Mariah collaborated with Jermaine Dupri on a cover of “Sweetheart,” originally recorded by Rainy Davis. The song was included on Jermaine's Life In 1472 album, released on July 24, 1998, and was sent to radios as both the lead single from Mariah's #1's compilation and the second single from Jermaine's album on September 7, 1998. “I was like, ‘Jermaine, let's just do a remake.’ ” Mariah told VIBE in 1998. “I was thinking of the old songs I used to listen to when I was in school. It's a really cute record. Young girls'll like it the way I liked it when I was growing up.”
With an originally planned release date of September 29, 1998, which was later pushed back to October 6, “Sweetheart” was never commercially released in the US. The song did get a very limited international release in Europe and Japan.
The Story remix, co-produced by Jermaine Dupri and Carl-So-Lowe, features new Mariah vocals and reimagines the song as a Hip-Hop track with Mariah in charge of the hook. Lil Jon was in charge of an urban remix of the song, while Eddie “Love” Arroyo produced The Dance. Mark Picchiotti was commissioned for additional dance remixes of “Sweetheart,” but only the M!'s Pounding Vocal was released as a bonus track on the “When You Believe” CD single. The rest of the Picchiotti mixes weren't released until September 4, 2020, when a digital EP was made available for streaming.
| Song | Remix | Run time |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetheart | Instrumental
|
4:15 |
| Sweetheart | Without Rap
|
4:03 |
| Sweetheart | A Cappella
|
4:22 |
| Sweetheart | The Story
Produced by Jermaine Dupri, Carl-So-Lowe. |
3:45 |
| Sweetheart | The Story — Instrumental
Produced by Jermaine Dupri, Carl-So-Lowe. |
3:45 |
| Sweetheart | Lil Jon Remix
Produced by Lil Jon. |
4:34 |
| Sweetheart | The Dance
Produced by Eddie “Love” Arroyo |
6:19 |
| Sweetheart | M!'s Pounding Vocal
Produced by Mark Picchiotti. |
9:43 |
| Sweetheart | M!'s More Bounce To The Ounce Vocal
Produced by Mark Picchiotti. |
8:43 |
| Sweetheart | M!'s Pounding Dub
Produced by Mark Picchiotti. |
9:53 |
| Sweetheart | M!'s Beats & Bounces Mix
Produced by Mark Picchiotti. |
7:24 |
The music video for “Sweetheart” was directed by Hype Williams and premiered on August 28, 1998. Filmed in early August in Bilbao, Spain, the video features Mariah and Jermaine Dupri at the city's Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank Gehry. Mariah is also seen riding around town on a bike with Flip, a member of Hip-Hop group The League.
The American “Sweetheart” Single, issued on CD and 7" vinyl, would include the Album and No Rap versions of the song, while the five-track CD Maxi Single would have added three additional remixes: The Story, The Story Instrumental and the Lil Jon Remix. The 12" vinyl issue would include six tracks: the Album, No Rap and Instrumental versions of “Sweetheart,” the Main and Instrumental version of The Story, and The Dance.
The European “Sweetheart” CD Single was released on October 28, 1998, including The Dance, produced by Eddie Arroyo, as the B-side. The CD Maxi Single includes two additional remixes: The Story, and the Lil Jon Remix. “Sweetheart” was also released on 12" vinyl, including the same four tracks as the Maxi Single as well as The Story Instrumental and the No Rap Version.
“Sweetheart,” was released on October 5, 1998, in the United Kingdom. The 12" Vinyl includes four additional versions of the song: The Story, The Dance, the Lil Jon Remix and No Rap Version.
The Japanese “Sweetheart” CD Maxi Single was released on November 9, 1998, including four additional remixes: The Story, The Story Instrumental, Lil Jon Remix and a slightly different No Rap version of the song.
Boy haven't you noticed
A gleam in my eye
Because of you
I'm a little hypnotized
But every time you're with me
I feel so positive
Now with a little love
Something's got to give
A full moon
Is waiting in the twilight
Maybe soon
You will come to be my night
Here we are
Hoping that we never part
Stay with me
Baby, won't you be my sweetheart
We could share a storybook romance
Won't you be my sweetheart
We could share a storybook romance
Just you and I
You are no Casanova
I know that you'll be true
And that's why
I'm so in love with you
But each romantic ending
You leave me at my door
But tonight
I'd like us to explore
A full moon
Is waiting in the twilight
Maybe soon
You will come to be my night
Here we are
Hoping that we never part
Stay with me
Baby, won't you be my sweetheart
We could share a storybook romance
Won't you be my sweetheart
We could share a storybook romance
Just you and I
Stars are bright
Mood is right
To keep me warm away from harm
Nowhere better than my baby's arms
Stars are bright
Mood is right
To keep me warm away from harm
Won't you be mine
Sweetheart
We could share a storybook romance
Won't you be mine
We could share a storybook romance
Just you and I
Let's get together
Live happily ever after
No one to make us sad
Oh baby
You know I need your love
Romance
Written by Rainy Davis, Peter Kessler.
Produced by Jermaine Dupri and Mariah Carey.
