Released on May 27, 2014, Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse debuted at number three on the Billboard 200, after selling 58,000 copies. The album features guest appearances by rappers Nas, Wale and Fabolous; and collaborations with producers James “Big Jim” Wright, Mike WiLL Made-It, Hitboy, Darkchild and Jermaine Dupri, among others.
The first taste of the album came on May 6, 2013, when “#Beautiful,” a duet with R&B singer Miguel, was released as the first single. “Miguel is one of my favorite new artists, he's just the truth.” Mariah told Grammy.com in 2013. “The best part of making music for me is collaborating and working with new people and fresh sounds. Miguel had a track that was amazing. [I told him] ‘We can get together, I can write a chorus that doesn't have to incorporate that and a verse that's very me and we can merge and come together and get that song to a place that's something totally different, fresh, unique and back to basics.’ ” “#Beautiful” peaked at number fifteen on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the highest position since 2009's “Obsessed,” which peaked at number seven.
With “#Beautiful” climbing the charts, the still-untitled album was announced for a July 23, 2013, release date. Shortly after retailer Walmart leaked that The Art Of Letting Go was the album title, Mariah decided to postpone its release. “While making this album, I got so immersed in the creative process that I just don't feel I would be doing it justice to release it on July 23,” she posted on Twitter. “I'd rather not exclude meaningful songs. I want to give you this album as it's meant to be heard. When I'm ready, you'll be the first to know!”
The next bump in the road came when Mariah suffered an accident while filming the music video for a remix of “#Beautiful,” which left her hospitalized with a shoulder injury and nerve damage. “The last three months of my life have not been easy,” she posted on Facebook in October. “Getting through this injury has been the toughest experience of my life. It took me three months to get to this point but thank God I was able to recover and get my arm back. I've been working day and night, and it took a lot of rest — though I did sneak in to the studio a couple o' times! — but I can finally say that I am on my way to a full recovery. There's a lot of excitement that I'm going to reveal to you very soon, and you're going to feel what I've been feeling for the past — not three months — but three years. This is, to me, one of the most important albums I've ever made in my life.”
A month later, and with the album still on hold, Mariah announced the release of the song “The Art Of Letting Go,” which she premiered on Facebook on November 11, 2013. “I wrote and produced ‘The Art of Letting Go’ with my friend, the über-talented Rodney Jerkins,” Mariah wrote on Facebook. “We had worked together before, but this time around, I feel we went down a more organic path in terms of our approach to the songwriting process. ‘The Art of Letting Go’ was the second of two beloved songs I wrote with Rodney for this album. As we were writing, we both got goosebumps and a feeling of nostalgia. It might sound over the top but when I was singing this song, I felt like I had touched upon certain emotions within myself that I haven't put on a record in a very long time. I truly can't wait for all of you to hear and share these feelings with me.”
On February 10, 2014, Mariah announced the February 12 release of “You're Mine (Eternal)” as the official first single from the album, which was due out on May 6. “This is one of the first songs I wrote for the album. It was always one of my favorites but it evolved, and then there's the remix with Trey Songz which is now steadily becoming my favorite version,” Mariah explained. “I wrote the song with Rodney Jerkins, we got together and we were both in the same page musically. We just decided, ‘Let's go with what we're feeling.’ It's a very simplistic track yet if you muted the vocals, a rapper could be on top of it.”
The album would get pushed back one last time. “I've worked so hard on this project. This album is about reclaiming myself and showing that, since I became a mother, I've become a stronger person,” Mariah explained. “There isn't necessarily one theme and that's why I want people to hear this album as a whole, as an entity, as something that I put every bit of myself into. Each song is a different side of who I am and, in some of them, there's a lot of truths I am talking about. Some of them are kind of sad or almost too sad. I call it the misery. We love it and we have to have it but I added three new songs that I felt were necessary to complete the journey of this album.”
On May 1, 2014, both the title of the album and its final release date were announced: Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse was being released on May 27. The album's title was inspired by a self-portrait that Mariah drew when she was three, that was also featured on the back cover. “On the back cover of this album is a personal treasure,” she explained. “This is my first and only self-portrait. I drew it when I was three and a half and entitled it ‘Me I am Mariah.’ Please don't judge me for such a simplistic title — I was only three and a half! It was a creative visualization of how I saw myself with the purity of a child's heart before it was ever broken.”
| Track # | Song | Run time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cry.
Written by Mariah Carey, James Wright.
Produced by Mariah Carey and James “Big Jim” Wright. |
4:48 |
| 2 | Faded
Written by Mariah Carey, Michael Williams, Denisia “Blu June” Andrews.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Mike WiLL Made-It. |
3:39 |
| 3 | Dedicated (feat. Nas)
Written by Mariah Carey, Chauncey Hollis, James Fauntleroy, Nasir Jones, Dennis Coles, Robert Diggs, Gary Grice, Lamont Hawkins, Jason Hunter, Russell Jones, Clifford Smith, Corey Woods.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Hit-Boy and Darhyl “Hey DJ” Camper. Additional Production by Hazebanga. |
4:13 |
| 4 | #Beautiful (feat. Miguel)
Written by Miguel Pimentel, Mariah Carey, Nathan Perez, Brook Davis, Maclean Robinson, Brian Warfield.
