But Mariah felt that simply releasing a greatest hits package was like preaching to the converted and believed her fans should be rewarded for their support with something new as well. She couldn't spare the time to produce a whole new album from scratch, so a compromise was reached. The greatest hits album, "#1's", would also contain four new songs. The bonus tracks would include "When you believe", her duet with Whitney Houston, another duet, this one with singer Brian McKnight, "Whenever you call", and two Mariah solo songs, "I still believe" and "Sweetheart". International versions of "#1's" also include "Do you know where you're going to (theme from Mahogany)".

The album was released on November 17, 1998 and debuted at Number 4 on the Billboard 200 (which was also its peak). In the USA, #1's was awarded 5 times platinum.

In an open letter to the fans, Mariah wrote: "First of all - this is not a greatest hits album! It's too soon, I haven't been recording long enought for that! This album is a 'Thank you' and an acknowledgement of my gratitude to all of you out there for making these records #1 on the charts.
One day, I will put out a greatest hits with songs that didn't even go on the charts because they were never commercially released (i.e., 'Breakdown', 'Underneath the stars', 'Butterfly', etc.) or songs that came out that didn't go to #1 that are, in my opinion, better than some that did (i.e., 'Make it happen', 'Anytime you need a friend', 'Endless love' with Luther, or 'Can't let go'). This is a tribute to my fans for all your love and support since day one.
I chose the bonus tracks for various reasons. 'Sweetheart' - because I ain't got one! Try that one on! Ha ha. 'When you believe (from The prince of Egypt)' - because to me, it almost is a miracle that Whitney and I are on a record together! After meeting and working with Whitney Houston, I have gained a whole other layer of respect for this truly talented woman in so many ways. 'Whenever you call' with Brian McKnight - I feel that it was one of the best songs on the 'Butterfly' album and Brian's vocals made it so beautiful. 'I still believe' reminds me of the fact that not so long ago I was a teenage girl with nothing to my name but a demo tape, my voice and my ability to write songs. Brenda K. Starr treated me like a 'star' and gave me a shot as a back-up singer. This remake is my tribute to her.
Thank you to everyone who's ever helped me out in any way, shape or form. Encouragement, support, dedication and friendship. You know who you are (especially you, mom). Thank you God for my life and the faith in you that has brought me this far. Love and thanks, Mariah."

COMPACT DISCS (CD'S)

CD from Argentina (1729) 2-000452 promo collection Pascal Bellerose Tracklisting: 1. When you believe (Cuando tu crees) 2. Sweetheart (Querido) 3. Whenever you call (Cuando tu llames) 4. I still believe (Todavia creo)

CD from Argentina (0763) 2-492604 international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder

CD from Asia (0009) 492604.2 international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder

CD from Asia (1858) 492604.2 international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder The text on the back cover and the CD itself is slightly different from item 0009.

CD from Asia (2415) 492604.2 international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder The text on the back cover and the CD itself is slightly different from items 0009 and 1858.

CD from Australia (3156) 491956 2 promo, called "No. 1s" collection Jamie Griffith Tracklisting: 1. When you believe (from The Prince Of Egypt) 2. Whenever you call 3. My all 4. Honey 5. Always be my baby 6. One sweet day 7. Fantasy (featuring O.D.B.) 8. Hero 9. Dreamlover 10. I'll be there 11. Emotions 12. Someday 13. Love takes time 14. Vision of love 15. I still believe 16. Without you 17. Do you know where you're going to

CD from Australia (0004) 491956 2 international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder

CD from Austria (0018) XPCD1074 promo, also called "Album sampler" collection Eric de Ridder Tracklisting: 1. Vision of love 2. Emotions 3. I'll be there (Featuring Trey Lorenz) 4. Dreamlover 5. Hero 6. Without you 7. Fantasy 8. One sweet day 9. Always be my baby 10. Honey 11. My all 12. Sweetheart (JD and Mariah Carey)

CD from Austria (0006) 492604 2 international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder

CD from Austria (1700) 492604 6 comes in a card slipcase collection Eric de Ridder This super audio CD is designed for use in super audio CD players only.

CD from Austria (1699) 492604 9 comes in a card slipcase international tracklisting collection Luc Baumgartner

CD from Austria / France (1663) 492604 2 comes in a card slipcase international tracklisting collection Jennifer Njo This super audio CD is designed for use in super audio CD players only.

CD from Brazil (0010) 789.167/2-492604 international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder

CD from Brazil (2297) 789.167/2-492604 international tracklisting collection Mikael Mansur Martinelli The back cover is different from item 0010.

CD from Brazil (2058) 2-492604 international tracklisting

CD from Canada (1276) CK 69670 collection Pascal Bellerose

CD from China / Asia (0008) CD-0593 / 492604.2 international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder

CD from China / Asia (0012) CD-0593 / 492604.2 comes in a card slipcase with all the lyrics on a seperate paper international tracklisting 2 CD set, on the second CD is the "Around the world" video collection Eric de Ridder

CD from China (2005) ISRC CN-E25-99-332-00/A.J6 international tracklisting collection Marcel Trupia

CD from China (2020) ISRC CN-H01-01-306-00/A.J6 international tracklisting collection Marcel Trupia

CD from Colombia (1915) 52 492604 international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder

CD from France (2903) 88697123432 international tracklisting, limited edition collection Oscar de Bruyn / Wojciech Sichniewicz

CD from Germany (2781) 88697025482 international tracklisting collection Anita Braaksma

CD from India (2920) 492604 2 international tracklisting collection Andy H Tjondrodihardjo

CD from India (3267) 492604 2 2009 re-issue in fusebox international tracklisting collection Marcel Trupia and Andy Hermawan Tjondrodihardjo

CD from Indonesia (1223) CK 69670 international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder

CD from Japan (0017) SRCS 8820 also called "The ones" international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder Tracklisting: 19. All I want for Christmas is you In a seperate booklet are all the lyrics in Japanese and English, plus an open letter in Japanese from Mariah to her fans.

