The Ballads

The Ballads was released in the United States by Sony Music's Legacy Recordings division on January 20, 2009, and debuted at number ten on the Billboard 200 chart after selling over 28,000 copies. The compilation includes seventeen ballads recorded during Mariah's years on Sony Music as well as “Reflections (Care Enough),” from the Glitter movie soundtrack. “People define a ‘ballad’ in their own way. I think some people think about it has to be very slow, it has to have like an orchestra. I don't think that that's the only way to make a song into a ballad,” Mariah explained. “Sometimes my ballads, my biggest, most successful ballads will have a tempo as well. I mean, even a song like ‘Vision Of Love’ was not really your typical ballad. So it's hard for me to say what it is that makes a ballad, a ballad because I kind of run the gamut in my songwriting from the slow, very just-piano vocal, background vocals to songs with tempo. So for me it's about the song and what it'd make you feel.”

Tracklist

United States

Europe

Japan

Releases

United States

Europe

In Europe, The Ballads was released in October 2008 with a slightly different tracklist and re-released in the United Kingdom under the title LoveSongs on February 8, 2010.

Lyrics

Hero

There's a hero
If you look inside your heart
You don't have to be afraid
Of what you are There's an answer
If you reach into your soul
And the sorrow that you know
Will melt away

And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

It's a long road
When you face the world alone
No one reaches out a hand
For you to hold
You can find love
If you search within yourself
And the emptiness you felt
Will disappear

And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you

Lord knows
Dreams are hard to follow
But don't let anyone
Tear them away
Hold on
There will be tomorrow
In time
You'll find the way

And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you


Lyrics: Mariah Carey. Music: Mariah Carey, Walter Afanasieff.
Produced by Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey.

One Sweet Day

Sorry I never told you
All I wanted to say
And now it's too late to hold you
'Cause you've flown away
So far away

Never had I imagined
Living without your smile
Feeling and knowing you hear me
It keeps me alive
Alive

And I know you're shining down on me from heaven
Like so many friends we've lost along the way
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day

Darling I never showed you
Assumed you'd always be there
I took your presence for granted
But I always cared
And I miss the love we shared

And I know you're shining down on me from heaven
Like so many friends we've lost along the way
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day

Although the sun will never shine the same
I'll always look to a brighter day
Lord I know when I lay me down to sleep
You will always listen as I pray

And I know you're shining down on me from heaven
Like so many friends we've lost along the way
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day

And I know you're shining down on me from heaven
Like so many friends we've lost along the way
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day

Sorry I never told you
All I wanted to say


Lyrics: Mariah Carey, Michael McCary, Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman. Music: Mariah Carey, Walter Afanasieff.
Produced by Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey.

Vision Of Love

Treated me kind
Sweet destiny
Carried me through desperation
To the one that was waiting for me
It took so long
Still I believed
Somehow the one that I needed
Would find me eventually

I had a vision of love
And it was all that you've given to me

Prayed through the nights
Felt so alone
Suffered from alienation
Carried the weight on my own
Had to be strong
So I believed
And now I know I've succeeded
In finding the place I conceived

I had a vision of love
And it was all that you've given to me
I had a vision of love
And it was all that you've given me

I've realized a dream
And I visualized
The love that came to be
Feel so alive
I'm so thankful that I've received
The answer that heaven has sent down to me

You treated me kind
Sweet destiny
And I'll be eternally grateful
Holding you so close to me
Prayed through the nights
So faithfully
Knowing the one that I needed
Would find me eventually

I had a vision of love
And it was all that you've given to me
I had a vision of love
And it was all that you turned out to be


Written by Mariah Carey, Ben Margulies.
Produced by Rhett Lawrence. Additional production: Narada Michael Walden.

Without You

No I can't forget this evening
Or your face as you were leaving
But I guess that's just the way
The story goes
You always smile but in your eyes
Your sorrow shows
Yes it shows
No I can't forget tomorrow
When I think of all my sorrow
When I had you there
But then I let you go
And now it's only fair
That I should let you know
What you should know

I can't live
If living is without you
I can't live
I can't give anymore
I can't live
If living is without you
I can't live
I can't give anymore

Well I can't forget this evening
Or your face as you were leaving
But I guess that's just the way
The story goes
You always smile but in your eyes
Your sorrow shows
Yes it shows

I can't live
If living is without you
I can't live
I can't give anymore
I can't live
If living is without you
I can't give
I can't give anymore


Written by William Peter Ham, Tom Evans.
Produced by Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey.

