#1's

#1's begins with the superb Sweetheart (Mariah Featuring JD) (10/10). This song is a superb one to open such a prestigious record, and has the "R'n'B Mariah" vibe. The song was never released as a single in the UK, but a superb video was made for it. We then move onto the breathtaking When You Believe (From The Prince Of Egypt) (10/10). This duet with Whitney Houston proved all the doubters that Mariah and Whitney were good friends - and not arch rivals like the press had speculated. The song was never released in the US, but peaked at No.4 in the UK in December 1998. Carey and Houston's vocals make a unique combination, making for one of the greatest duets in recent times. Whenever You Call (Mariah Carey & Brian McKnight) (8/10) is another great song. I prefer the original version with only Mariah's vocals from her Butterfly album, but this version is still good. My All (10/10) is a career highlight for Mariah. A superb ballad, the beat is striking and Mariah's voice is so full of emotion. The song earned Mariah her 13th US No.1 in June 1998. Honey (10/10) was released in August 1997 and was the first single from Butterfly. It stormed the charts, peaking at No.3 in the UK and No.1 in the US. Always Be My Baby (10/10) is one of my favourite Mariah Carey songs, because of the sweet and trouble-free lyrics. The song simply swings with simplicity, and became Mariah's 11th US No.1 in May 1996. One Sweet Day (Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men) (10/10) is the BIG song on #1's! The song is a beautiful ballad about lost love with some amazing melodies and striking lyrics. The song peaked at No.6 in the UK in December 1995, and topped the US singles chart for a staggering 16 consecutive weeks! It still stands as the longest running No.1 single in the US. Fantasy (Featuring O.D.B.) (9/10) is the next song. This is not the pop/video version, but the R'n'B Remix. I was very disappointed when I bought this album as it did not have the original version of Fantasy on it, but I've grown to love this version too. The original version topped the charts in the US for 8 weeks in September 1995 and peaked at No.4 in the UK. Hero (10/10) and Dreamlover (10/10) are up next. The former was Mariah's 8th US No.1 single and peaked at No.7 in the UK. The superb ballad is a strong favourite amongst many fans because it's about strength and the power to carry on. The latter is a brilliant up-tempo pop number from Mariah that peaked at No.9 in the UK and No.1 in the US.

#1's continues with the superb I'll Be There (Featuring Trey Lorenz) (10/10). This song is a live version of the Jackson 5 classic, that was recorded at Mariah's special MTV Unplugged concert early on in her career. The live version became so popular that it was released as a single and peaked at No.2 in the UK, and became Mariah's 6th US No.1 single in June 1992. Emotions (9/10) and Someday (10/10) are both superb pop singles with a hint of R'n'B in the former. I sometimes get both songs mixed up, because they sound so alike. Emotions was released in October 1991 and peaked at No.17 in the UK, but became another massive US No.1 for Mariah. Someday peaked at a shockingly low No.38 in the UK, but thankfully was another US No.1! Love Takes Time (9/10) is another brilliant Mariah ballad. The song was released in November 1990 and became Mariah's 2nd US No.1 single. Vision Of Love (10/10) was Mariah's very first single. Peaking at No.7 in the UK and No.1 in the US (surprise, surprise!), the song is an awesome power ballad in which Mariah gets to showcase her stunning vocal range. I Still Believe (9/10) us up next and peaked at No.16 in the UK in April 1999. The song is a great ballad, but can't quite live up to the superiority of ballads such as Hero, My All and this next song.....Without You (10/10). Released in April 1994, the song became Mariah's first UK No.1 single where it stayed for 4 weeks. The song peaked at No.2 in the US - how frustrating! Mariah really sells this song from the depths of her soul, which is why it did so well. The final song on #1's is Do You Know Where You're Going To (Theme From Mahogany) (9/10). This superb ballad has a real classy feel to it with some amazing lyrics, but Mariah's voice is not as good as it could be.

OVERALL GRADE: 10/10

There are 12 US No.1 singles on this version of #1's, but there are 18 tracks. The songs that didn't make it to No.1 in the US were I Still Believe and Without You. The US version of this album has I Don't Wanna Cry on it instead of Without You, as the former made No.1 in the US and Without You did not. The other songs are just bonus tracks. Yes, I know this is very confusing! #1's was the first Mariah Carey album I ever bought, and I suggest that if you're curious to get into her music, you buy this one first too! Well, either #1's or Greatest Hits - both are superb, because, well...how many artists can boast more than a dozen No.1 hits?!


The Best Ones   July 21, 2002
 3 out of 5 found this review helpful

Like many people, I have been stunned by Mariah Carey's 'fall' from grace. She really did much better before she started producing hits such as 'Heartbreaker' and 'Loverboy' and this album is testament to that. Mariah should have stuck with what she did best - the emotional ballad. Musical experiments into tracks like Honey and Always Be My Baby did pay off but there was still the trademark Carey signature on those records. This album is great and celebrates the hits over several years. Mariah will always be remembered for songs such as Hero, I'll Be There and Vision Of Love. They were her best.