Rainbow

Released on November 2, 1999, Rainbow debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 after selling 323,000 copies, the highest first-week sales of Mariah's career at the time. The album spent ten weeks in the Top 20 and was certified 3x Multi-Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on December 3, 1999.

After the release of Butterfly in 1997, Mariah's ex-husband Tommy Mottola was still the CEO of Sony Music. “My situation is far more complex and unique because of the personal aspect of what it used to be, so I have to do what I do and do it to be best of my ability,” Mariah said about her relationship with her label. “I know there's a lot people up there who still work very, very hard for me and I still have a good relationship with, so I do what I do and trust my instincts.” Mariah reached a deal with Sony Music: in order to leave the music label, she was to release four albums in five years, including a studio album. She had previously released the #1's compilation in 1998; and would eventually release Greatest Hits, in 2001, and The Remixes, in 2003.

Mariah started writing and recording music for the soundtrack to the movie she was working on, All That Glitters — which would eventually become Glitter — in 1997. The movie was supposed to begin filming in 1998 but was pushed back. One of the songs she was working on was “Heartbreaker,” which features rapper Jay-Z and was produced by DJ Clue. The song is built around a sample from the 1982 Stacy Lattisaw song “Attack of the Name Game.” “Clue and I are friends. We were hanging out and another friend of mine knew he had this track that sounded like it would suit my flavor. She was like, ‘Play that for Mariah. She would want to write to that.’ The movie is set in the '80s, that's why it was kind of retro, cutesy,” Mariah explained. “Jay-Z and all those guys were in the studio going, ‘This is hot, you should put this out now.’ I was like, ‘They're right. I have to get it out. It's a summer record.’ ”

A decision was made: “Heartbreaker” would get released. “I was like, ‘OK, if I'm going to do this, I'm either going to use some of the songs from the soundtrack, or do a completely different album.’ I just did a completely different album, but it's the quickest album I've ever done,” she explained. “I didn't discuss it with the label. We just did it and they were probably really surprised. It used to be that every little thing I did was a major group discussion. Now I do what I want and what I think is right for me. Sony have found themselves in a position of having to trust my judgement because up to this point in my career my instincts have been pretty much spot on.”

“Heartbreaker” was released as the lead single from Mariah's Rainbow album on September 21, 1999, and made chart history by becoming her fourteenth number-one song on the Billboard Hot 100, a feat rivaled only by The Beatles, with twenty, and Elvis Presley, with eighteen. The song also broke The Beatles' record for most weeks at number one on the chart. “Heartbreaker” sold 271,000 copies in the United States in its first week, marking the biggest first-week singles sales of Mariah's career.

Rainbow was also Mariah's first album after parting ways with writing partner Walter Afanasieff. She had already recruited Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis as co-executive producers for the Glitter movie soundtrack, and worked with them on the album. “I'm glad I got the chance to work with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, because they added a different dimension musically” Mariah said. “A ballad track in the old days would become too grandiose, but these guys kept it musical and big but still rooted in R&B. They got the subtlety of what I wanted to do. There was no ego about it. It was all musical love which is great and a terrific environment in which to create music. Working with them is the best musical step I've taken yet. I could go in any direction they wanted, and they took me to another level.”

Rainbow saw Mariah working with Jermaine Dupri, She'kspere Briggs, DJ Clue and Damizza, among others. “I hope that people understand that this is the music that I love. I love all types of music and I've tried to integrate a lot of different things on this album,” she explained. “I co-produce all my own work. Co-producing is the only way I could incorporate all the styles I wanted to work with on this LP. Let's say there's another singer who's not a writer or a producer and sang with all the people I've worked with on the album, and worked with all the styles I have on the album — it would sound like it didn't fit. I know how to merge the sounds because the sounds are in me.”

Mariah travelled to Capri, Italy, to record Rainbow. “I went there because I would never have got it done in this period of time,” she explained. “My pager, my phone would have been going off, people would have been coming down to talk to me. Capri was so clear and beautiful for my voice. It really helped me be in great vocal shape. I needed to be out of the pollution. I basically slept in the studio. I had a bed and breakfast in a separate part and then I'd go and record, then sometimes go for a sleep on a boat, swim for a few hours. It was a great combination of work and relaxing.”

