Mariah Carey f/ Westlife - "Against All Odds"

[Edf85]

#1 SMASH! in UK (Josh help me out hurr)

I'm a sucker for cheesy remakes I liked it. Cheap video tho

[George Tropicana]

Wrong forum!

[Pet Shop Boy]

Quite possibly the worst song of ALL TIME.

[TCorey]

Mariah's solo version is fine, but this is awful.

[msanoja]

Ack.

[jimmy74747]

This version is horrible
Mariah's solo version is okay
Phil Collins' original is a classic

jimmy74747 said:

This version is horrible
Mariah's solo version is okay
Phil Collins' original is a classic

[Ky]

Mariah's solo version is alright, not a fan of the original either.

[Luckie Starchild]

The collab with Westlife was a transparent and cheesy attempt for her to get a UK #1.

[Keith3000]

Luckie said:

The collab with Westlife was a transparent and cheesy attempt for her to get a UK #1.

You're right. I don't even see why she should be credited with the #1 song if a Westlife-only version would have been as successful, and her solo would have bombed. I couldn't stand this version...not even comparable to the original. But then again, I've never been a fan of any of Westlife's songs, so I guess my opinion doesn't mean too much here.

[ClassicCase]

What a way to ruin that song. Phil Collins' version is way much better WITHOUT the backups! The original rules everytime.

[BLACK SUMMER.]

After failing to score much of an adult contemporary hit with any of the Butterfly ballads, Columbia attempted to push Mariah to write, produce, and record a few more adult contemporary leaning ballads for it's follow-up Rainbow. Mariah had a falling out with long time collaborator and famed adult contemporary producer Walter Afanasieff just before the recording of this album. Rumors of Mariah getting into ice cube fights with his wife at a party didn't help, but it's been said that Walter was sharing secrets about Mariah with Columbia staff during Mariah's most difficult time at the label, the post-divorce period.

Since Mariah was turning more towards R&B and now working with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis on her ballads, coming up with the Afanasieff brand of ballad was out of the question. Instead she recorded a traditional cover of Phil Collins's #1 hit "Against All Odds". When choosing covers, Mariah usually chose songs that had personal meaning to her growing up. The best part of this song is the aching, crying pleas of the final chorus.

Then of course there's the remix. Mariah explored her half-Irish heritage by working with the Irish superstar boyband Westlife. She also showed the commercially saavy businesswoman side of her which she had become very good at since Columbia stopped helping her support the Rainbow album after "Thank God I Found You" went for adds. Westlife was almost a guarantee for the coveted #1 spot in the UK. Since "Against All Odds" was released internationally and not in the US, Westlife were the surefire best choice for the reworked radio edit. Sure enough, it became Mariah's second #1 in the UK following another cover, her version of "Without You".

I love Mariah's version of this song

<3 <3 <3 <3

I never heard the Westlife edit though.

[Mr. Birdy Sound]

I like Mariah's version too.

But not the version with Westlife....

[JCMF3]

I hated it.

[strong4PMB!]

The solo version is a JAM!  I like the saliva gush at the end. Oh wait, that's "Can't Take That Away."

The one thing I remember about the song, or the video to be specific, is that at the end of it, one of the Westlifers is staring right at Mariah's boobiage while everyone else is looking at the camera.

And ironically enough, I believe, it was The Gay One. LOL.... but I digress.

I loved Mariah's solo version!

[Pink Champagne Ricochet]

soulster said:

The one thing I remember about the song, or the video to be specific, is that at the end of it, one of the Westlifers is staring right at Mariah's boobiage while everyone else is looking at the camera.

And ironically enough, I believe, it was The Gay One. LOL.... but I digress.

I loved Mariah's solo version!

Didn't they actually have to re-edit the video in order to take that part out? I remember reading something about that.
And I think the one that was staring at her boobs was the one that later ended up leaving the group. The gay one just always talked about how much he loved Mariah.

[I'm Like The Lottery]

I love this cover. I always like Mariah's covers. But I haven't heard the Westlife version, surprisingly.

[glenpwood]

Love this song and the boob shot remained in the CDRom part on the UK single

[Twirl!]

Solo version >

[esoteric76]

Nov 16, 2005 17:58:08 GMT -5 Pink Champagne Ricochet said:

soulster said:

The one thing I remember about the song, or the video to be specific, is that at the end of it, one of the Westlifers is staring right at Mariah's boobiage while everyone else is looking at the camera.

And ironically enough, I believe, it was The Gay One. LOL.... but I digress.

I loved Mariah's solo version!

Didn't they actually have to re-edit the video in order to take that part out? I remember reading something about that.
And I think the one that was staring at her boobs was the one that later ended up leaving the group. The gay one just always talked about how much he loved Mariah.

Yeah, Mark Feehily or whatever. He loves Mariah.
Not sure about the video question, but pretty sure this was an issue when they dueted with Diana Ross on "When You Tell Me That You Love Me."

I have a rare vinyl of this single which I totally treasure. I love Westlife's original material though, not so much their collaborations or their covers (which are a LOT unfortunately).

[BILLY SHEARS.]

There are multiple versions of this song I prefer, including the original, and it goes without saying they both have better songs (especially Mariah). But I did like it at the time. It's a shame Mariah's biggest hits in the UK were covers.

[Twirl!]

The Pound Boys Mix is totally cool! Love it

[esoteric76]

Big, Big Westlife fan, but I hate this cover. (and actually hate most of their covers). It was all about Mark trying to outsing Mariah here. Not gonna happen Mark. Although, to be fair, his voice got a lot stronger towards the last few albums. (and he sings the crap out of Brandy's "Have You Ever.")

