The Rarities

Released on October 2, 2020, the special two-disc album The Rarities includes a compilation of unreleased recordings, B-sides, demos and live recordings from 1990 through 2020. “I dug deep into the vaults to share these fan favorites, rare songs and long-forgotten gems with you,” Mariah writes on the liner notes. “I hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane with me… for the nostalgia!” The Rarities made its debut at number thirty-one on the Billboard 200 album chart.

The Rarities includes the song “Here We Go Around Again,” a track written with Ben Margulies that was included on Mariah's demo tape but didn't make her debut album; “Can You Hear Me,” a collaboration with songwriter and musician Barry Mann recorded in 1991; three songs from the Music Box recording sessions: “Do You Think Of Me,” previously only included as a B-side on Mariah's 1993 “Dreamlover” single; “Everything Fades Away,” released only on international editions of the Music Box album and as a B-side on the “Hero” single; and the previously-unreleased “All I Live For,” written with Walter Afanasieff.

Two songs from Mariah's Daydream era are also included: “One Night,” written with Jermaine Dupri; and “Slipping Away,” previously only released as a B-side on the “Always Be My Baby” single. Two songs from the Glitter sessions are also available on The Rarities: a cover of Irene Cara's “Out Here On My Own,” and the original version of “Loverboy,” with the Yellow Magic Orchestra's “Firecracker” sample.

The Rarities also contains Mariah's version of the song “I Pray,” originally written for Lina Robbins, who appeared on the Oprah show in 2005; “Cool On You,” from the E=MC² recording sessions; and the song “Mesmerized,” written for The Paperboy motion picture soundtrack.

To top it all off, a cover of ”Lullaby Of Birdland,” recorded live during Mariah's 2014 The Elusive Chanteuse Show Tour; the brand new song “Save The Day,” a song Mariah and Jermaine Dupri began working on in the early 2010s; and a new acoustic version of the song “Close My Eyes,” originally included on Mariah's Butterfly album.

The album includes a second disc of never-before-released full length audio from Live at the Tokyo Dome, Mariah's first concert performance in Japan around her 1996 Daydream World Tour.

Tracklist

CD 1 — The Rarities

CD 2 — Live at the Tokyo Dome

Releases

United States

Besides the CD edition of the compilation, a limited 4-LP edition of The Rarities was released exclusively through Mariah's Official Store packaged with Mariah's memoir, The Meaning Of Mariah Carey and re-released in 2023. A limited edition box set was also available, including The Rarities on CD, Mariah's memoir, The Meaning Of Mariah Carey, and a The Rarities T-shirt.

Japan

The Japanese edition of the album includes an additional Blu-ray disc featuring video recording of the concert.

Singles

Lyrics

Here We Go Around Again

I wish I understood why I can't get over you at all
You push me to the side but I come a-running when you call
You step outside my life and and you leave me waiting for a sign
And then you come around
Give me your apologies and I don't mind

Here we go around again
One more time
Will it ever end
Here we go around again
It's all the same
Never gonna change

I'm trying to believe you won't go away again this time
But something deep inside tells me that you're gonna change your mind
Well I'll never pin you down
Makes me wonder why I even try
You say you'll stick around
But somehow I know you'll say goodbye

Here we go around again
One more time
Will it ever end
Here we go around again
It's all the same
Never gonna change
Here we go around again
One more time
Will it ever end
Here we go around again
It's all the same
Never gonna change

First you leave me
Then you keep me
Waiting around till you come back again
Make your mind up
'Cause it's so tough
When I don't know if I'm with or without your love

Here we go around again
One more time
Will it ever end
Here we go around again
It's all the same
Never gonna change

Repeat


Written by Mariah Carey, Ben Margulies.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Ben Margulies.

