Emotions (Mariah Carey song)
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| "Emotions" | ||
|---|---|---|
| Include Image Of Single Here | ||
| Single by Mariah Carey | ||
| From the album Emotions | ||
| Single Released | ?? October 1991 | |
| Single Format | CD Single CD Maxi Single Cassette Single Cassette Maxi Single | |
| Genre | Pop | |
| Song Length | 4:09 | |
| Record label | Sony | |
| Writers | Mariah Carey David Cole Robert Clivillés | |
| Producers | Mariah Carey David Cole Robert Clivillés | |
| Video Director (Album Version) | Jeff Preiss | |
| Video Director (12" Club Mix) | Jeff Preiss | |
| Chart positions | #1 (US) #17 (UK) | |
| Mariah Carey single chronology | ||
| "I Don't Wanna Cry" 1991 (US) ---- "There's Got To Be A Way" 1991 (UK) | "Emotions" 1991 | "Can't Let Go" 1991 |
"Emotions" was the first single released from Mariah Carey's 2nd album, Emotions, in October 1991.
| Contents |
The Song
The single was co-written and co-produced by Mariah and David Cole and Robert Clivillés of the C&C Music Factory. The song was not meant to be the first single off Emotions: "Love Takes Time" was originally primed for this role (before it was moved to her debut album), the album track "You're So Cold" from Emotions was the next choice, before "Emotions" was finally given the nod. This disco-influenced dance number is self-explanatory, and has Mariah going through a variety of emotions, from high to low, up to the point, where she screeches "you got me feeling emotions" and belts out high notes in response.
Those high notes, sounding almost like dog whistles, were denounced by some music critics as being gimmicks, especially the part at the bridge of the song, where Mariah releases an extended high note for almost 10 seconds. Supporters argued that use of Mariah's wide range was perfectly appropriate to represent the extreme endpoints of human emotion.
The song also faced possible lawsuits for plagiarism. In interviews, Mariah and C&C Music Factory stated that they had been "inspired" by the song, "Best Of My Love" by the aptly named disco/soul group, The Emotions. However Mariah and C&C Music Factory denied directly lifting music or lyrics from that song. The Emotions did not feel the same and leveled a lawsuit, which was apparently settled out of court with no public statement being issued. "Emotions" was also noted for sounding similar to the Cheryl Lynn disco track, "Got To Be Real". Ironically, Mariah would later cover that track in a duet with Patti Labelle for a television special in 1998.
Chart Success
Chartwise, Mariah had attained a flawless record of #1 singles in the USA on The Hot 100, with the first four singles she had released in her career all reaching #1. Not surprisingly, there was pressure on Mariah to make "Emotions" do the same. Mariah did not disappoint, and "Emotions" became her 5th #1 single, giving Carey the distinction of being the first artist to have their first five singles all go straight to the top of the Hot 100, a feat which has not to date been repeated by any other artist.
The single debuted at #35 and after 6 weeks, climbed to the top of the charts for 3 weeks. In total, the single spent 20 weeks on the Hot 100. Interestingly enough, its run on the Hot 100, never saw it leave the Top 40 because of the Billboard rule that singles below #50 that have been on the Hot 100 for 20 weeks are removed. What makes "Emotions"'s chart run so interesting however is that it was able to spend all its time in the Top 40 before being removed and the week it tumbled out of the Top 40, it also did out of the Top 50.
On the component charts, the single hit #1 on the Hot 100 Airplay and #10 on the Hot 100 Singles Sales chart. This is the lowest peak for a lead single from a Carey album on the Hot 100 Single Sales; it was also reasonably lucky to achieve such a high peak with a disproportionate ratio between sales and airplay. The song also became Mariah's 2nd #1 hit on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play after "Someday" and went on to become her 4th single to achieve Gold certification.
Internationally, it was a moderate success, bringing Carey into attention once again, but it failed to match the success of the lead single from her debut album "Vision Of Love". It became her first single to crack the UK Top 20 since her debut and placed her back in the Top 3 of the Canadian charts. It just missed out on the Australian Top 10.
Awards
"Emotions" was nominated for the 1992 Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, but it did not win.
Music Video
The music video of the song, apparently inspired by Andy Warhol, features Mariah and friends experiencing "emotions" by partying around and basically having fun over the town. The video was desaturated, but still maintains various different color tints, which change from purple to green to red and so forth as it progresses.
Remixes/Remix Music Video
David Cole and Robert Clivillés of the C&C Music Factory, co-producers of this track, also created the main remix of "Emotions" known as "Emotions (12" Club Mix)". Although this remix does not feature re-sung vocals, additional vocals were added by Mariah with a new gospel-styled intro (before beginning the dance portion). This new intro was used when she performed "Emotions" at MTV Unplugged and at some subsequent concert appearances. A music video also exists of this mix of "Emotions", but it basically is the same video as the original with slight changes in editing.
Comprehensive Charts
"Emotions" Debuted at #35 on The Billboard Hot 100
"Emotions" Was Ranked #22 on The Billboard Hot 100 Year End Charts (1991)
"Emotions" Remained in The Billboard Hot 100 for 20 weeks
"Emotions" was Mariah's 5th #1 single on The Billboard Hot 100
"Emotions" was Mariah's 5th #1 single on The Billboard Hot 100 Airplay
"Emotions" was Mariah's 3rd #1 single on The Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks
"Emotions" was Mariah's 3rd #1 single on The Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales
"Emotions" was Mariah's 3rd #1 single on The Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Airplay
"Emotions" was Mariah's 2nd #1 single on The Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | "Emotions" | Billboard Hot 100 | #1 (3 Weeks) |
| 1991 | "Emotions" | Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales | #10 |
| 1991 | "Emotions" | Billboard Hot 100 Airplay | #1 (4 Weeks) |
| 1991 | "Emotions" | Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | #1 (1 Week) |
| 1991 | "Emotions" | Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales | #1 (1 Week) |
| 1991 | "Emotions" | Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Airplay | #1 (2 Weeks) |
| 1991 | "Emotions" | Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales | #4 |
| 1991 | "Emotions" | Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #1 (1 Week) |
| 1991 | "Emotions" | Billboard Adult Contemporary Singles | #3 |
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | "Emotions" | UK Singles Chart | #17 |
| 1991 | "Emotions" | Canadian Singles Chart | #3 |
| 1991 | "Emotions" | ARIA Singles Chart | #11 |
| 1991 | "Emotions" | Germany Singles Chart | #39 |
Official Remixes/Versions List
Emotions (Album Version)
Emotions (12" Club Mix)
Emotions (12" Instrumental)
Emotions (C&C Club No.1 Mix)
Emotions (C&C Dub-Dub Mix)
Emotions (Special Motion Edit)
