Originally recorded by rock band Journey in 1981, Mariah included a cover of “Open Arms” on her Daydream album. “I've always loved Steve Perry's voice, I think he's really an amazing singer,” Mariah said about the song. “I have a lot of good memories of growing up listening to that song and I always used to sing it and think that it would be a great singer song, kind of a great performance song.”
“Open Arms” was released as a single in Europe in February 1996, peaking at number four on the United Kingdom's Official Singles Chart. In Australia, the song was released in June 1996, peaking at number twenty-seven on the official ARIA charts.
Mariah recorded a Spanish version of the song, titled “El Amor Que Soñé” (“The Love I Dreamt Of”), that was included on Spanish and Latin American re-editions of Daydream. “El Amor Que Soñé” saw a digital release as part of the Mariah En Español EP, on September 4, 2020.
| Song | Remix | Run time |
|---|---|---|
| El Amor Que Soñé | Spanish Version |
3:28 |
Mariah Carey's performance of “Open Arms” from the 1995 TV special Fantasy: Mariah Carey at Madison Square Garden was used as the song's music video.
Mariah recorded the music video for the Spanish version of “Open Arms” during the taping of her 1995 TV special at Madison Square Garden. The video shows Mariah singing along to the Spanish version of the song in front of a live audience.
The European “Open Arms” single, including the live version of “Vision Of Love” from Mariah's Madison Square Garden concert, was released on CD. The Maxi Single, available on both CD and 12" Vinyl, also includes Mariah's live performances of “Fantasy” and “Make It Happen.”
“Open Arms” was commercially released in the United Kingdom on February 5, 1996. CD 1 includes three bonus tracks: “I Am Free” and the live versions of “Fantasy” and “Vision Of Love” from Fantasy: Mariah Carey At Madison Square Garden. CD2 is a collection of ballads featuring “Hero,” “Without You” and the live version of “I'll Be There” from MTV Unplugged. The “Open Arms” Cassette Single includes “I Am Free” as the B-side.
Australia saw the release of two “Open Arms” Maxi Singles, both on CD and Cassette. Maxi Single one includes “Open Arms,” “I Am Free” and the live versions of “Fantasy” and “Vision Of Love.” Maxi Single two includes the previously-unreleased “Slipping Away” and “El Amor Que Soñé” — the Spanish Version of “Open Arms.”
Lying beside you, here in the dark
Feeling your heart beat with mine
Softly you whisper, you're so sincere
How could our love be so blind
We sailed on together
We drifted apart
And here you are by my side
So now I come to you, with open arms
Nothing to hide, believe what I say
So here I am, with open arms
Hoping you'll see what your love means to me
Open arms…
Living without you, living alone
This empty house seems so cold
Wanting to hold you, wanting you near
How much I wanted you home
But now that you've come back
Turned night into day
I need you to stay
So now I come to you, with open arms
Nothing to hide, believe what I say
So here I am, with open arms
Hoping you'll see what your love means to me…
Open arms
Lyrics and music: S. Perry, J. Cain.
Produced by Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey.
Solo dos cuerpos, jugando a amar
Juntos en la oscuridad
Fuimos queriendo, cada vez más
Nada podía cambiar
El paso del tiempo
Nos quiso alejar
Y nuestro amor pudo más
Y ahora estoy frente a ti, amándote
Mi corazón no puede esconder
Que yo sin ti no sé querer
Vuelvo a vivir a tu lado el amor
Que soñé…
Sola en mi cuarto, sin tu calor
Fui conociendo el temor
Te quise tanto, mi alma te di
Hoy que regresas a mí
Se llena el vacío
Se apaga el dolor
Hoy tengo tu amor
Y ahora estoy frente a ti, amándote
Mi corazón no puede esconder
Que yo sin ti no sé querer
Vuelvo a vivir a tu lado el amor que soñé
Que soñé…
Lyrics and music: S. Perry, J. Cain.
Spanish adaptation: Manny Benito.
Produced by Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey.
