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About Randy from USA: MC is my favorite artist of all time and I love her songwriting skills on her introspective songs. My favorite album: Butterfly. My favorite song: Right To Dream.

Aruba concert (106,546) by Randy from USA She's popping up all over my feed from a concert in Aruba. She sounds decent from what I can tell. I am tired of the whistle being the climax of every song. But the main thing I noticed from each clip was she looks tired. (Monday 27 May 2024; 02:27)

Unnecessary (106,483) by Randy from USA I don't want to always be negative. What is the purpose of jumping on songs past their prime? The remix didn't do much for me in terms of making the song better and she sounds scratchy and far away. Maybe this is to appease her fans to say she's still releasing new music but this is not going to impact the charts at all. And it's not new music. The queen of the remix is not the feature on afterthought remixes? (Wednesday 22 May 2024; 21:13)

Mariah reminder (106,450) by Randy from USA As someone who has been hard on MC about not addressing her voice, I was in my feelings this past weekend and went in listening to her music and rewatched her interview with Oprah in 2020. I forgot all the things she's been through. Being dirty and unkept. The girls calling her the N-word and mulatto bitch. Alison throwing the tea in her face. Alison trying to have her pimped out. Alison offering her coke. Tommy holding a knife to her throat. Her mother having her arrested. Her mother telling her you'll never be as good a singer as me. Yes, I'd like to know what happened to the voice. Yes, I'd like her to stop lipping and start doing things in her current register. But I am glad this woman is still alive and here with us. People have not made it through life going through less. I can't say I'll always succeed but I will try to give MC a little more grace in the future than I have in the past. Lord knows, I will need it when it's my turn to be criticized by people who act as if they're saints. That's all. (Tuesday 21 May 2024; 02:21)

#2s (106,349) by Randy from USA Thanks for that. There were some surprises for me as well. I Believe I Can Fly, Can't Nobody Hold Me Down and a few others I thought went to number one. You know I had to go watch the 2000s number 2s so I could see Loverboy and Shake It Off Tee Hee. (Saturday 4 May 2024; 15:43) this is a reply to message 106,347

#2s (106,347) by BFF from United States All #2 hits from the 1990s. Some really great songs on the list. I'm pretty surprised that Brian McKnight's "Back at One" never went to #1. Ditto for LeAnn Rimes' "How Do I Live". Both were huge when they were released. (Saturday 4 May 2024; 14:27)

#2s (106,343) by Randy from USA Just to change up the air a bit. Yall know I'm a big chart junkie. Mariah is still the queen of #1. It always amazes me the songs that miss #1. Mariah has four #2s in her catalogue. Can't Let Go, Endless Love, Loverboy and Shake It Off. Some of my favorite songs by other artists are #2s. En Vogue never had a number one but all three of the first singles from their albums were #2s. Hold On, My Lovin (Never Gonna Get It), Don't Let Go (Love). Other #2s I regularly play Jewel You Were Meant For Me, Deborah Cox's Nobody's Supposed To Be Here, Whitney Houston ft Faith and Kelly Price Heartbreak Hotel, Madonna's Frozen, Material Girl and Express Yourself. Destiny's Child Survivor, Toni Braxton's He Wasn't Man Enough. Weird fact: Missy Elliot's Work It spent 10 weeks at #2 without ever hitting the top spot. (Saturday 4 May 2024; 02:29)

Not surprised (106,269) by Randy from USA Mary J Blige has 9 Grammys and 2 Oscar nominations. People don't snicker when you say her name. And listen Lee, I think you think I'm arguing for MJB. I'm not. There's not a damn thing Mary can do better than MC. Sing, write, dress, give face. MC wins. What I was saying is that the industry respects her more and that's why she was selected over MC. And again a lot of this is MCs fault. She has Tyra and Heidi Klum on stage doing her makeup. She's more interested in her dullard damsel diva than being an artist. She's laying in bed for a portion of her concert. The optics aren't there for an iconic artist. (Tuesday 23 April 2024; 17:33) this is a reply to message 106,262

Not surprised (106,262) by Lee from USA If people take Mary so seriously, then why is she still struggling financially? Mariah met 3 presidents, how many did Mary meet? How many artists did Mary influence? Mary could go on a world tour, and be laughed out of other countries. Besides, it's ironic to talk respectability. [censored] (Tuesday 23 April 2024; 14:12)