“Rainbow chronicles my emotional roller-coaster ride of the past year. If you listen very closely, there's a story here with a very happy ending. This is the first album I've done that doesn't have a sad song at the end of it, so maybe that's a hopeful sign,” Mariah explained. “The title has a lot of different meanings. I saw a double rainbow one day after an intense storm in LA. It was really incredible. I didn't have a title at that point and it just struck me. I thought about the blending of the colors, something that's close to my heart because of being of mixed race. It's always been an enormous part of everything I do. I've come to terms with it, but it's been a big obstacle in a lot of ways. Then I wrote something on the album about how in a rainbow each color is individually beautiful but when they merge, they're miraculous. And wouldn't it be great if all the different nationalities, creeds and races could work together like that and enhance each other, rather than try to bring each other down?”

“Thank God I Found You,” a collaboration with Joe and 98 Degrees, was released as the album's second single on January 25, 2000. “It really cried out for a group to be singing with me and for a strong male-female thing in terms of going back and forth, vocally,” Mariah said about their collaboration. “We just naturally came together.” “Thank God I Found You” became Mariah's fifteenth number-one single on February 19, 2000, marking her eleventh consecutive year with a number-one song, and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on February 23, 2000.

Mariah wanted “Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme)” — which she wrote with Diane Warren — as the next single, but the label refused. After pressure from Mariah's fanbase and Mariah herself, it was eventually released as a double-sided single with “Crybaby” on June 6, 2000. “It was motivated by this one day when I was feeling very angry towards a couple of people and feeling very taken advantage of,” Mariah said about the song. “As I was writing it, I realized it was a theme a lot of people can relate to. I started thinking about a lot of the tragic stuff that's gone on in schools and junior highs, it really does stem from kids feeling segregated in different groups and feeling alienated: If young girls or guys are ragging on you because you're not in the in-crowd, or you don't look right or act right, or you're different in some way, they can't take your spirit away.” Since Billboard's Hot 100 required both songs to chart separately and “Crybaby” had the most cumulative radio audience, it was the song that earned all of the sales points of the single. The “Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme) / Crybaby” single entered the Hot 100 Singles Sales chart at number two, after selling 54,000 copies, which took “Crybaby” to number twenty-eight during the week of June 24, 2000, Mariah's highest-debuting single since “My All” debuted at number two in May 1998.

In Europe, a cover of “Against All Odds,” originally recorded by Phil Collins, was commercially released. “It reminded me of specific memories of growing up and the park where I used to hang out,” Mariah explained. “When I spoke to Jimmy [Jam] and Terry [Lewis] about it they thought it was a great idea and we all thought we should keep it pretty close to the original.” The song was released in the United Kingdom on September 18, 2000, as a duet with Irish boyband Westlife. “I thought it would just be a cool thing to do, to kind of turn it into a duet and combine what they do with what I do,” Mariah told MTV in 2000. “They stack a lot of harmonies, so we made the song kind of a different thing.” The duet became Mariah's second number-one single in the United Kingdom, spending two weeks atop the Official Singles Chart, and was certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry on January 1, 2016.

Tracklist

Releases

United States

In the United States, Rainbow was originally issued on CD, Vinyl, Cassette and MiniDisc.

South Korea

Rainbow was re-released in South Korea as a double disc, including the duet version of “Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)” on a bonus CD.

Vinyl Reissues

In November 2020, the album was re-released on vinyl in two variants: opaque black vinyl and a limited edition sold exclusively through retailer Urban Outfitters which featured four different randomly-selected colors: red, yellow, blue or violet vinyl.

Singles

Lyrics

Heartbreaker

Gimme your love
(Repeat)
Gimme your love

Oh your love's so good
I don't want to let go
And although I should
I can't leave you alone
'Cause you're so disarming
I'm caught up in the midst of you
And I cannot resist at all

Boy if I do
The things you wan me to
The way I used to do
Would you love me baby
Or leave me feeling used
Would you go and break
My heart?