Produced by Miguel and Mariah Carey. Co-produced by Happy Perez. Additional Production by Brook “D'Leau” Davis. |
3:19 |
| 5 | Thirsty
Written by Mariah Carey, Chauncey Hollis, Denisia “Blu June” Andrews, Mary Ann Tatum.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Hit-Boy. Co-produced by Rey Reel. |
3:25 |
| 6 | Make It Look Good
Written by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, Bunny Sigler, Allan Felder.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox. |
3:23 |
| 7 | You're Mine (Eternal)
Written by Mariah Carey, Rodney Jerkins.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins. |
3:44 |
| 8 | You Don't Know What To Do (feat. Wale)
Written by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, Olubowale Akintimehin, Patrick Adams, Terri Gonzalez.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox. |
4:47 |
| 9 | Supernatural (w/ Special Guest Stars “DemBabies” A.K.A. Ms. Monroe & Mr. Moroccan Scott Cannon A.K.A. Roc N' Roe)
Written by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox. |
4:37 |
| 10 | Meteorite
Written by Mariah Carey, Kamaal Fareed, Allan Felder, Norman Harris, Ron Tyson.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Q-Tip. |
3:50 |
| 11 | Camouflage
Written by Mariah Carey, James Wright.
Produced by Mariah Carey and James “Big Jim” Wright. |
4:48 |
| 12 | Money ($ * / …) (feat. Fabolous)
Written by Mariah Carey, Chauncey Hollis, John Jackson, Dan Satch, Edwin Birdsong.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Hit-Boy. |
4:54 |
| 13 | One More Try
Written by George Michael.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox. |
6:17 |
| 14 | Heavenly (No Ways Tired / Can't Give Up Now)
Written by Mariah Carey, Curtis Burrell, George Clinton, Jr.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox. |
5:39 |
| Bonus | It's A Wrap (feat. Mary J. Blige)
Written by Mariah Carey, Barry White.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Heatmyzer, C. “Tricky” Stewart and James “Big Jim” Wright. |
4:07 |
| Bonus | Betcha Gon' Know (feat. R. Kelly)
Written by Mariah Carey, Terius Nash, Christopher Stewart, James Wright, Robert Kelly.
Produced by Mariah Carey, C. “Tricky” Stewart, Terius “The-Dream” Nash and James “Big Jim” Wright. |
3:53 |
| Bonus | The Art Of Letting Go
Written by Mariah Carey, Rodney Jerkins.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins. |
3:44 |
| Bonus | America The Beautiful
Written by Katharine Lee Bates, Samuel A. Ward.
Produced by Mariah Carey and James “Big Jim” Wright. |
1:56 |
In the United States, the standard edition of Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse, was available on CD including fourteen tracks. The deluxe version, issued with different artwork, includes three additional bonus tracks: “The Art Of Letting Go” and duet versions of two songs from Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel: “Betcha Gon' Know,” with R. Kelly and “It's A Wrap” with Mary J. Blige. An additional version, also with alternate album art, was available exclusively through retailer Target including the bonus track “America The Beautiful.” The Japanese edition of Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse includes eighteen songs, with the same four bonus tracks and album cover as the US Target-only release.
In January 2021, Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse was issued on vinyl for the first time: a standard black vinyl and a limited edition orange pressing. A new variant became available in 2024, when Amazon Music issued the album in translucent clear vinyl.
Maybe I didn't leave much between us that day
And maybe I shouldn't have told you I loved you playing the game
And now I understand
Wish I could have you back
And kiss you soft and feel your hands on me
(Till we both break down)
(Till we both break down)
And cry
(Cry, cry, cry, cry)
(Cry, cry, cry, cry)
And maybe I didn't give you your space back then
And maybe I should have just held out a little bit longer
But I was seduced by you and I didn't know enough
Truly too enchanted to disregard the words
You said to make me yours
I need to hold you till we both
(Till we both break down)
Break down
(Till we both break down)
I should have known that you would tire of me
(Till we both break down)
Oh, till we both break down
And cry
Oh, my love
Imprudently I left every cell in me so naked
Somewhere at the core of you, blares our song
I just need you till we both
(Till we both break down)
I'm just saying
(Till we both break down)
Might as well tell the truth about the matter
(Till we both break down)
Yes, I guess it's selfish of me to just expect that I'm entitled to have you
(Till we both break down)
But tonight all I wanna do is just hold you till we
(Till we both break down)
We both break down and cry
(Cry, cry, cry, cry)
Oh, we both break down and cry
Till we both break down and
Cry.
Written by Mariah Carey, James Wright.
Produced by Mariah Carey and James “Big Jim” Wright.