Not surprised (106,258) by Randy from USA I just think Mary is more respected in the industry and that culturally Mary represents something for soul music. People take her seriously. Mariah is great for a throwback, a whistler, a relic to be thawed out each November. I think these perceptions is where Mariah's image hurts her. I remember one of my Whitney fans responses to my dig that Mariah had more number ones. He said "People remember Whitney songs." I wonder how many non-fans know the difference between Fantasy, Heartbreaker and Honey. Anyway, I'm back. Did ya'll miss me? P.S. I was more shocked that Sinead, Sade didn't get in. P.P.S. How messy would it be if Madonna inducted Cher lol. (Tuesday 23 April 2024; 01:30)

Reflections of my expectations have come to wither (103,645) by Randy from USA Firstly, I want to thank everyone for being respectful in their replies. I think the problem is me. I love and believe in MCs artistry so much I want her to be a cultural and music icon. Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, Joni Mitchell and Stevie Wonder. The amount of respect and weight those names carry is what I wanted for MC. Anything that feels cheap, exploitive, desperate, or narrowing, grates my nerves. I want MC to be a cultural and musical icon. And listen, I'm hard on Madonna for the same reason, popping out her nipple, fillers and dating 28 year olds while 60 is destroying her legacy. I probably need a break from the board. I'm getting too invested again. Once again, for me the house is on fire and no one in the party smells smoke. I'll go enjoy the music in the way it always has brought me comfort, nostalgia and distant fellowship. Have I mentioned I'm bipolar? (Tuesday 3 October 2023; 13:07)

Well, I guess I'll shut up then (103,636) by Randy from USA She said it herself on her Facebook concert promo. "Yes, the actual defrosting has begun." If she's fine with being frozen from January 2 - October 31 each year, why am I arguing for her legacy. I'll join the lambs. Yaaassss Mariah. Hit number one again. AIWFCIY is the best thing you've ever done. It's your signature song. It's the only part of your catalogue that matters. My queens slays 9 weeks every year. AIWFCIY has won 28 Grammys, gotten you into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and won you a video vanguard. Your legacy just like your voice is completely intact. How did I do? (Monday 2 October 2023; 20:20)

Is it time to get rid of physical media? (103,625) by Randy from USA I know some of you all are die hard collectors and just clutched your pearls at my question. I mean it's for the nostalgia. I may be going through another move in 9 months and though I've whittled 586 CDs down to 30 in the last ten years, my Mariah collection is collecting dust. All my music is on my phone backed up by my computer. I also have the VHS and DVDs that never get touched because I can watch most of it on YouTube. You all know how much I revel in those memories of waiting out front of Sam Goody on a Tuesday morning to buy a CD. And I love the booklets. Even if I do keep them, how often am I gonna rifle through them? The rules to living minimalist is that if you don't touch it in one year, throw it away. Thoughts? (Sunday 1 October 2023; 15:45)

The greats (103,614) by Randy from USA I can't even joke Edward, I just got banned from an open mic poetry venue for a line I wrote criticizing the use of the third person plural pronoun. Anyway, everyone brought up good points about the future. We don't know what the flowers Mariah gets 100 years from now will look like or what charts, music consumption will be. I'm surprised Billboard is still around and tallying to be honest. I just love the brilliance of My All's lyric and final chorus. The ominous Vision of Love and Fantasy (pop version) openings. The camp Heartbreaker, Honey and Loverboy videos. I'd love to see those get celebrated equally in pop culture as AIWFCIY which is now coming off as a seasonal gimmick. Oh well, I have a Right To Dream. (Saturday 30 September 2023; 03:23) this is a reply to message 103,613

The greats (103,613) by Edward from USA I remember when Social Media hit big with Facebook. I looked at people taking pictures, posting their lives online and getting their house emptied because they posted they were in the UK while their house was in the US. I decided I didn't want to be part of that. The most damaging one is TikTok, many kids have developed some sort of Tourette's syndrome because of that. I hope it goes away before the LBGTQAI2S+ takes all the letters from the alphabet and we have to communicate using symbols and noises. And don't think about it Randy, you don't get to identified as "Right to Dream". (Saturday 30 September 2023; 00:56)

Drake gets his 12th number one (103,592) by Randy from USA The belief that AIWFCIY will be MCs greatest accomplishment scares me more than if Psy Gangnum Style had a resurgence with 21 number ones, beating the Beatles number ones record. You all have got to stop that narrative. You have no many idea how many memes are coming across my social media timeline that basically say Mariah is defrosting. An old diva past her time a la Diana Ross, I can accept. An iconic Mrs. Claus, I can't. Mariah is so much more and her entire (caps) catalogue should be celebrated. And I love you Robert. (Wednesday 27 September 2023; 21:50) this is a reply to message 103,590

Drake gets his 12th number one (103,590) by Robert-Anthony from United States AIWFCIY will always be MC's greatest accomplishment. It will only get bigger from the previous year. (Wednesday 27 September 2023; 16:21)

