Always Be My Baby
| "Always Be My Baby" | ||
|---|---|---|
| Include Image Of Single Here | ||
| Single by Mariah Carey | ||
| From the album Daydream | ||
| Single Released | 1996 | |
| Single Format | CD Single CD Maxi Single Cassette Single Cassette Maxi Single | |
| Genre | Pop | |
| Song Length | 4:17 | |
| Record label | Sony | |
| Writers | Mariah Carey Jermaine Dupri Manuel Seal | |
| Producers | Mariah Carey Jermaine Dupri Manuel Seal | |
| Video Director (Album Version) |
Mariah Carey | |
| Video Director (Mr. Dupri Mix) |
Mariah Carey | |
| Chart positions | #1 (USA) #3 (UK) | |
| Mariah Carey single chronology | ||
| "One Sweet Day" 1996 (US) ---- "Open Arms" 1996 (UK) |
"Always By My Baby" 1996 |
"Forever" 1996 |
"Always Be My Baby" was the third single from Mariah Carey's 6th album, Daydream, released in 1996.
The song
The single was co-written and co-produced by Mariah, Jermaine Dupri, and Manuel Seal. The song is one of Mariah's most popular songs, leading many to believe that it is one of her signature songs. The midtempo pop number describes Mariah handling a breakup well, as she knows that although her and her ex are not together anymore, he'll always be a part of her, and will "always be her baby".
Chart success
"Always Be My Baby" became Mariah's 11th #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100. It became another instant hit from Daydream both in the US and worldwide.
Unlike its predecessors, "Fantasy" and "One Sweet Day", the song did not debut at #1, but it did debut at #2 and ascended to #1 after 4 weeks, where it stayed for 2 weeks. Altogether, the song spent a cumulative total of 9 weeks at #2, Carey's longest stay at the position. It spent a total of 32 weeks on the Hot 100; despite spending less time at the pole position than "Fantasy" and "One Sweet Day", it was able to have a longer chart stay and spend 26 weeks in the Top 40.
The song was strong in both determing factors of The Hot 100, as it hit #1 on the Hot 100 Singles Sales chart and #2 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart. Ironically, although the song never reached #1 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart, it did end as #1 on the Year End Overall Charts of the Hot 100 Airplay chart, because although airplay was not massive at any one point it was constant over a long period of time. The song also received airplay from a wide variety of different radion stations. The single eventually went on to achieve Platinum certification.
Internationally, it became yet another hit for Carey, however failed to match the grand success "Fantasy" had received. Although generally undeperforming compared to "One Sweet Day" in most international markets, it faired better than all of Carey's releases from Daydream in the UK, where it peaked at #3.
Awards
"Always Be My Baby" was nominated for the 1996 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, but it didn't win.
Remixes
The main remix of this song is known as "Always Be My Baby (Dupri Mix)". Featuring slightly resung vocals with most melodic structure being retained, the song makes use of the sample "Tell Me If You Still Care" by SOS and features background vocals from Xscape. The remix is noted for being the first remix to feature Da Brat, who would later go on to become Mariah's best friend and to rap on remixes of Honey, I Still Believe, and Loverboy. Dance remixes with resung vocals were also created by David Morales in addition to reggae mixes with Lil' Vicious.
Music Video/Remix Music Video
The music video of this single also marked the 2nd single to be directed by Mariah. In her 2nd directoral effort, Mariah is the seemingly happy narrarator of a tale of young love, as a young boy and a girl elope in the middle of the night to enjoy each other's company. The video was filmed on location at Mariah's sponsored charity, Camp Mariah.
The Mr. Dupri Mix also has a music video which shows Mariah, Da Brat, and Xscape hanging out around Mariah's former mansion. The music video is filmed in black and white and features the famous shot of Mariah in a beret, which went onto become the single cover for this single.