Can't Let Go

There you are holding her hand
I am lost
Dying to understand
Didn't I cherish you right
Don't you know you were my life

Even though I try I can't let go
Something in your eyes
Captured my soul
And every night I see you in my dreams
You're all I know
I can't let go

Just cast aside
You don't even know I'm alive
You just walk on by
Don't care to see me cry
And here I am
Still holding on
I can't accept
My world is gone

Even though I try I can't let go
Something in your eyes
Captured my soul
And every night I see you in my dreams
You're all I know
I can't let go

Do you even realize the sorrow I have inside
Everyday of my life
Do you know the way it feels
When all you have just dies
I try and try to deny that I need you
But still you remain on my mind

No I just can't get you out of my mind
I never can say goodbye
'Cause every night
I see you in my dreams
You're all I know
I can't let you go
Even though I try
I can't let go of something I need so badly
You're all I know
I can't let go


Lyrics: Mariah Carey. Music: Mariah Carey, Walter Afanasieff.
Produced by Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey.

Love Takes Time

I had it all
But I let it slip away
Couldn't see that I treated you wrong
Now I wander around
Feeling down and cold
Trying to believe that you're gone

Love takes time
To heal when you're hurting so much
Couldn't see that I was blind
To let you go
I can't escape the pain
Inside
Love takes time
I don't want to be here alone

Losing my mind
From this hollow in my heart
Suddenly I'm so incomplete
Lord I'm needing you now
Tell me how to stop the rain
Tears are falling down endlessly

Love takes time
To heal when you're hurting so much
Couldn't see that I was blind
To let you go
I can't escape the pain
Inside
Love takes time
I don't want to be here alone

You might say that it's over
You might say that you don't care
You might say you don't miss me
You don't need me
But I know that you do and I feel that you do
Inside

Love takes time
To heal when you're hurting so much
Couldn't see that I was blind
To let you go
I can't escape the pain
Inside
Love takes time
I don't want to be here alone


Written by Mariah Carey, Ben Margulies.
Produced by Walter Afanasieff.

I'll Be There

You and I must make a pact
We must bring salvation back
Where there is love
I'll be there

I'll reach out my hand to you
I'll have faith in all you do
Just call my name
And I'll be there

I'll be there to comfort you
I'll build my world of dreams around you
I'm so glad I found you

I'll be there with a love so strong I'll be your strength
You know I'll keep holding on

Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter
Togetherness well it's all I'm after
Just call my name
And I'll be there

I'll be there to protect you
With an unselfish love that respects you
Just call my name
And I'll be there

I'll be there to comfort you
Build my world of dreams around you
You know I'm so glad I found you

I'll be there with a love so strong
I'll be your strength
You know I'll keep holding on

If you should ever find someone new
I know she'd better be good to you
'Cause if she doesn't
Then I'll be there

Don't you know baby, yeah, yeah
I'll be there
I'll be there
Just call my name
And I'll be there

I'll be there baby
You know I'll be there
Just call my name
And I'll be there

Just look over your shoulder
Just call my name
And I'll be there


Written by Hal Davis, Berry Gordy, Willie Hutch, Bob West.
Produced by Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey.

Thank God I Found You (Make It Last Remix)

Nas:
Let's show the world you my golden girl
When we shoppin'
They see us on the streets they say 'Son scooped a hot one'
You taste like banana cake
You shaped like the number eight
And you my number one candidate
I can't lose you, it's like I'm bettin' in Vegas, crucial
Sweatin' knowin' these players is wantin' you, boo
I get the chills when you in my sight
Feels like it's meant to be right
I feel a rush when I kiss you at night

Joe:
Shorty knows she my baby girl and
Player haters try hard to get her
But she'll be lounging in my cradle tonight
Typically, a thug wouldn't say this
But you see your love has got me faded
No girl ever made me feel like you do

Mariah:
I'ma be here night after night to
Feel your lovin' arms around me, baby
Baby, baby, baby
You make it all right
No one but you, baby, baby
Can make me feel
The way you make me, make me, make me feel