Drake gets his 12th number one (103,582) by Randy from USA Should we be worried? We went through this a few years ago with Rihanna, but she has all but retired from music. Drake is cranking out songs and albums. I can definitely lob the Mariah criticism non fans give her at him. I can't name more than two of his number ones. He is tied with Madonna and ahead of Janet, Whitney and Stevie Wonder. I like Drake but his name does not belong in the same stratosphere with any of those four. (Wednesday 27 September 2023; 04:33)

Webmaster (103,521) by Randy from USA What's wrong with my new picture? Email me randyalexander@hotmail about what changes I need to make. (Sunday 17 September 2023; 03:39)

Happy 26th to the real magnum opus (103,514) by Randy from USA While everyone is celebrating Music Box and incorrectly calling Daydream MC's artistic zenith, I'd like to interject and celebrate the real magnum opus, Butterfly, which turns 26 today. On this day, 26 years ago I unwrapped the cellophane off of this CD in my fathers basement and popped it in the disc changer. I never before heard an album where every song is a single. Every verse reads like poetry. And every vocal is astounding. Rasp, falsetto, belting and whistles are all used here. My biggest issue with R&B music is artists always sing about romantic love or break ups. This Pop/R&B album includes songs about childhood pain and alienation. It is in one word stunning. Happy anniversary to Mariah's favorite. And the best album of all time. From any artist. (Sunday 17 September 2023; 00:50)

MB30 (103,403) by Randy from USA Hey fam. I've been busy since I have a new teaching assignment this year. So I finally listened to the new music. I have to say. I am excited you all are excited. But I don't like My Prayer or Workin Hard. Mariah sounds incredible but what would you expect for '93? I just don't like the songs and understand why they were left on the cutting room floor. Hero 2009 had my attention on the first verse and chorus. She sounds absolutely breathtaking. Pun intended. I didn't like the 2nd verse at all. Ima stick with the Never Too Far/Hero Medley as my definitive version. I am not being a negative Nancy, I was summoned by Robert. And to a lesser extent Edward. It's good to see a flurry of activity on the board. Pun intended. P.S. I wonder what a Right to Dream remix would sound like? I have a DJ friend. Hmmmm. (Saturday 9 September 2023; 22:49)

Not yet (103,303) by Randy from USA I stated this last year and y'all beat me up. I do not want her legacy to be this song. I love the song AIWFCIY. But my hopes for MC was to be taken seriously as a singer songwriter. In the vein of a Carole King, Jewel, Sarah Mc, Dianne Warren, Lauryn Hill, Joni Mitchell. To me she's every bit as "deep" as they are. The problem is this diva image and this new idea that she's to be thawed out every November and put away in January. Mariah has a catalogue as robust and timeless as Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Prince, Madonna and Barbra Streisand. I am worried sick that her live flubs, overreliance on being a busty Mrs. Claus and a teetering diva in stilettos is not only going to tarnish her legacy but destroy it. Oh, this is all wrong. (Monday 4 September 2023; 19:00)

Mariah Carey lands six new RIAA certifications (103,281) by Randy from USA The debut is not certified Diamond yet? I believe it's sold enough to be certified by now and I really want her to match Whitney's three Diamond albums. (Friday 1 September 2023; 23:35)

Discounted singles (103,224) by Randy from USA Good topic. I think the singles that might not have gone to number one without fans rushing to buy physical copies are more-so Thank God I Found You and My All. Loverboy definitely wouldn't have gone to #2. I Still Believe wouldn't have gone to #4 either. I believe Honey, One Sweet Day and Heartbreaker are true driven by the general public number ones. Non-fans know those songs and those videos stayed in heavy rotation on MTV. My All's week at #1 comes after week 4 of Too Close by Next's 5 weeks at #1. Then Too Close returns to number one which clearly shows My All went to number one as soon as a physical copy/discounted copy was offered to rabid fans like me who already had the Butterfly album but wanted remixes and alternate versions. At least the general public has heard of My All. TGIFY is a song nobody but us knows. It's one week interrupted Savage Garden's I Knew I Loved You after its 3rd week at #1. After TGIFY was number one for one week then Savage Garden returned to #1. Again rabid fans like me wanted the Keith Sweat Make It Last Forever Remix. I remember buying that maxi-single. One store was out and another store sold me their last one. (Saturday 19 August 2023; 19:08) this is a reply to message 103,215

