Caution

Caution, released on November 16, 2018, made its debut at number five on the Billboard 200 after selling over 51,000 copies in the United States, becoming Mariah's eighteenth top-ten album. Caution features guest appearances by Ty Dolla $ign, Slick Rick, Blood Orange and Gunna, as well as co-productions with Nineteen85, Mustard, Timbaland, Jermaine Dupri and Skrillex, among others.

The first taste from the album came on September 13, 2018, with the release of “GTFO.” “I wanted to give my fans and everyone a first listen that wasn't so serious,” Mariah said in a press release. “I've had so much fun making this album, and I wanted the first moment to reflect that light-hearted spirit.”

Mariah announced the title of the album on October 15 and enlisted the help of the Lambily to unveil its tracklist. A selection of very lucky fans received hot pink caution tape with the track names from the Caution album printed on them. “I couldn't think of a better way of announcing the tracklist for my new album, Caution, than by letting my fans do it with me!” she wrote. “Share the title you received, using #Caution to help reveal the entire album's tracklist!”

The album's official first single was “With You,” which Mariah wrote with DJ Mustard, Prince Charlez and Fresco Kane. “When I saw my name among Mariah Carey and DJ Mustard, I teared up,” Fresco Kane said about their collaboration. “She's such a legend. It's like working with Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. She's done so much for music. It's surreal. I'm still in disbelief.” The song was released on October 4, 2018, less than two weeks before Mariah would embark on a tour across Asia. She performed the song at the American Music Awards, but wasn't able to continue the promotion until the tour ended on November 9.

“A No No” was released as the album's second single on March 4, 2019. “We sampled Lil' Kim's remix of ‘Crush On You,’ which is one of my favorite records of all time,” Mariah told Sheila Scott in 2018. “And then me and my friend Priscilla Renea wrote the song on top of the beat. And then it ended up where Jermaine got involved in it too in the end and changed a couple things around. So it is kind of a family reunion.”

Mariah would later admit that she felt pressured to put Caution out and expressed her disagreement with the record label with the way the project was handled. “When I did Caution, I didn't have the time I would normally take,” she told ?uestlove in 2021. “I really wish I did have that time to do a few more records on that album to fully have that expression. It was like, ‘Oh, we gotta have her back and have people know she put out a studio album.’ And then they screwed that up with the way they gave away these instant grats.” Instant grats are songs that are made available before an album's release and, in Caution's case, four of the album's ten tracks were already available by then: “GTFO” became available on September 13, “With You” on October 4, “The Distance” on October 18 and “A No No” on October 23.

Tracklist

Releases

Original Release

There were two different versions of the Caution CD release: the standard edition and a limited edition with alternate album art, the vinyl release featured four different variants: standard black vinyl, picture disc, a limited edition translucent hot pink vinyl with three lithographs and a limited edition blue vinyl, available exclusively through Barnes & Noble. There was also a very limited edition (only 1.000 copies were produced) of the album on cassette. The Japanese edition of Caution was available on CD including the bonus track “Runway.”

Singles

Lyrics

GTFO

How 'bout you
How 'bout you

You took my love for granted
You left me lost and disenchanted
Bulldozed my heart as if you planned it
My prince was so unjustly handsome

Who was a knight in shining armor
I could have sworn you'd love me harder
Might as well down this Caymus bottle
I ain't the type to play the martyr

How 'bout you get the fuck out
How 'bout you get the fuck out
Get the fuck out

How 'bout you take your tings and be on your merry way
Fly off with the wind, bye bye baby
How 'bout you
Scusa mi Mimi call you a valet
You just
Take your tings and be on your merry way

My friends all saw it in your eyes
They told me once, they told me twice
I looked beyond all the signs
I guess false love makes you blind

Who was a knight in shining armor (You, you, you)
I could have sworn you'd love me harder (You, you, you)
Might as well down this Caymus bottle (You, you, you)
I ain't the type to play the martyr

How 'bout you get the fuck out (How 'bout you)
How 'bout you get the fuck out (How 'bout you)
Get the fuck out

