by I Don’t Wanna Cry: A Point of Contention on Mariah’s Debut
Mariah Carey is known worldwide as the “Songbird Supreme” for her iconic five-octave vocal range and hit songs that showcase her incredible singing ability. With over 200 million records sold globally, she is one of the best-selling music artists of all time. However, even the most talented artists have songs in their catalog that they are not entirely pleased with in hindsight. For Mariah, one such song from early in her career is “I Don’t Wanna Cry” from her self-titled debut album in 1990.
In interviews over the years, Mariah has revealed that “I Don’t Wanna Cry” was a point of contention between her and her producers Tommy Mottola and Ric Wake during the recording of her debut. At the time, she was still new in the industry and establishing herself as an artist. Mottola, who was the head of Sony Music Entertainment and her manager, wanted a song for the album that had more mainstream pop appeal. Mariah, on the other hand, preferred songs that were more personal and emotional reflections of her life experiences.
“I Don’t Wanna Cry” was crafted more as a generic pop song rather than coming from a deep personal place for Mariah. In her 2018 memoir, she wrote that the song “lacked the personal meaning I prefer my music to have.” She went along with recording it to avoid conflict early in her career, but it was never a song she felt truly connected to. Mariah revealed that she had to “fake it” in the studio to deliver the vocals for “I Don’t Wanna Cry,” not feeling fully invested in the song emotionally.
The song became Mariah’s first number one single, so from a commercial success standpoint, it achieved what her label wanted. However, artistically Mariah was not fully proud of or satisfied with “I Don’t Wanna Cry.” She has stated in interviews that her later hits like “Vision of Love,” “Emotions,” and “Make It Happen” were much more authentic representations of her artistry as they came from a deeper personal place for her. Those songs helped cement her status as not just a pop star but also a formidable vocalist and songwriter.
In retrospect, “I Don’t Wanna Cry” seems to have been more of a calculated commercial single rather than the type of heartfelt material Mariah prefers creating. It showed her willingness early on to compromise some of her artistic vision for success, even if it meant recording a song she did not feel a strong connection to. While it took her career to new heights commercially, Mariah has implied she does not look back on “I Don’t Wanna Cry” with the same pride or fondness as her later hits that better represented her talents and allowed her full creative control. It remains one of the few songs in her catalog that she has expressed mixed feelings about.
The Entirety of Emotions: An Album Mariah No Longer Recommends
Another album from Mariah’s discography that she has distanced herself from over the years is her fourth studio effort “Emotions” from 1991. In a radio interview in 2020, Mariah was asked if there were any albums of hers she does not recommend listening to anymore. She cryptically responded, “Maybe like, the Emotions album.” This vague statement left fans wondering what exactly her issues were with the project that made her not want to endorse listening to it as a whole.
Released in September 1991, “Emotions” was Mariah’s follow-up to her multi-platinum 1990 self-titled debut. It continued her streak of chart-topping hits with lead single “Emotions” spending four weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album was both a commercial and critical success, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 and eventually being certified quadruple platinum. At the time, no signs pointed to Mariah having anything but pride in “Emotions” and its impact.
However, in the decades since its release, Mariah’s perspective on the album seems to have changed or evolved in some way. Some speculate her dissatisfaction may stem from not having full artistic control during its creation, similar to her first album. Tommy Mottola was still heavily involved as her manager and producer, so his influence on the project may have compromised Mariah’s vision in her eyes years later.
Others point to her statement referencing the “entirety” of the album, implying she does not feel positively about it as a complete work. This has led to theories that she was not fully invested in all of the songs or feels the tracklisting could have been stronger. It’s also possible that with time and maturity, Mariah’s standards and tastes have changed so much that she no longer connects to Emotions the way she did as a younger artist.
Whatever her specific reasons, Mariah signaling that Emotions is not an album from her past that she recommends listening to anymore was surprising to many fans. It showed that even among her most commercially successful early releases that defined her as a hitmaker, one project had diminished in her estimation. While hits like “Emotions,” “Make It Happen,” and “Can’t Let Go” remain beloved, Mariah appears to have outgrown or distanced herself from Emotions as a total work of art. Fans can only speculate what exactly caused her to develop those feelings in retrospect.
Other Possible Songs Mariah may not be Fond of
While “I Don’t Wanna Cry” and her entire Emotions album are the only projects Mariah has directly referenced having mixed feelings about, there could be other songs from her catalog that fall into a similar category without her saying so publicly. Here are some possibilities:
– “Someday” (1991) – The fifth single off Emotions did not find the same success as the prior hits. Mariah has never spoken fondly of it, so it may not be high on her list of favorite own songs.
– “Everything Fades Away” (1993) – The lead single from Music Box underperformed, only reaching #20 on the Hot 100. Mariah may look back less proudly on this song not meeting expectations.
– “Without You” (1994) – A remake of the Harry Nilsson song that was more of an album cut than a major single push. She likely had less personal investment versus her own compositions.
– “The Roof” (1998) – A Midnight Train to Georgia remake that felt more like an album filler than one of her signature hits. Possibly not as memorable for Mariah.
– “I Still Believe” (1999) – A ballad released near the end of her record deal that did not make a major commercial impact. May see it as less of a standout.
– Her duets – While she usually enjoys collaborating, it’s possible some of Mariah’s many duet partners or their song choices did not inspire her most.
Of course, these are merely educated guesses, as Mariah has not stated anything negative about these songs specifically. But as an artist who prides herself on vocal and emotional expression, it’s reasonable to assume there may be other tracks in her four-octave range that she connects to less than her most iconic material. Only she knows for certain if these or any other songs are ones she prefers fans didn’t focus as much on from her storied career.
In Conclusion
Over her unparalleled 30+ year career in music, Mariah Carey has cemented her status as not just a best-selling pop diva but one of the most influential vocalists of all time. With her signature five-octave voice capable of intricate runs and riffs, she set the standard for virtuosic singing in popular music. However, as with any artist, not every song they record will hold up equally well over time or represent who they are creatively.
The few songs and one album Mariah has directly or indirectly expressed having mixed feelings about give a rare glimpse into how even her own perspective has evolved since first recording that material. While commercial success was achieved, she has implied a lack of full artistic ownership or connection in some cases. It shows that Mariah, now in her 50s, views her early catalog through the lens of her current standards as both a veteran performer and a woman well past her debut era pressures.
Fans can appreciate Mariah for her unparalleled talents and hits while also understanding that no artist is defined by every note they recorded, especially so early in their career. Her candor in addressing songs like “I Don’t Wanna Cry” humanizes her while also allowing space for her artistry to have grown far beyond any one album or single. Mariah Carey remains focused on making music that represents the truest expression of herself, and that dedication to personal meaning is part of what makes her arguably the greatest vocalist in pop.