It was overcast that day
And I was feeling some kind of way
I pulled the covers up over my head
Tried reaching for you, but that was then
I can't forget
My heart's hung over but ain't nothing different
I close my eyes, nothing but faded pictures of you
Of you
Faded
Baby, you're faded
Baby, you're faded
Faded
You come and you go
You're just an echo
A whisper in my ear
But in the morning you're not here
So intangible
Just like an echo
Still try and pretend it's possible
To bring us back to life
But we continue to subside
Hanging on for life on this rollercoaster ride
I call your name, baby, subconsciously
Always somewhere but you're not there for me
Boy you, boy you
You're faded
Baby, you're faded
Baby, you're faded
Faded
(Boy you just come and you go)
You come and you go
You're just an echo
(Just an echo, just an echo)
A whisper in my ear
But in the morning you're not here
So intangible
Just like an echo
Faded
You're always somewhere but you're not there for me
Not there for me, not there for me
You're always somewhere but you're not there for me
Not there for me, not there for me
Written by Mariah Carey, Michael Williams, Denisia “Blu June” Andrews.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Mike WiLL Made-It.
That summer, the summer of '88 is the best
(But that's your nostalgia though, just for the nostalgia, you gotta say it)
That's my most nostalgic moment of Hip Hop music ever (Right)
I'll just sit right here
And sing that good old school shit to ya
I won't fool ya, I won't make you be my own
And oh baby you know
All that lovemaking we did boy
It was so real, I wanna feel that again
Long lost friend from way back when
Eric B was president
Tell me where the melody went
And if you still care, say yeah yeah yeah
Sing it like they used to do
This goes from me to you, oh
La di da di da di da
That's how you do it (Yeah)
That's how to make it okay
And oh baby you know
Make love, that's how you do it
Just like we did it back then
And this is dedicated to you
I'll just sit right here
And sing that good old school shit to ya
I won't fool ya, I won't make you be my own
And oh baby you know
All that lovemaking we did boy
It was so real, I wanna feel that again
And all your friends from way back then
Tell me can you visualize
“36 Chambers” high
Feels like we're there, yeah yeah yeah
Remix of a “Fantasy”
I hear 'em singing back to me like
La di da di da di da (Like you baby)
That's how you do it
That's how to make it okay (Sweet)
And oh baby you know
Make love, that's how to do it
Just like we did it back then
And this is dedicated to you
Nas:
Nah, we don't wish today's game was old again
We just wish it wasn't full of Draconian, Babylonian, phony men
FOH my summation fascinates, we have debates
Who's the greatest, living or passed away
I ask MC, see what she has to say
Eric B or Master P, some see it differently
'87 meant to me? I try to describe it, you try to relive it
I try to revive it, hoping that you get it, yeah
Something about “La Di Da Di” got inside our bodies
Something about “My Adidas” coming out the speakers
Used to do Doo-wop or the Pee-Wee Herman
Rest in peace Heavy D, “Moneyearnin' Mount Vernon”
Let's go
La di da di da di da
That's how you do it
That's how to make it okay
Oh baby you know
This is dedicated to you
This is dedicated to you
Oh baby you know
This is dedicated to you
This is dedicated to you (Sweet)
This is dedicated to you (You're my fantasy)
Oh baby you know
This is dedicated to you
This is dedicated to you
This is dedicated to you
Oh baby you know
This is dedicated to you
This is dedicated to you
This is dedicated to you
Oh baby you know
Written by Mariah Carey, Chauncey Hollis, James Fauntleroy, Nasir Jones, Dennis Coles, Robert Diggs, Gary Grice, Lamont Hawkins, Jason Hunter, Russell Jones, Clifford Smith, Corey Woods.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Hit-Boy and Darhyl “Hey DJ” Camper. Additional production by Hazebanga.
Uh uh you're beautiful
Uh uh you're beautiful
Hop on the back of my bike
Let the good wind blow through your hair
With an ass like that
And a smile so bright, oh you're killin' me
You know it ain't fair, yeah
Ride on through the middle of the night
Let the moonlight kiss your skin
When you dance like that
Jeans so tight, oh you're killin' me
Baby do it again, yeah
You're beautiful
And your mind is fucking beautiful
And I can't pretend
That that doesn't mean a thing to me, to me, yeah
You're beautiful
Good lord, you're fucking beautiful
And I can't pretend
That that doesn't mean a thing to me, to me, yeah, yeah
I like when you run red lights
Don't stop till you thrill me
Ohh how you thrill me
Always in control
How you do it I don't know
But I don't care, take me anywhere cause
It's beautiful
Ooh you make me feel undressable
And I can't pretend
That doesn't mean a thing to me, to me, ooh
You're beautiful
And your mind is fucking beautiful
And I can't pretend
That that doesn't mean a thing to me, to me, yeah yes
You're beautiful
Good lord, you're fucking beautiful (So beautiful)
And I can't pretend
That that doesn't mean a thing to me, to me, yeah, yeah, yeah
Uh uh you're beautiful (Yeah)
Uh uh you're beautiful (You know what you're doing darling)
Uh uh you're beautiful (Get on the back of my bike darling)
Uh uh you're beautiful (Oh, I'll take you)
Don't you worry darling
Uh uh you're beautiful
Uh uh you're beautiful
Written by Miguel Pimentel, Mariah Carey, Nathan Perez, Brook Davis, Maclean Robinson, Brian Warfield.
Produced by Miguel and Mariah Carey. Co-produced by Happy Perez. Additional production by Brook “D'Leau” Davis.
