Carey's self-titled debut album was released under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, who married her three years later. She gained further worldwide success with the albums Music Box (1993) and Daydream (1995). Their singles include "Hero", "Without You", "Fantasy", "Always Be My Baby", and "One Sweet Day", which topped the US Billboard Hot 100 decade-end chart (1990s) and was the longest running number one song of the decade. After separating from Mottola, Carey adopted a new urban image and incorporated more elements of hip hop with the album Butterfly (1997). She left Columbia in 2001 after eleven consecutive years of U.S. number-one singles and signed a $100 million record deal with Virgin Records.
Following Carey's highly publicized physical and emotional breakdown and the failure of the film Glitter (2001) and its soundtrack, Virgin bought out her contract and she signed with Island Records the following year. After a comparatively unsuccessful period, Carey returned to the top of the charts with The Emancipation of Mimi (2005), which became the best-selling album in the US and the world's second best-selling album of 2005. Its second single, "We Belong Together", topped the US Billboard Hot 100 decade-end chart (2000s). She won the Breakthrough Actress Performance award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival for her role in the 2009 film Precious. Carey's subsequent ventures included being an American Idol judge, starring in the docu-series Mariah's World, appearing in the films The Butler (2013), A Christmas Melody (2015), and The Lego Batman Movie (2017), performing at two Las Vegas concert residencies, and publishing her memoir The Meaning of Mariah Carey in 2020.
Carey is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with over 220 million records sold worldwide. She holds the record for the most Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles by a solo artist (19), a female songwriter (18), and a female producer (15). Carey is the highest-certified female artist in the United States and 10th overall, with 72 million certified album units. In 2008, she was named one of Time's annual 100 most influential artists and entertainers in the world. Billboard named her the "top-charting female solo artist", based on both album and song chart success in 2019. Carey has won 5 Grammy Awards, 19 World Music Awards, 10 American Music Awards, 15 Billboard Music Awards and eight Guinness World Records. An inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, she is credited for inspiring multiple generations of pop and R&B artists, and for merging hip hop with pop music through her crossover collaborations.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariah_Carey
Studio albums
Mariah Carey (1990)
Emotions (1991)
Music Box (1993)
Merry Christmas (1994)
Daydream (1995)
Butterfly (1997)
Rainbow (1999)
Glitter (2001)
Charmbracelet (2002)
The Emancipation of Mimi (2005)
E=MC² (2008)
Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel (2009)
Merry Christmas II You (2010)
Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse (2014)
Caution (2018)
Portrait
Mariah Carey Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How do I disappear?
Here beyond the looking glass
Somewhere off the beaten path
Heartache never seems to pass, just lasts
And I'd go
Yet I know that tomorrow comes, so I'll be here when you rise
Look the other way as I bottle myself up inside
I won't let the teardrops spill tonight
Just conceal myself and hide
A portrait of my life
Somewhat desensitized, still the same hopeful child
Haunted by those severed ties
Pushing past the parasites
Down but not demoralized
Unconfined, but don't let go
Yes I know that tomorrow comes, so I'll be here when you rise
Stay here close and the moment will subside
Look the other way as I bottle myself up inside
I won't let the teardrops spill tonight
Just conceal myself and hide
A portrait of my life
And for the finale, she can float around effortlessly
And dream away the hours in her mind
And I'd let go
Yet I know that tomorrow comes, so I'll be here when you rise
Stay here close and the moment will subside
Look the other way as I bottle myself up inside
I won't let the teardrops spill tonight
Just conceal myself and hide
This portrait of my life
In "Portrait," Mariah Carey reflects on her journey of self-discovery and resilience amidst heartbreak and challenges. The lyrics convey a sense of longing and introspection as she contemplates her next steps, wondering where to go and how to escape from the pain that seems to linger. The line "here beyond the looking glass, somewhere off the beaten path" suggests a desire to find a place of solace and escape the conventional and expected.
Throughout the song, Carey acknowledges the transient nature of emotions. She recognizes that tomorrow will come, signifying hope and the potential for healing. By staying close in the present moment, she believes that the intensity of her emotions will subside. The line "I won't let the teardrops spill tonight, just conceal myself and hide, a portrait of my life" reveals her determination to maintain composure, refusing to let her tears flow. She describes herself as a portrait, suggesting an artistic representation of her life, carefully composed and controlled.
Despite the hardships she has faced, Carey remains resilient. She refers to herself as a "still the same hopeful child" and acknowledges the lingering impact of severed relationships. She pushes past negative influences and refuses to give in to demoralization. The line "down but not demoralized, unconfined, but don't let go" portrays her strength and unwillingness to succumb to despair.
In the final lines, Carey fantasizes about being able to float around effortlessly and dream away the hours in her mind, perhaps symbolizing a desired state of freedom and peace. However, she is aware that reality awaits and embraces the idea of facing the challenges of the following day with a determined spirit.
Overall, "Portrait" is a reflection on the process of healing and self-preservation, revealing Mariah Carey's determination not to be consumed by heartache and her constant quest for emotional stability and strength.
Line by Line Meaning
Where do I go from here?
I am unsure of my next steps or direction in life.
How do I disappear?
How can I escape from my current situation or emotions?
Here beyond the looking glass
In a place beyond the surface, where deeper emotions lie.
Somewhere off the beaten path
Seeking a different, unconventional path in life.
Heartache never seems to pass, just lasts
Emotional pain persists and doesn't seem to fade away.