How 'bout you take your tings and be on your merry way (How 'bout you)
Fly off with the wind, bye bye baby (How 'bout you)
Scusa mi Mimi call you a valet (How 'bout you)
Take your tings and be on your merry way

How 'bout you get the fuck out (Fuck out, fuck out)
Get the fuck out (Stop tellin' me these lies when you're bluffin')
How 'bout you get the fuck out (Go stay at your friend's house or something)
(Don't mean to be rude, but take your shit and leave)
How 'bout you (Go stay at your friend's house or something)
How 'bout you (Go stay with your homeboys you was talkin' to)
How 'bout you (I ain't trying to be rude, but you're lucky)
How 'bout you (I ain't kick your ass out last weekend)
How 'bout you take your tings and be on your merry way
Fly off with the wind, bye bye baby


Written by Mariah Carey, Paul Jeffries, Jordan Manswell, Bibi Bourelly, Porter Robinson.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Nineteen85. Co-produced by Jordan Manswell.

With You

With you…
With you, you, you
With you, you, you
With you, you, you

It was oh so overwhelming
She was like I don't know don't tell me
He had eyes that say girl I'll save ya
She had doubts like they might not make it

So they both held tight to face it
There were vows she was 'bout to take 'em
She was full of such trepidation
They're in front of the whole damn nation

It was whoa
Can't predict the coming storm
Promise that you'll keep me warm
I don't wanna play this wrong
He said yo
I've been loving you so long
Ever since that Bone Thugs song
You ain't gotta breakdown you're too strong

Ooh shots of Remy
Playin' Confessions and our bodies blending
Ooohh I'm in love it's true
Yeah, damn I fux witchu
And we all make mistakes sometimes
But we'll muddle through
I don't know what I'm supposed to do, boy
Baby I'm in love it's true

With you, you, you
With you, you, you
With you, you, you
Baby I'm in love it's true

Waves were breaking on the shore
As we was sneaking through that door
Had to leave by half past four
Still I yearned to touch you more and more

It was whoa
Can't predict the coming storm
Promise that you'll keep me warm
I don't wanna play this wrong
He said yo
I've been loving you so long
Ever since that Bone Thugs song
You ain't gotta breakdown you're too strong

Ooh shots of Remy
Playin' Confessions and our bodies blending
Ooohh I'm in love it's true
Yeah, damn I fux witchu
And we all make mistakes sometimes
But we'll muddle through
I don't know what I'm supposed to do, boy
Baby I'm in love it's true

And ooh shots of Remy
Playin' Confessions and our bodies blending
Ooohh I'm in love it's true
Yeah, damn I fux witchu
And we all make mistakes sometimes
But we'll muddle through
I don't know what I'm supposed to do, boy
But baby I'm in love it's true

With you, you, you (With you, with you, with you, with you)
With you, you, you (Oh yes)
With you, you, you (Oh yeah yeah)
Oh baby baby I'm in love it's true

With you, you, you (Oh baby)
With you, you, you (Oh baby)


Written by Mariah Carey, Dijon McFarlane, Charles Henshaw, Greg Lawary.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Mustard.

Caution

Never too late, you can come through I'll be up waiting
I don't want nobody but you, no hesitating
Cause every time you leave I fall apart
Boy you're the missing pieces of my heart

And I try to let you go
But you resist and pull me back
And I've tried to be alone
But you persist, I met my match

Proceed with caution
Don't be dishonest
I need you closer to love me harder
Proceed with caution
Face to face
And touch me in a different kind of way
Proceed with caution
But don't make me wait
Before too long it just might fade away
Proceed with caution
Caution, caution, caution, caution

Never enough give me your touch, don't want to waste time
You lift me up, give me that rush, tell me it's all mine
I'll give up everything to be right where you are
I'll follow you from here like you're the northern star

And I try to let you go
But you resist and pull me back
And I've tried to be alone
But you persist, I met my match

Proceed with caution
Don't be dishonest
I need you closer to love me harder
Proceed with caution
Face to face
And touch me in a different kind of way
Proceed with caution
But don't make me wait
Before too long it just might fade away
Proceed with caution
Caution, caution, caution, caution

