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Mariah tackles a classic power ballad
Published Wednesday, Sep 2 2009, 14:20 BST | By Nick Levine | 30 comments
And the classic power ballad she's chosen is... 'I Want To Know What Love Is' by Foreigner. It's a song we all know, your dad probably loves and everyone from Gloria Gaynor to X Factor's Daniel Evans has had a crack at.
Carey's version is no radical reworking. Actually, it's the pop equivalent of a sponge pudding: treacly, old-fashioned and thoroughly satisfying. It begins with tinkled ivories and finger-clicks before Carey steers it towards the oh-so-familiar chorus and a climax that practically gives Simon Cowell a lapdance. Gospel choir? Check. Key change? You betcha. Histrionics? Loads of histrionics! If you haven't heard it yet, it's easy to track down on YouTube.
What do you think of Mariah Carey's cover of 'I Want To Know What Love Is'? Use the space below to have your say.
More: Mariah Carey, Music
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Your Responses
Mark, Macclesfield, on September 6th, 2009
Please, please would someone stop this ridiculous woman and her vocal gymnastics (for that read "fingers down a blackboard") ruining classic songs! First Journey (Open Arms), now Foreigner! Is the realm of cheesy Dad rock no longer safe for me to enjoy without third rate warblers destroying my cherished memories?
Please, please would someone stop this ridiculous woman and her vocal gymnastics (for that read "fingers down a blackboard") ruining classic songs! First Journey (Open Arms), now Foreigner! Is the realm of cheesy Dad rock no longer safe for me to enjoy without third rate warblers destroying my cherished memories?
Nick, UK, on September 4th, 2009
On YouTube a dodgy version is going around that is being sped up, I have heard the real version. MARIAH STILL HAS THE VOICE, STOP SLATING HER! WE LOVE YOU MARIAH. Jealousy is a disease bitchies, get well soon!
On YouTube a dodgy version is going around that is being sped up, I have heard the real version. MARIAH STILL HAS THE VOICE, STOP SLATING HER! WE LOVE YOU MARIAH. Jealousy is a disease bitchies, get well soon!
Thom, on September 4th, 2009
Sometimes I like this cover, sometimes I don't. It's defo not a patch on the original though and seems like a desperate attempt to give her a smash hit world wide but I really hope this doesn't happen... nor do I think it will. I'm surprised Obsessed flopped on its arse across in the US, shame it got cancelled in the UK cos of it, probably in the top 3 things she's done this decade (probably because the vast amount of it has been APALLING). She's not the talent she once was in the 1990s unfortunately and that isn't just talking about her voice. The choir does make the final part of the song good :P
Sometimes I like this cover, sometimes I don't. It's defo not a patch on the original though and seems like a desperate attempt to give her a smash hit world wide but I really hope this doesn't happen... nor do I think it will. I'm surprised Obsessed flopped on its arse across in the US, shame it got cancelled in the UK cos of it, probably in the top 3 things she's done this decade (probably because the vast amount of it has been APALLING). She's not the talent she once was in the 1990s unfortunately and that isn't just talking about her voice. The choir does make the final part of the song good :P
Adam, on September 3rd, 2009
Some of the comments here are ridiculous, saying all she is doing is whispering, because someone who failed to listen past the first chorus could make such a claim. It's a great song and a great version. Also claiming her voice has gone, please. It's like saying Paris Hilton could have done as good a job. On the song, I love it, although it seems to end too soon, maybe it's just the radio edit that makes it seem that way. And it's probably one of the best times her whistle has complimented the song.
Some of the comments here are ridiculous, saying all she is doing is whispering, because someone who failed to listen past the first chorus could make such a claim. It's a great song and a great version. Also claiming her voice has gone, please. It's like saying Paris Hilton could have done as good a job. On the song, I love it, although it seems to end too soon, maybe it's just the radio edit that makes it seem that way. And it's probably one of the best times her whistle has complimented the song.
