Mariah Carey - "We Belong Together"

[kcdawg13]

In my Top 10 Mariah songs

[Deleted]

From Johnta Austin's new Billboard interview:

I was working on other stuff with Jermaine at the time and he told me he wanted me for Mariah's album session. She came in the studio and was catching up with everybody. She turns to me and says, "Hey I'm Mariah, who are you?" [Laughs.] I introduce myself and she asks, "I'm guessing you're a part of what we're about to do?" I told her only if she'll have me! Then we became fast friends after that. I had some wine in the studio -- some pinot grigio -- that was a nice ice-breaker. She asked me, "Can I have a splash of that?" It was very Mariah! We got close after a few splashes!

I think "Get Your Number" was the first song that we did, and after that was "Shake It Off." “It’s Like That” was the third. “It’s Like That” was a fun song to record because we were just being silly. I was just being funny with the "These chickens is ash and I'm lotion" line. But Mariah was like, "No, we're keeping that!" She and I can get in our zones where Jermaine will have to stop us, because we'll put anything in a song! Jermaine was like, "Guys, I don't get this line." But everyone ended up loving it!

After that, Mariah left and [former Island Records head] L.A. Reid came in to hear them. At the time, he was considering making "Shake It Off" the first single. But he said, "I'm going to send Mariah back down because I feel like you guys have one more in you." And that's when we came up with “We Belong Together.” Jermaine and Mariah put their heads together to get that hook, then I came in to do the verses with Mariah. I remember L.A. telling me, "Mariah was so excited about this song that she called me when she got back to New York. She just wanted to play your demo of it. This is the song!" It came up behind her "One Sweet Day" single [as the second longest running number one song in Billboard chart history] -- we missed the record on the Hot 100 by like one week. But the run was still pretty spectacular. And you guys [at Billboard] named it the most popular song of the decade, so I'll take that! Jermaine and I were talking about that a few days ago. There's only six months left in this decade, so we're still going to be number one -- unless another song is announced.

We knew we were making something special with this album. All the pressure to do it was coming off of 2001's Glitter. I remember my publisher at the time thought I was crazy for spending so much time with Mariah, because I had another opportunity to work with a fellow big artist. He asked, "Are you sure you want to work with Mariah?" I told him, "I'm here in the studio. I feel the energy and I know what's being done here." With "We Belong Together," I don't think anyone could predict that type of success. But we knew that we were making great music for MC. My mother used to play "Vision of Love" from her first album nonstop, so it was a special moment for me to be in the studio with someone that I've been listening to since I was like 12. I got a chance to create what is still considered some of her best work.

[jenglisbe]

Song of the Decade passes 200 million streams on Spotify!

[Hefty Hanna]

This song is so iconic. I-

[jenglisbe]

Haha so many people when they hear it say they feel like they should be in a relationship to have a breakup to listen to this song.

[disman00911]

Her big comeback single after her post-"Glitter" meltdown and easily her best post-2005 track (and her best 2000s song).  Was played alot on the radio back then (B96, Kiss FM 103.5, WGCI, and probably a few others all played it in my market).

[Fire]

i really like this

[Deleted]

Remix EP added to streaming

[jenglisbe]

New arrangement to snatch your life!

The original still killing it with nearly 450 million YT views and closing in on 300 million Spotify streams.

[Elusive Chanteuse]

That arrangement is GODLY. I hope she releases it to streaming platforms.

[Positive Tension]

I prefer the new arrangement to the original. My only complaint about the original is that JD's production didn't date too well, and this arrangement makes it feel more timeless.

[jenglisbe]

Original vocal over the new arrangement:

[#LisaRinna]

Feb 14, 2021 16:15:21 GMT -5 jenglisbe said:

Original vocal over the new arrangement:

The Quiet Storm mix! #everything

[bat1990]

Random question: How was this song received in Japan? She and Celine are some of the only biggest Western stars there but that was a weird time globally where Japan was still on physical media, North America had moved to iTunes downloads, and Europe was in transition.

[jenglisbe]

Billboard just reported "WBT" has 548 million on demand audio and video streams, which translates to 3.65 million in sales. As of early 2014 it had sold 1.68 million downloads. It has obviously sold more since then, even if downloads in general have gone way down. I'd think it has sold at least 2 million downloads total, which means it should be 5x platinum and could even be 6x platinum.

[JukeboxJacob]

One of the most overrated songs in history. It was the song of the 2000's decade and yet it sounds more like the 90's

[jenglisbe]

Oh but I was told she only comes out at Christmas ;)

[jenglisbe]

[jenglisbe]

He doesn't say much, but I loved watching him lol (and when he said he got chills).

[bjordan]

I was in 6th grade in the spring of 2005 when this song was released. It was overplayed on LA radio stations such as; 100.3 The Beat, Power 106, 102.3 KJLH, KIIS-FM, Hot 92.3 and 94.7 The Wave

[Dreams]

I still remember the first time I listened to this song. I was instantly mesmerized, hypnotized, I didn't know what to do.
Flawless song, I just love it and never tire of it.

[jenglisbe]

[colson]

Outside of AIWFCIY, this is indeed one of her biggest ever hits and I'm glad it's having some longevity.

[Me. I Am l!nk!nfan815...]

WBT sounds so fresh to me, it’s timeless IMO.

[#LisaRinna]

Forever iconic and a smash for the ages.