Do you want more material possessions, ain't nothin'
Do you want more, can you commit to be my everything
Do you want more baby, convince me with the words you sing
If you wanna be more to me you must proceed with caution
Caution, caution, caution
Caution, caution, caution
Caution, caution
Proceed with caution

Proceed with caution
Don't be dishonest
I need you closer to love me harder
Proceed with caution
Face to face
And touch me in a different kind of way
Proceed with caution
Don't be dishonest
I need you closer to love me harder
Proceed with caution
Face to face
And touch me in a different kind of way
Proceed with caution
But don't make me wait
Before too long it just might fade away
Proceed with caution
Caution, caution, caution


Written by Mariah Carey, Ernest Wilson, Mohamed Sulaiman, Luca Polizzi, Charles Henshaw.
Produced by Mariah Carey and No ID, SLMN and Luca.

A No No

I ain't even mad no not like before
Off with your head now slither out the door
Snakes in the grass it's time to cut the lawn
Ed Scissor Hands aka I cut you off

No, you ain't gonna lie to my face no more
Hit me with I'm sorry but I'm sorry… no
Na na na na na na na na no ahh no
Give me Ed Shapiro on the phone case closed
Aaahhh, aaahhh, aaahhh

You should have known that it's bigger than you
You'll never know what I already knew
After everything I've already been through
I can't waste no time pay no attention to you
I said no
No no, no, a no no
No no, that's a no no
No no, I said no no
No no, no

You came so close
You just don't know
‘Irregardless’ of what transpired
It ain't even worthy of a slick reply

Even if I was the last woman alive
I would be like Ginger you ain't Gilligan
I really don't care I'm in love with the island
Rockin' Dior cause it goes with my diamonds
Got a pink gown custom by Alaia
I'll be on stage when the stadium light up

You should have known that it's bigger than you
You'll never know what I already knew
After everything I've already been through
I can't waste no time pay no attention to you
I said no
No no, no, a no no (No)
No no, that's a no no (Oh no)
No no, I said no no (No)
No no, no

I said no (I said no)
No no, no, a no no
No no, that's a no no (No)
No no, I said no no (I said no)
No no, no

He's a slut, he's a ho, he's a freak
Got a different girl every day of the week
He's a slut, he's a ho, he's a freak
Got a different girl every day of the week
He's a slut, he's a ho, he's a freak
Got a different girl every day of the week
He's a slut, he's a ho, he's a freak
Got a different girl every day of the week

I said no (I said no)
No no, no, a no no (Look, I said no)
No no, that's a no no (I… I said no)
No no, I said no no (No)
No no, no

No, no, no, no (I said no)
No, no, no (No… no no no)
No, no, no (No, I said no)
No, no, no

Parlez-vous français? I said no
Let me translate it, I said no
I can say it en español
No!

No, no, no, no (Portuguese for you: nao)
(Japanese for you: iie)
I said no (I said it)
I said no (No! I said it)
I said no


Written by Mariah Carey, Robert Shea Taylor, Priscilla Hamilton, Jeff Lorber, Kimberly Jones, Christopher Wallace, Mason Betha, Camron Giles, Andreao Heard.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Shea Taylor. Additional production by Jermaine Dupri.

The Distance

S.P.I.R.I.T it's great to see
We got it, the spirit
Hey hey let's hear it

Ain't nobody stoppin' us
What we have is dangerous
Left they opinions in the dust
Said can't nobody fuck with us
They'll never find a way to make us fade away
Our love won't fade away
They'll never find a way to make us fade away
Our love won't fade away

Warm days, cold nights, late October
Separated, people sayin' what we had was over
But the hate only made us get closer
And closer

Said we couldn't go the distance
Look at us we goin' the distance
They just wanna be us
They don't wanna see us goin' the distance
For laughs, for laughs, la di da
Said we couldn't go the distance
For life, for life, la di da
Look at us we goin' the distance
The distance

