Wikipedia

Forever (Mariah Carey song)

"Forever" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter, and record producer Mariah Carey for her fifth studio album, Daydream (1995). It was released by Columbia Records on June 18, 1996, as an airplay-only single and the fifth single from the album. The song was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff, and was composed throughout 1995. Its lyrics describe a situation where the protagonist knows her relationship with her lover has withered away, however he will continue living in her memory forever.

"Forever"
International standard artwork, also used for US promotional material
Single by Mariah Carey
from the album Daydream
B-side
ReleasedJune 18, 1996
Studio
  • Wallyworld
  • Sony (New York)
Genre
Length4:01
LabelColumbia
Composer(s)
Lyricist(s)Mariah Carey
Producer(s)
  • Walter Afanasieff
  • Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey singles chronology
"Always Be My Baby"
(1996) 		"Forever"
(1996) 		"Underneath the Stars"
(1996)
Music video
"Mariah Carey - Forever (Live Video Version)" on YouTube

The song's music video is a collage of snippets from Carey's shows at the Tokyo Dome, during her Daydream World Tour in 1996. Most of the video is the performance of the song during one of the three Japanese shows on the tour. Serving as an airplay only song in the US, and a limited release around the world, the song received a well amount of chart success specifically in the U.S.. In the United States, Billboard rules did not allow the charting of non-commercially released songs. For this reason, it did not chart on the Hot 100, however peaking at number two on the Adult Contemporary chart. Outside the US, the song peaked at number 11 in Canada, 40 in New Zealand and 44 in the Netherlands.

Composition

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"Forever"
A 24-second sample from Mariah Carey's "Forever". The song features 1950s style instrumentation, with doo-wop influences.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

"Forever" is a rock and roll[1] and pop song[2] with elements of doo-wop.[3] Composed as a waltz[4] that lasts for four minutes and one second,[5] the track follows 12
8 time and moves at a tempo of 63 beats per minute.[6] It is a sentimental ballad with lyrics about continued affection amidst heartbreak.[7][8] In describing Carey's performance, Billboard said she "plays the romantic ingenue with convincing, wide-eyed innocence and infectious hope".[9] Her vocal range spans two octaves and three semitones from the low note of E♭3 to the high note of F♯5.[6]

Walter Afanasieff produced "Forever" with Carey; she wrote the lyrics herself and the pair composed the music together. He also played the keyboards, provided synth bass, and programmed the drums and rhythm electronically. Dan Shea and Gary Cirimelli added additional programming while Dann Huff played the guitars. Jay Healy and Dana Jon Chappelle engineered the song at Wallyworld and The Hit Factory in New York, where Andy Smith, Kurt Lundvall, Brian Vibberts, and Mike Scott acted as second engineers. Mick Guzauski mixed "Forever" at Sony Studios in New York, after which Bob Ludwig conducted mastering at Gateway Mastering in Portland, Maine.[10]

Critics said "Forever" shared similarities with music from the 1950s[1][4] and 1960s.[11][12] According to biographer Chris Nickson, this is evinced by the song's chord changes and prominent guitar arpeggios.[13] In the Jackson Citizen Patriot, Chris Jorgensen judged it as a homage to the Motown sound.[12] Larry Nager of The Commercial Appeal thought the strings resembled those in the 1959 song "Theme from A Summer Place"[11] and Salvatore Caputo of The Arizona Republic said the composition was inspired by Roy Orbison's music.[14] Rick Mitchell viewed it as an "attempt at an old-fashioned R&B ballad" in the Houston Chronicle.[15] Some critics related "Forever" to Carey's past work. Nickson perceived similarities with songs from her 1990 debut album;[13] Billboard specified that the "retro-pop musical setting" invoked her first single "Vision of Love".[9] Writing for the same magazine, Sal Cinquemani considered the string-guitar combination a recurring musical motif in Carey's songs.[16]

