Throwback Thurday: Mariah Carey's Daydream That Turned Into Reality

This past October 3 marked the 17 year anniversary of The Queen of Pop Mariah Carey's fifth studio album titled "Daydream", released in 1995. Carey was already on a hot streak during the 90's as an unstoppable force that was breaking records left and right. Carey wielded a crisp, yet buttery powerful tone and an angelic whistle register that only dogs and birds could fully appreciate. She broke even more records when she released her first single to Daydream titled "Fantasy" which became the first song by a female artist to debut at number one. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 8 weeks and became the second best selling single of 1995. Her next single, "One Sweet Day" would go on to become most successful song of all time, as it spent a breath taking 16 weeks at #1 on the billboard hot 100. As of 2012, the song still holds an unbroken 17 year record of most weeks at the top of the Hot 100. One Sweet Day is the longest running number one song in the history of music. Daydream was subsequently released to universal acclaim, debuted at number one on the billboard 200, sold 25 million copies worldwide and 10 million copies in the states alone. This album would go on to be regarded as one of the most influential and best selling albums of all time. It has also been recognized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the Definitive 200 albums that every music lover should own. However, Despite the phenomenal success this album has garnered, Daydream remains quite underrated in terms of its legacy and influence. This album undoubtedly gave rise to a new trend and changed the face of music forever. Mariah Carey single handedly pioneered and catapulted the art of the pop/rap collaboration, inspiring countless acts after her with one song that started it all. It was the Fantasy Remix featuring O.D.B.. Without the inception of this historal song, there would be no "Crazy In Love" with Beyonce and Jay-Z, "Love The Way You Lie" with Rihanna and Eminem, "California Gurls" with Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg and countless other hip-pop collaborations. John Norris of MTV said of the Fantasy Remix's influence:

"That one remix is responsible for, I would argue, an entire wave of music that we've seen since and that is the pop/hip-hop collaboration. You could arge that Fantasy Remix is the single most important recording that she ever made."

With that being said, we salute you Ms. Mariah Carey and your flawless Daydream album. It has undoubtedly inspired countless pop, r&b and hip-hop acts whether they want to admit it or not. Your myriad singing styles within this album, notably singing in head voice with songs like Underneath The Stars gave birth to a new kind of r&b. As long as I live, I will never forget the shattering impact of the Daydream album.


During early to mid 1996 in order to support Daydream, Carey embarked on her short, yet successful Daydream World Tour that lasted 7 dates. Luckily, her Madison Square Garden and Tokyo Dome show were taped and later released on video, while other dates have been uploaded to youtube since then. Every show performed on the Daydream Tour was given critical acclaim, complementing the astonishing versatility and power of Carey's vocals. Millions could only watch in awe and wonder how such beautiful and powerful notes could come from such a small frame.

Watch Mariah's awe-inspiring performance of Hero at the Tokyo Dome in 1996 here:

Also watch Mariah's live performance of Underneath The Stars, one of the many highlight songs from the Daydream album.