They was no good, had their hands out
Tried to diminish me
But we stayed down, kept on that crown
In spite of them difficulties
But they can't, but they can't, but they can't
Take away them precious memories
And I won't, and I won't, and I won't
Let 'em come between you and me

Warm days, cold nights, late October
Separated, people sayin' what we had was over
But the hate only made us get closer
And closer

Said we couldn't go the distance
Look at us we goin' the distance
They just wanna be us
They don't wanna see us goin' the distance
For laughs, for laughs, la di da
Said we couldn't go the distance
For life, for life, la di da
Look at us we goin' the distance

Ty Dolla $ign:
We been goin' all the way for the longest
We're too strong, we're too solid
They can't stop it now, we a problem now
Fuck all their comments, they be so toxic
We be kissin' in public
You like it, I love it
You wit it, I'm wit it
We goin' the distance

Said we couldn't go the distance
Look at us we goin' the distance
They just wanna be us
They don't wanna see us goin' the distance
For laughs, for laughs, la di da
Said we couldn't go the distance
For life, for life, la di da
Look at us we goin' the distance
S.P.I.R.I.T it's great to see
We got it, the spirit
Hey hey let's hear it


Written by Mariah Carey, Sonny Moore, Peder Losnegård, Jason Boyd, Tyrone Griffin Jr.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Skrillex, Lido and Poo Bear.

Giving Me Life

So it's summertime, a splash of wine and forget about it
If you're so inclined let's take a ride tonight
So then maybe if the stars align we'll fix our minds on another tangent
And it's kinda like impossible to top this at all

Giving me life and it's everything
Thinking about when we were 17
Feeling myself like I'm Norma Jeane
Here in my arms is where you should be

It wasn't really, it wasn't really, much, it wasn't really much at all
Wasn't really, wasn't really, wasn't really much at all

My philosophy doesn't quite apply to you and me
But I won't think too much so come on and feel my touch
It wasn't really much at all
Just a little sensitivity of the soul
Here in my heart is where you should be

Giving me life and it's everything
Thinking about when we were 17
Living like Babs cause it's evergreen
Here is my arms is where you should be

It wasn't really, it wasn't really, much, it wasn't really much at all
Wasn't really, wasn't really, wasn't really much at all

Slick Rick:
Wassup, ma? Hush, got fly
Here's a quest, why you left?
Was it my messed up eye? Why?
Reminisce, wannabe, huh?
See, hon, followed sheep from once the first chick
Clark Wallabees on (Beep, beep)
Swag, honey drip, spendin' some time
Remember them rhymes?
Your gold fronts looked better than mines did
Was ecstasy, poundin' in the BM
Clownin' me and that was way before wore gowns and the skin'
Givin' me life

Giving me life and it's everything
Thinking about when we were 17
Living like Babs cause it's evergreen
Here is my arms is where you should be

Repeat


Written by Mariah Carey, Devonté Hynes, Ricky M.L. Walters.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Devonté Hynes.

One Mo' Gen

Did you like when I put my lips there
Cause I like when you kissin' me everywhere
Do you mind if we go back in
One mo'gen
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah, one mo' gen (x3)
Can we just get it in one mo' gen

You give that the fever I ain't tryin' to break
Been a little while but I don't mind to wait
I'm gonna need a ride home now sooner than later
Must I reiterate can we pick up the pace
And once we lit this towering inferno
The flame keeps burning higher hotter we go
And the temperature is rising crack a window
Let's be the opposite of lonely
Come and give me what you owe me

Did you like when I put my lips there
Cause I like when you kissin' me everywhere
Do you mind if we go back in
One mo'gen
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah, one mo' gen (x3)
Can we just get it in one mo' gen

Ain't no use in being stingy with it
If you think you're getting off, forget it
And if you think it ain't all for you, you're wrong
Baby it's all for you

Addicted to you come support my habit
Third person yeah she got to have it
If you think I'm on call for you, you're right
Baby I'm on to you

And once we lit this towering inferno
The flame keeps burning higher hotter we go
And the temperature is rising crack a window
Let's be the opposite of lonely
Come and give me what you owe me

Did you like when I put my lips there
Cause I like when you kissin' me everywhere
Do you mind if we go back in
One mo'gen
Yeah yeah, yeah yeah, one mo' gen (x3)


Written by Mariah Carey, Frederick Ball, Ebony Oshunrinde, Jason Boyd.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Fred Ball and Wondagurl.

