“I Still Believe” is a song originally recorded by Brenda K. Starr for her second studio album, released in 1987. Mariah, who used to sing backup for Brenda, included a cover of the song as a bonus track on her #1's compilation. “I was a backup singer for Brenda K. Starr right out of high school,” Mariah told Rosie O'Donnell in 1999. “She was very nice to me, kinda took me under her wing and she actually helped me get my start, so I remade the song as a tribute to her.”
In the United States, “I Still Believe” was released as the third single from #1's on February 9, 1999. The song peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart during the week of March 20, 1999, and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on March 17, 1999. “I Still Believe” was released in the United Kingdom on March 29, 1999, peaking at number sixteen on the Official Singles Chart.
Mariah recorded new vocals for three different sets of remixes: the Stevie J. Remix, featuring rappers Amil and Mocha; the dance remixes, produced by David Morales; and the Damizza Reemix, which interpolates the song “Pure Imagination” from the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory and features raps from Da Brat and Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's Krayzie Bone.
| Song | Remix | Run time |
|---|---|---|
| I Still Believe | Morales' Classic Club Mix
Produced by David Morales. |
9:02 |
| I Still Believe | Morales' Classic Club Mix — Edit
Produced by David Morales. |
3:51 |
| I Still Believe | Morales' Classic Club Mix — UK Edit
Produced by David Morales. |
6:57 |
| I Still Believe | The Eve Of Souls Mix
Produced by David Morales. |
10:54 |
| I Still Believe | The Eve Of Souls Mix — UK Edit
Produced by David Morales. |
8:53 |
| I Still Believe | The Kings Mix
Produced by David Morales. |
8:04 |
| I Still Believe | The Kings Mix — Instrumental
Produced by David Morales. |
8:04 |
| I Still Believe | Stevie J. Remix feat. Mocha and Amil
Produced by Steven “Stevie J.” Jordan. |
5:04 |
| I Still Believe | Stevie J. Remix feat. Mocha and Amil — A Cappella
Produced by Steven “Stevie J.” Jordan. |
5:04 |
| I Still Believe | Stevie J. Remix Instrumental
Produced by Steven “Stevie J.” Jordan. |
5:04 |
| I Still Believe / Pure Imagination | Damizza Reemix feat. Krayzie Bone and Da Brat
Produced by Damizza. |
4:32 |
| I Still Believe / Pure Imagination | Damizza Reemix feat. Krayzie Bone and Da Brat — A Cappella
Produced by Damizza. |
4:32 |
| I Still Believe / Pure Imagination | Damizza Reemix Instrumental
Produced by Damizza. |
4:20 |
In the “I Still Believe” music video, which was directed by Brett Ratner and filmed at the Edwards Air Force Base in California in December 1998, Mariah pays homage to Marilyn Monroe's 1954 visit to the US troops in Korea. “I used to watch old footage of entertainers going overseas from Bob Hope to Marilyn Monroe,” Mariah explained. “The man who made the dress actually made dresses for Marilyn Monroe.”
The Damizza Reemix video of “I Still Believe,” directed by Mariah and filmed in Mexico, made its debut in late February 1999.
“I Still Believe” became commercially available in the United States on February 9, 1999. The Single, issued on CD, Cassette and 7" Vinyl, includes the Damizza Reemix of “I Still Believe / Pure Imagination” and the Morales' Classic Club Mix Edit of “I Still Believe.” The Maxi Single, released on CD and Cassette, includes the Album Version, the Stevie J. Clean Remix, the Damizza Reemix and two remixes by David Morales: Classic Club Mix and The Kings Mix. “I Still Believe” also saw a double 12" Vinyl release, including four versions of the Stevie J. Remix (Main, Clean, Instrumental and A Cappella), three versions of “I Still Believe / Pure Imagination” (Main, Instrumental and A Cappella) and four remixes produced by David Morales (Classic Club Mix, The Eve of Souls Mix, The Kings Mix and The Kings Mix Instrumental).
The European “I Still Believe” CD single, released on March 1, 1999, includes the Album Version and the Morales' Classic Club Mix Edit, while the Maxi Single adds four additional Morales remixes (Classic Club Mix, The Kings Mix, The Kings Mix Instrumental and The Eve Of Souls). A second “I Still Believe” Maxi Single was released on CD on March 8, 1999, including the Album Version of the song, the Main and Clean versions of the Stevie J. remix as well the Main and A Capella versions of the Damizza Reemix. A single-disc 12" vinyl was also issued, featuring two Morales remixes (Classic Club Mix and The Kings Mix), the Damizza Reemix and the A Cappella version of the Stevie J. remix.
Two “I Still Believe” Maxi Singles were released in the United Kingdom on March 29, 1999. CD 1 includes the Morales' Classic Club Mix Edit and exclusive UK edits of the Classic Club Mix and The Eve of Souls Mix. CD 2 includes the Album Version, the Stevie J. remix and the Damizza Reemix of “I Still Believe / Pure Imagination.” The Single was released on Cassette, including the album version and the Morales' Classic Club Mix Edit.