Can You Hear Me

Sometimes I feel so alone and uncertain
Sometimes I don't feel at all
Searching my soul for a reason for living
Needing you here holding on to me

Sometimes I feel like you don't understand me
You'll never know me at all
Searching your eyes but you don't really see me
Out of my mind as I call

Can you hear me
Can you hear me
Don't let our love fade away
'Cause I need you
I still need you
Don't let it all fade away

Sometimes I try to pretend I'm not hurting
Hide with my face to the wall
Searching my mind for the reasons you're leaving
Dying inside as I call

Can you hear me
Can you hear me
Don't let our love fade away
'Cause I need you
I still need you
Don't let it all fade away

I need to feel you
I long to touch you
I never dreamed we'd end up this way
I'm slowly drowning
My fears surround me
Can't breathe you
Don't fade away

Can you hear me
Can you hear me
Don't let our love fade away
'Cause I need you
I still need you
Don't let it all fade away


Written by Mariah Carey, Barry Mann.
Produced by Mariah Carey.

Do You Think Of Me

I wonder if you think of me
Somewhere in the shadows of your mind
Although our love could never be
I find I think about you all the time
Am I in your fantasies?
The way you always wander into mine
And are you longing endlessly
Just like me deep inside?

When the nights are dark and cold
Do you think of me? Do you think of me?
And when you're lying all alone
Do you think of me? Do you think of me?
When you feel the touch of another love
Do you think of me? Do you think of me?
Am I the one you're dreaming of?
Do you think of me? Do you think of me?

I picture you embracing me
We drift away and leave the world behind
But it's only make-believe
Love can be so unkind

When the nights are dark and cold
Do you think of me? Do you think of me?
And when you're lying all alone
Do you think of me? Do you think of me?
When you feel the touch of another love
Do you think of me? Do you think of me?
Am I the one you're dreaming of?
Do you think of me? Do you think of me?

Tell me baby
'Cause I need you baby
Really love you baby

When the nights are dark and cold
Do you think of me? Do you think of me?
And when you're lying all alone
Do you think of me? Do you think of me?
When you feel the touch of another love
Do you think of me? Do you think of me?
Am I the one you're dreaming of?
Do you think of me? Do you think of me?

Repeat

'Cause I think about you baby
When I'm lying all alone
I think of you
Yes I do


Written by Mariah Carey, Walter Afanasieff, Mark C. Rooney, Mark Morales.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Walter Afanasieff, Mark C. Rooney and Mark Morales.

Everything Fades Away

Baby don't tell me you miss me you love me
Don't whisper gently that you can't forget me tonight
Tonight
'Cause I've heard it all before
Just turn away don't play that game
Baby I don't want to anymore

Let it all fade away
Don't you know that love is gone
It's too late
Everything fades away
Nothing ever stays the same baby

Don't tell me you're sorry you hurt me
How many times can I give in
How many battles can you win
Oh, don't beg for mercy tonight
Tonight
'Cause I can't take anymore
Just turn around don't break me down
Baby I don't love you like before

Let it all fade away
Don't you know that love is gone
It's too late
Everything fades away
Nothing ever stays the same baby

So hard for me to let you go
Don't leave me standing in the cold
Oh baby give it one more chance
I know that we can make it last

Just let me love you one more time
'Cause I don't wanna lose my mind
So hard for me to let you go
So hard for me to let you go

Let it all fade away
Love is gone it's too late
Everything fades away
Nothing ever stays the same
Nothing ever stays the same

Repeat


Written by Mariah Carey, Walter Afanasieff.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff.

All I Live For

You oughta know
I'm just alone
And I would never let you down
There shouldn't be uncertainty
No I would never play around

No baby don't be so insecure
Nobody's gonna steal my heart away
Just trust me
Our loving will endure
If I'm the only one for you boy
And you're the only one for me

Baby you're all I live for
All I have
Till forever
Good or bad
Everything that I adore
Baby you're all I live for

When I'm away
Don't be afraid
Baby you're always on my mind
Though we're apart
You're in my heart
Baby our love keeps me alive

Darling you're everything to me
No other love could ever take your place
There's no need for pain and jealousy
'Cause you're the only thing I treasure
And you're the only thing I need

Baby you're all I live for
All I have
Till forever
Good or bad
Everything that I adore
Baby you're all I live for

And our love will shine
Shine forever more
Time after time Baby I find myself falling
Deeper than before
Baby you're all…

Baby you're all I live for
All I have
Till forever
Good or bad
Everything that I adore
Baby you're all I live for


Written by Mariah Carey, Walter Afanasieff.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff.

