The Ballads (Mariah Carey album)
Untitled | |
---|---|
The Ballads (released in the UK in 2010 as LoveSongs) is the third compilation album by American pop/R&B singer-songwriter Mariah Carey.[1][2] 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 Records. It does not feature any new material or include songs recorded with her current label, Island Records.
Re-recording of "Hero"
The 1993 single "Hero" 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.[3]
Promotion
She performed "Hero" at the Inauguration of Barack Obama on January 20, 2009 in Washington, D.C.,[4] and was featured on a CBS TV special.[5]
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
International1 | Japan | US | Title | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | 1 (alternate version) | "Hero" | 4:19 |
2 | 12 | 3 | "Vision of Love" | 3:31 |
3 | 10 | 4 | "Without You" | 3:34 |
4 | 11 | 15 | "Always Be My Baby" | 4:18 |
5 | 9 | 11 | "My All" | 3:50 |
6 | 17 | "How Much" (feat. Usher) | 3:31 | |
7 | 16 | "Dreamlover" | 3:53 | |
8 | 15 | 8 | "Thank God I Found You" (Make It Last Remix feat. Joe and Nas) | 5:09 |
9 | 12 | "The Roof (Back in Time)" | 5:14 | |
10 | 2 | 2 | "One Sweet Day" (feat. Boyz II Men) | 4:41 |
11 | 14 | 14 | "Anytime You Need a Friend" | 4:26 |
12 | 16 | 7 | "I'll Be There" (feat. Trey Lorenz) | 4:43 |
13 | 17 | 10 | "I Still Believe" | 3:54 |
14 | 6 | 18 | "Reflections (Care Enough)" | 3:23 |
15 | 5 | "Open Arms" | 3:30 | |
16 | "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" (feat. Westlife) | 3:25 | ||
17 | 3 | 9 | "Endless Love" (feat. Luther Vandross) | 4:18 |
18 | 19 | "All I Want for Christmas Is You" | 4:01 | |
4 | "Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme)" | 4:32 | ||
7 | "Butterfly" | 4:35 | ||
8 | 6 | "Love Takes Time" | 3:49 | |
13 | 5 | "Can't Let Go" | 4:27 | |
18 | "Never Too Far" | 3:55 | ||
13 | "When You Believe" (with Whitney Houston) | 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 Target includes a 3mL rollerball of Carey's fragrance Luscious Pink.
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Allmusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Blogcritics 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."[7] Allmusic said: "And that's what The Ballads is: nothing but big love songs sung in a big voice."[6] 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."[8]
Charts
The album debuted at number 17 on UK Albums Chart. 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.[9]
The album debuted at number number 10 on the U.S. Billboard 200 with first week sales of 29,000 units.[10] 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).[10] It also debut at number 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[11]
Chart performance
|
Certifications
|
Release history
- Italy – October 17, 2008[23]
- South Korea and Argentina – October 21, 2008[24]
- Hong Kong – October 22, 2008
- Germany – October 24, 2008;[25] April 10, 2009[26]
- Australia – November 3, 2008[27]
- France – November 17, 2008[28]
- Japan – November 26, 2008[29]
- Canada – November 2008
- Brazil – December 2, 2008[30]
- Taiwan – December 30, 2008[31]
- Portugal – January 19, 2009[32]
- US – January 20, 2009[33]
- Spain – February 3, 2009[34]
LoveSongs
Untitled | |
---|---|
LoveSongs is a compilation album by R&B superstar Mariah Carey. It is a re-release of her 2008 collection The Ballads (without the song "All I Want for Christmas Is You"), and was released exclusively in the UK in time for Valentine's Day on February 8, 2010.[35][36][37]
Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Hero" | 4:19 |
2. | "Vision of Love" | 3:31 |
3. | "Without You" | 3:34 |
4. | "Always Be My Baby" | 4:18 |
5. | "My All" | 3:50 |
6. | "How Much" (featuring Usher) | 3:31 |
7. | "Dreamlover" | 3:53 |
8. | "Thank God I Found You" (Make It Last Remix featuring Joe and Nas) | 5:09 |
9. | "The Roof (Back in Time)" | 5:14 |
10. | "One Sweet Day" (featuring Boyz II Men) | 4:41 |
11. | "Anytime You Need a Friend" | 4:26 |
12. | "I'll Be There" (featuring Trey Lorenz) | 4:43 |
13. | "I Still Believe" | 3:54 |
14. | "Reflections (Care Enough)" | 3:23 |
15. | "Open Arms" | 3:30 |
16. | "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" (featuring Westlife) | 3:25 |
17. | "Endless Love" (featuring Luther Vandross) | 4:18 |
References
- ^ Sony BMG to release Mariah Ballads Compilation
- ^ 'The Ballads' makes a great debut on the UK charts! Enter to Win a Customized Mariah 'Ballads' iPod and More!
- ^ Mariah 'Re Records' Hero for Ballads
- ^ Access Exclusive: Mariah Carey To Sing ‘Hero’ For Obama
- ^ Mariah Carey: Once Again, The Most
- ^ a b Allmusic review
- ^ Music Review: Mariah Carey - The Ballads
- ^ Caulfield, Keith et al. Romance And Indie Rock Hit The Billboard 200. Billboard. January 28, 2009. Retrieved January 29, 2009.
- ^ Mariah Carey - The Ballads
- ^ a b Hasty, Katie (2009-01-28). "Taylor Swift Album Starts Eighth Week At No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2009-01-28.
- ^ Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
- ^ Australian Albums Chart
- ^ Danish Albums Chart
- ^ Dutch Albums Chart
- ^ Irish Albums Chart
- ^ "Profile of Mariah Carey" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved 2010-12-01.
- ^ New Zealand Albums Chart
- ^ Swedish Albums Chart
- ^ UK Albums Chart
- ^ U.S. Albums Chart
- ^ Billboard
- ^ IRMA
- ^ Mariah Carey - The Ballads - cd di Mariah Carey - - disco di Mariah Carey - IBS
- ^ [인터넷 교보문고] The Ballads
- ^ Amazon.de
- ^ The Ballads: Mariah Carey: Amazon.de: Musik
- ^ Ballads (Carey, Mariah): Music: BIGWentertainment.com.au
- ^ Amazon.fr
- ^ Ballads(グレイテストヒッツ)【CD】-Mariah Carey (マライアキャリー)|R&B/ダンス|ダンス&ソウル|音楽|HMV ONLINE オンラインショッピング・情報サイト
- ^ The Ballads - Saraiva.com.br
- ^ 博客來音樂館>瑪麗亞凱莉 / 藏愛-冠軍情歌精選
- ^ Google Tradutor
- ^ Amazon.com: The Ballads: Mariah Carey: Music
- ^ Mariah Carey reúne 17 de sus mejores canciones de amor en 'The ballads', a la venta el 3 de febrero. europapress.es
- ^ Official Site and Honey B. Fly Fan Club for Mariah Carey news.news
- ^ Is Mariah Carey going back to record label Sony? - mirror.co.uk
- ^ Mariah Carey: Love Songs (2010): CD: hmv.com