Heartbreaker
You got the best of me
But I just keep on coming back
Incessantly
Oh why did you have to
Run your game on me
I should have known
Right from the start
You'd go and break my heart

It's a shame to be
So euphoric and weak
When you smile at me
And you tell me the things
That you know persuade
Me to relinquish my love
To you
But I cannot resist at all

Boy if I do
The things you wan me to
The way I used to do
Would you love me baby
Or leave me feeling used
Would you go and break
My heart?

Heartbreaker
You got the best of me
But I just keep on coming back
Incessantly
Oh why did you have to
Run your game on me
I should have known
Right from the start
You'd go and break my heart

Jay-Z:
She wanna shop with Jay, play box with Jay
She wanna pillow fight in the middle of the night
She wanna drive my Benz with five of her friends
She wanna creep past the block, spyin' again
She wanna roll with Jay, chase skeeos away
She wanna fight with lame chicks, blow my date
She wanna inspect the rest, kick me to the curb
If she finds one strand of hair longer than hers
She wants love in the jacuzzi, rub up in the movies
Access to the old crib, keys to the newbie
She wanna answer the phone, tattoo her arm
That's when I gotta send her back to her mom's
She call me heartbreaker, when we apart it makes her
Want a piece of paper, scribble down ‘I hate ya’
But she knows she loves Jay because
She loves everything Jay says, Jay does and all

Heartbreaker
You got the best of me
But I just keep on coming back
Incessantly
Oh why did you have to
Run your game on me
I should have known
Right from the start
You'd go and break my heart

Heartbreaker
You got the best of me
But I just keep on coming back
Incessantly
Oh why did you have to
Run your game on me
I should have known
Right from the start
You'd go and break my heart


Written by Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, Shirley Elliston, Lincoln Chase, Michael Walden, Jeffrey Cohen.
Produced by Mariah Carey, DJ Clue and Ken “Duro” Ifill.

Can't Take That Away
(Mariah's Theme)

They can say anything they want to say
Try to bring me down
But I will not allow
Anyone to succeed
Hanging clouds over me
And they can try hard to make me feel
That I don't matter at all
But I refuse to falter
In what I believe
Or lose faith in my dreams

'Cause there's a light in me
That shines brightly
They can try
But they can't take that away from me
From me

They can do anything they want to you
If you let them in
But they won't ever win
If you cling to you pride
And just push them aside
See
I have learned there's an inner peace I own
Something in my soul
That they can not possess
So I won't be afraid
And darkness will fade

'Cause there's light in me
That shines brightly
They can try
But they can't take that away from me

No
They can't take this
Precious love
I'll always have inside me
Certainly the Lord will guide me
Where I need to go

They can say anything they want to say
Try to break me down
But I won't face the ground
I will rise steadily
Sailing out of their reach

Oh Lord
They do try hard to make me feel
That I don't matter at all
But I refuse to falter
In what I believe
Or lose faith in my dreams

'Cause there's a light in me
That shines brightly
They can try
But they can't take that away from me
From me


Written by Mariah Carey, Diane Warren.
Produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Mariah Carey.

Bliss

Touch me baby
It feels so amazing
And you stimulate me
And you make me want you
More and more

What do I do
What do I say
Does it feel good
To you this way
I wanna be
All that you need
Boy what's your fantasy?
Better hold on, ready or not
Baby my love ain't gonna stop
Take it down low
Make me get high

Ooh my love goes
On and on and on and on and on
My love goes
On and on and on and on and on
On and on and on and on and on
See all my love's for you

Baby don't you rush me, no
You got to take it slow
Just let the feeling grow
Until it overflows
Anyway you want it now
Just gotta tell me how
To give you everything
You've even dared to dream

Isn't it bliss
To you right now
Don't be subdued
Say it out loud
Ain't it a sweet
Luscious delight
When you're immersed in my
Ocean of love
Coming on strong
Baby I've been waiting so long
Revel inside my paradise