[#Jazzy]

Nov 12, 2005 22:01:43 GMT -5 BLACK SUMMER. said:

After failing to score much of an adult contemporary hit with any of the Butterfly ballads, Columbia attempted to push Mariah to write, produce, and record a few more adult contemporary leaning ballads for it's follow-up Rainbow. Mariah had a falling out with long time collaborator and famed adult contemporary producer Walter Afanasieff just before the recording of this album. Rumors of Mariah getting into ice cube fights with his wife at a party didn't help, but it's been said that Walter was sharing secrets about Mariah with Columbia staff during Mariah's most difficult time at the label, the post-divorce period.

Since Mariah was turning more towards R&B and now working with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis on her ballads, coming up with the Afanasieff brand of ballad was out of the question. Instead she recorded a traditional cover of Phil Collins's #1 hit "Against All Odds". When choosing covers, Mariah usually chose songs that had personal meaning to her growing up. The best part of this song is the aching, crying pleas of the final chorus.

Then of course there's the remix. Mariah explored her half-Irish heritage by working with the Irish superstar boyband Westlife. She also showed the commercially saavy businesswoman side of her which she had become very good at since Columbia stopped helping her support the Rainbow album after "Thank God I Found You" went for adds. Westlife was almost a guarantee for the coveted #1 spot in the UK. Since "Against All Odds" was released internationally and not in the US, Westlife were the surefire best choice for the reworked radio edit. Sure enough, it became Mariah's second #1 in the UK following another cover, her version of "Without You".

FantasyGuy

[Ginger Spice]

I've never heard the Westlife version, but Mariah's solo version was always one of my favorites from the Rainbow album.

[esoteric76]

Nov 12, 2005 22:01:43 GMT -5 BLACK SUMMER. said:

Since Mariah was turning more towards R&B and now working with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis on her ballads, coming up with the Afanasieff brand of ballad was out of the question. Instead she recorded a traditional cover of Phil Collins's #1 hit "Against All Odds".

Agreed that Mariah had the best ballad-success with Walter A, but if you've heard Rainbow, you know that she slays the Diane Warren/David Foster stunner "After Tonight" which was very similar to My All. That was always an option as a single choice that the label didn't seem to consider. Bummer.

[Mr. Christopher]

Nov 12, 2005 22:01:43 GMT -5 BLACK SUMMER. said:

After failing to score much of an adult contemporary hit with any of the Butterfly ballads, Columbia attempted to push Mariah to write, produce, and record a few more adult contemporary leaning ballads for it's follow-up Rainbow. Mariah had a falling out with long time collaborator and famed adult contemporary producer Walter Afanasieff just before the recording of this album. Rumors of Mariah getting into ice cube fights with his wife at a party didn't help, but it's been said that Walter was sharing secrets about Mariah with Columbia staff during Mariah's most difficult time at the label, the post-divorce period.

Since Mariah was turning more towards R&B and now working with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis on her ballads, coming up with the Afanasieff brand of ballad was out of the question. Instead she recorded a traditional cover of Phil Collins's #1 hit "Against All Odds". When choosing covers, Mariah usually chose songs that had personal meaning to her growing up. The best part of this song is the aching, crying pleas of the final chorus.

Then of course there's the remix. Mariah explored her half-Irish heritage by working with the Irish superstar boyband Westlife. She also showed the commercially saavy businesswoman side of her which she had become very good at since Columbia stopped helping her support the Rainbow album after "Thank God I Found You" went for adds. Westlife was almost a guarantee for the coveted #1 spot in the UK. Since "Against All Odds" was released internationally and not in the US, Westlife were the surefire best choice for the reworked radio edit. Sure enough, it became Mariah's second #1 in the UK following another cover, her version of "Without You".

Wow, I LOVED reading this post.

On topic, um... this song sucks. Solo and duet version.

[l!nk!nfan815]

I liked Mariah's solo version, obviously. I love all her covers. But it's not one of her songs that I urge to listen to often.

Mar 26, 2011 18:21:26 GMT -5 BILLY SHEARS. said:

It's a shame Mariah's biggest hits in the UK were covers.

I'm always in awe about this. It's just so odd to me.

Apr 3, 2012 18:45:00 GMT -5 #Jazzy said:

Nov 12, 2005 22:01:43 GMT -5 BLACK SUMMER. said:

After failing to score much of an adult contemporary hit with any of the Butterfly ballads, Columbia attempted to push Mariah to write, produce, and record a few more adult contemporary leaning ballads for it's follow-up Rainbow. Mariah had a falling out with long time collaborator and famed adult contemporary producer Walter Afanasieff just before the recording of this album. Rumors of Mariah getting into ice cube fights with his wife at a party didn't help, but it's been said that Walter was sharing secrets about Mariah with Columbia staff during Mariah's most difficult time at the label, the post-divorce period.

Since Mariah was turning more towards R&B and now working with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis on her ballads, coming up with the Afanasieff brand of ballad was out of the question. Instead she recorded a traditional cover of Phil Collins's #1 hit "Against All Odds". When choosing covers, Mariah usually chose songs that had personal meaning to her growing up. The best part of this song is the aching, crying pleas of the final chorus.

Then of course there's the remix. Mariah explored her half-Irish heritage by working with the Irish superstar boyband Westlife. She also showed the commercially saavy businesswoman side of her which she had become very good at since Columbia stopped helping her support the Rainbow album after "Thank God I Found You" went for adds. Westlife was almost a guarantee for the coveted #1 spot in the UK. Since "Against All Odds" was released internationally and not in the US, Westlife were the surefire best choice for the reworked radio edit. Sure enough, it became Mariah's second #1 in the UK following another cover, her version of "Without You".

FantasyGuy

lol true. What happened to him? He was so insightful to all things Mariah. I always enjoyed his posts.