8th Grade

I'm not your world, no, I'm not your life
Tell me what that means to you
If it was me that was by your side
Limitless without no rules
Nothing to lose
Never no pressure just put yourself into my shoes
I'm not your world, no, I'm not your life

That cigarette, put it out put it out
Keep lookin' my way, turn around turn around
This is a moment you can't buy
I see the longing in your eyes

Somethin' is tellin' me you're ready, am I wrong
Maybe the lyrics are too heavy, in my song
How would you feel if you had me then I was gone
Better not be leading me on (Oh baby)

I'm not your world, no, I'm not your life
Tell me what that means to you
If it was me that was by your side
Limitless without no rules
Nothing to lose
Never no pressure just put yourself into my shoes
I'm not your world, no, I'm not your life

I'm a confirmation should you feel unsure
I'm that security when you're insecure
I'll be that baby girl when you're immature
Don't be ambivalent towards me

Somethin' is tellin' me you're ready, am I wrong
Maybe the lyrics are too heavy, in my song
How would you feel if you had me then I was gone
Better not be leading me on (No baby)

I'm not your world, no, I'm not your life
Tell me what that means to you
If it was me that was by your side
Limitless without no rules
Nothing to lose (Nothing)
Never no pressure just put yourself into my shoes
I'm not your world, no, I'm not your life (I'm not your life, oh baby I)

I'm not your world, no, I'm not your life (Baby I wanna be your life)
Tell me what that means to you
If it was me that was by your side
Limitless without no rules (Limitless)
Nothing to lose
Never no pressure just put yourself into my shoes
I'm not your world, no, I'm not your life (I'm not your life, baby)

I'm not your world, no, I'm not your life
Tell me what that means to you (Said I'm not your world)
If it was me that was by your side
Limitless without no rules
Nothing to lose (Nothing to lose)
No pressure

Limitless without no rules
Nothing to lose
Nothing
Nothing to lose
No pressure
No pressure
I'm not your life
Limitless without no rules
Your life


Written by Mariah Carey, Timothy Mosley, Angel Lopez, Federico Vindver, Larrance Dopson, Jason Boyd.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Timbaland. Co-produced by Angel Lopez, Federico Vindver and Larrance Dopson.

Stay Long Love You

Would you mind, would you mind
I like the way you're movin'
Come fill me with your music
Do you mind if I try
I like the way you're movin'
Control me make me lose it
Would you mind would you mind baby

How you want it how you want it
Tell me how you want it
Hot as momma's cookin' in the kitchen during summer
Cause if you want it I could serve it come and get it
Won't you let me clean the plate and do the dishes

All that I want is to be all you need
Baby in fact
Ooh your good lovin' did something to me

You make me make me wanna
Touch you right there
You make me make me wanna
Kiss you over there
You make me make me wanna
Uh uh yeah
You make me make me wanna
Do that thing and do that thing yeah

You make me make me wanna
Touch you right there
You make me make me wanna
Kiss you over there
You make me make me wanna
Uh uh yeah
You make me make me wanna
Wanna stay long love you

Gunna:
I got your back I wouldn't front
I can't deny it you know I want it
I wake up to you in the morning
And eat that pussy up for lunch
And I'll take care of you like a son
Heard they would talk but not on Sunday
Every day she help me count that money
Bought her diamonds just to match with the Chanel purse
We stay together we can take over the whole world
I know you spendin', you straighter that an S-curl
You constantly winnin' and shittin' on my ex-girl

You make me make me wanna
Touch you right there
You make me make me wanna
Kiss you over there
You make me make me wanna
Uh uh yeah
You make me make me wanna
Do that thing and do that thing yeah

