“Don't Forget About Us” was sent to radio on September 26, 2005, as the lead single from the Ultra Platinum Edition re-release of The Emancipation Of Mimi. “When we decided to re-release The Emancipation of Mimi album, L.A. Reid felt that we needed to have another mid-tempo ballad to go along with the new, special platinum edition,” Mariah wrote about the song on the #1 To Infinity liner notes in 2015. “I really love this record because I feel it's got so many dynamics and it speaks directly to the person I'm writing to. It still allows people to interpret the song their own way and to connect with however they may be feeling they need to talk to when they listen to the song. I feel like that's what makes it a #1 song. I love the beat, I love the track, I love the musicality of this piece. It's definitely a personal favorite of mine.”
During the week of December 31, 2005, “Don't Forget About Us” became Mariah's seventeenth number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100, tying Elvis Presley's record for the most number-one songs on the chart. The song spent two consecutive weeks atop the chart and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on June 24, 2006.
The “Don't Forget About Us” remixes became available digitally on December 13, 2005. Five remixes were released, each one exclusive to a separate digital retailer: the remix featuring Juelz Santana and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, produced by Jermaine Dupri, was available on iTunes; the Ralphi and Jody DB Anthomic Dub on MSN Music, Tony Moran & Warren Rigg's Dance Floor Anthem on Napster, Ralphi Rosario & Craig's Martini Vocal mix on Real/Rhapsody, and the Quentin Shelter Anthem Mix on Yahoo! Music Engine. The dance remixes took “Don't Forget About Us” to the top of Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart on January 21, 2006.
Mariah re-recorded “Don't Forget About Us” for the Desert Storm Remix, produced by DJ Clue. The remix, which features Styles P. and Fabolous, was only available on DJ Clue's Fidel Cashflow 2006 — The New Regime mixtape, released on April 11, 2006.
| Song | Remix | Run time |
|---|---|---|
| Don't Forget About Us | Instrumental
|
3:38 |
| Don't Forget About Us | Remix feat. Juelz Santana and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Produced by Jermaine Dupri. |
3:32 |
| Don't Forget About Us | Remix Instrumental
Produced by Jermaine Dupri. |
3:32 |
| Don't Forget About Us | Desert Storm Remix feat. Styles P. and Fabolous
Produced by DJ Clue. |
4:40 |
| Don't Forget About Us | Ralphi & Craig J. Martini Vocal Mix
Produced by Ralphi Rosario, Craig J. Snider, Jody Denbroeder. |
7:41 |
| Don't Forget About Us | Ralphi & Craig J. Martini At XO Vocal Edit
Produced by Ralphi Rosario, Craig J. Snider, Jody Denbroeder. |
3:38 |
| Don't Forget About Us | Ralphi & Craig J. Martini Anthomic Vocal Remix
Produced by Ralphi Rosario, Craig J. Snider, Jody Denbroeder. |
9:50 |
| Don't Forget About Us | Ralphi & Craig J. Anthomic Radio Mix
Produced by Ralphi Rosario, Craig J. Snider, Jody Denbroeder. |
3:45 |
| Don't Forget About Us | Ralphi & Jody Anthomic Dub
Produced by Ralphi Rosario, Craig J. Snider, Jody Denbroeder. |
11:43 |
| Don't Forget About Us | Tony Moran & Warren Rigg Dance Floor Anthem
Produced by Tony Moran, Warren Rigg. |
9:32 |
| Don't Forget About Us | Tony Moran & Warren Rigg Percussion Dub
Produced by Tony Moran, Warren Rigg. |
9:41 |
| Don't Forget About Us | Tony Moran Radio Mix
Produced by Tony Moran. |
4:18 |
| Don't Forget About Us | Quentin Shelter Anthem Mix
Produced by Quentin Harris. |
12:29 |
| Don't Forget About Us | Quentin Harris Radio Mix
Produced by Quentin Harris. |
4:39 |
The music video for “Don't Forget About Us” was filmed in California in October 2005 and directed by Paul Hunter, who had previously worked with Mariah on 1997's “Honey.” “I was always like, ‘I wish I could do something like ‘Honey’ again,’ ” Mariah told MTV. “[The shot in the pool] was totally and completely inspired by Something's Got to Give, Marilyn Monroe's last movie that never got finished. It's an homage to her, because I've never seen anyone re-create it. So many people have emulated so many of Marilyn's classic moments, but it's just that I'm a big fan of hers, and I thought it was really pretty at night with the pool. No one could ever be as fabulous as Marilyn was, but it's in honor and homage to her.”
The Desert Storm remix video for “Don't Forget About Us” never got its official debut. Instead, it was uploaded onto MySpace by DJ Clue. The clip shows Mariah, Fabolous, Styles P. and Clue recording the remix at New York City's Right Track recording studios and Mariah cruising around Manhattan with Clue and singing along to the remix in her apartment.