Brad, Sheffield, on September 3rd, 2009
Everything Paul said is right. The reason I mentioned Madonna earlier was because if I hadn't the people that think there's a rivalry would have started comparing. Same with Whitney. Oh, and 'EmilyBemilyB' when I say it's 'one of the best covers of the decade' it's purely my personal opinion, but I know quite a few agree.
Everything Paul said is right. The reason I mentioned Madonna earlier was because if I hadn't the people that think there's a rivalry would have started comparing. Same with Whitney. Oh, and 'EmilyBemilyB' when I say it's 'one of the best covers of the decade' it's purely my personal opinion, but I know quite a few agree.
Ben Kuwas, Houghton, on September 3rd, 2009
Its official, she's lost it! this is nothing compared to "Without You" or "Hero" her last album was a flop and i wonder how her next one will be after hearing this song.
Its official, she's lost it! this is nothing compared to "Without You" or "Hero" her last album was a flop and i wonder how her next one will be after hearing this song.
Paul, London, on September 3rd, 2009
I don't get the chat about whispering; the verses are the first time she's started a song in her proper lower register without straining for years. I like this a lot although the pacing is bizarre. The intro is too long and the outro is too short. I feel like she gets a rough time and everyone expects her to prove herself again. What does she have left to prove? She has 18 #1s, she managed to come back from the real doldrums of her career to reignite her career with Emancipation, which will always be one of the last ever albums to sell 10 million copies. Obsessed spends its 8th week in the US Top 20 (its 4th at #11) this week - not bad at all. This album will not be a mega-seller, it's been described as a potential fan-favourite that will go next to her first album, Butterfly and Emancipation. Then she can enjoy being married and having a life after she turns 40. She has nothing to prove.
I don't get the chat about whispering; the verses are the first time she's started a song in her proper lower register without straining for years. I like this a lot although the pacing is bizarre. The intro is too long and the outro is too short. I feel like she gets a rough time and everyone expects her to prove herself again. What does she have left to prove? She has 18 #1s, she managed to come back from the real doldrums of her career to reignite her career with Emancipation, which will always be one of the last ever albums to sell 10 million copies. Obsessed spends its 8th week in the US Top 20 (its 4th at #11) this week - not bad at all. This album will not be a mega-seller, it's been described as a potential fan-favourite that will go next to her first album, Butterfly and Emancipation. Then she can enjoy being married and having a life after she turns 40. She has nothing to prove.
Adam Page Hove, on September 3rd, 2009
For once a great cover :)
For once a great cover :)
EmilyBemilyB, on September 3rd, 2009
Thats really pathetic!!! Just because some one's not a fan of mariah carey it does'nt mean there jelous...jesus!!! I really couldnt care less if mariah had a 100 us number#1s good for her!!! but im just not a fan of her & her music...like the most of this country!! and i am definitely not jelous!!...but cause im not a fan i must be!!
Thats really pathetic!!! Just because some one's not a fan of mariah carey it does'nt mean there jelous...jesus!!! I really couldnt care less if mariah had a 100 us number#1s good for her!!! but im just not a fan of her & her music...like the most of this country!! and i am definitely not jelous!!...but cause im not a fan i must be!!
Princess Mimi, Leeds, on September 3rd, 2009
OMG! Absolutely love it. I am a huge Mariah fan, but sorry Obsessed was utter pants. She should have had this as her 1st single. Definitely a No 1. Mariah I love you girl!
OMG! Absolutely love it. I am a huge Mariah fan, but sorry Obsessed was utter pants. She should have had this as her 1st single. Definitely a No 1. Mariah I love you girl!