One Night

Baby don't you know
That life is sweet
It swiftly goes
So I just gotta know
That it's moe than lust
That you're worth my trust
You gotta search inside yourself
And purely open up to me
Before I'll be with you…
You gotta give me something sacred
More than merely physical
One night's not enough
Gotta be certain
I'm so in love with you…

It's just another Saturday evening
He's watching all the girls go by
He finds your body kind of appealing
So he hits you with his favorite lie
He's looking you over
He whispers “let's get to know each other better baby”
He's moving in closer
But what you see may not be the entirety
So be wary

He's just out for the one night
He just wants you till he gets his way now baby baby
So don't gamble with your life
It don't pay

You see her standing there on the corner
Sashaying as the cars go by
You casually look over your shoulder
As she winks at you and bats her eyes
You're thinking about it
Your conscience tells you to go
But something's in the way now
The prospect's arousing
You think just this once can't hurt them
But you might have another thing coming

He's just out for the good time
Baby, so later you'll forget her name yeah yeah
So don't gamble with no life
It don't pay

He's just out for the one night
But it's more than just a little game now, baby, baby
So don't gamble with your life
It don't pay


Written by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Jermaine Dupri.

Slipping Away

So far, so far
You're slipping away away
You're slipping away from the life and the love we made
Baby I'm so afraid
So far so far
You're slipping away away
You're slipping right out of my grasp
When you're fading fast it seems
You know you're slipping away from me

I keep on reaching and I
I keep on trying
But you never even hold me
And it seems like you don't know me baby
I keep on yearning and I
I guess I'm learning
That it's just a losing fight
'Cause there's no passion in your eyes

So far, so far
You're slipping away away
You're slipping away from the life and the love we made
Baby I'm so afraid
So far, so far
You're slipping away away
You're slipping right out of my grasp
When you're fading fast it seems
You know you're slipping away from me

I keep denying that our
Our love is dying
But it's all a big charade
And it's a fruitless game to play
I can't remember when you
You last were tender
And it's always touch and go
The silence chills me to the bone

So far, so far
You're slipping away away
You're slipping away from the life and the love we made
Baby I'm so afraid
So far, so far
You're slipping away away
You're slipping right out of my grasp
When you're fading fast it seems
You know you're slipping away from me

You're so far…
Time after time I reach for you
Try and I try but you're so aloof
Where is the boy that you used to be?
Baby, you're slipping away from me
You're so far…
Time after time I reach for you
Try and I try but you're so aloof
Where is the boy that you used to be?
Baby, you're slipping away from me
You're so far…

So far, so far
You're slipping away away
You're slipping away from what we had
Tell you I just don't understand
So far, so far
You're slipping away away
You're slipping right out of my grasp
When you're fading so fast it seems
You know you're slipping away from me

Time after time I reach for you
Try and I try but you're so aloof
Where is the boy that you used to be?
Baby, you're slipping away from me
Time after time I reach for you
Try and I try but you're so aloof
Where is the boy that you used to be?
Baby, you're slipping away from me

Repeat


Written by Mariah Carey, Dave “Jam” Hall.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Dave “Jam” Hall.

Out Here On My Own

Sometimes I wonder where I've been
Who I am
Do I fit in?
Make believing is hard alone
Out here on my own

We're always proving who we are
Always reaching for that rising star
To guide me far
And shine me home
Out here on my own

When I'm down and feeling blue
I close my eyes so I can be with you
Oh baby be strong for me
Baby, belong to me
Help me through
Help me need you

Until the morning sun appears
Making light of all my fears
I dry the tears
I've never shown
Out here on my own

But when I'm down and feeling blue
I close my eyes so I can be with you
Oh baby be strong for me
Baby, belong to me
Help me through
Help me need you

Sometimes I wonder
Where I've been
Who I am
Do I fit in?
I may not win
But I can't be thrown
Out here on my own

Out here on my own


Written by Lesley Gore, Michael Gore.
Produced by Mariah Carey.