In Australia, the “I Still Believe” CD Maxi Single — which was mistakenly printed with the Epic Records logo — includes the Album Version, the David Morales Remix Edit, the Damizza Reemix of “I Still Believe / Pure Imagination” and the Stevie J. Clean Remix. The Cassette Maxi Single includes three versions of the song: Album Version, David Morales Remix Edit and The Eve Of Souls Mix.
On March 10, 1999, Sony Music Japan issued the “I Still Believe” CD Maxi Single, with the same tracklist as the United States version.
You look in my eyes
And I get emotional inside
I know it's crazy
But you still can touch my heart
And after all this time
You'd think that I
I wouldn't feel the same
But time melts into nothing
And nothing's changed
I still believe, someday you and me
Will find ourselves in love again
I had a dream, someday you and me
Will find ourselves in love again
Each day of my life
I'm filled with all the joy I could find
You know that I am not the desperate type
If there's one spark of hope left in my grasp
I'll hold it with both hands
It's worth the risk of burning to have a second chance
No, no, no, no, no, no I need you baby
I still believe that we can be together
If we believe that true love never has to end
Then we must know that we will love again
I still believe, someday you and me
Will find ourselves in love again
I had a dream, someday you and me
Will find ourselves in love again
Written by Antonina Armato, Beppe Cantarelli.
Produced by Steven “Stevie J.” Jordan, Mike Mason and Mariah Carey.
Mariah:
No matter what, baby
No matter what people say
I'm gonna believe we can still be together
No matter what, baby
No matter what people say
I'm gonna believe we can still be together
Baby, I still believe
And it's more than my imagination
It's so real I know we're gonna be together
(I'm gonna believe we can still be together)
Krayzie Bone:
If you still believe (I do believe)
Then you will find
Everything you're searchin' for and maybe more
Mariah:
But, boy, you seem to be lost in uncertainty
But when you wake up you'll know
You never shoulda let it go
Krayzie Bone:
Believe me, the feelin' has always been sure
I just wasn't too certain yours were legitimate
Genuine really the Real McCoy
Mariah:
And after all this time, you look into my eyes
And everything is still the same
My love for you won't fade away
Baby, I still believe
And it's more than my imagination
It's so real I know we're gonna be together
Baby, I had a dream
And it's more than my imagination
Because I still believe we belong together
Krayzie Bone:
I'm still a believer of this, so stop
Just listen and look into my eyes
I want you to visualize and realize
They say that it's never been too easy being Krayzie Bone
Temptation be blattin' with the persuasion rattlin' in my brain
Won't go insane
I figure that's why they callin' me Krayzie cause I still maintain
But we gonna struggle through all them hard times
And I gotta tell you peace and happiness is hard to find
Come on, we can get there
And I'm not trying to make excuses or reasons
But these demons got me seeing things that's really been misleading me
But maybe that's just my life
Maybe I'm just a thug, cold hearted
But I can feel the love
Just keep the faith, and don't break it
Shake all them fakers and haters
And ask me then 'Will we make it?'
And I say 'Yeah, uh huh'
You got to believe it (You got to believe)
You got to believe it
Mariah:
Baby, I still believe
And it's more than my imagination
It's so real I know we're gonna be together
Baby, I had a dream
And it's more than my imagination
Because I still believe we belong together
If you wanna view paradise (If you want)
Think about our love and view it (to view it)
Nothing could be closer to it (Nothing comes)
If we don't believe we'll lose it (let's do it)
Da Brat:
I know you be missin' every bit of the feelin'
You get when you used to hit this shit
Cause can't nobody fuck like me (heh heh)
They all in my business
And vicious lies can lead
To innocent victims losing their lives for greed
Paparazzi invading my privacy
Obviously, it's privacy
Ain't no article that can stoppin' me (you can't stop)
And even if my label drop me
I'ma still sell copies
I'm So So phenomenal Def
Most know me for leaving bullet holes
In the abdominal area, throat and chest
One of the best motherfuckers left
Still puffin' and lovin' nothin' till my last breath
I only believed it was possible
You ain't none of mi amigo, my friend
They lay in the dugout, pretendin' to be unstoppable
Lose the ego
Get in the way of my guns
And they ain't got no prob for droppin' you
The best thing for you to do is run cause I'm plannin' on poppin' you
I gotta live my life, my life, the minute
Or Da Brat don't get no sunshine
Mariah:
Baby, I still believe
And it's more than my imagination
It's so real I know we're gonna be together
Baby, I had a dream
And it's more than my imagination
Because I still believe we belong together
Repeat
Written by Antonina Armato, Beppe Cantarelli, Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley.
Produced by Damizza.