The only physical release for “Don't Forget About Us” in the United States was a double 12" Vinyl including four dance remixes by Tony Moran, Quentin Harris and Ralphi Rosario, which became available on December 12, 2005.
In Europe, the “Don't Forget About Us” CD Single includes the Album Version and the Remix featuring Juelz Santana and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, while the CD Maxi Single includes the Ralphi Rosario & Craig J. Anthomic Vocal Mix and the Tony Moran Mix and the as well as the song's music video.
In the United Kingdom, CD 1 includes the Radio Edit and Dance Floor Anthem Remix of “Don't Forget About Us” as well as the remix of “Shake It Off” featuring Jay-Z and Young Jeezy. CD 2 contains two tracks: the Radio Edit and the Ralphi Rosario & Craig J. Martini at XO Vocal Edit. The UK also got a 12" Vinyl including the Radio Edit and two remixes: Ralphi Rosario & Craig J. Anthomic Vocal Edit and the Quentin Harris Re-Production Shelter Anthem Mix.
The Australian “Don't Forget About Us” CD Maxi Single contains the Album Version, three remixes (Tony Moran & Warren Rigg Dance Floor Anthem, Ralphi & Craig Martini Vocal Mix and Quentin Shelter Anthem Mix), as well as the “Don't Forget About Us” music video.
Just let it die
With no goodbyes
Details don't matter
When both pay the price
Tears in my eyes
You know sometimes
It'd be like that, baby
Now every time I see you
I pretend I'm fine
When I wanna reach out to you
But I turn and I walk and I let it ride
Baby, I must confess
We were bigger than anything
Remember us at our best
And don't forget about
Late nights, playin' in the dark
And wakin' up inside my arms
Boy, you'll always be in my heart and
I can see it in your eyes
You still want it
So don't forget about us
I'm just speaking from experience
Nothing can compare to your first true love
So I hope this will remind you
When it's for real, it's forever
So don't forget about us
Oh they say
That you're in a new relationship
But we both know
Nothing comes close to
What we had, it perseveres
That we both can't forget it
How good we used to get it
There's only one me and you
And how we used to shine
No matter what you go through
We are one, that's a fact
That you can't deny
So, baby, we just can't let
The fire pass us by
Forever we'd both regret
So don't forget about
Late nights, playin' in the dark
And wakin' up inside my arms
Boy, you'll always be in my heart and
I can see it in your eyes
You still want it
So don't forget about us
I'm just speaking from experience
Nothing can compare to your first true love
So I hope this will remind you
When it's for real, it's forever
So don't forget about us
And if she's got your head all messed up now
That's the trickery
She'll wanna have like you know how this lovin' used to be
I bet she can't do like me
She'll never be MC
Baby, don't you, don't you forget about us
Late nights, playin' in the dark
And wakin' up inside my arms
Boy, you'll always be in my heart and
I can see it in your eyes
You still want it
So don't forget about us
I'm just speaking from experience
Nothing can compare to your first true love
So I hope this will remind you
When it's for real, it's forever
So don't forget about us
Late nights, playin' in the dark
And wakin' up inside my arms
Boy, you'll always be in my heart and
I can see it in your eyes
You still want it
So don't forget about us
I'm just speaking from experience
Nothing can compare to your first true love
So I hope this will remind you
When it's for real, it's forever
So don't forget about us
Don't, baby, don't, baby, don't let it go
No, baby, no, baby, no, baby no
Don't, baby, don't, baby, don't let it go
When it's for real, it's forever
So don't forget about us
Written by M. Carey, J. Dupri, M. Seal, J. Austin.
Produced by Jermaine Dupri and Mariah Carey. Co-produced by Bryan-Michael Cox.
Layzie Bone:
Why we make up just to break up
Wanna be together but the world tryin' to takes us
In different directions and ain't even tell us to treasure the blessings collected
But hold on up wait a second, caught up in my recollection
I remember that body you flexing
Baby me and you was all night sexing
Your boy put it down, didn't he?
You told me you'd never forget
First time that you let me hit it
Got on top of it and just rode it rode it
All night long, shoulda been all life long
Me and you cheating, won't right no wrongs
But, what a good memory, we'll stay strong
Krayzie Bone:
Now I know I've met a lot of other women in my lifetime
I've still never met none like you
So I'm never, said I'm never, given up the pleasure, not ever
I know, you was the only one true to me
I shoulda thugged you so much more
Cause it shows, through do everything you do for me
You kept it real with your boy
Believe me, I remember them days
when nothing came between me and you
We be straight up doing our thang
When you be next to me, we in ecstasy
I'mma love it, I'mma never leave it cause that's all we got
Keep me in your memory…
Mariah:
And don't forget about
Late nights, playin' in the dark
And wakin' up inside my arms
Boy, you'll always be in my heart and
I can see it in your eyes
You still want it
So don't forget about us
Oh they say
That you're in a new relationship
But we both know
Nothing comes close to
What we had, it perseveres
That we both can't forget it
How good we used to get it
There's only one me and you
And how we used to shine
No matter what you go through
We are one, that's a fact
That you can't deny
So, baby, we just can't let
The fire pass us by
Forever we'd both regret
So don't forget about us
Juelz Santana:
Let me brush my shoulders off real quick man
Aye Mimi baby, you need me baby?