Uh, you thirsty
Uh, you thirsty
Uh, you thirsty
Uh, you thirsty
Chasing them bright lights
Even change your name
Say you a boss now
Ain't nothin' out your range
Well, almost anything
You used to be Mr. “All About We”
Now you're just thirsty for celebrity
Best thing that happened to your ass was me
Pull down them Tom Fords and act like you see
You, thirsty for a dream
Leaving me drowning
Boy there ain't no S.O.S.
Filled with discontent
Finding you can't quench
Why you try so damn hard
Uh, you thirsty
Uh, you thirsty
Uh, you thirsty
Uh, you thirsty
Uh, you thirsty
Uh, you thirsty
Uh, you thirsty
Uh, you thirsty
That Hollywood sign
Calling you again
Saw you stuntin'
On your Instagram
But that shhh ain't everything
You used to be Mr. “All About We”
Now you're just thirsty for celebrity
Best thing that happened to your ass was me
Pull down them Tom Fords and act like you see
You, thirsty for a dream
Leaving me drowning
Boy there ain't no S.O.S.
Filled with discontent
Finding you can't quench
Why you try so damn hard
Uh, you thirsty
Uh, you thirsty
Uh, you thirsty
Uh, you thirsty
Uh, you thirsty
Uh, you thirsty
Uh, you thirsty
Uh, you thirsty
Boss now, you're trying to be a boss now
Thinking you a boss now
Boy you just looking thirsty now (Boy there ain't no S.O.S.)
Boss now, you're trying to be a boss now
Thinking you a G now
Boy you're just looking thirsty now
You know you thirsty
See your name in lights
And dream of fancy cars
Like superstars
You don't know who you are
That VIP
Too far for you to see
Outside the club
@-ing me constantly
Can't get the real math
Cause boy you're thirsty
Written by Mariah Carey, Chauncey Hollis, Denisia “Blu June” Andrews, Mary Ann Tatum.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Hit-Boy. Co-produced by Rey Reel.
Oh, make me wanna say
Yeah, yeah
Oh boy, you make me say
Something about you
Makes every girl high
Suffering without you
I just want a taste of what you got
But my mama always told me not to
Play with those players who
Play you till there's no more
Game left to be played
Look at what you got me going through
Can't help myself because you
Make it look good
(Make it look good)
Say you
Make it look good
(Make it look gooder than them other fools)
Around you I know I ain't supposed to be
Acting like I know you notice me
Fantasizing 'bout the way you lick your lips
Fingertips on my hips as we dip
Oh, boy
You make it look good
(Make it look gooder than them other fools)
Baby baby sometimes, I need you
But I feel so shy
Simply can't leave you
Cause them other girls are gonna try
Guess their mama never told them not to
Play with those players who
Play you till there's no more
Game left to be played
Look at what you got me going through
Can't help myself because you
Make it look good
(Make it look good)
Say you
Make it look good
(Make it look gooder than them other fools)
Around you I know I ain't supposed to be
Acting like I know you notice me
Fantasizing 'bout the way you lick your lips
Fingertips on my hips as we dip
Oh, boy
You make it look good
(Make it look gooder than them other fools)
Boy
And it makes every girl high
Oh boy, you make me say
Oh, oh you
My mama said don't play with the players
No, no
Look at what you got me going through
Fantasizing 'bout the way you lick your lips
Oh, it's gooder than them other fools
Yes, it is
Written by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, Bunny Sigler, Allan Felder.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox.
I can't seem to live without your love
Suffocating here by myself, dying for your touch
Springtime eyes that get you every time
And I just can't seem to give you up, you're mine
You made me feel
Our love would never end
How can I forget
Baby, we were the best
I suffer dreams of you all through the night
Baby I can't seem to give you up, you're mine
I can't seem to give you up, you're mine (Baby you're mine)
I can't seem to give you up, you're mine
Summer days and summer nights
When I felt you in my arms
Didn't I want to badly
Wanted to let you have me
Autumn days and stormy nights
When you crushed me with your charms
Didn't I need you madly
Now I'm lying here falling apart
I can't seem to live without your love
Suffocating here by myself, dying for your touch
Springtime eyes that get you every time
And I just can't seem to give you up, you're mine
You made me feel
Our love would never end
How can I forget
Baby, we were the best
I suffer dreams of you all through the night
And baby I can't seem to give you up, you're mine
I can't seem to give you up, you're mine (Baby you're mine)
I can't seem to give you up, you're mine
Oh, you made me feel
Like love would never end
Tell me how can I forget that
My baby, we were the best
I suffer in dreams of you all through the night
And baby I can't seem to give you up, you're mine
I can't seem to give you up, you're mine
I can't seem to give you up, you're mine
Written by Mariah Carey, Rodney Jerkins.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins.
