"Forever"
International standard artwork, also used for US promotional material
Single by Mariah Carey
from the album Daydream
B-side"Underneath the Stars"
ReleasedJune 18, 1996
Recorded1995
Length4:00
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Mariah Carey
  • Walter Afanasieff
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

"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.

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

"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" was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff in early 1995.[1] Composed in 12
8 time, the song is moves at a tempo of 63 beats per minute. Carey's vocal range spans two octaves and three semitones from the low note of E♭3 to the high note of F♯5.[2] According to author Chris Nickson, the song's instrumentation and throw-back melody bring reminders of 1950s and 60s balladry.[1] The throw-back was featured through the chord changes, and in the way that the guitar arpeggios "stayed at the forefront of the music."[1] "Forever" finds Carey displaying subtle and harmonizing vocals, with Nickson describing her voice as "undeniably rich."[1] Stephen Holden from The New York Times described it as a "50s-style rock-and-roll ballad," while calling Carey's voice "magnificent."[3]

Reception

Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Within a retro-pop musical setting that is warmly reminiscent of her breakthrough hit, "Vision Of Love", Carey plays the romantic ingénue with convincing, wide-eyed innocence and infectious hope."[4] 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."[5] Ken Tucker from Entertainment Weekly praised the song's instrumentation, adding, "I like the brisk waltz tempo of 'Forever'."[6] In 2020, Billboard ranked it as the 100th greatest song of Carey's career.[7] "Forever" was released as an airplay only single in the US, and received a limited European release.[1] 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.[8] In New Zealand, the song entered the singles chart at its peak of number 40, spending only one week in the chart.[9] On the Dutch Singles Chart, "Forever" peaked at number 47, fluctuating in the chart for a total of nine weeks.[10]

Music video and live performances

"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.[11] The music video for "Forever" was filmed at one of the Japanese shows during the tour.[1] 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.[1] The live audio of this performance was released on the single.

Formats and track listing

  1. "Forever" – 4:01
  2. "Forever" (Live) – 4:12
  1. "Forever" – 4:01
  2. "Underneath the Stars" – 3:33
  3. "Forever" (Live) – 4:12
  4. "Make It Happen" (Live) – 4:43

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the Daydream liner notes.[14]

Charts

Release history

Release date and formats for "Forever"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States June 18, 1996
Columbia
[41]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Nickson 1998, pp. 149
  2. ^ Hal Leonard (2007). Mariah Carey: Original Keys for Singers. pp. 64–70. ISBN 978-1-4234-1996-9.
  3. ^ Holden, Stephen (October 8, 1995). "Pop Music; Mariah Carey Glides Into New Territory". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 23, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  4. ^ Flick, Larry (June 22, 1996). "Reviews & Previews: Singles" (PDF). Billboard. p. 86. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 22, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Tucker, Ken (October 13, 1995). "Daydream (1995)". Entertainment Weekly. Time Warner. Archived from the original on October 31, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  7. ^ "The 100 Greatest Mariah Carey Songs: Staff Picks". Billboard. Archived from the original on September 17, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "Mariah Carey - Forever". charts.nz. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on May 19, 2017. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
  10. ^ "Mariah Carey - Forever". Dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on July 9, 2009. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
  11. ^ Nickson 1998, pp. 155
  12. ^ Forever (UK CD Single liner notes). Mariah Carey. Columbia Records. 1996. 663477 1.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ Forever (Australian CD Single liner notes). Mariah Carey. Columbia Records. 1996. 663440 2.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. ^ Carey, Mariah (1995). Daydream (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Mariah Carey. New York City, New York: Columbia Records.
  15. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  16. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9929." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  17. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 9513." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  18. ^ a b Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. p. 59. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
  19. ^ "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.
  20. ^ "Mariah Carey – Forever" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  21. ^ "Mariah Carey – Forever". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  22. ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  23. ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  24. ^ "AC Top 30". Radio & Records. October 11, 1996. p. 89. ProQuest 1017292369.
  25. ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  26. ^ "CHR/Pop Top 50". Radio & Records. September 6, 1996. p. 35. ProQuest 1017286640.
  27. ^ "CHR/Rhythmic Top 50". Radio & Records. August 23, 1996. p. 39. ProQuest 1017288902.
  28. ^ "Hot AC Top 30". Radio & Records. September 13, 1996. p. 76. ProQuest 1017290311.
  29. ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  30. ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  31. ^ "South Korean International Download Singles (Week 52, 2012)". Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  32. ^ "RPM Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. December 16, 1996. Archived from the original on March 22, 2008. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  33. ^ "RPM Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. December 16, 1996. Archived from the original on October 20, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  34. ^ a b "The Year in Music: 1996" (PDF). Billboard. December 28, 1996. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  35. ^ "96 of 1996". Radio & Records. December 13, 1996. p. 70. ProQuest 1017293708.
  36. ^ "96 of 1996". Radio & Records. December 13, 1996. p. 28. ProQuest 1017298476.
  37. ^ "96 of 1996". Radio & Records. December 13, 1996. p. 32. ProQuest 1017298542.
  38. ^ "96 of 1996". Radio & Records. December 13, 1996. p. 72. ProQuest 1017293735.
  39. ^ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs Of 1996" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 30. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 26, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  40. ^ "Most Played Rhythmic Top 40 Songs Of 1996" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 32. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 26, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  41. ^ "Selected New Releases". Radio & Records. June 14, 1996. pp. 37, 44. ProQuest 1017298145, ProQuest 1017299298.

Bibliography

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