Discounted singles (103,215) by Lainsky from Philippines Do you think Mariah's singles, which were made available for $49 upon their release or a week after, would reach No. 1 if they sold at their original price? It was just a thought I have been thinking about recently. Heartbreaker and TGIFY have become controversial because of their discounted price. Both skyrocketed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100. There's Honey and OSD too. However, OSD was really popular on the radio like Fantasy. These two singles are destined to be on top. (Saturday 19 August 2023; 04:50)

The Price Sisters and Melonie - underrated gems (103,206) by Randy from USA Yea, I do think they were awesome. But Kelly took some subtle digs about her vocal deterioration that I agreed with but didn't think was classy. And Melonie made a snide remark during an interview that "when I was there it wasn't no songs about touch my body", which I also didn't appreciate. Touch My Body to me is a comedy. A toned down version of WAP. It's meant for you to have fun to, not to take literally. Who really thinks MC wants anyone to touch her body? However, let me be clear. I feel like Trey and Mary Ann are talented but sycophants. They don't care about helping her with her voice or technique. They just say yes, diva and collect their checks. (Friday 18 August 2023; 00:42) this is a reply to message 103,203

The Price Sisters and Melonie - underrated gems (103,203) by Bill from the UK I don't feel like The Price Sisters and Melonie get their dues. During the mid-90s they were astonishingly good. I was listening to Merry Christmas (I know, I know, it's August), and I honestly believe they make the album what it is. Their backgrounds on O Holy Night, Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child, Born On This Day, Joy to the World, Silent Night and of course AIWFCIY are phenomenal. Especially AIWFCIY. I'm sorry but that song would not be what it is without their stellar contribution. Then you have their vocals on Anytime You Need a Friend, Dreamlover, Everything Fades Away, Without You, the list goes on. Not to mention the remixes and how their vocal arrangements lift them to complete new heights. What a loss they were. We love Maryann but she's not a patch on those girls. (Thursday 17 August 2023; 21:43)

Kelly Price (103,195) by Randy from USA If you look inside the booklet it says Background: Mariah Carey & Kelly Price only. (Wednesday 16 August 2023; 23:56) this is a reply to message 103,188

Kelly Price (103,188) by Robert-Anthony from United States Kelly Price recently did an interview with Vibe. She says during the recording of Daydream that it would just be her and MC in the studio. She says that vocals heard on Fantasy is all her and MC. I don't believe her. I don't hear Kelly Price at all on the album version of Fantasy. I have listened to Fantasy 6 times tonight and all I hear is MC doing lead and background vocals. Why now Kelly? Oh, I forgot that you are promoting the 25th anniversary of your album Soul of a Woman. (Wednesday 16 August 2023; 05:05)

I saw on Facebook (103,187) by Randy from USA It was a random fan page. It said that MC has a big announcement coming soon. Anybody know anything? It better not be the annual Christmas cut and paste concerts. Hopefully it's a studio album. But I have a Right To Dream (Randy's Theme). (Tuesday 15 August 2023; 22:24)

Today Whitney would've been 60 (103,154) by Randy from USA I know everybody on this board has a different relationship with Whitney Houston. Some love her, some hate her. Pushing that aside, she was a human being first. A mother, a daughter, a sister. She truly was one of the best singers of all time who just couldn't get it together because of some dark secrets she felt pressured to keep. I don't care what anyone thinks, I really feel like she and MC liked each other. And I miss her. (Wednesday 9 August 2023; 13:45)

Tommy or no career at all (103,152) by Randy from USA I'm with you. I like Did I Do That? I just hate that Rainbow, which is a great album, just seems like she was trying to work with everybody popular on one project, ie Jay-Z, Diane Warren, Kandi & Tiny, Missy, Snoop, 98 Degrees, Usher and No Limit. (Wednesday 9 August 2023; 03:43) this is a reply to message 103,150

Tommy or no career at all (103,150) by Tevin from USA Justice for "Did I do that". (Tuesday 8 August 2023; 16:18)

RIP Sinéad O'Connor (103,082) by Randy from USA The very first tape I bought that wasn't r&b or pop. Well, I didn't buy it, Columbia House gave it to me along with 9 others for 1¢. The point is it was my beginning into white singer/songwriters I would've never known about because I lived in an urban monolith. I bought it for Nothing Compares 2U but in actuality my favorite song from 'I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got' is "This Is The Last Day of Our Acquaintance". If not for her, I wouldn't have paid any attention to Jewel, Paula Cole or Sarah McLachlan. (Thursday 27 July 2023; 18:59) this is a reply to message 103,081

RIP Sinéad O'Connor (103,081) by Robert-Anthony from United States She had an incredible voice. The opening verse of Nothing Compares 2 U says it all. RIP. (Thursday 27 July 2023; 15:06)

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