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My All

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"My All"
Song

"My All" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her sixth studio album, Butterfly (1997). It was released as the album's fifth and second commercial single on April 21, 1994 by Columbia Records. The song was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff. "My All" is built around Latin guitar chord melodies, and makes subtle use of Latin percussion in the first chorus, before taking on a more conventional contemporary R&B-style beat. Carey was inspired to write the song after her trip to Puerto Rico, where she was influenced by the Latin culture. The song's lyrics depict a woman declaring she would give "her all" to have just one more night with her estranged lover.

The music video for the song was recorded in April 1998. It shows many scenes of Carey laying on a submerged vessel in a large body of water, while lamenting her lost lover. Towards the video's climax, Carey and her love interest climb atop a lighthouse, and caress each other under the night's sky. "My All" was performed live on various occasions, including the 1998 World Music Awards and Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, Saturday Night Live, The Rosie O'Donnell Show and various European television and music chart programs. The song was also part of Carey's 1998 Butterfly World Tour, and was performed during many future tours and concerts. House music producer David Morales remixed the song, which was sung in live medley's with the original.

"My All" was well received by contemporary music critics and charted strongly throughout various music markets. In the United States, the song became Carey's thirteenth chart topper on the Billboard Hot 100, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Throughout Europe, the song performed moderately, peaking at number four in the UK and in the top ten in Belgium (Wallonia), France, Spain and Switzerland. In France, due to strong sales, the song was certified silver by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP).

Background

Carey began writing and composing themes for Butterly by the end of 1996.[1] She considered this period in time a "redefining moment for herself," where she began writing and recording the music she truly loved, Contemporary R&B and hip-hop. Additionally, Carey began incorporating other genres of music into her song-writing; developing new ideas and melodies.[1] Carey expressed how the mixed emotions she felt at that point in her life helped develop the song, as she would "pour herself and emotions into anything she was writing at the time."[1] In an interview with Fred Bronson, Carey expressed how her visit to Puerto Rico and the current emotions in her life inspired her to write "My All":

I had gone to Puerto Rico and was influenced by Latin music at that moment. When I came back, the melody was in my head. It was at a melancholy point in my life and the song reflects the yearning that was going on inside of me. It was like being in a situation but you want to break free and you can't, so your confined yet you're releasing those emotion through the lyrics and the actual act of singing. Thats why think allot of people felt very strongly about that song, because the emotion is clear when you listen to it.[1]

Carey began to infuse her personality into her work, something that showed throughout various tracks. Of them was "My All" which Carey composed during her trip to Puerto Rico in early 1997.[1] During her stay, she was influenced by the Latin culture, and began harmonizing and singing the music she heard there. When she arrived back to New York, she already had the melody developed, and soon began working on the song in San Fransisco with Afanasieff.[1]

Recording

Carey and Afanasieff had worked together since her debut release in 1990. Together, they had written most of Carey's biggest hits at the time, including "Hero" and "One Sweet Day".[1] "My All" would be the last time the two would collaborate; he is absent from the writing credits in her follow-up album, Rainbow (1999). During the recording of the song, Carey and then husband Tommy Mottola were in the midst of their divorce. Afanasieff, who had developed relationships with the two of them, was caught in the middle. He spoke of the difficulties he had recording "My All" with Carey, as their relationship had already strained during the divorce.[1] Afanasieff had been employed by Mottola and Columbia Records, and had worked extensively with Carey in the studio.[1] In an interview with Fred Bronson, Afanasieff spoke in depth of the personal problems he experienced with Carey in 1997:

It doesn't help when a husband and wife begin having problems when my hanging out with her or my hanging out with him doesn't make sense sometimes. Mariah and I got stuck in the middle. I needed to maintain a very strong relationship with Tommy [Mottola]. During that period, the beginning of their end, I had to stay away more than normal from her because she was going through a rough time. She felt that shutting her relationship with Tommy was also a cleansing of who she was. She felt that part of what she was dropping was the shmaltzy pop singer ballad kind of stuff he was adamant about. I had to make my exit and say 'Mariah, you need to redefine yourself, that's fine. I'm here doing what I do and if and when you want to come back and do it again, I'm here.[1]