Reception

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Daina Darzin from Cash Box stated, "Carey's continuously-astounding voice is the focal point of this sweet, soaring ballad, featuring lush but unobtrusive orchestration serving as a respectful backdrop."[17] Ken Tucker from Entertainment Weekly praised the song's instrumentation, adding, "I like the brisk waltz tempo of 'Forever'."[18] In 2020, Billboard ranked it as the 100th greatest song of Carey's career.[19]

"Forever" was released as an airplay only single in the US, and received a limited European release. Due to Billboard rules at the time of its release, "Forever" wasn't eligible to chart on the Hot 100. However, the song charted on the Adult Contemporary chart, peaking at number two. In Canada, the song peaked at number 11 on the Canadian RPM Singles Chart issue dated September 30, 1996.[20] In New Zealand, the song entered the singles chart at its peak of number 40, spending only one week in the chart.[21] On the Dutch Singles Chart, "Forever" peaked at number 47, fluctuating in the chart for a total of nine weeks.[22]

Music video and live performances

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"Forever" was first performed in October 1995 in Carey's concert at Madison Square Garden. The next year it was performed throughout all the shows on Carey's Daydream World Tour in 1996.[23] The music video for "Forever" was filmed at one of the Japanese shows during the tour. It presents Carey singing the song on stage at the Tokyo Dome, and inter-cuts scenes from other segments of the show. For the show and video, Carey wore a pair of black pants and matching blouse, together with a long leather trench coat. Her hair teased in a long wavy fashion, and is a golden-auburn color. The video features three back-up singers, one male and two female and a large projection screen on the stage's rear. The live audio of this performance was released on the single.

Formats and track listing

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Credits and personnel

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Recording

  • Recorded at Wallyworld and The Hit Factory (New York)
  • Mixed at Sony Studios (New York)
  • Mastered at Gateway Mastering Studios (Portland, Maine)[10]

Personnel

  • Mariah Carey – lyrics, music, producer, arranger, background vocals
  • Walter Afanasieff – music, producer, arranger, keyboards, synth bass, drum and rhythm programming
  • Dan Shea – additional programming
  • Dann Huff – guitars
  • Gary Cirimelli – Macintosh, digital and synthesizer programming
  • Jay Healy – vocal engineering
  • Dana Jon Chappelle – music engineering, additional vocal engineering
  • Mick Guzauski – mixing
  • Andy Smith – second engineering
  • Kurt Lundvall – second engineering
  • Brian Vibberts – second engineering
  • Mike Scott – second engineering
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering[10]

Charts

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Release history

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Release date and formats for "Forever"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States June 18, 1996
Columbia
[53]