Ooh my love goes
On and on and on and on and on
My love goes
On and on and on and on and on
On and on and on and on and on
See all my love's for you

So Gimme some pure delectable love
Like I'm gonna give to you
Keep coming around
'Cause I won't run out
I can't get enough of you
My love goes on

Ooh my love goes
On and on and on and on and on
My love goes
On and on and on and on and on
On and on and on and on and on
See all my love's for you

All my love's for you


Written by Mariah Carey, James Harris III, Terry Lewis, James Wright.
Produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Mariah Carey. Co-produced by Jim Wright.

How Much

The way I feel for you
I can't describe
It's almost too intense
To verbalize
Essentially you're all
I'm living for
And basically each day I need you more and more

Have you ever been so enamored baby
That's how much I love you
All I need in this life, you see
Is me and my boyfriend
Have you ever felt lost
When you know you gotta leave me
That's how much I love you
Love is yours and mine
'Till the very end
Just me and my boyfriend

Don't underestimate the love in me
It's obvious these feelings run so deep
I fall and fall for you day after day
Nobody else could ever take your place

Have you ever been so enamored baby
That's how much I love you
All I need in this life, you see
Is me and my boyfriend
Have you ever felt lost
When you know you gotta leave me
That's how much I love you
Love is yours and mine
'Till the very end
Just me and my boyfriend

You don't gotta waste your time and worry
You don't gotta look for reassurance
'Cause clearly you're the only one that's getting this and
Sugar I don't need nobody else
But you
And honey I ain't letting go too soon
Because I can't get enough
Why you asking how much?
It's more than you can handle baby

Have you ever been so enamored baby
That's how much I love you
All I need in this life, you see
Is me and my boyfriend
Have you ever felt lost
When you know you gotta leave me
That's how much I love you
Love is yours and mine
'Till the very end
Just me and my boyfriend


Written by Mariah Carey, Bryan Michael-Cox, Jermaine Dupri, Tupac Shakur, Darryl Harper, Tyrone Wrice, Ricky Rouse.
Produced by Jermaine Dupri and Mariah Carey. Co-produced by Bryan Michael-Cox.

After Tonight

I look at you looking at me
Feels like a feeling meant to be
And as your body moves with mine
It's like I'm lifted out of time

And time again
Patiently I've waited
For this moment to arrive

After tonight
Will you remember
How sweet and tenderly
You reached for me
And pulled me closer
After you go
Will you return to love me
After tonight begins to fade

I feel your touch caressing me
This feeling's all I'll ever need
With every kiss from your sweet lips
It's like I'm drifting out of time

Alone will tell
If you feel the way I feel
When I look in your eyes

After tonight
Will you remember
How sweet and tenderly
You reached for me
And pulled me closer
After you go
Will you return to love me
After the night becomes the day

Time
And time and time again
So patiently I've waited
For this moment to arrive

After tonight
Will you remember
How sweet and tenderly
You reached for me
And pulled me closer
After you go
Baby will you return to love me
After the night becomes the day
After tonight begins to fade


Written by Mariah Carey, Diane Warren, David Foster.
Produced by David Foster and Mariah Carey.

X-Girlfriend

Ex-girlfriend you can't have him
It's about time
That you found you a new man
He's moved on
Don't you know, don't you know
You gotta let him go
Let him go, let him go
Ex-girlfriend you don't listen
Stop trying
He's not gonne give in
He's not yours anymore
Don't you know
You gotta let him go
Let him go, let him go

Hey ex-girlfriend
It's too bad when you had him
Y' all thing didn't work
But he's all mine now
So stop pursuing him
Before you get your feelings hurt
See our love is hot
And no, it won't stop
'Cause I got him on lock
And although he rejects you
It don't seem to affect you
'Cause you just keep trying
To get wit him

So don't, don't keep, keep calling
Hanging up the phone
When I answer I know it
Tears you up inside and
Why do you sit in silence
On the other end
'Till I hang up and you
Predictably call right back again

