Hmmmmm….. Mariah has a bit of an unfair advantage here…. Let's fix that!
#4 Butterfly
Mariah Carey
278 Points
Number of Voters: 18
Highest Voters: EJQL8, Honey, & Pecinta Mariah (#1); HazelEyes (#2)
Billboard 200 Peak: #1
RIAA Certification: 5x Platinum
September 16, 1997
R&B/Hip Pop/AC
Quote:
On Butterfly, we see Mariah reaching her full potential as an artist. She still had the voice, the ability to create amazing melodies, and was young enough for her endeavors into hip hop to not feel forced or insincere. Her vocal performances were impeccable, never giving too much (a problem with her earlier albums) or too little (a problem with her later albums). Lyrically, the album only contains illusions to her then recent divorce from Tommy Motolla, but the songs that do allude to it express a desire for freedom, intimacy, and inner peace.
Honey – To listeners in 1997, this probably didn’t even sound like a Mariah song. It’s got a more slinky R&B sheen than any of Mariah’s previous singles. It’s a great song. – 9
Butterfly – A bit corny, but I really think Mariah wanted Tommy to say something like this to her. The sincerity is evident. – 8.5
My All – This song has really grown on me recently. The guitars, the melody, and the structure of the song really bring the feeling of longing that the lyrics express. – 8.5
The Roof (Back In Time) – Mariah’s smoky voice is very understated on this song, which allows the focus to be on both the lyrics, which sound downright poetic, and the sampling of Mobb Deep’s Shook Ones, Pt. 2, which is done absolutely perfectly. – 10
Fourth of July – This song reminds me of Underneath the Stars from Daydream for some reason. I think it’s the throwback sound and the lyrics that have to do with being outside. Anyway, this isn’t as great as UTS, but it’s really good in it’s own right. – 9
Breakdown – In my opinion, this song is the apex of the R&B/Hip Hop collaboration. It’s melodic yet rhythmic, sad yet upbeat, emotional yet resilient. Brilliance. Bask in the fact that NONE of your faves could EVER. – 10
Babydoll – In my opinion, this is Mariah’s sexiest song ever. Mariah softly purrs about missing (or fantasizing about) an absent lover. The sexual tension is REAL here. This Missy Elliott produced track is a smoldering FIRE. – 10
Close My Eyes – Poignant, understated, honest, and perfect. – 10
Whenever You Call – My least favorite song on the album. It’s sweet, but it gives me just a little too much of Music Box era Mariah in the lyrics. Musically, it’s decidedly R&B, which kinda saves it in my opinion. – 8
Fly Away (Butterfly Reprise) – I LOVE what she did with the whistles in this song. They add another dimension to it. But beyond that, this is a great take on Butterfly. I LOVE the extended version of this song. – 9
The Beautiful Ones – Of all the Prince covers I’ve heard, this one is probably my favorite. While it does lack a bit of the unrestrained emotion of the original, it makes up for it my completely hypnotizing the listener. – 9
Outside – This song could’ve been another MOR torch song in the vein of some of her older hits, but the gospel choir and the deeply personal lyrics set it apart from her Music Box material. The climax of this song contains Mariah’s most impassioned vocal performance EVER! – 10