References

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  1. ^ a b Holden, Stephen (October 8, 1995). "Mariah Carey Glides Into New Territory". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 23, 2012.
  2. ^ Dyer, Ervin (November 3, 1995). "Mariah Carey Daydream (Columbia)". Weekend. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 21. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Sholin, Dave (June 7, 1996). "Singles". Gavin Report. p. 54.
  4. ^ a b Cox, Jamieson (December 10, 2017). "Mariah Carey: Daydream Album Review". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on January 22, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Forever" (CD single). Columbia Records. 1996. 663477 1.
  6. ^ a b Hal Leonard 2007, pp. 64–70
  7. ^ Unterberger, Andrew; et al. (October 5, 2020). "The 100 Greatest Mariah Carey Songs: Staff Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 19, 2022.
  8. ^ Gabbara, Princess (August 31, 2018). "All the Tracks on Mariah Carey's Music Box, Ranked". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022.
  9. ^ a b Flick, Larry, ed. (June 22, 1996). "Singles". Billboard. p. 86. ProQuest 227091009.
  10. ^ a b c Daydream (liner notes). Columbia Records. 1995.
  11. ^ a b Nager, Larry (November 3, 1995). "Hot Sounds". The Commercial Appeal. p. C1. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ a b Jorgensen, Chris (October 19, 1995). "Mariah Is Back". Jackson Citizen Patriot. p. D12. Archived from the original on July 1, 2024 – via GenealogyBank.
  13. ^ a b Nickson 1998, p. 149
  14. ^ Caputo, Salvatore (October 20, 1995). "Mariah Carey Daydream: Do 1 Song Unlike Whitney". The Arizona Republic. p. D4. Archived from the original on July 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Mitchell, Rick (October 8, 1995). "Carey Sees Life in Daydream". Zest. Houston Chronicle. p. 6. Archived from the original on July 1, 2024 – via GenealogyBank.
  16. ^ Cinquemani, Sal (September 17, 2021). "Mariah Carey's Emotions at 30: Tracks Ranked Worst to Best". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024.
  17. ^ Darzin, Daina (June 22, 1996). "Pop Singles" (PDF). Cash Box. p. 7. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 12, 2022. Retrieved November 12, 2022.
  18. ^ Tucker, Ken (October 13, 1995). "Daydream (1995)". Entertainment Weekly. Time Warner. Archived from the original on October 31, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  19. ^ "The 100 Greatest Mariah Carey Songs: Staff Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  20. ^ "Top Singles - Volume 64, No. 7, September 30, 1996". RPM. September 30, 1996. Archived from the original on October 18, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  21. ^ "Mariah Carey - Forever". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on May 19, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
  22. ^ "Mariah Carey - Forever". Dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
  23. ^ Nickson 1998, p. 155
  24. ^ "Forever" (12-inch vinyl single). Columbia Records. 1996. 663477 6.
  25. ^
  26. ^ "Forever" (CD maxi single). Columbia Records. 1996. 663477 2.
  27. ^ Ryan 2011, pp. 49–50
  28. ^ a b Lwin 1999, p. 59
  29. ^ "100 Hit Tracks & Where to Find Them". RPM. September 30, 1996. p. 6. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  30. ^ "Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. September 16, 1996. p. 18. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  31. ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 50, 1996" [Tip parade list from week 50, 1996] (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  32. ^ "Mariah Carey" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023.
  33. ^ "Mariah Carey". Charts.org.nz. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023.
  34. ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 22, 2022.
  35. ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  36. ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 30, 2024.
  37. ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Pop Airplay)". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023.
  38. ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Rhythmic Airplay)". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 17, 2023.
  39. ^ "AC Top 30". Radio & Records. October 11, 1996. p. 89. ProQuest 1017292369.
  40. ^ "CHR/Pop Top 50". Radio & Records. September 6, 1996. p. 35. ProQuest 1017286640.
  41. ^ "CHR/Rhythmic Top 50". Radio & Records. August 23, 1996. p. 39. ProQuest 1017288902.
  42. ^ "Hot AC Top 30". Radio & Records. September 13, 1996. p. 76. ProQuest 1017290311.
  43. ^ "2012년 52주차 Download Chart" [2012 Week 52 Download Chart] (in Korean). Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021.
  44. ^ "Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. December 16, 1996. p. 20. Archived from the original on November 17, 2017 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  45. ^ "Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. December 16, 1996. p. 46. Archived from the original on July 29, 2017 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  46. ^ a b "The Year in Music 1996". Billboard. December 28, 1996. pp. YE-36, YE-84. ProQuest 1506066145, ProQuest 1506070040.
  47. ^ "Top 40/Mainstream Titles". Airplay Monitor. December 27, 1996. p. 30.
  48. ^ "Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover Titles". Airplay Monitor. December 27, 1996. p. 32.
  49. ^ "96 of 1996". Radio & Records. December 13, 1996. p. 70. ProQuest 1017293708.
  50. ^ "96 of 1996". Radio & Records. December 13, 1996. p. 28. ProQuest 1017298476.
  51. ^ "96 of 1996". Radio & Records. December 13, 1996. p. 32. ProQuest 1017298542.
  52. ^ "96 of 1996". Radio & Records. December 13, 1996. p. 72. ProQuest 1017293735.
  53. ^ "Selected New Releases". Radio & Records. June 14, 1996. pp. 37, 44. ProQuest 1017298145, ProQuest 1017299298.

Books

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