Ex-girlfriend you can't have him
It's about time
That you found you a new man
He's moved on
Don't you know, don't you know
You gotta let him go
Let him go, let him go
Ex-girlfriend you don't listen
Stop trying
He's not gonne give in
He's not yours anymore
Don't you know
You gotta let him go
Let him go, let him go

Hey ex-girlfriend
Whatever your name is
I'm really not amused
'Cause the things you do
Are very offensive
And sometimes straight up rude
All those late night calls and notes
On his car
Won't get you anywhere
You can call his mom
As much as you want
And he won't really care

So don't, don't keep, keep calling
Hanging up the phone
When I answer I know it
Tears you up inside and
Why do you sit in silence
On the other end
'Till I hang up and you
Predictably call right back again

Ex-girlfriend you can't have him
It's about time
That you found you a new man
He's moved on
Don't you know, don't you know
You gotta let him go
Let him go, let him go
Ex-girlfriend you don't listen
Stop trying
He's not gonne give in
He's not yours anymore
Don't you know
You gotta let him go
Let him go, let him go

I understand why
You want him back
But don't you know
Our love's too strong
For you to penetrate
It's too late
He's not your baby no more


Written by Mariah Carey, Kandi, Kevin Briggs.
Produced by She'kspere Briggs and Mariah Carey.

Heartbreaker (Remix)

Da Brat:
Guess who's back in the mutherfuckin' house
With two big tig 'ol bitties for your mouth
Heartbreakers must partake in the sensation
So So Def and Clue, hits in the making

Missy Elliott:
Oh, guess who's driving the 5 double O
Like yipi-yi, yipi-yo, yeah
When I talk smack, y'all better skip back
Like here we go, cause the bitch don't play

Oh your love's so good
I don't wanna let go
And although I should
I can't leave you alone
'Cause you're so disarming
I'm caught up in the midst of you
And I cannot resist at all

Boy if I do
The things you want me to
The way I used to do
Would you love me baby
Or leave me feeling used
Would you go and break
My heart?

Heartbreaker
You got the best of me
But I just keep on coming back
Incessantly
Oh why did you have to
Run your game on me
I should have known
Right from the start
You'd go and break my heart

I need someone
To give me some real love
I need someone
To give me some real love
I need someone
To give me some real love
I need someone
To give me some real love

Oh why
When I met you that night baby
I didn't know it wouldn't last
I gave my love to you honey
Wish I could take it all back

See I
I've never met a guy
That was better at telling lies
Should've known you'd break my heart

Da Brat:
Well if the Brat gave a fuck about a nigga
My heart would be broke
Should've know you were star struck
When I left your stroke
My guards was up in the beginning but then
I gave you my heart and you broke it again
I'm a fool when you smile at me I'm convinced
I get caught up in you and I just can't resist
I know you lie to me, it just drive me nuts
That one kiss could persuade me to believe your bluffs
You set it up and impressed me with gifts and rings
I wish love was dollars 'cause money ain't a thang
Clueminati and MC move the party
I got a **** ready to play somebody
It's that, tell me you, it's that for each member of my crew
With that I'mma heartbreak you
Lay you flat on your back
You really don't know
So I'd advise you not to trust me yo

Missy Elliott:
Baby, I'm the real thing
So why you got me sweating you consistently, baby
Baby, I got that good thing
So why you're making love to me you crazy baby
I like the way he used to spank me
He used to lie me on my back, take that
He used to have me in the sack, legs back
But now he been buggin' lately
Hey boy why you actin' stinky?
I keep it stiff like wood, baby
So if you wanna keep a good lady
You need to stop with all the heartbreaking

Heartbreaker
You got the best of me
But I just keep on coming back
Incessantly
Oh why did you have to
Run your game on me
I should have known
Right from the start
You'd go and break my heart

Heartbreaker
You got the best of me
But I just keep on coming back
Incessantly
Oh why did you have to
Run your game on me
I should have known
Right from the start
You'd go and break my heart


Written by Mariah Carey, Da Brat, Missy Elliott, Ricardo Emanuel Brown, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Warren Griffin III, Andre Romell Young, Nathaniel Hale.
Produced by DJ Clue, Mariah Carey and Ken “Duro” Ifill.

