Mariah wrote “Portrait” with Daniel Moore for her 2018 album Caution. “I don't know another word other than ‘real’ for what that song ‘Portrait’ meant to me at that moment,” Mariah told Variety in 2024. “I was completely isolated by myself and saying, let me get this off my chest and we're going to end the album with this. It's still kind of a deep song to listen to.”
In 2024, Mariah teamed up with Audible for Portrait of a Portrait, a special installment of Audible's popular Words + Music storytelling series, for a deep dive into the personal and emotionally unexplored depths of her songwriting using “Portrait” as the centerpiece. Listen to Portrait of a Portrait here.
Following the release of Mariah's Portrait of a Portrait episode, a “Portrait” EP became available on May 24, 2024, including new remixes of the song, featuring an entirely new production and vocals.
| Song | Remix | Run time |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | Hopeful Child Remix
Produced by Mariah Carey. |
16:20 |
| Portrait | Hopeful Child Remix — Edit
Produced by Mariah Carey. |
6:24 |
| Portrait | Hopeful Child Remix — Radio Edit
Produced by Mariah Carey. |
3:24 |
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.