Mocha:
And no time surrenderin'
To the spice and cinnamon
Left you trembling and at nights remembering
The love you lost
Got set up and tossed
If you say it ain't so well
That's how you come across
Still can't spot one
Who can top son
Can call on your dogs cause you know I'm one
If you put it in the clip then I'll pop one
If you push in the whip then I got the shotgun
All factual, let's be practical
Act natural is what we have to do
I'ma ride with you
And then I'll slide with you
Understand I ain't the one to be lyin' to
I'm like that Benz you drop
Ballin' down your block
I'm like the ice you're workin' for
To put on your watch
I want you starin' and comparin' to the stuff you got
Have your heart stop
Watch my joints chart tops
Mariah:
I still believe in you and me
Still believe eventually
We will find ourselves in love again
I still believe
Boy you know that true love never ends
Boy when you look into my eyes
I get emotional inside
I know it's crazy but it's true
You would think things had changed
But inside I know I really feel the same
I still believe in you and me
Still believe eventually
We will find ourselves in love again
I still believe
Boy you know that true love never ends
Each night and every day of my life
I'm filled with all the joy inside
If there's a spark of hope in my grasp
I will keep holding on
'Cause it's worth the risk to have a second chance
I still believe in you and me
Still believe eventually
We will find ourselves in love again
I still believe
Boy you know that true love never ends
I still believe in you
All that I know
Is if we let go
We'll let it all
Just pass us by
Don't be afraid
True love will never end
We will love again
Amil:
I know cats say I be lil' J-I-G
The dough right then you OK by me
I need a man in my life who can handle my price
And still be on my shit after I stand 'em up twice
Let me see if you got what I need
Like a little tricky money for the shopping sprees
May let you lock me down with the option to leave
Coin rules mandatory that you're copping me these
Plus I gotta be whipping the latest
And before anything J. has to OK this
So, make sure you're coming right with yours
I mean like have me drummin' and fighting hoes
Step your game up
If you're running tight with yours
'Cause see my niggas bring that tonic the night before
I come with interest if you're interested
Ballers, I take 'em thug, never sensitive
Mariah:
I still believe in you and me
Still believe eventually
We will find ourselves in love again
I still believe
Boy you know that true love never ends
I still believe in you
Still believe eventually
We will find ourselves in love again
Written by Antonina Armato, Beppe Cantarelli.
Produced by Steven “Stevie J.” Jordan.
I still believe in you and me
I have a dream, baby
I still believe in you and me
I have a dream, baby
I still believe in you and me
I have a dream, baby
I still believe in you and me
I have a dream, baby
I still believe in you and me (I still want you baby)
I have a dream, baby (All I need, all I love, all I dream, all I want)
I still believe in you and me (I love you baby, need you my baby, still believe)
I have a dream, baby (You and I both belong)
I still want you baby
I still believe in you
Boy I'm still feeling you
I had a dream
I had a dream
I had a dream
I had a dream
Don't you know that we
We were meant to be
I love you, my darling
I need you, all I want is you
Why don't you, come on back to me
Oh baby, I need you
My darling, sweet baby
I can't live, you're for me
We're gonna find
Ourselves in love
I still believe in you and me
I have a dream, baby
I still believe in you and me (Oh, I believe, I still believe)
I have a dream, baby (A dream, I can't let you)
No, won't let you go
No, won't let you go
I can't let you go, no
I can't let you go, no
I can't let you go, no
I can't let you go
I can't let you go
I can't let you go
No I, no I, no I, no I
No I, no I, no I, no I
No I, no I, no I
Can't let, can't let
No I can't let
No I can't let
No I can't let
No I can't let go
No, no
No, no
I
Oh I believe
I still believe
Oh I believe
I still believe
I can't live without you, baby
I just want your loving baby
I can't live without you, baby
I just want your loving baby
I can't live without you, baby
I just want your loving baby
I can't live without you, baby
I just want your loving baby
No I, no I, no I, no I
No I, no I, no I, no I
No I, no I, no I, no I
No I, no I, no I, no I
I still believe in you and me
I have a dream, baby
I still believe in you and me
I have a dream, baby
I still believe in you and me
I have a dream, baby
I still believe in you and me
I have a dream, baby
Written by Antonina Armato, Beppe Cantarelli.
Produced by David Morales.
I won't let you go
No, won't let you go
I won't let you go
No, won't let you go
No…
I had a dream
I had a dream
I had a dream
I had a dream
I love you baby
Need you my baby
Still believe
You and I both belong
I still want you baby
Oh oh, yeah baby
I still believe in you
Boy, I'm still feeling you
Gotta have you baby
All I need
See I want you baby
Still I need you baby
Ooh my love
Oh baby
Don't you know that we
We were meant to be
I love you, my darling
I need you, oh I want you
Why don't you come on back to me
Oh baby I need you
My darling, sweet baby
I really, you're for me
I can't live without you baby
I just need you love me baby
I can't live without you baby
I just need you love me baby
I can't live without you baby
I just need you love me baby
I can't live without you baby
I just need you love me baby
I can't live without you baby
I just need you love me baby
I can't live without you baby
I just need you love me baby
I can't live without you baby
I just need you love me baby
I can't live without you baby
I just need you love me baby
No, won't let you go
No, won't let you go
I can't let you go, no
I can't let you go, no
I can't let you go, no
I can't let you go
I can't let you go
I can't let you go…
No…
I can't let, can't let
No…
Oh, I believe
I still believe
Oh, I believe
I still believe
Yeah…
Written by Antonina Armato, Beppe Cantarelli.
Produced by David Morales.