Vulnerability (Interlude)

Why
Oh why (Oh why)
Did, did (You, you)
I should have known
That you'd (Right from the start)
That you'd
Go and break
Knowing I was (My heart)
Knowing I was
So vulnerable


Written by Mariah Carey.

Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)

How can I just let you walk away
Just let you leave without a trace
When I stand here taking
Every breath with you
You're the only one
Who really knew me at all
How can you just walk away from me
When all I can do is watch you leave
'Cause we've shared the laughter and the pain
And even shared the tears
You're the only one
Who really knew me at all

So take a look at me now
Oh there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Take a look at me now
'Cause there's just an empty space
And you coming back to me is against all odds
And that's what I've got to face

I wish I could just make you turn around
Turn around and see me cry
There's so much I need to say to you
So many reasons why
You're the only one
Who really knew me at all

So take a look at me now
'Cause there's just an empty space
There's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Take a look at me now
Cause there's just an empty space
But to wait for you is
All I can do
And thats what I've got to face
Take a good look at me now
'Cause I'll still be standing here
And you coming back to me is against all odds
Thats the chance I've got to take

Take a look at me now


Written by Phil Collins.
Produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Mariah Carey.

Crybaby

When I think of our untimely end
And everything we could have been
I cry, baby I cry

Ok so it's 5 am and
I still can't sleep
I took some medicine
But it's not working
Someone's clinging to me
And it's bittersweet
'Cause he's head over heels
But it ain't that deep
I finally changed my number
Got a different pager
Then last Saturday
Your cousin called to say you're
Tryin' to reach me
Probably because you see that
I'm with someone new

Late at night like a little child
Wandering around alone in my new friend's home
On my tippy toes
So that he won't know
I still cry baby
Over you and me

Sipping Bailey's Cream
By the stereo
Trying to find relief
On the radio
I'm suppressing the tears
But they start to flow
'Cause the next song I hear
Is a song I wrote
When we first got together
Early that September
I can't bear to listen
So I might as well drift
In the kitchen
Pour another glass or two
And try to forget you

Late at night like a little child
Wandering around alone in my new friend's home
On my tippy toes
So that he won't know
I still cry baby
Over you and me

Snoop Dogg:
Baby hear me when I say
Let that man be on his way
Don't even waste your time
And worry 'bout how he handle things (That ain't right)
Baby hear me when I say
A playa feeling good today (You know you're too fly to be cryin')
Don't even waste your time
Watch how I handle things
Man you's a fool for this
But on the real dog I'm cool with this
We doin' this
D-O double G Z-Y
Kiss the girls and make them cry

Late at night like a little child (It's late… I'm like a little child)
Wandering around alone in my new friend's home
On my tippy toes
So that he won't know
I still cry baby (I'm spiraling over you and me)
Over you and me

Late at night like a little child (Why is it 5AM and I'm still spiraling?)
Wandering around alone in my new friend's home
On my tippy toes
So that he won't know
I still cry baby
Over you and me

I don't get no sleep
I'm up all week
Can't stop thinking of you and me
And everything we used to be
It could have been so perfect
See I cry, I cry, I cry
Oh, I gotta get me some sleep
Baby and I cry, cry, cry, cry

On my tippy toes
So that he won't know
I still cry
Over you and I

Late at night like a little child
Wandering around alone in my new friend's home
On my tippy toes
So that he won't know
I still cry baby
Over you and me

Repeat


Written by Mariah Carey, Howie Hersh, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Trey Lorenz, Timothy Gatlin, Gene Griffin, Aaron Hall III, Teddy Riley.
Produced by Damizza and Mariah Carey.

Did I Do That?