CD from Japan (3495) SRCS 8820 promo also called "The ones" international tracklisting collection Judith Dos Santos Tracklisting: 19. All I want for Christmas is you This promo is exactly the same as item 0017, but there is a sticker saying "not for sale".

CD from Japan (3345) SICP 20201 also called "The ones" international tracklisting collection Andy Hermawan Tjondrodihardjo Tracklisting: 19. All I want for Christmas is you This is a so-called Blu-spec CD.

CD from Japan (1962) SRGS 4523 super audio CD, comes in a card slipcase collection Luc Baumgartner In a seperate booklet are all the lyrics in Japanese and English.

CD from Mexico (2300) 2-069670 collection Carlos Valencia Lira

CD from Mexico (1609) CK 492604 international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder Comes sometimes with an extra CD called "Bonus tracks en Espaņol" (1600).

CD from Russia (2826) 492 604 0 international tracklisting collection Jamie Griffith

CD from Saudi Arabia (1616) MIA NO. 7025-1419 international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder

CD from Singapore (0005) 492604 2 comes with a notebook international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder

CD from Singapore (1451) 492604 2 international tracklisting collection Gilbert Chong Comes with the 5" CD-single of "I don't wanna cry" (0907).

CD from South-Africa (2004) CDCOL 5683 D international tracklisting collection Marcel Trupia

CD from South-Korea (0014) CPK-1964 (492604 2) international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder

CD from Taiwan (2099) 492604.2 comes in a card slipcase international tracklisting collection Rob Fredie

CD from Taiwan (0007) 492604.2 comes with 12 pencils in a card slipcase international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder

CD from Taiwan (2206) CNC 99331 collection Luc Baumgartner

CD from Taiwan / Austria (2101) CS69670 / 492604 6 collection Rob Fredie This super audio CD is designed for use in super audio CD players only.

CD from Taiwan / Asia (2517) SMC1311 / 492604.2 international tracklisting collection Rob Fredie This CD is the regular Asian release, but included are an information paper from Taiwan and all the lyrics in Chinese.

CD from the USA (2205) CK 69670 promo collection Luc Baumgartner

CD from the USA (0013) CK 69670 collection Eric de Ridder

CD from the USA (0015) CS 69670 comes in a card slipcase collection Eric de Ridder This super audio CD is designed for use in super audio CD players only.

CD from the USA (3214) CS 69670 collection Andy Hermawan Tjondrodihardjo This super audio CD is designed for use in super audio CD players only.

LONG PLAYERS (LP'S)

LP from Holland (2770) 492604 1 2 LP set collection Jamie Griffith

LP from the USA (0023) C2 69670 2 LP set collection Eric de Ridder

CASSETTES

cassette from Argentina (1198) 170267 / 4-492604 international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder All the song titles are in Spanish, but the songs are sung in English.

cassette from Australia (1306) 491956 4 collection Eric de Ridder

cassette from Holland (0002) 492604 4 international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder

cassette from Hungary (3528) 492604 4 international tracklisting collection Szilvia Kiss

cassette from Indonesia (1426) CT 69670 international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder

cassette from Lebanon (2551) 492604 4 international tracklisting collection Kerry Scrimshaw

cassette from Malaysia (1683) 492604.4 international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder

cassette from the Philippines (1558) 492604.4 international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder

cassette from the Philippines (1575) 492604.4 international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder This item is almost exactly the same as item 1558, but the print on the cassette is different.

cassette from Poland (1450) 492604 4 international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder

cassette from Russia (2437) 492604 4 international tracklisting collection George Chumburidze Only for sale in CIS.

cassette from Saudi Arabia (2369) 628400 030284 international tracklisting collection Marcin Blaszczyk

cassette from South-Africa (2207) MCCOL 5683 D international tracklisting collection Luc Baumgartner

cassette from South-Korea (2626) CPT 1964 (492604 4) international tracklisting collection Soyeon Park

cassette from Taiwan (0752) Y-1515 / SMC1311 / 492604.4 comes in a card slipcase with all the lyrics on a seperate paper international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder

cassette from Taiwan (2419) SMC1311 / 492604.4 comes in a card slipcase with all the lyrics on a seperate paper international tracklisting collection Rob Fredie

cassette from the USA (0003) CT 69670 collection Eric de Ridder

MINI DISCS

mini disc from Austria (0024) 492604 8 international tracklisting collection Eric de Ridder

mini disc from the USA (1938) CM 69670 international tracklisting collection Andreas Hudec

SONG BOOKS

song book from Japan (1826) ISBN 4-8456-0369-1 Rittor Music collection Sharon Zagame

song book from the USA (0001) ISBN 0-634-00202-3 Sony / ATV Music Publishing exclusively distributed by Hal Leonard piano - vocal - guitar 103 pages collection Eric de Ridder