“Subtle Invitation” is a song from Mariah's Charmbracelet album, released in 2002. “‘Subtle Invitation’ is a record that I did with 7 Aurelius. We did it in the Bahamas, we recorded it with all live musicians,” Mariah explained about the song's creation. “We all got in this big room: live horn players, live everything. It was basically like an Unplugged session. I just came up with different melodies and was playing off of what the guitar player was doing or off of what the keyboard player was doing and we came up with ‘Subtle Invitation.’ ”
See it's hard to tell somebody
That you're still somewhat
Attached to the dream
Of being in love once again
When it's clear they've moved on
So I sat down and wrote these few words
On the off chance you'd hear
And if you happen to be somewhere listening
You should know I'm still here
If you really need me
Baby just reach out and touch me
You don't ever have to be
Downhearted again
If she hurts you or misleads you
Baby all you ever need to do
Is call me and let love rush in
What can I say, I had a little extra time
So I figured I might as well explain
A couple little things to you
That you probably never knew
Like you'll always be an intrinsic part of me
Even though life goes on
If you really need me
Baby just reach out and touch me
You don't ever have to be
Downhearted again
If she hurts you or misleads you
Baby all you ever need to do
Is call me and let love rush in
And in my love will flow
Like the waves to the shore
You can fall into me
Once again effortlessly
And I'll comfort you so
You heart won't hurt anymore
I'm waiting patiently
If you really need me
Baby just reach out and touch me
You don't ever have to be
Downhearted again
If she hurts you or misleads you
Baby all you ever need to do
(If she hurts you or misleads you)
Is call me and let love rush in
(You can just call me baby)
If you really need me
(If you really need me baby)
Baby just reach out and touch me
(Reach reach, baby)
You don't ever have to be
(Don't ever hesitate to call me, yeah)
Downhearted again
If she hurts you or misleads you
(And if she hurts you)
(She's a damn fool)
Baby all you ever need to do
Is call me and let love rush in
(All you gotta do is call me boy, I got you)
If you really need me
(Yeah, yeah)
Baby just reach out and touch me
(If you're listening to me, baby)
You don't ever have to be
(Like you used to)
Downhearted again
(Before I even knew you)
If she hurts you or misleads you
(Then you know I'm singing to you)
Baby all you ever need to do
(So I just wanted you to know)
Is call me and let love rush in
(That “anytime you need a friend”)
If you really need me
(I'm here)
Baby just reach out and touch me
(You can still believe in fairy tales)
Downhearted again
(Yours and mine)
If she hurts you or misleads you
(So if by chance you take a listen)
Baby all you ever need to do
(I'm quite sure you know)
Is call me and let love rush in
(That this one's for you)
(Cause I'm giving “my all”)
Written by Mariah Carey, 7 Aurelius, Lloyd Smith, Kenneth Crouch, Rob Bacon and Randy Jackson.
Produced by Mariah Carey and 7 Aurelius. Co-Produced by I.G..