You know I know how to treat a lady
See a girl like you, need a guy like me
Not a busta like that, sucka like that
Soon as you leave, he gon' want you right back
He don't want you like that
I want you like that
She like, baby no, she like baby don't
I'm like baby you know your baby won't leave you in the cold like that
(No…) I ain't new to this, I'm true to this
I treat you like when I was moving bricks
That's serious, baby I'm serious
I ain't talking materialistic
I'm talking serious business
I'm talking about the wish of wishes
Don't you wish you get this?
I know you sick, I know you tired
I know you sick of being sick and tired
X him out, count me in
You don't need to be with a clown like him
Mariah:
So don't forget about
Late nights, playin' in the dark
And wakin' up inside my arms
Boy, you'll always be in my heart and
I can see it in your eyes
You still want it
So don't forget about us
I'm just speaking from experience
Nothing can compare to your first true love
So I hope this will remind you
When it's for real, it's forever
So don't forget about us
Late nights, playin' in the dark
And wakin' up inside my arms
Boy, you'll always be in my heart and
I can see it in your eyes
You still want it
So don't forget about us
Written by M. Carey, J. Dupri, M. Seal, J. Austin.
Produced by Jermaine Dupri and Mariah Carey. Co-produced by Bryan-Michael Cox.
Mariah:
Late nights, playin' in the dark
Boy remember wakin' up in my arms
Boy don't you know that you're always in my heart
So don't forget about us
Fabolous / Styles P.:
Please don't forget of the late nights
Chased Double O, S-L, all they see is our brake lights
You know we get busy like midtown
I need you back, I can't forget, you know how we get down
And I can't say if it hadn't been for the pad and pen
That ain't even matter then, I'm always at it then
But when I think about it I'll be gettin' mad again
Cause the way we broke up was badder than Brad and Jen
Mariah:
Just let it die
With no goodbyes
Details don't matter
When both pay the price
Tears in my eyes
You know sometimes
It'd be like that, baby
Now every time I see you
I pretend I'm fine
When I wanna reach out to you
But I turn and I walk and I let it ride
Baby, I must confess
We were bigger than anything
Remember us at our best
And don't forget about
Late nights, playin' in the dark
Boy remember wakin' up in my arms
Boy don't you know that you're always in my heart
So don't forget about us
Fabolous / Styles P.:
Please don't forget
The good times, the good wine
The talks after sex
The walks on the deck
What about us?
The love and the trust
On the highway
Testarossa kickin' up dust
What about the plans for the kids and the yard full of dogs
Think of the time
Shapar for the fall
Still look at the phone, pray to God that you call
They say love larger than life, I'd die cause you on
Bonita Applebum, ma
You gotta put me on
In the 6, with the chicks, wild'n out, til the morn'
But I still can't find myself smilin' in the morn'
And I gotta tell myself I been wild'n since you gone
Yeah I've got some other chicks
But I ain't got that other shit
Met 'em on the road, gotta double up the rubbers quick
They ain't the chicks that I be under the covers with
Gotta let you know that you my only love I miss
Mariah:
Oh they say
That you're in a new relationship
But we both know
Nothing comes close to
What we had, it perseveres
That we both can't forget it
How good we used to get it
There's only one me and you
And how we used to shine
No matter what you go through
We are one, that's a fact
That you can't deny
So, baby, we just can't let
The fire pass us by
Forever we'd both regret
Fabolous / Styles P.:
Soon as you hear this song you'll remember
I'm gone 'til Noviembre
But long ass sinner
I'm long as the Jim bay
No you can't forget that
Late night
Chit chat
Turned into meet'n out
Eaten at them with that
Don't fall asleep, boo
Three screws, hit that
Break ups, make ups, go to Jacob
And get that
I'm missin' her feel
Touchin' on ya gently
His and her grills
Horn of the end days
Client's first steel
Ridin' on the 50's
Ain't nothin change but the keys and the clothes
When I was with you
I took it easy on the road
Coulda dissed you
Been on the 4 "C's" gettin' warm
So don't get amnesia
Baby when we met
You was down in a breeze
And didn't have a Visa
I brought you in like Bush did to Condoleezza
Now I gotta brush it like the waves on the seas
So don't forget about
Late nights, playin' in the dark
And wakin' up inside my arms
Boy, you'll always be in my heart and
I can see it in your eyes
You still want it
So don't forget about us
I'm just speaking from experience
Nothing can compare to your first true love
I hope this will remind you
When it's for real, it's forever
So don't forget about us
Late nights, playin' in the dark
Boy remember wakin' up in my arms
Boy don't you know that you're always in my heart
So don't forget about us
Written by M. Carey, J. Dupri, M. Seal, J. Austin.
Produced by DJ Clue.
