Think of a song that gives you goosebumps every time you hear it. It could be five times in a row, or every single time, especially at a particular portion of the song when you feel as if every emotion in your body comes alive. That’s how I feel whenever “Vision of Love” by Mariah Carey comes on. The first few seconds before the first verse puts me in this otherworldly moment. I can’t help but look up at the sky and just get carried away by the song.
Mariah Carey came onto the music scene with her first single, “Vision of Love,” on May 15, 1990. Her self-titled debut album was released 25 years ago on June 12, 1990. After being signed by the then CEO of Sony Music, Tommy Mottola, they marketed Carey as the “next Aretha Franklin.”
Carey’s debut showcased a mix of pop, R&B, and gospel, which were genres that influenced her growing up. At a time when radio was dominated by fellow female artists like Madonna, Janet Jackson, and Whitney Houston, Carey slowly carved out her own niche.
“Vision of Love” debuted at number 73 in June of 1990, but it would only be so long until listeners got swooped up in Carey’s impressive five-octave range (some sources claim she has seven). The song shot up to number one and stayed there for four straight weeks. Like “Vision of Love,” the album steadily warmed up to audiences. Entering the charts at number 80, Mariah Carey claimed the number one spot on the Billboard Charts for eleven weeks in early 1991. Including “Vision of Love,” Carey’s album had four number-one singles: “Love Takes Time,” “Someday,” and “I Don’t Wanna Cry.” To this day, the album has been certified nine times platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America).
I was introduced to Mariah and the magic that is “Vision of Love” through the video tape called The First Vision. My brother and I used to watch it religiously, along with Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation Compilation home video. I used to get up and dance to “Someday” as well as be able to imitate the whistle register. Now if I attempt to do the latter, I sound like a deflated squeaky toy, but that’s another story. Needless to say, Mariah has been a major part of my musical experience growing up. I’m definitely not the only one who feels this way. Numerous artists have claimed Mariah as their reason for becoming a singer.
“Vision of Love” influenced singers such as Beyoncé and Christina Aguilera to practice and strengthen their vocal skills. That song also brought melisma — a style of singing that stretches one-syllable words into many — into the spotlight. Unfortunately, years later, melisma has been overused in every singing competition known to man (I’m looking at you, American Idol). You can hear Mariah’s impact with singers such as Ariana Grande, who has been called the next Mariah Carey. Side note: Why does a person have to be the next someone else? Let them bring their own talents to the table.
While I am a fan of the singles that were released from Mariah Carey, there are ones on the album that weren’t released that have become personal favorites of mine. When listening to “All in Your Mind” and “Vanishing,” the goosebumps come back again, and I can’t help but marvel at what a truly awesome voice she has.
Nowadays, Mariah’s name is attached to articles that claim she can’t sing like she used to. While I do admit that the first few seconds of her Rockefeller Tree Performance from last year were a bit eyebrow-raising, there’s one thing people forget: things change. Mariah is not the same age she was when “Vision of Love” came out. With the amount of concerts, live performances, and studio time that Mariah has done in the past three decades, of course it would take a toll on her voice.
While some might be pining for a Mariah from yesteryear, one thing is clear: Her voice is one that speaks to a generation. Heaven knows how many times “Hero” has been played at a talent show or a graduation. I could go on about her many accolades, but there’s no need to. At this point, Mariah doesn’t have anything else to prove. She’s achieved the dreams she set out for herself as a young girl and more. And it all started with a “Vision.”
Happy 25th Anniversary, Mariah.