2008
- South Korea and Argentina – October 21, 2008
- Hong Kong – October 22, 2008
- Germany – October 24, 2008; April 10, 2009
- Australia – November 3, 2008
- France – November 17, 2008
- Japan – November 26, 2008
- Canada – November 2008
- Brazil – December 2, 2008
- Taiwan – December 30, 2008
- Portugal – January 19, 2009
- US – January 20, 2009
- Spain – February 3, 2009