Adam, Sheffield, on September 3rd, 2009
All you haters try and achieve what mariah has.. none of you haters could even attempt to even try!!! none of you haters have *18 number 1 Singles* if anything your just jelous of her. even tho her voice isnt what it used to be.. she has been singing 20years & has worn her voice out a bit, you cant expect her to sound the same forever!! HATERS! YOU NEED SOMETHING BETTER TO DO WITH UR LIFES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All you haters try and achieve what mariah has.. none of you haters could even attempt to even try!!! none of you haters have *18 number 1 Singles* if anything your just jelous of her. even tho her voice isnt what it used to be.. she has been singing 20years & has worn her voice out a bit, you cant expect her to sound the same forever!! HATERS! YOU NEED SOMETHING BETTER TO DO WITH UR LIFES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Neo, London, on September 3rd, 2009
Amazing! Next I want her to cover John Farnham's 'You're The Voice'. Cheers
Amazing! Next I want her to cover John Farnham's 'You're The Voice'. Cheers
Steve, Utah, on September 3rd, 2009
This song is awesome. She's really talented.
This song is awesome. She's really talented.
Jonny, Manchester, on September 2nd, 2009
I wish the mariah haters would leave her alone. This song is ace, back to her best and as for voice surgery you must be joking. She may whisper at the start but if you listen to the WHOLE SONG you will hear the end. One word AWESOME! Keep it up. Sure fire hit both sides of the pond. As for worst cover version I can think of several that are dire but that's another story. 10/10
I wish the mariah haters would leave her alone. This song is ace, back to her best and as for voice surgery you must be joking. She may whisper at the start but if you listen to the WHOLE SONG you will hear the end. One word AWESOME! Keep it up. Sure fire hit both sides of the pond. As for worst cover version I can think of several that are dire but that's another story. 10/10
Michelle, on September 2nd, 2009
i like this coVer i think she did good and proVes she still has a good set of lungs on her! hardly whisperin is it!! i dont see y people hae 2 put her down, what does that girl have 2 prove? she has been singing 20 plus years and has had an amazin career and achieved so much which no one can ever take away from her.y shud she care wot anyon thinks wen shes got all that success behind her?? most successful female artist wot gives anyone the right 2 critize? let her do wot the hell she wants she has earned it!!!
i like this coVer i think she did good and proVes she still has a good set of lungs on her! hardly whisperin is it!! i dont see y people hae 2 put her down, what does that girl have 2 prove? she has been singing 20 plus years and has had an amazin career and achieved so much which no one can ever take away from her.y shud she care wot anyon thinks wen shes got all that success behind her?? most successful female artist wot gives anyone the right 2 critize? let her do wot the hell she wants she has earned it!!!
aprilApril, on September 2nd, 2009
I think it sounds amazing, ino on youtube that they speeded it up the real version is outstanding wow, shes just the best i hope it goes 2 number one xxxxxxxx
I think it sounds amazing, ino on youtube that they speeded it up the real version is outstanding wow, shes just the best i hope it goes 2 number one xxxxxxxx
Arthur, London, on September 2nd, 2009
This is a great return to form which has Mariah going back to the type of songs she sang in the 90s and hitting the high notes like only she can.
This is a great return to form which has Mariah going back to the type of songs she sang in the 90s and hitting the high notes like only she can.
LUKE SHEFFIELD, on September 2nd, 2009
ITS AMAZING! & IM SURE THE REST OF THE ALBUM WILL BE TOO!! :)
ITS AMAZING! & IM SURE THE REST OF THE ALBUM WILL BE TOO!! :)
FAKE BLOGGERS, on September 2nd, 2009
You'all need to stop with the fake blogging, cause it's written by the same person. Only a Madonna fans sound like that!! Mariah's cover is AWESOME!! Her fans have been waiting for this.
You'all need to stop with the fake blogging, cause it's written by the same person. Only a Madonna fans sound like that!! Mariah's cover is AWESOME!! Her fans have been waiting for this.
Im nt bein funi bt shes bin singing 20 years with such power and range of course its nt guna b the same as it was! Give her a break,that girl stil has a crakin voice!