"My All" was written in Carey's home-studio in upstate New York, and was recorded in Afanasieff's recording studio in San Fransisco. After she presented him with the melody she had developed in Puerto Rico, he began playing chord changed on the piano, while Carey sang the tune and directed him.[1] After they produced the chorus, Carey wrote the lyrics, while he added a drum groove to the basic melody. According to Afanasieff, "My All" had tapped into both their Latin backgrounds. While she hadn't spent much time with her Venezuelan paternal grandfather, Carey said the music was "definitely subconsciously in me."[1] On the other hand, Afanasieff was born in Brazil, and had heard Russian and Brazilian music his whole life.[1] In an interview with Fred Bronson, Afanasieff described the steps they took to record the song:

I remember being in the back part of the studio, and we were sitting there late at night and writing. I was strolling through some sounds and came upon a particular sound from a steel acoustic guitar. I played these really beautiful chord changes that eventually led to 'My All.' She started singing and I started playing, and we came up with the basis for the song. I put a little drum groove down and it was one of the easier songs to write with her.[1]

Composition

"My All"
A sample from the song's first bridge, featuring guitar arpeggios and drum beats.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"My All" is an slow-tempo ballad, that blends contemporary R&B beats and Latin guitar and chord melodies, making subtle use of Latin percussion in the first chorus.[2][3] The song is described as having a "lush sound" and featured synthetic guitar arpeggios that were produced in the studio.[2] "My All" was compared to Toni Braxton's music style; "slink, slow-jam R&B sounds."[2] The song is set in the signature common time, and is written in the key of G ♭ major. It features a basic chord progression of A♭-F♭-1.[3] Carey's vocal range in the song spans from the note of C5 to the high note of F5; with the piano and guitar pieces range from G♭3 to G♭5.[3] The track was very different than anything Carey had ever recorded, incorporating strong "Latin cultured background."[2] The instrumentation and vocal arrangement used in the song was compared to Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds' productions, due to its "soft R&B coos and guitar melodies."[2]

Critical reception

"My All" garnered positive reviews from contemporary music critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine from Allmusic chose the song as a one of the three "track choices" from the album.[4] Larry Flick from Billboard praised the song, calling it an "anthemic gem." Flick also described the song as "sparkling with a house flavor that's mildly reminiscent of Toni Braxton's landmark 'Un-break My Heart'."[5] While reviewing the album, Flick also reviewed the Morales remix, writing "Morales straddles the fence between underground aggression and pop-radio fluff with deceptive ease, crafting a track anchored with a muscular bassline and embellished with vibrant synths. It's 10 minutes of pure disco bliss."[5] David Browne from Entertainment Weekly praised the song's instrumentation, noting "with its gently plucked guitars, is the best Babyface track Babyface never produced."[6] Rich Juziwak from Slant lauded "My All", calling it the "song of her career," and writing "the lyrical strokes are as broad and obvious as they are naked. The song's central question, is so naïve and bare, it's almost as devastating as a child asking hard questions about death."[7]

Chart performance

Although "My All" was the fifth single released from Butterfly, it was only the second commercial release worldwide release.[8] The song became Carey's thirteenth chart topper in the United States, placing her in fourth place for most number ones in the US.[2] It stayed atop the Hot 100 for one week, and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting shipments of over one million units.[9] "My All" peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and eighteen on the Adult Contemporary chart.[10] It finished number seventeen on the Billboard end of year chart, and ninety-nine on the end of decade chart.[11][12] In Canada, the song entered the Canadian RPM Chart at number eighty-nine during the week of May 18, 1998. In its fifth week, the song peaked at number twenty-nine, spending sixteen weeks in the chart before exiting the week of August 31.[13][14]