You need to go
Don't look so surprised
Cause we had a love that won't be immortalized
Say you need me now
So alone without me now
But our lil romance is through
Because basically boy you
You just don't know what to do
Wale:
I can give it to you, but what you gonna do
With it if I hit it, I bet you stuck, stoop
But sucking your teeth, don't fuck up my mood
I'm trying to give it all to you
I can understand it's things we go through
Put C's on your back, let see this here through
And we can be as high as receipts from Nobu
But I gotta get it out of you
She said “'le throw a ring on it”
She don't love you unless she put your whole name on it
Gettin' money at this age is hard
Not the dating, I act away
When all the pretty bitches like you for your stage presence
I'll miss you almost half as much as you missed me
You used to act so tough, breed insecurity
Now that I found myself you're aching to be mine
Can't even up yourself from playing the fool each night
Ooh… how I loved you
Ooh… how I needed you
Ooh… boy I feel brand new
Ooh… since you turned me loose
Baby
You don't know what, you don't know what
You don't know what to do
You don't know what, you don't know what
You don't know what to do
First you wanna leave
Then you'd never go
I'ma set you free, boy
Baby you don't know
You don't know what, you don't know what
You don't know what to do
You don't know what, you don't know what
You don't know what to do
You love me more than you love sunny summer days
And even more than you love floating in a haze
Boy when you lost my heart, you lost everything
Now all that you can do is listen to me sing
Ooh… how I loved you
Ooh… how I needed you
Ooh… boy I feel brand new
Ooh… since you turned me loose
You don't know what, you don't know what
You don't know what to do
You don't know what, you don't know what
You don't know what to do
First you wanna leave
Then you'd never go
I'ma set you free, boy
Cause baby you don't know
You don't know what, you don't know what
You don't know what to do
You don't know what, you don't know what
You don't know what to do
Wale:
I can give it to you, but what you gon' do
With it, if I hit it, I bet you stuck, stoop
And the motto I got, no class in this school
Take your bags and go boo
Never mind all of the flexin' I do
Balenciaga got me two-steppin' on smooth
Never will I lower my standards, my boo
I could show you we're at ten is like Sampras on cue
That's kinda funny cause love still means lose
Unless we kill a racquet in back-and-forth moves
Somehow you keep showing your act, I see through it
Did you catch that all, screw it
All the girls need is respect and I do it
Never catch feelings cause jets is my fuel
Giuseppe my foot, my sweats be En Noir
So sexy, they ain't sweating me, I bet you ain't know it
You don't know what, you don't know what
You don't know what to do
You don't know what, you don't know what
You don't know what to do
First you wanna leave
Then you'd never go
I'ma set you free, boy
Baby you don't know
You don't know what, you don't know what
You don't know what to do
You don't know what, you don't know what
You don't know what to do
You don't know what you do to me
You don't know what you do to me
You don't know
You don't know
You don't know what you do to me
You don't know what you do to me
You don't know
You don't know
Said you don't know
You don't know
Written by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox, Olubowale Akintimehin, Patrick Adams, Terri Gonzalez.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox.
You make the beat
You make the beat go
You make the beat
You make the beat go
Our love is supernatural
Hey baby, actually I'm for sure
It's forever, talking about our love
You got me lost in the clouds
Floating like ooh
Keep me here always
We're the only thing that's true
Beautiful as the sun
Showers upon you babe and
Our love is supernatural
Hey baby, actually I'm for sure
It's forever, talking about our love
We communicate without saying the words out loud
Heavenly is more than a state of mind
Now that you're in my life
And ooh
Beautiful, as you make
All my tears dissipate cause
Our love is supernatural
Hey baby, actually I'm for sure
It's forever, talking about our love
You make the beat
You make the beat go
You make the beat go
Beautiful, as you make
All my tears dissipate cause
Our love is supernatural
Hey baby, actually I'm for sure
It's forever, talking about our love
Our love
Our love
You make the beat
You make the beat go
You make the beat
You make the beat go
You make the beat
Say you make the beat go
On and on and on and on
I'm for sure
It's forever, talking about our love
Written by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox.
Andy Warhol said “in the future everybody will be famous”
No, he said “everybody will be world-famous for fifteen minutes”
Gotta get up
Cause you know the world is waiting
Can you keep up
Everyone you see is racing
And you
You know what you are
It's true
You will go far
Cause you got the night
To light up the sky
Meteorite in front of every eye
A shooting star
Your fame is a flame
And they watch you burn up, turn up, turnt up all the way
Meteorite, meteorite, meteorite, meteorite (A shooting star)
Meteorite, meteorite, meteorite, meteorite (A shooting star)
So here we go
We're listening, what are you saying
Put on your show
Try to make it entertaining
And you
You know what you are
It's true
You will go far
Cause you got the night
To light up the sky (Sky)
Meteorite in front of every eye
A shooting star (A shooting star)
Your fame is a flame
And they watch you burn up, turn up, turnt up all the way
All the way
Meteorite, meteorite, meteorite, meteorite (A shooting star)
Meteorite, meteorite, meteorite, meteorite
Meteorite, meteorite, meteorite, meteorite
Meteorite, meteorite, meteorite, meteorite
Cause you got the night
To light up the sky
A meteorite in front of every eye
A shooting star
Your fame is a flame (Flame)
As they watch you burn up, turn up, turnt up all the way
Yeah you got to turn up all the way
Yeah you got to turn up all the way (Flame)
Yeah you got to turn up all the way
Meteorite, meteorite, meteorite, meteorite (Yeah you got to turn up all the way)
Meteorite, meteorite, meteorite, meteorite
Written by Mariah Carey, Kamaal Fareed, Allan Felder, Norman Harris, Ron Tyson.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Q-Tip.