Loverboy (Firecracker - Original Version)

I want him I want him I want him I want him
I need him I need him I need him I need him
I love him I love him I love him I love him

I got myself a lover
Who knows what I like
When he invites me over
I come every time
And when my sugar daddy
Takes me for a ride
Whatever way we go
It's delirium time

He's all mine
And his lovin' gets me high
Like a taste of ecstasy
All I need is him to be my loverboy

Loverboy come on and love me
Give me more, touch me and touch me
I enjoy the way you rock me
All night long

Loverboy come on and take me
Only you know how to make me
Shudder with anticipation
All night long

I got myself a lover
And he's so sublime
It's quite a bit of heaven
To feel him inside
'Cause when my sugar daddy
Takes me for a ride
Whatever way we go
It's delirium time

I get weak
When his candy kisses sweetly
Caress my whole body
All I need is him to be my loverboy

Loverboy come on and love me
Give me more, touch me and touch me
I enjoy the way you rock me
All night long

Loverboy come on and take me
Only you know how to make me
Shudder with anticipation
All night long

Repeat


Written by Mariah Carey, Martin Denny.
Produced by Mariah Carey. Co-produced by Clark Kent.

I Pray

Lord I pray
That in my lifetime there will come a day
When the world will wake up with unclouded eyes and
There'll be no more need to cry
Won't you bring that dream to life

Oh Lord I pray
Deliver us from bigotry and hate
Please give shelter to the wayward children
Comfort them and keep them safe

Oh Lord I pray
For a world where no weapons one day
Please give wisdom to the ones who lead us
Jesus help them find their way

I'm praying that the love you shower down on us
Will lift us up and we will live as one
I know there'll come a day
I know you'll make a way
Please listen as I pray

Lord I pray
That in my lifetime there will come a day
When the world will wake up with unclouded eyes and
There'll be no more need to cry
Wont you bring that dream to life

Lord I pray
That in my lifetime there will come a time
When we all can open up our hearts and minds
And see we're all the same inside
Won't you bring that dream to life
Won't you bring that dream to life?


Written by Mariah Carey, Kenneth Crouch.
Produced by Mariah Carey. Co-produced by Kenneth Crouch.

Cool On You

Do the coat
Kick rocks
Eat dirt

Oh oh oh I can't believe what I see
I said hey hey hey
I knew you'd crawl back to me
Oh I, I, I
Ain't got no time for you, B
I'm chillin'
Gettin' my drink on
'Cause

I'm cool on you
I'm too through
Used to have my loving
But now you ain't got nothing
I'm cool on you
You're in my rear view
Used to have my best but
Now all that shit is dead
'Cause
I'm cool on you
And ain't no coming back from that
(Do the coat)
And ain't no coming back from that
(Kick rocks)
And ain't no coming back from that
(Eat dirt)
And ain't no coming back from that

No no no
You can't say nothing to me
So just go go go
You ain't no damn VIP
No, I, I, I,
Don't need no bad energy
Hey DJ, play me that Jim Jones
'Cause

I'm cool on you
I'm too through
Used to have my loving
But now you ain't got nothing
I'm cool on you
You're in my rear view
Used to have my best but
Now all that shit is dead
'Cause
I'm cool on you
And ain't no coming back from that
(Do the coat)
And ain't no coming back from that
(Kick rocks)
And ain't no coming back from that
(Eat dirt)
And ain't no coming back from that

Repeat


Written by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal, Jr., Johnta Austin.
Produced by Mariah Carey. Co-produced by Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal, Jr.