Nas / Mariah / Joe:
We make it last, make it last
We make it last, make it last (Make it last)
We make it last, make it last
We make it last, make it last (Don't let our love end)
We make it last, make it last (Don't you let it end)
We make it last, make it last (Make it last forever and ever)
We make it last, make it last (Thank God I found you)
We make it last, make it last

Joe / Mariah:
Your touch is wonderful, so wonderful
Your love is so marvelous
Joy, that's what I feel
When I'm with you
Nothing, no one (No one, boy)
Could compare to what we have (Oh, no, baby)
Love, it feels so good
I'm so glad you're mine

Nas / Mariah / Joe:
We make it last, make it last
We make it last, make it last (Make it last forever)
We make it last, make it last
We make it last, make it last (Don't let our love end)
We make it last, make it last
We make it last, make it last (Make it last forever and ever)
We make it last, make it last (Thank God I found you)
We make it last, make it last

Nas:
What, a thug's dream wife, jeans tight, beautiful skin
Matchin' brown Timbs, hot as jalapeños
She knows how to hide the ninos
The black Rudolph Valentino
In beef I become the black Al Pacino
Relax sweetie, in Benz you could watch the TV
Or lay back and pump Mariah's hot CD
And I'm a touch you in the wrong places
Or we could walk through the park
Above in all faces, I'm lost in your love
Thank God I found you, you my crown jewel
I'm sayin', boo, the type I'd give my last name to
At Lovers Lane put the top up
when it start to rain in the parkin' lot
Then we finish doin' our thing
Fog the windows, gettin' very sentimental
Sippin' cosmos with the cherry in the middle
I keep it honest, word is real, that's my promise
Signin' off, truly yours, Nastradamus

Nas / Mariah / Joe:
We make it last, make it last (Don't you let it end)
We make it last, make it last (Make it last)
We make it last, make it last
We make it last, make it last (See I was so lost without your love)
We make it last, make it last (I was lost without you)
We make it last, make it last (My every wish and dream)
We make it last, make it last (Became reality)
We make it last, make it last
We make it last, make it last
We make it last, make it last (I'm overwhelmed with gratitude)
We make it last, make it last
We make it last, make it last
We make it last, make it last (My baby, I'm so thankful)
We make it last, make it last

Thank God I found you
I was so lost without you
My every wish and every dream
Somehow became reality
You brought the sunshine
Completed my whole life
Make it last forever baby
Thank God I found you…


Written by Mariah Carey, James Harris III, Terry Lewis, Teddy Riley, Keith Sweat.
Produced by Clue and Duro and Mariah Carey.

Endless Love

My love, there's only you in my life
The only thing that's right
My first love, you're every breath that I take
You're every step I make

And I
I want to share all my love with you
No one else will do
And your eyes
They tell me how much you care
Oh, yes, you will always be my endless love

Two hearts, two hearts that beat as one
Our lives have just begun
Forever
I'll hold you close in my arms
I can't resist your charms
And love
I'll be a fool for you
I'm sure you know I don't mind
'Cuz baby you, you mean the world to me
Oh I know I found in you my endless love

Oh and love, I'll be that fool for you
I'm sure
That you know I don't mind
And yes, you'll be the only one
'Cuz no one can deny
This love I have inside
And I'll give it all to you
My love, my endless love


Written by Lionel Richie.
Produced by Walter Afanasieff.

I Still Believe

You look in my eyes
And I get emotional inside
I know it's crazy
But you still can touch my heart
And after all this time
You'd think that I
I wouldn't feel the same
But time melts into nothing
And nothing's changed

I still believe, someday you and me
Will find ourselves in love again
I had a dream, someday you and me
Will find ourselves in love again

Each day of my life
I'm filled with all the joy I could find
You know that I am not the desperate type
If there's one spark of hope left in my grasp
I'll hold it with both hands
It's worth the risk of burning to have a second chance

No, no, no, no, no, no I need you baby
I still believe that we can be together
If we believe that true love never has to end
Then we must know that we will love again

I still believe, someday you and me
Will find ourselves in love again
I had a dream, someday you and me
Will find ourselves in love again


Written by A. Armato, V. Canterlli.
Produced by Steven “Stevie J.” Jordan, Mike Mason and Mariah Carey.