"My All" performed weakly in Australia, peaking at number thirty-nine while spending only two weeks on the ARIA Top-40.[15] In Belgium (Wallonia), it peaked at number nine, and spent fourteen weeks on the Ultratop singles chart.[15] The song performed well in France, peaking at number six and spending twenty-four weeks fluctuating in the French singles chart.[15] "My All" was certified silver by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP), denoting shipments of over 200,000 units throughout France.[16] The song performed moderately in Ireland, peaking at number twenty-one, and spending seven weeks on the Irish Singles Chart.[17] In Norway and Sweden, it peaked at numbers fourteen and fifteen, respectively.[15] The song charted well in Switzerland, spending twenty-one weeks in the top-100, and peaking at number seven.[15] In the United Kingdom, 'My All" debuted and peaked at number four on the UK Singles Chart during the week of June 13, 1998.[18] The song spent eight weeks fluctuating in the singles chart, until the week of August 1, 1998 where it dropped outside the top-100.[19] Sales in the UK are estimated at over 160,000 units.[20]

Remixes and other versions

"My All" features two remixes; the first is a contemporary R&B version titled, "My All/Stay Awhile" (So So Def Remix).[21] Carey re-recorded her vocals for the song, while building it around a sample from the Loose Ends song "Stay a Little While". Carey's vocal interpolation blends the first verse and chorus of "My All" with the verse and chorus of "Stay a Little While".[21] It was produced by Jermaine Dupri and features raps from Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz. The single also features a version without any rap verses. The second remix is a dance version mixed by David Morales.[21] The dance remix is known as the (Classic Club Mix); it was Carey's first collaboration with Morales that did not feature entirely new vocals. Consequently, the song is fairly close to the original chord progressions of the album version, though some new vocals were added. The remix was performed live as a medley with the original during many of Carey's live concert tours.[21]

Carey recorded a Spanish version of "My All" titled, "Mi Todo". Unlike with "Hero" (1993) and "Open Arms" (1996), Carey recorded the Spanish version of the song in a different key from the original English version.[21] The first line of the song had been mistranslated and was grammatically incorrect. Carey later mentioned on her website that she would no longer record Spanish versions of her songs until she could verify the correct lyrics and pronunciation.[21] "My All" remains her last song to be recorded in both English and Spanish versions. "Mi Todo" was remixed as well, however only being released as a promotional single in Mexico.[21]

Music videos

File:My all.jpg
A shot from video, showing Carey lying on a submerged vessel.

"My All" and the "My All/Stay Awhile" (So So Def Remix) featured different music videos. The video for "My All" was shot entirely in black and white in Puerto Rico, and was directed by fashion photographer Herb Ritts.[2] The video begins with Carey lying on an overturned vessel on a beach, staring into the night sky, lamenting her estranged lover. As the scenes progress, Carey's love interest is seen atop a lighthouse in the middle of the ocean, searching for his lost companion. Further scenes show Carey laying on a large conch shell, wet and vulnerable.[21] Soon after, she begins walking on a path of large white flowers, until she reaches the top of the lighthouse; rejoined with her lover. After the song's second verse, Carey and the man begin caressing each other, and embracing atop the lighthouse. After they share an intimate moment, Carey is shown walking back on the trail of white flowers, smiling and happy. The scenes of Carey lying in the shell and in front of the flowers were inspired by Sandro Botticelli's painting The Birth of Venus.[2] According to author Chris Nickson, the snippets of Carey on the overturned vessel showed her vulnerability without her loved one, truly highlighting the yearning emphasized in the song.[2]

A music video was also filmed for the So So Def remix. Directed by Diane Martel, it was shot in a grainy fashion to simulate a home video.[21] The video features cameo appearances by Dupri, Tariq and Gunz. It begins with scenes of Carey and Dupri at a small in-home gathering, lounging and enjoying each others company. As the video progresses, the other two featured hip-hop musicians appear at the house, alongside various other guests. They begin to dance to music, while sipping on cocktails by the pool. As the video reaches its climax, scenes of Carey singing in an outdoor garden are shown, while the others join her on the pool deck.[2]

Live performances

A woman wearing a long black gown, singing in concert.
Carey performing "My All" in concert

"My All" was performed on various live television appearances, as well as most of Carey's tours.[2] The song was first performed on The Rosie O'Donnell Show, featuring three female backup singers. For the performance, Carey wore a short-length gold dress; being interviewed by O'Donnell shortly after.[21] Additionally, Carey sang "My All" at the 1998 World Music Awards, performing the original and dance remix as a medley. At the Blockbuster Entertainment Awards in 1998, Carey sang the original version of the song, featuring a full orchestra and live backup vocals.[2] The song was performed on Saturday Night Live during the week of September 12 1997, where Carey sang it back-to-back with "Butterfly". Additionally, Carey was one of the five featured performers at the 1998 VH1 Divas, where she sang "My All" as well as the dance remix. The song was performed on the British music chart program, Top of the Pops, where a live medley of the original and dance versions were performed.[21]