I really hope
When you hear this song
That you're happy
With someone new
I found a love I can call my own
And I owe it in part to you

Don't you know that you seem
Just a little crazy
You had my trust and intimacy
But you threw it away just threw it away
And now it's all in the past
When I think of you I just laugh
My friends must have thought
I was high to have given so much
To someone not worth my time

Funny how sometimes
You can really lose your mind
And do things you would never do
You rhapsodize
And get caught up in the hype
'Till your senses return to you
Love plays you for a fool

You were so insecure
And your crew was so immature
Conversations, painfully weak
You were much better off
When you didn't speak
But boy to tell you the truth
It was my illusion of you
Being somehow destined for me
That had me in a daze
But we're not the same in truth

Funny how sometimes
You can really lose your mind
And do things you would never do
You rhapsodize
And get caught up in the hype
'Till your senses return to you
Love plays you for a fool

I really hope when you hear this song
That you know it was meant for you
Though your attention span's not that long
Try to do the best you can do!


Written by Mariah Carey, Craig B., Tracey Waples, Joseph Smokey Johnson, Wardell Joseph Quezergue.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Master P & Craig B..

Petals

I've often wondered if there's
Ever been a perfect family
I've always longed for undividedness
And sought stability

A flower taught me how to pray
But as I grew, that flower changed
She started failing in the wind
Like golden petals scattering

And I miss you dandelion
And even love you
And I wish there was a way
For me to trust you
But it hurts me every time I try to touch you
But I miss you dandelion
And even love you

I gravitated towards a patriarch
So young predictably
I was resigned to spend my life
With a maze of misery

A boy and a girl befriended me
We're bonded through despondency
I stayed so long but finally
I fled to save my sanity

And I miss you little sis and
Little brother
And I hope you realize
I'll always love you
And although you're struggling
You will recover
And I miss you little sis and
Little brother

So many I considered
Closest to me
Turned on a dime and sold me
Out dutifully
Although that knife was chipping
Away at me
They turned their eyes away and
Went home to sleep…

And I missed a lot of life
But I'll recover
Though I know you really like
To see me suffer
Still I wish that you and I'd
Forgive each other
'Cause I miss you, Valentine
And really loved you

I really loved you -
I tried so hard
But you drove me away
To preserve my sanity -
And I found the strength
To break away
Fly…


Written by Mariah Carey, James Harris III, Terry Lewis, James Wright.
Produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Mariah Carey.

Rainbow (Interlude)

I know there is a rainbow
For me to follow
To get beyond my sorrow
Thunder precedes the sunlight
So I'll be alright
If I can find that
Rainbow's end

I will be alright
If I can find that
Rainbow's end


Written by Mariah Carey, James Harris III, Terry Lewis.
Produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Mariah Carey.

Thank God I Found You

I would give up everything
Before I'd separate
Myself from you
After so much suffering
I finally found unvarnished truth
I was all by myself
For the longest time
So cold inside
And the hurt from the heartache
Would not subside
I felt like dying
Until you saved my life

Thank God I found you
I was lost without you
My every wish and every dream
Somehow became reality
When you brought the sunlight
Completed my whole life
I'm overwhelmed with gratitude
'Cause baby I'm so thankful
I found you

I will give you everything
There's nothing in this world
I wouldn't do
To ensure your happiness
I'll cherish every part of you
'Cause without you beside me
I can't survive
Don't want to try
If you keeping me warm
Each and every night
I'll be alright
Because I need you in my life

Thank God I found you
I was lost without you
My every wish and every dream
Somehow became reality
When you brought the sunlight
Completed my whole life
I'm overwhelmed with gratitude
'Cause baby I'm so thankful
I found you

See I was so desolate
Before you came to me
Looking back I guess
It shows that we were
Destined to shine
After the rain, to appreciate
The gift of what we have
And I'd go through it all over again

Thank God I found you
I was lost without you
My every wish and every dream
Somehow became reality
When you brought the sunlight
Completed my whole life
I'm overwhelmed with gratitude
'Cause baby I'm so thankful
I found you


Written by Mariah Carey, James Harris III, Terry Lewis.
Produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Mariah Carey.