I remember so many nights in the bed alone
Wondering could I muster the strength to exist in the bitter cold
But you showed up once in a while, I guess that's alright
Cause I told my heart that you needed time for yourself, it's fine
I camouflage my tears
And you wear your disguise
And round I go
To know that you still love me
I need to know
Say that you do
(To know if you still love me)
I need to know
Say that you do
(Please)
Weary sometimes when I try to discern our reality
Wish that I just could be somebody else if you talked to me
Kept praying inside, let him love me for who I am
Please, my Lord
But you were just somewhere that I couldn't reach, couldn't understand
(All that I needed was you to really see me)
I camouflage my tears
And you wear your disguise
And round I go
To know if you still love me
I need to know
Say that you do
(To know if you still love me)
I need to know
Say that you do
Didn't we swear we'd give each other everything?
(I shouldn't hold in on love)
Didn't I give you all of me?
No, not a day goes by
When I don't wonder inside
If you feel the way you used to feel
(If you still feel the way)
I camouflage my tears
(I hide every tear inside of me)
And you wear your disguise
And round and round I go
(To know if you still love me)
I need to know
Say that you do
(I remember so many nights)
I need to know
Say that you do
(In that bed alone)
I need to know
Say that you do
(That's all I really wanted)
(That's all I really wanted)
I need to know
Say that you do
(Was to know)
I need to know
Tell me that you still love me
Say it
(Say that you love me)
I camouflage
I cry and cry as you laugh and laugh at the question
But I need to know
I need to know
Say that you do
I need to know
Say that you do
(Weary sometimes when I try to discern our reality)
Written by Mariah Carey, James Wright.
Produced by Mariah Carey and James “Big Jim” Wright.
Money, this, that, the other
Don't mean nothing other than
Jets on holidays and
Chefs with hollandaise
Expensive lingerie
Cause I come home to you
Money, this, that, the other
Don't mean nothing other than
Jets on holidays and
Chefs with hollandaise
Expensive lingerie
Cause I come home to you
Hit-Boy:
Come on Mariah and let's get higher
Come on Mariah and let's get higher
Hit Boy on the beat, oh yeah that's timeless
Oh you know that's fire
Baby cause your love is good
That's why I be on it
Zoning, calling, phoning for you babe
And I dream the impossible dream
When you and I alone
Money, this, that, the other
Don't mean nothing other than
Jets on holidays and
Chefs with hollandaise
Expensive lingerie
Cause I come home to you
Money, this, that, the other
Don't mean nothing other than
Jets on holidays and
Chefs with hollandaise
Expensive lingerie
Cause I come home to you
Fabolous:
Shawty like to vacay, do it with the hood hitter
Shawty like a bad boy, ask 'em what's good wit her
Shawty like a good shoe, shawty like a nice bag
Shawty be expensive, it shows like a price tag
Shawty swole back there, I'mma need to ice that
Shawty got the cake though, you niggas never slice that
Shawty like them Rollys, Shawty know what time it is
Met a few gaysies, I showed her what a diamond is
Money, this, that, the other
Don't mean nothing other than
Jets on holidays and
Chefs with hollandaise
Expensive lingerie
Cause I come home to you
Money, this, that, the other
Don't mean nothing other than
Jets on holidays and
Chefs with hollandaise
Expensive lingerie
Cause I come home to you
Baby cause your love is good
That's why I be on it
Zoning, calling, phoning for you babe
And I dream the impossible dream
When you and I alone
Money, this, that, the other
Don't mean nothing other than
Jets on holidays and
Chefs with hollandaise
Expensive lingerie
Cause I come home to you
Money, this, that, the other
Don't mean nothing other than
Jets on holidays and
Chefs with hollandaise
Expensive lingerie
Cause I come home to you
Fabolous:
Money over here, we don't even gotta say it
Just know I'm getting money every time they play it
I ain't got no beef but when I do I'm gon' filet it
And it costs to be the boss so I go ahead and pay it
Cause that's just who I am
Eating like it's Thanksgiving, not just for the fam
Picture me rolling 2 Pac ain't for the gram
With my Rolly in the sky, do it big baby, baby
Money, this, that, the other
Don't mean nothing other than
Jets on holidays and
Chefs with hollandaise
Expensive lingerie
Cause I come home to you
Money, this, that, the other
Don't mean nothing other than
Jets on holidays and
Chefs with hollandaise
Expensive lingerie
Cause I come home to you
They don't mean a thing
They don't mean a thing
They don't mean a thing
They don't mean a thing
Money, this, that, the other
Don't mean nothing other than
Jets on holidays and
Chefs with hollandaise
Expensive lingerie
Cause I come home to you
Money, this, that, the other
Don't mean nothing other than
Jets on holidays and
Chefs with hollandaise
Expensive lingerie
Cause I come home to you
Repeat
Written by Mariah Carey, Chauncey Hollis, John Jackson, Dan Satch, Edwin Birdsong.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Hit-Boy.