"My All" was performed during Carey's Butterfly World Tour in 1998.[22] For the performances in Japan, Carey featured a Latin guitarist and backing vocals. The guitarist was present during the song's recital throughout the entire tour, replacing the orchestra used during her television appearances.[22] For the shows, Carey wore a beige outfit, with varying hairstyles. Neither remix version was performed during the tour. For her Rainbow World Tour (1999) and Charmbracelet World Tour (2002-2003), Carey performed the original version of the song, once again featuring the orchestra and live female background vocals.[23] Since The Adventures of Mimi tour in 2006, Carey has not performed the full version of the original, substituting it for the dance remix after the second verse.[24] During the shows in the tour, Carey donned a black bikini and matching cape, while featuring one male and two female background singers.[24] On Angels Advocate Tour (2010), she performed the original and dance remix versions, wearing a red outfit while performing the song seated.[25] Again, the original and dance remix was performed as a medley, featuring the same backup from the previous tour.[25]

Charts

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Bronson 2003, p. 868
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Nickson 1998, p. 167
  3. ^ a b c "Mariah Carey - My All - Digital Sheet Music". Musicnotes.com. Alfred Publishing. Retrieved 2009-05-05. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  4. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Allmusic ((( Butterfly > Review )))". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-09-07.
  5. ^ a b Flicker, Larry (1998-05-02). "Columbia's Carey Reconnects With Her Dance Roots". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
  6. ^ Browne, David (1997-09-19). "Music Review – Mariah Carey: Butterfly". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2010-09-07.
  7. ^ Juzwiak, Rich (2003-12-18). "Music Review: Mariah Carey: Butterfly". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2010-09-07.
  8. ^ Higher and Higher. LLC. 1998-11-12. Retrieved 2010-09-28. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  9. ^ a b "Gold & Platinum - May 30, 2010". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 2010-05-30.
  10. ^ a b c d e "Mariah Carey Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-09-14. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ "Billboard Top 100 - 1998". Billboard. Retrieved 2010-08-27. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ a b Geoff Mayfield (December 25, 1999). 1999 The Year in Music Totally '90s: Diary of a Decade - The listing of Top Pop Albums of the '90s & Hot 100 Singles of the '90s. Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2010. {{cite book}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help) Cite error: The named reference "1990sbb" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  13. ^ a b "Top Singles - Volume 67, No. 12, June 15 1998". RPM. 1998-06-15. Retrieved 2010-09-13. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ "Top Singles - Volume 67, No. 23, August 31 1998". RPM. 1998-08-31. Retrieved 2010-09-13. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Mariah Carey - My All". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved 2010-10-22. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  16. ^ a b "Certifications Singles Argent – année 1998" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 2010-06-29.
  17. ^ a b "Search the Chart". Irish Recorded Music Association. Fireball Media. Retrieved 2010-11-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  18. ^ a b "Archive Chart". UK Singles Chart. The Official Charts Company. 1998-06-13. Retrieved 2010-11-17. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  19. ^ "Chart Stats > Mariah Carey – My All". The Official Charts Company. Chartstats.com. Retrieved 2010-11-13. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  20. ^ "Mariah Carey Official Top 20 Best Selling Singles in the UK". MTV Networks Europe. MTV (UK and Ireland). Retrieved 2010-11-10.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Nickson 1998, p. 168-169
  22. ^ a b Argenson 2010, p. 22-28
  23. ^ Argenson 2010, p. 29-33
  24. ^ a b Argenson 2010, p. 44-48
  25. ^ a b Argenson 2010, p. 54-58
  26. ^ "Chartverfolgung/Carey, Mariah/Single" (in German). musicline.de PhonoNet. Retrieved 2010-01-21.
  27. ^ "Billboard Top 100 - 1998". Retrieved 2010-08-28.

Further reading

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