You make me make me wanna
Touch you right there
You make me make me wanna
Kiss you over there
You make me make me wanna
Uh uh yeah
You make me make me wanna
You make me make me wanna
Wanna stay long love you

You make me make me wanna
Touch you right there
You make me make me wanna
Kiss you over there
You make me make me wanna
Uh uh yeah
You make me make me wanna
Do that thing and do that thing yeah

You make me make me wanna
Touch you right there
You make me make me wanna
Kiss you over there
You make me make me wanna
Uh uh yeah
You make me make me wanna
You make me make me wanna
Wanna stay long love you


Written by Mariah Carey, Sergio Kitchens, Jonathan Yip, Ray Romulus, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Charles McCullough II.
Produced by Mariah Carey and The Stereotypes.

Portrait

Where do I go from here
How do I disappear
Here beyond the looking glass
Somewhere off the beaten path
Heartache never seems to pass
Just lasts
And I'd go

Yet I know that tomorrow comes
So I'll be here when you rise
Stay real close and the moment will subside
Look the other way as I
Bottle myself up inside
I won't let the teardrops spill tonight
Just conceal myself and hide
A portrait of my life

Somewhat desensitized
Still the same hopeful child
Haunted by those severed ties
Pushing past the parasites
Down but not demoralized
Unconfined
But don't let go (No, no)

Yes I know that tomorrow comes
So I'll be here when you rise (Rise, rise, rise)
Stay here close and the moment will subside
Look the other way as I (As I)
Bottle myself up inside (Bottle up inside)
I won't let the teardrops spill tonight
Just conceal myself and hide
This portrait of my life

And for the finale
She can float around effortlessly
And dream away the hours in her mind
And I'd let go

Yet I know that tomorrow comes (Tomorrow)
So I'll be here when you rise (Rise, rise, rise)
Stay here close and the moment will subside (The moment will subside)
Look the other way as I (Look away, look away)
Bottle myself up inside
I won't let the teardrops spill tonight (I don't even know)
Just conceal myself and hide
This portrait of my life


Written by Mariah Carey, Daniel Moore II.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Daniel Moore II.

Runway

There'll come a day when we won't have to fight
Won't be about who was wrong who was right
Like fireflies emanating the light
Just you and I universally tied
There's truth for those if they want to hear
Somewhere out in the atmosphere
To survive gotta persevere
Cause to fly gotta have no fear

First they love you, like ooo it's just you
And then they bait you and try to change you
You can push thru it stay the same you and
Never let em bring you down
Remember there's only one you
And there's a God up above you
You can soar above the hurt when it taunts you
Float like a hummingbird if you want to

Let love be your runway
There is a higher place
Just embrace that feeling when you're rising
And your face is kissing the horizon
And if they count you out
Let go and watch you drown
Just shake off those demons that you're fighting
Win the race keep kissing the horizon

Runway…
Runway…
Just shake off those demons that you're fightin
Win the race, let love be your runway

There's a band of color that reflects the love you have inside
And you will discover there is solace though you're terrified
And I promise there is truth for those who really want to hear
If you wanna touch the sky and fly you've got to have no fear

First they love you and then they judge you
And try and chain you and then they drain you
You can push through it stay the same you and
Never let em bring you down
Remember there's only one you
And there's a God up above you
You can soar above the hurt when it taunts you
Float like a hummingbird if you want to

Let love be your runway
There is a higher place
Just embrace that feeling when you're rising
And your face is kissing the horizon
And if they count you out
Let go and watch you drown
Just shake off those demons that you're fighting
Win the race keep kissing the horizon

Runway…
Runway…
Just shake off those demons that you're fightin
(Baby I'm your runway)
Win the race let love be your runway

Runway…
Runway…

Let love be your runway
There is a higher place
Just embrace that feeling when you're rising
And your face is kissing the horizon
And if they count you out
Let go and watch you drown
Just shake off those demons that you're fighting
Win the race keep kissing the horizon
Distance


Written by Mariah Carey, Sonny Moore, Peder Losnegård, Priscila Hamilton.
Produced by Mariah Carey.