Mesmerized

I'm testing the microphone
'Cause them regular folk wen home
I need ya

Touching you in dreams of blue
In a mesmerizing interlude
Half asleep
Semi conscious
But I know this feeling ain't gonn' pass

The moments that we share seem so very real
Undeniably so
Tough guy exterior
But ooh I got a glimpse
You're falling in love
And you'll never be
(The same again)
Mesmerized

Just say…
Tell me that you want it you want it you want it you want it
Just say…
Tell me that you want it you want it you want it you want it

Touching you in dreams of blue
In a mesmerizing interlude
Half asleep
Semi conscious
But I know this feeling ain't gonn' pass

The moments that we share seem so very real
Undeniably so
Tough guy exterior
But ooh I got a glimpse
You're falling in love
And you'll never be
(The same again)
Mesmerized

Just say…
Tell me that you want it you want it you want it you want it
Just say…
Tell me that you want it you want it you want it you want it

Baby baby baby
I'm here waiting for your call
Just thinking of you
I keep holding on
Baby, I'm mesmerized

Just say…
Tell me that you want it you want it you want it you want it
Just say…
Tell me that you want it you want it you want it you want it

Repeat


Written by Mariah Carey, Loris Holland.
Produced by Mariah Carey. Co-produced by Loris Holland and Randy Jackson.

Lullaby Of Birdland

Lullaby of birdland, that's what I
Always hear when you sigh
Never in my wordland
Could there by words to reveal
In a phrase how I feel
Have you ever heard two turtle doves
Bill and coo when they love?
That's the kind of magic
Music we make with our lips when we kiss
And there's a weepy old willow
He really knows how to cry
That's how I'd cry on my pillow
If you should say farewell and goodbye
Lullaby of birdland whisper low
Kiss me sweet then we'll go
Flyin' high in birdland
High in the sky up above
All because we're in love
And there's a weepy old willow
He really knows how to cry
That's how I'd cry on my pillow
If you should say farewell and goodbye
Lullaby of birdland whisper low
Kiss me sweet then we'll go
Flyin' high in birdland
High in the sky up above
All because we're in love

Repeat


Written by George Shearing, George David Weiss.
Produced by Mariah Carey.

Save The Day

We're all in this together
You're my only hope
And it's too divided
Too deep to understand
But if we don't do it
Tell me who will

Always saying these words
That don't mean too much
I wonder where is the love
It's curious
The fear still holding us down
One day, will we look up?

You got a right to your own opinion
But when it comes to the world we live in
Isn't it time that we start rebuilding
All of the things that have basically crumbled
We all tend to forget that
We all cease to exist if
We all live for ourselves
If nobody bothers to find a solution

If he won't
And she won't
And they won't
Then we won't
We won't ever learn to save the day
If he won't
And she won't
And they won't
Then we won't
We won't ever learn to save the day

We're all in this together
You're my only hope
And it's too divided
Too deep to understand
But if we don't do it
Tell me who will

Always saying these words
That don't mean too much
I wonder where is the love
It's curious
The fear still holding us down
One day, will we look up?
It's up to us!

If he won't
And she won't
And they won't
Then we won't
We won't ever learn to save the day
If he won't
And she won't
And they won't
Then we won't
We won't ever learn to save the day

Repeat


Written by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, James “Big Jim” Wright, Charles Fox, Norman Gimbel.
Produced by Mariah Carey. Co-produced by Jermaine Dupri.

Close My Eyes

I was a wayward child
With the weight of the world
That I held deep inside
Life was a winding road
And I learned many things
Little ones shouldn't know

But I closed my eyes
Steadied my feet on the ground
Raised my head to the sky
And though time's rolled by
Still I feel like that child
As I look at the moon
Maybe I grew up
A little too soon

Funny how one can learn
To grow numb to the madness
And block it away
I left the worst unsaid
Let it all dissipate
And I try to forget

As I closed my eyes
Steadied my feet on the ground
Raised my head to the sky
And the time rolled by
Still I feel like a child
As I look at the moon
Maybe I grew up
A little too soon

Nearing the edge
Oblivious I almost
Fell right over
A part of me
Will never be quite able
To feel stable
That woman-child falling inside
Was on the verge of fading
Thankfully I
Woke up in time

Guardian angel I
Sail away on an ocean
With you by my side
Orange clouds roll by
They burn into your image
And you're still alive
(You're always alive)

As I close my eyes
Steady my feet on the ground
Raise my head to the sky
And though time rolls by
Still I feel like a child
As I look at the moon
Maybe I grew up
A little too soon


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