"Migrate"
Song by Mariah Carey featuring T-Pain
from the album E=MC²
Released2008
Recorded
  • Roc the Mic Studios
  • Honeysouth Studios
  • Circle House Studios
Genre
Length4:17
LabelIsland Def Jam
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Carey
  • Danja

"Migrate" is a song by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey from her eleventh studio album, E=MC² (2008). It was written and produced by Carey and Danja, with additional songwriting from the Clutch and the track's featured singer, T-Pain.

An up-tempo hip hop and club track, the song's lyrical content is characterized by a revelatory club-hopping anecdote involving Carey's deliberation of going out for a night at the club, having a good time while enjoying a fun night out partying and grooving the night away. The song's lighthearted lyrics sensuously exude an upbeat and playful tone, focusing on the conveyance of Carey's numerous introspective displays and contemplative instances of carefree behavior as a provocatively alluring and mischievous party girl who seductively flaunts her bodacious physique while blithely immersing herself in the vibrant Hollywood nightlife scene. The portrayal of Carey's nonchalant demeanor, sassy and flirty personality, amorous dispositions, and sensually suggestive mannerisms are vivaciously reflected by her passionate involvement in a gamut of nocturnal escapades, exploits, and pursuits such as barhopping and clubbing. The song's lyrical content is also zestfully marked by Carey's acquiescence of hedonistic pleasures aimed to seek immediate gratification and fulfill her desires of self-indulgence in wholeheartedly luxuriating herself throughout the vibrant Hollywood nightlife atmosphere. Moreover, the song also embraces the euphoric essence of Carey ostentatiously celebrating a joyous thrill surrounding a quintessential girls' night out experience, documenting her migratory excursions starting from her car and spanning various party venues ranging from the club, the bar, the VIP lounge, the after party, and the hotel. Critical response to the song was mixed, with many music critics disapproving of Carey's decision to use Auto-Tune on her vocals. "Migrate" peaked at number ninety-two on the United States despite not officially being promoted as a single' Billboard Hot 100 chart, ninety-five on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and sixty-nine on the Pop 100 chart. Carey and T-Pain performed the song on Saturday Night Live.

Background and composition

"Migrate" was written and produced by Mariah Carey and Danja, with additional songwriting from the Clutch and the tracks featured artist, T-Pain, for Carey's eleventh studio album, E=MC² (2008). Carey produced the track for Maroon Entertainment and by Danja on behalf of Dan Jahandz Productions. Copyright is held by Rye Songs which is administered by Songs of Universal (BMI)/Dan Jahandz Musik (SESAC), administered by W.B.M. Music Corp. (SESAC)/Universal-Polygram International Tunes/Jahqae Joints (SESAC)/Nabbypub Music - Universal Songs - Z Songs (BMI). The song was recorded by Brian Garten at Roc the Mic Studios in New York and at Honeysouth Studios and Circle House Studios, both in Miami. Additional recording was carried out by James "Scrappy" Stassen. It was mixed by Marcella "Ms. Lago" Araica at The Hit Factory in Miami; she was assisted by Miguel Bustamante. Carey and MaryAnn Tatum performed backgrounds. T-Pain appears courtesy of Jive Records.[1]

"Migrate" is an up-tempo hip hop and club track.[2][3] Lyrically, it is about the freedom and independence of a girls' night out.[2][4] It documents Carey's whereabouts and where she migrates from and to: "from the car to the club to the bar to the VIP lounge to the after-party to the hotel" and contains a reference to Patrón, a brand of Mexican tequila.[5][6][7] As the song is about movement from one place to another, T-Pain tells her to "bounce" in response.[5] Carey displays a sense of "confident, social forwardness" on "Migrate".[2] Nick Levine of Digital Spy thought that Carey sounded her "most diva-like" on the song, with the references to champagne being "compliments of the club" while the DJ plays her "jam".[3] Melodically, Carey delivers the track over a "repeating" chorus backed by a "descending echo-synth".[2][8] It contains a reduced number of notes in order to further accentuate the hook.[9] While Carey employs a "sassy" tone of voice,[2] both her and T-Pain's vocals are processed with Auto-Tune.[6] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic thought that the use of Auto-Tune on Carey's vocals served a "dual purpose", and explained that while it "camouflages her slightly diminishing range" it also made her sound "modern".[10] Ben Ratliff of The New York Times felt that T-Pain sounded more interesting than Carey despite the use of Auto-Tune.[7]

Critical reception

As Carey's multi-octave voice has always been her calling card, the one thing that even her biggest critics have grudgingly acknowledged as her unassailable strength, this is a little odd—especially on the T-Pain duet "Migrate," where she succumbs to Auto-Tune, but it not only makes Mariah modern, it also camouflages her slightly diminishing range, so it does have a dual purpose."

Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe described "Migrate" as "a frivolous, funky, self-referential jam".[6] The New York Sun Jayanthi Daniels thought the track sounded like something that R. Kelly would release, and continued to write that Carey "is no longer looking for a 'Dreamlover' to come and rescue her, as she did in 1993: In 'Migrate,' she's already rescued, and enjoying the after-party".[2] He also said that the song is "much stronger" than E=MC²'s lead single, "Touch My Body".[2] Writing for The Wichita Eagle, Mary Moore's review on the song was positive, calling it as "an irresistible hip-hop groove that works".[11] The Guardian's Alex Macpherson labelled the track as "sinister".[12] Evan Sawdey of PopMatters was critical of "Migrate", and called it "grating" and "a tepid and uninvolving attempt at a club anthem".[8] He continued to write that the song is void of a proper melodic structure and expressed disapproval of its use of processed vocal filters.[8] Sawdey concluded by writing that despite the added production from Danja and guest vocals by T-Pain, "it serves as a painfully dull opener".[8] Similarly, J. Freedom du Lac felt that the Auto-Tune "needlessly distorts [Carey's] greatest gift".[13] Jim Farber of the Daily News felt that the use of processed vocals was more appropriate for "stars" who cannot sing.[9]

Live performances

Carey was announced as a musical guest on an episode of Saturday Night Live, her fourth appearance during her career.[14][15] Hosted by Jonah Hill, Carey substituted for Janet Jackson, who was scheduled to perform but had caught the flu and was unable sing.[14] Carey performed "Migrate", accompanied on stage by T-Pain, and "Touch My Body".[16]

Charts

Chart (2008) Peak
position
Canada Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[17] 70
US Billboard Hot 100[18] 92
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[19] 95
US Pop 100 (Billboard)[20] 69

References

  1. ^ Carey, Mariah (2008). E=MC² (Liner Notes). Island Records (Compact Disc). Mariah Carey. New York City, New York.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Daniel, Jayanthi (April 16, 2008). "Mariah Carey Solves Equation". The New York Sun. Archived from the original on September 14, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  3. ^ a b Levine, Nick (April 15, 2008). "Mariah Carey: E=MC2". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  4. ^ Aquilina, Dan (April 15, 2008). "Mariah's Upbeat and Setting Records". New York Post. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  5. ^ a b Vineyard, Jennifer (April 9, 2008). "Mariah Carey Leads A Track-By-Track Tour Of E=MC², Which She Calls '100 Percent Of Me'". MTV News. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  6. ^ a b c Rodman, Sarah (April 12, 2008). "Continuing a Winning Formula". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on May 3, 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  7. ^ a b Ratliff, Ben (April 16, 2008). "New CDs". The New York Times. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  8. ^ a b c d Sawdey, Evan (May 1, 2008). "Mariah Carey: E=MC² Reviews". PopMatters. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  9. ^ a b Farber, Jim (April 14, 2008). "Mariah Carey's bland ambition patently obvious". Daily News. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  10. ^ a b Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "AllMusic Review by Stephen". AllMusic. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  11. ^ Moore, Mary (April 20, 2008). "E=MC² is a Hit; Mariah Carey Proves She's Still Deserving of Her Pop Princess Title" (Purchase required). The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  12. ^ Macpherson, Alex (April 16, 2008). "Mariah Carey: E=MC²". The Guardian. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  13. ^ Freedom De Lac, J (April 15, 2008). "Mariah Sticks to Known Equation". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  14. ^ a b Reger, Adam (March 15, 2008). "Health Malfunction: Carey Subs For Jackson On 'SNL'". Press-Telegram. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  15. ^ Gamboa, Glenn (March 15, 2008). "Mimi Set To Replace Janet On 'SNL'". Newsday. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  16. ^ "Mariah Carey Saturday Night Live (Video)". Lalate News. March 16, 2008. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  17. ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Hot Canadian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
  18. ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
  19. ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
  20. ^ "Mariah Carey Awards". AllMusic. 2008. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
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