My All

I am thinking of you
In my sleepless solitude tonight
If it's wrong to love you
Then my heart just won't let me be right
'Cause I've drowned in you
And I won't pull through
Without you by my side

I'd give my all to have
Just one more night with you
I'd risk my life to feel
Your body next to mine
'Cause I can't go on
Living in the memory of our song
I'd give my all for your love tonight

Baby can you feel me
Imagining I'm looking in your eyes
I can see you clearly
Vividly emblazoned in my mind
And yet you're so far
Like a distant star
I'm wishing on tonight

I'd give my all to have
Just one more night with you
I'd risk my life to feel
Your body next to mine
'Cause I can't go on
Living in the memory of our song
I'd give my all for your love tonight

I'd give my all to have
Just one more night with you
I'd risk my life to feel
Your body next to mine
'Cause I can't go on
Living in the memory of our song
I'd give my all for your love tonight
Give my all for your love
Tonight


Lyrics: M. Carey. Music: M. Carey, W. Afanasieff.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Walter Afanasieff.

The Roof

It wasn't raining yet
But it was definitely a little misty on
That warm November night
And my heart was pounding
My inner voice resounding
Begging me to turn away
But I just had to see your face
To feel alive
And then you casually walked in the room
And I was twisted in the web
Of my desire for you
(And I was twisted)
My apprehension blew away
I only wanted you
To taste my sadness
As you kissed me in the dark

Every time I feel the need
I envision you caressing me
And go back in time
To relive the splendor of you and I
On the rooftop that rainy night

And so we finished the Moët and
I started feeling liberated
And I surrendered as you took me in your arms
I was so caught up in the moment
I couldn't bear to let you go yet
So I threw caution to the wind
And started listening to my longing heart
And then you softly pressed your lips to mine
And feelings surfaced I'd suppressed
For such a long time
(And I was lifted)
And for a while I forgot
The sorrow and the pain
And melted with you as we stood
There in the rain

Every time I feel the need
I envision you caressing me
And go back in time
To relive the splendor of you and I
On the rooftop that rainy night
Every time I feel the need
I envision you caressing me
And go back in time
To relive the splendor of you and I
On the rooftop that rainy night

Last night I dreamed that I
Whispered the words I love you
And touched you so very
Subtly as we were kissing goodbye
(Pretty baby - How I'm missing you)

Every time I feel the need
I envision you caressing me
(Envision you caressing me)
And go back in time
(I go back)
To relive the splendor of you and I
On the rooftop that rainy night
(On the roof that rainy night)

Every time I feel the need
(When I feel the need) I envision you caressing me
(I envision you over and over and over again)
And go back in time
To relive the splendor of you and I
(It was oh so sweet you and I)
On the rooftop that rainy night
(On that rainy night)

Every time I feel the need
(Last night I had the strangest dream…)
I envision you caressing me
(It was actually quite symbolic)
And go back in time
(As I whispered… That I loved you)
To relive the splendor of you and I
(…very subtly)

Every time I feel the need
I envision you caressing me
And go back in time
To relive the splendor of you and I
On the rooftop that rainy night


Lyrics: M. Carey. Music: M. Carey, J.C. Olivier, S. Barnes, C. Rooney, A. Johnson, K. Muchita.
Produced by Poke and Tone, Mariah Carey.

When You Believe

Many nights we've prayed
With no proof anyone could hear
In our hearts a hopeful song
We barely understood
Now we are not afraid
Although we know there's much to fear
We were moving mountains
Long before we knew we could

There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will
You will when you believe

In this time of fear
When prayer so often proves in vain
Hope seemed like the summer birds
Too swiftly flown away
Yet now I'm standing here
My heart's so full, I can't explain
Seeking faith and speaking words
I never thought I'd say

There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will
You will when you believe

So in times when all your hope is gone
And you go through life afraid
In your heart there lies a hopeful song
That is there to guide the way
And all the hurt and all the pain
You soon will learn was not in vain
For all your prayers, they will be heard
They'll come to pass through faith

There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It's hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe
Somehow you will (Now you will)
You will when you believe


Written by Stephen Schwartz, Babyface.
Produced by Babyface.