And I'd go
I would willingly seek change or new experiences.
Yet I know that tomorrow comes, so I'll be here when you rise
Despite the uncertainty, I will be present and hopeful for a new day.
Stay real close and the moment will subside
If you stay with me, this difficult moment will eventually pass.
Look the other way as I bottle myself up inside
Please ignore the emotions I'm keeping hidden within myself.
I won't let the teardrops spill tonight
I won't allow myself to cry and show vulnerability.
Just conceal myself and hide
I will continue to mask my true emotions and keep them hidden.
A portrait of my life
This is a representation of my life, my experiences, and my emotions.
Somewhat desensitized, still the same hopeful child
I have become somewhat numb, but my hopeful nature remains.
Haunted by those severed ties
I am deeply affected by the relationships that have ended.
Pushing past the parasites
I am determined to overcome those who drain me emotionally.
Down but not demoralized
I may feel low, but I refuse to lose hope or become disheartened.
Unconfined, but don't let go
I am free from constraints, but I must hold on and persevere.
And for the finale, she can float around effortlessly
In the end, she can move through life with ease and grace.
And dream away the hours in her mind
She can escape and imagine a better reality within her thoughts.
And I'd let go
I would release myself from any burdens or negative emotions.
This portrait of my life
This represents the essence and depiction of my existence.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Daniel Moore, Mariah Carey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kitteneyez2012
"Portrait"
Where do I go from here?
How do I disappear?
Here beyond the looking glass
Somewhere off the beaten path
Heart ache never seems to pass, just lasts
And I'd go...
Yet I know that tomorrow comes, so I'll be here when you rise
Stay real close and the moment will subside
Look the other way as I bottle myself up inside
I won't let the teardrops spill tonight
Just conceal myself and hide
A portrait of my life
La da da da da
La da da da da
Somewhat desensitized
Still the same hopeful child
Haunted by those severed ties
Pushing past the parasites
Down but not demoralized
Unconfined, but don't let go...
Yes I know that tomorrow comes, so I'll be here when you rise
Stay here close and the moment will subside
Look the other way as I bottle myself up inside
I won't let the teardrops spill tonight
Just conceal myself and hide
A portrait of my life
And for the finale, she can float around effortlessly
And dream away the hours in her mind
And I'd let go...
Yet I know that tomorrow comes, so I'll be here when you rise
Stay here close and the moment will subside
Look the other way as I bottle myself up inside
I won't let the teardrops spill tonight
Just conceal myself and hide
This portrait of my life
@Sanjinator1
Mariah, no matter what you're going through, I'll always love you. Your legacy is cemented up there with the Gospel qualities of Aretha Franklin, the vocal acrobatics and runs of Stevie Wonder, the power of Patti LaBelle, the magic of Michael Jackson, the technical efficiency of Prince, the emotional exuberance of Whitney Houston, the layering of Luther Vandross, the passion of Teena Marie, the kind-heartedness of Bob Marley and the range of Minnie Riperton. The list goes on and on...
...and this is not even mentioning all the hip-hop pioneers and legends I grew up listening to back in my youth when I was too close minded to appreciate the authenticity in genres such as 80s/90s R&B/Soul & Pop. I only appreciated the craft of great emcees like 2Pac, Big Punisher, Chubb Rock, Masta Ace, Slick Rick, LL Cool J, Nas, Twista, Busta Rhymes, Ice T, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg to current underground beasts like Tech N9ne, K-Rino, Akala, Lowkey, Immortal Technique and the like. I place your talents and messages alongside or even above these immortal realists. Obscure artists like Wendy Moten, B. Slade, Dina Carroll, Lalah Hathaway, Lisa Fischer, Oleta Adams etc. etc. etc. I've heard the best of the best and it's been wonderful.
All these incredible artists I've listed have been discovered through you and your music, your supreme musicianship on display throughout the years was too hard to ignore. Never have I ever witnessed so much skill in one being (except maybe Michael). It really made me appreciate the effort, the means in which you conquered the art of singing/songwriting. Opening my eyes, setting aside my ignorance for only focussing on lyrical content/delivery found in rap music or the obvious 'jack of all trades' skill-set on display of a mere entertainer.
You are the personification of a vocalist and beyond that... strip away the mask and what is left is a deeply sweet and respectful human being residing inside you and I thank you dearly, for everything...
PS. I got so caught up writing a meaningful post, I forgot to mention the exquisite likeness of that Stevie Wonder cue from 'You And I' in the beginning.
@AntsCanada
My queen ants hail the one and only queen of singing! 🙌👸
@csingson2049
Love your videos lamb
@valentinawoldorf8650
OOOOO MIKEY YOU'RE A LAMB TOO?!?! YASSSSS
@vexana5488
Ants Canada Ant Channel
@tssdr9419
your ants could only wish to have a waist as skinny as mariah's
@nickoet2885
@Tassadar yes
@cynthia8587
2:48 "And for the finale she can float around effortlessly and dream away the hours in her mind" = "She was kind of fragile and she had a lot to grapple with, but basically she kept it all inside"
@MrDLOC11
Superb observation!
@eddiebassey1685
Something about her ballads. She makes me tear up, especially on this song. This is one of her best ballads ever in her catelogue. And her catelogue has a lot of ballads. The words, her tone, delivery, she didn't over sing or undersing. It's so perfect.
@trey_baldwin2121
I still think petals beats this but this is a close second