Remixes
The main remix of this song is known as "Always Be My Baby (Dupri Mix)". Featuring slightly resung vocals with most melodic structure being retained, the song makes use of the sample "Tell Me If You Still Care" by SOS and features background vocals from Xscape. The remix is noted for being the first remix to feature Da Brat, who would later go on to become Mariah's best friend and to rap on remixes of Honey, I Still Believe, and Loverboy. Dance remixes with resung vocals were also created by David Morales in addition to reggae mixes with Lil' Vicious.
Track listings of major single releases
USA CD Single (Casette Single/7" Single)
- "Always Be My Baby (Album Version)"
- "Always Be My Baby (Mr. Dupri Mix)" featuring Da Brat and Xscape
- "Slipping Away"
USA CD Maxi Single (Casette Maxi Single)
- "Always Be My Baby (Mr. Dupri No Rap Radio Mix)" featuring Xscape
- "Always Be My Baby (Mr. Dupri Mix)" featuring Da Brat and Xscape
- "Always Be My Baby (Mr. Dupri Extended Mix)" featuring Da Brat and Xscape
- "Always Be My Baby (Reggae Soul Mix)" featuring Lil' Vicious
- "Always Be My Baby (Album Version)"
UK CD Single #2
- "Always Be My Baby (Def Classic Radio Version)"
- "Always Be My Baby (Always Club Mix)"
- "Always Be My Baby (Dub-A-Baby)"
- "Always Be My Baby (Groove A Pella)"
- "Always Be My Baby (St Dub)"
Comprehensive charts
"Always Be My Baby" Debuted at #2 on The Billboard Hot 100
"Always Be My Baby" Was Ranked #5 on The Billboard Hot 100 Year End Charts (1996)
"Always Be My Baby" Remained in The Billboard Hot 100 for 32 weeks
"Always Be My Baby" was Mariah's 11th #1 single on The Billboard Hot 100
"Always Be My Baby" was Mariah's 5th #1 single on The Billboard Hot 100 Single Sales
"Always Be My Baby" was Mariah's 5th #1 single on The Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | "Always Be My Baby” | Billboard Hot 100 | #1 (2 Weeks) |
| 1996 | "Always Be My Baby" | Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales | #1 (1 Week) |
| 1996 | "Always Be My Baby" | Billboard Hot 100 Airplay | #2 |
| 1996 | "Always Be My Baby" | Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | #1 (1 Week) |
| 1996 | "Always Be My Baby" | Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales | #2 |
| 1996 | "Always Be My Baby" | Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Airplay | #3 |
| 1996 | "Always Be My Baby" | Billboard Adult Contemporary Singles | #2 |
| 1996 | "Always Be My Baby" | Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales | #4 |
| 1996 | "Always Be My Baby" | Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #6 |
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | "Always Be My Baby" | UK Singles Chart | #3 |
| 1996 | "Always Be My Baby" | Canadian Singles Chart | #2 |
| 1996 | "Always Be My Baby" | ARIA Singles Chart | #17 |
| 1996 | "Always Be My Baby" | Tokyo Hot 100 | #10 |
| 1996 | "Always Be My Baby" | Germany Singles Chart | #76 |
| 1996 | "Always Be My Baby" | Sweden Top 60 Singles | #38 |
| 1996 | "Always Be My Baby" | Brazil Singles Chart | #4 |
Official remixes/versions list
- Always Be My Baby (Album Version)
- Always Be My Baby (Mr. Dupri Mix) featuring Da Brat and Xscape
- Always Be My Baby (Mr. Dupri No Rap Radio Mix) featuring Xscape
- Always Be My Baby (Mr. Dupri Extended Mix) featuring Da Brat and Xscape
- Always Be My Baby (Reggae Soul Mix) featuring Lil' Vicious
- Always Be My Baby (Reggae Soul Dub Mix) featuring Lil' Vicious
- Always Be My Baby (Reggae Soul Acapella) featuring Lil' Vicious (12" vinyl only)
- Always Be My Baby (Always Club Mix)
- Always Be My Baby (Def Classic Radio Version)
- Always Be My Baby (Groove A Pella)
- Always Be My Baby (Dub-A-Baby)
- Always Be My Baby (St Dub)