Anytime You Need A Friend

If you're lonely
And need a friend
And troubles seem like
They never end
Just remember to keep the faith
And love will be there to light the way

Anytime you need a friend
I will be here
You'll never be alone again
So don't you fear
Even if you're miles away
I'm by your side
So don't you ever be lonely
Love will make it alright

When the shadows are closing in
And your spirit diminishing
Just remember you're not alone
And love will be there
To guide you home

Anytime you need a friend
I will be here
You'll never be alone again
So don't you fear
Even if you're miles away
I'm by your side
So don't you ever be lonely
Love will make it alright

If you just believe in me
I will love you endlessly
Take my hand
Take me into your heart
I'll be there forever baby
I won't let go
I'll never let go

Anytime you need a friend
I will be here
You'll never be alone again
So don't you fear
Even if you're miles away
I'm by your side
So don't you ever be lonely
It's alright
It's alright


Lyrics: Mariah Carey. Music: Mariah Carey, Walter Afanasieff.
Produced by Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey.

Always Be My Baby

We were as one
For a moment in time
And it seemed everlasting
That you would always be mine
Now you want to be free
So I'll let you fly
'Cause I know in my heart
Our love will never die

You'll always be a part of me
I'm part of you indefinitely
Boy don't you know you can't escape me
Ooh darling 'cause you'll always be my baby
And we'll linger on
Time can't erase a feeling this strong
No way you're ever gonna shake me
Oh darling, 'cause you'll always be my baby

I ain't gonna cry
And I won't beg you to stay
If you're determined to leave boy
I will not stand in your way
But inevitably, you'll be back again
'Cause you know in your heart babe
Our love will never end

You'll always be a part of me
I'm part of you indefinitely
Boy don't you know you can't escape me
Ooh darling 'cause you'll always be my baby
And we'll linger on
Time can't erase a feeling this strong
No way you're ever gonna shake me
Oh darling, 'cause you'll always be my baby

I know that you'll be back boy
When your days and your nights get a little bit colder
I know that you'll be right back baby
Oh baby believe me it's only a matter of time

You'll always be a part of me
I'm part of you indefinitely
Boy don't you know you can't escape me
Ooh darling 'cause you'll always be my baby
And we'll linger on
Time can't erase a feeling this strong
No way you're ever gonna shake me
Oh darling, 'cause you'll always be my baby


Lyrics: Mariah Carey. Music: Jermaine Dupri, Mariah Carey, Manuel Seal.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Jermaine Dupri. Co-produced by Manuel Seal.

Dreamlover

I need a lover to give me
The kind of love
That will last always
I need somebody uplifting
To take me away

I want a lover who knows me
Who understands how I feel inside
Someone to comfort and hold me
Through the long lonely nights
Till the dawn
Why don't you take me away

Dreamlover come rescue me
Take me up take me down
Take me anywhere you want to baby now
I need you so desperately
Won't you please come around
'Cause I wanna share forever with you baby

I don't want another pretender
To disillusion me one more time
Whispering words of forever
Playing with my mind

I need someone to hold on to
The kind of love that won't fly away
I just want someone to belong to
Everyday
Of my live
Always
So come and take me away

Dreamlover come rescue me
Take me up take me down
Take me anywhere you want to baby now
I need you so desperately
Won't you please come around
'Cause I wanna share forever with you baby


Lyrics: Mariah Carey. Music: Mariah Carey, Dave Hall.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Dave Hall and Walter Afanasieff.

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.

Reflections (Care Enough)

Reflections of your love
Have come to wither
I thought I'd done my best to memorize
A picture fades of you and I together
I haven't come to terms
With how we said goodbye

Did you really care
Care for me at all
Did you really care
Did you care for me at all

A displaced little girl
Wept years in silence
And whispered wishes you'd materialize
She pressed on night and day
To keep on living
And tried to many ways
To keep her soul alive

Did you really care
Care enough for me
Did you really care
Did you care at all for me

If I'm not quite good enough
Or somehow undeserving of
A mother's love
You could have had the decency
To give me up
Before you gave me life

Don't you even care
Just the slightest bit for me
Cause I really need to feel you cared
Even once upon a time for me
I need to believe, in my heart of hearts, you care for me
I need to understand
Why you left me there so helplessly

Don't you even care
Care at all for me

Reflections of your love
Have come to wither
I thought I'd done my best to memorize


Written by Mariah Carey, Philippe Pierre.
Produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and Mariah Carey.