Baby
I've had enough of danger
And people on the streets
I'm looking out for angels
Just trying to find some peace
Now I think it's time
That you let me know
So if you love me
Say you love me
But if you don't, just let me go
Cause teacher
There are things that I don't want to learn
And the last one I had made me cry
So I don't want to learn to hold you, touch you
Think that you're mine
Because it ain't no joy
For an uptown boy
Whose teacher has told him goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye
When you were just a stranger
And I was at your feet
I didn't feel the danger
Now I feel the heat
That look in your eyes
Telling me no
So you think that you love me
Know that you need me
I wrote the song, I know it's wrong
Just let me go, please
And teacher
There are things that I don't want to learn
Oh the last one I had made me cry
So I don't want to learn to hold you, touch you
Think that you're mine
Because it ain't no joy
For an uptown boy
Whose teacher has told him goodbye
Goodbye, goodbye
Goodbye
Who is the teacher
I'm the student
Boy, yeah…
Just gonna say, say that you were
You might need to learn a few for yourself
So when you say that you need me
That you'll never leave me
I know you're wrong
You're not that strong
Let me go
And teacher
There are things that I don't want to learn
But the one thing I have is my pride
Oh so I don't want to learn to hold you, touch you
Think that you're mine
Because there ain't no joy
I'm just an uptown boy
Who just isn't willing to try
I'm so cold inside
Maybe just one more try
Written by George Michael.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox.
Folks will take advantage of you because they believe you're too weak to speak up for yourself
You don't have to speak up for yourself
Be still and let God fight your battles
Somebody come and go with me, Father
There will be mountains that I will have to climb
And there will be battles that I will have to fight
But victory or defeat, it's up to me to decide
But how can I expect to win if I never try
I just can't give up now
Come too far from where I started from
Nobody told me the road would be easy
And I don't believe He's brought me this far to leave me
Never said there wouldn't be trials, never said I wouldn't fall
Never said that everything would go the way I want it to go
But when my back is against the wall and I feel all hope is gone
I just lift my head up to the sky and say: ‘Help me to be strong’
I just can't give up now (I…)
Come too far from where I started from (Oh oh)
Nobody told me the road would be easy (Nobody told me that the road)
I don't believe He's brought me this far to leave me (I don't believe… to leave me)
No you didn't bring me (No! You didn't bring me)
Out here to leave me lonely (Here to leave me lonely)
Even when I can't see clearly
I know that you are with me (I know that you are with me so I can't)
So I can't…
I just can't give up now (I just can't)
Come too far from where I started from (Cause I've come too far from where I started from)
Nobody told me that the road would be easy (Nobody told me that the road would be easy)
And I don't believe He's brought me this far to leave me (And I don't believe, don't believe)
(To leave me, no)
(Said I can't give up now)
I just can't give up now
(Said I've come too far, too far from where I started from)
Come too far from where I started from
(Nobody told me that the road, not gonna be)
Nobody told me that the road would be easy
(And I don't believe, don't believe)
And I don't believe He's brought me this far to leave me
(No… to leave me)
(Sweet Lord can't let me fall)
I just can't give up now (Just reach out)
Come too far from where I started from
(See the Bible said the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit)
Nobody told me that the road would be easy
(It's been a little rough but I don't believe, don't believe)
And I don't believe He's brought me this far to leave me
(Oh, no… I can't give up now)
I just can't give up now (Said I've come too far)
Come too far from where I started from (From where I started, no one said it would be easy)
Nobody told me that the road would be easy (I said nobody, nobody told me that the road would be)
And I don't believe He's brought me this far to leave me (And I don't believe He…)
(To leave me)
I don't feel no ways tired (Be still and let God fight your battles)
I don't believe He's brought me this far
I don't believe He's brought me this far (Can I get a witness here tonight)
I don't believe He's brought me this far (I don't believe He's brought me)
I don't believe He's brought me this far (He, he's brought me)
(Can I get a witness here tonight)
I don't believe He's brought me this far (I don't believe, no)
(Be still) I don't believe He's brought me this far (Hallelujah)
I don't believe He's brought me this far (I don't, I don't)
(Can I get a witness here tonight)
I don't believe He's brought me this far
Written by Mariah Carey, Curtis Burrell, George Clinton, Jr.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox.
Yet another early morning
And you walk in like it's nothing
Hold up, hold up, hold tight
Ain't no donuts, ain't no coffee
See I know you seen me calling and calling
I should crack you right in your forehead
Let me take a breath
And regain my composure
Told you one more time
If you f'ed up, it's over
When it's gone, it's gone, it's gone, it's gone
You're dead wrong, so wrong, so wrong, so wrong
So just scoo-do-do-do-do, scoo-do-do-do-do
Baby it's a wrap
Shoo-do-do-do-do, shoo-do-do-do-do
For you baby
It's a wrap
It's a wrap for you boy
It's a wrap
Aww baby
Ooh-we oooh-oooh
E-ooh
If I ever misrepresented my self image
Then I'm sorry
I was oh so acquiescent
But I learned my lesson
Boy you're sorry
Bump-bump-bump-bump
All out in the open
Don't make me go call Maury Povich
Let me take a breath
And regain my composure
Told you one more time
If you f'ed up it's over
When it's gone, it's gone, it's gone, it's gone
You dead wrong, so wrong, so wrong, so wrong
So just scoo-do-do-do-do, scoo-do-do-do-do
Baby it's a wrap
Shoo-do-do-do-do, shoo-do-do-do-do
For you baby
It's a wrap
It's a wrap for you boy
It's a wrap
Aww baby
Put all your shit in the elevator
It's goin' down like a denominator
Tryin to keep holdin', on holdin' on
Boy let me go
You gon' wake my neighbors, get away from my door
That was your last shot, you ain't comin back
It's the Martini, I mean it baby
It's a wrap
It's a wrap
When it's gone, it's gone, it's gone, it's gone
You're dead wrong, so wrong, so wrong, so wrong (You're dead wrong)
So just scoo-do-do-do-do, scoo-do-do-do-do (Boy I'm checkin' the gate)
Baby
It's a wrap for you baby
Shoo-do-do-do-do, shoo-do-do-do-do (I told you, I told you)
It's a wrap (If you f'ed up one more time it's over)
It's a wrap (So get up out my face I'm hung over)
So just scoo-do-do-do-do, scoo-do-do-do-do
Baby (Been sitting here all night, leave me alone)
Shoo-do-do-do-do, shoo-do-do-do-do (Since quarter to three I been drinkin' Patrón)
It's a wrap (Watch the credits roll)
It's a wrap
Written by Mariah Carey, Barry White.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Heatmyzer, C. “Tricky” Stewart and James “Big Jim” Wright.
Mariah:
Whoa, welcome to a day of my life (Day of my life)
The memoirs of an imperfect angel…
Whoa, welcome, welcome, welcome to a day of my life
The memoirs of an imperfect angel
Though the lights were low
I could see you both in a lovers' silhouette
And my heart stood still, I was froze right there
Staring down at her red dress
So I bolted out the door, jumped right into the car
It's too dangerous to be in the vicinity of where you are
Rolled down all the windows just so I could breathe
Can't believe you just actually did this shit to me
I'm goin' about a hundred, mascara runnin'
Laughing out of anger, but it don't strike me as funny
Been too good to you, I've been virtuous and true
To have something like this happen in my own bedroom
I betcha gon' know, know how it feels (When I get you back)
Betcha gon' know, know how it feels (And your heart's been cracked)
Betcha gon' know, know how it feels (When we fade to black)
How it feels for real (And you see your whole world collapse)
R. Kelly:
Before we both get loud, Imma break it down
And let you know what happened for real
I was over her house, me and her on the couch
And the whole plan was just to chill
Indeed it got hot after taking some shots
The time must have slipped away
Because all I know I woke hung over
And girl it was the very next day
With the sun in my face I woke up in a rage
Screamed ‘What have you done to me?’
And I'm telling you baby
I know it sounds crazy
She must've put something in my drink
I know you don't believe it and you think I'm dead wrong
Standing there butt naked with nothing but a sheet on
Then she comes out with nothing but a robe on
And that's when I put my damn clothes on
And got the fuck up outta there
Baby now I know how it looks (See I know how it looks)
Baby now I know how it looks (But baby it ain't like that, no)
Baby now I know how it looks (Eh eh eh)
(So don't go accusing me of something that I didn't really mean to do)
Mariah:
This is for real, for real, for real (No)
Oprah Winfrey whole segment for real, for real (No)
20/20 Barbara Walters for real, for real (No)
60 minutes for real (Oh…)
Baby (I had all my trust in you and look at what you put me through)
(This is not my fault no, know it baby)
You got me all crazy (Somewhere down the line you gon' get what you deserve, you fuckin' jerk)
You were supposed to save me (You were supposed to save me)
(And I love you) My sweet baby (My sweet baby)
(I don't love her, no)
But now we're fading away (Don't fade, don't fade no)
But you're gonna know how this feels
Even if it's the last thing I ever do
To be continued…
Written by Mariah Carey, Terius Nash, Christopher Stewart, James Wright, Robert Kelly.
Produced by Mariah Carey, C. “Tricky” Stewart, Terius “The-Dream” Nash and James “Big Jim” Wright.
I'm making a statement of my own opinion
Just a brief little reminder to help myself remember
I no longer live in your dominion
You're just trifling, nothing more than a liability
Got a bundle of your possessions
Outside the kitchen window right now
Letting go
Letting go ain't easy
Oh, it's just exceedingly hurtful
Cause somebody you used to know
Is flinging your world around
And they watch, as you're falling down, down, down
Falling down, baby
Evidently your words were merely lies
Reverberating in my ears and the echo won't subside
There's a deep deep loss of hope and the anger burns in me
I hope you don't get no ideas about reuniting baby
Cause that's the last thing I truly need
Your audacity is too much to be believed, so
Go to Mimi on your contacts, press delete
Letting go ain't easy
Oh, it's just exceedingly hurtful
Cause somebody you used to know
Is flinging your world around
And they watch, as you're falling down, down
Down, down
Baby letting go, baby letting go
Ain't easy, ain't easy
Baby letting go, baby letting go
Ain't easy, ain't easy, no
Baby letting go, it ain't easy
Cause somebody you used to know
Is flinging your world around
And you know what?
They watch as you're falling, as you're falling
Down
Fall
It ain't easy, baby
Written by Mariah Carey, Rodney Jerkins.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins.
O beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain
America, America
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea
From sea to shining sea
From sea to shining sea
Lyrics by Katharine Lee Bates. Music by Samuel A. Ward.
Produced by Mariah Carey and James “Big Jim” Wright.
