The Ballads (Mariah Carey album)
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2017}}
{{Infobox album
| name = The Ballads
| type = compilation
| artist = Mariah Carey
| cover = The Ballads (Mariah Carey album).gif
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|2008|10|17}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| genre =
| length = {{plainlist|
- 70:41 (UK)
- 75:32 (US)
- 76:10 (Japan)
}}
| label = *Columbia
| producer = * Mariah Carey
- Walter Afanasieff
- Jermaine Dupri
- Manuel Seal
- Rhett Lawrence
- Jam & Lewis
- Dave Hall
- DJ Clue
- Trackmasters
- Stevie J
- Mike Mason
- Steve Mac
- Babyface
| prev_title = E=MC²
| prev_year = 2008
| next_title = Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel
| next_year = 2009
}}
The Ballads is the third compilation album by American singer Mariah Carey.[http://www.mariahcarey.com/news/news.php?uid=2296 Sony BMG to release Mariah Ballads Compilation] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120184113/http://www.mariahcarey.com/news/news.php?uid=2296 |date=November 20, 2008 }}[http://mariahcarey.com/news/news.php?uid=2314 'The Ballads' makes a great debut on the UK charts! Enter to Win a Customized Mariah 'Ballads' iPod and More!] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120000712/http://www.mariahcarey.com/news/news.php?uid=2314 |date=November 20, 2008 }} The album features some of Carey's top selling ballads over the course of her career. It was released internationally in late 2008, and in North America in January 2010. It was also re-released in the UK as LoveSongs, in February 2010.[http://www.mariahcarey.com/news/news.php?uid=2782 Official Site and Honey B. Fly Fan Club for Mariah Carey news.news] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331143735/http://www.mariahcarey.com/news/news.php?uid=2782 |date=March 31, 2010 }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/01/21/mariah-flips-her-labels-115875-21983611/ |title=Is Mariah Carey going back to record label Sony? - mirror.co.uk |website=Daily Mirror |access-date=April 3, 2018 |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605023501/http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2010/01/21/mariah-flips-her-labels-115875-21983611/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;0;-1;-1;-1&sku=306323 |title=Mariah Carey: Love Songs (2010): CD: hmv.com |access-date=January 27, 2010 |archive-date=September 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919232928/http://hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?ctx=280;0;-1;-1;-1&sku=306323 |url-status=live }}
Background
The album contains some of Carey's hits and singles from her time at Columbia Records, except for selected tracks from Glitter (2001). It does not feature any new material or include songs recorded with her then-current label, Island Records.
The 1993 single "Hero" was re-recorded and re-released to promote The Ballads compilation. The video shows Mariah Carey walking into the recording room accompanied by her dog, lingering in the studio and singing to the song. It is intercut with a scene of New York City during the night.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090108145600/http://www.singersroom.com/news/entertainment-story-3018.asp Mariah 'Re Records' Hero for Ballads]
Promotion
Carey performed "Hero" at the Inauguration of Barack Obama on January 20, 2009, in Washington, D.C.,[http://www.accesshollywood.com/access-exclusive-mariah-carey-to-sing-hero-for-obama_article_13101 Access Exclusive: Mariah Carey To Sing ‘Hero’ For Obama] and was featured on a CBS TV special.{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mariah-carey-once-again-the-most/ |title=Mariah Carey: Once Again, The Most |website=CBS News |access-date=August 29, 2024 |archive-date=August 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240830023738/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mariah-carey-once-again-the-most/ |url-status=live }}
A limited edition of The Ballads was being sold exclusively at all Target Stores; this edition included a small bottle of Carey's fragrance Luscious Pink.
Critical reception
{{Album ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev1score = {{rating|3.5|5}}
}}
Blogcritics said: "This release is a different type of Mariah Carey album. Without her faster and hip hop songs, it is smoother as it puts the focus squarely on her vocals which has always been her greatest attribute and saving grace."{{Cite web |url=http://blogcritics.org/archives/2009/01/19/101405.php |title=Music Review: Mariah Carey - The Ballads |access-date=January 19, 2009 |archive-date=January 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090123014550/http://blogcritics.org/archives/2009/01/19/101405.php |url-status=live }} AllMusic said: "And that's what The Ballads is: nothing but big love songs sung in a big voice."[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1456579|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic review] Billboard stated that the album "will keep singing on the chart as we get closer to Valentine's Day, as it seems like a natural gift purchase."Caulfield, Keith et al. [http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/charts/chart_alert/e3i85756b4e0ca108bc34b515ace5d25d9f Romance And Indie Rock Hit The Billboard 200] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120524224737/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/charts/chart_alert/e3i85756b4e0ca108bc34b515ace5d25d9f |date=May 24, 2012 }}. Billboard. January 28, 2009. Retrieved January 29, 2009.
Commercial performance
The album debuted at number 17 on UK Albums Chart. Following a successful appearance on X Factor, the album peaked at number 13 in its 4th week and remained on chart for ten consecutive weeks. In Ireland, the album peaked at number 8 and remained on chart for twelve weeks, and has been certified gold. In New Zealand, the album peaked at number 19, remaining on chart for three weeks. The album also debuted at number 79 in Australia. In Japan, the album has reached number 19. The album debuted at number 45 on the Dutch Albums Chart and fell nine spots behind in the second week. In the third week the album climbed from number 54 to 5.{{Cite web |url=http://acharts.us/album/38508 |title=Mariah Carey - The Ballads |website=αCharts |access-date=October 24, 2008 |archive-date=December 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222102101/http://acharts.us/album/38508 |url-status=live }}
The album debuted at number 10 on the U.S. Billboard 200 with first week sales of 29,000 units.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/269529/taylor-swift-album-starts-eighth-week-at-no-1|title=Taylor Swift Album Starts Eighth Week At No. 1|last=Hasty|first=Katie|date=January 28, 2009|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|access-date=January 28, 2009|archive-date=April 25, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130425025250/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/269529/taylor-swift-album-starts-eighth-week-at-no-1|url-status=live}} It was the chart's highest debut in that week and the fourth compilation that Carey has charted, following #1's (number 4 in 1998), Greatest Hits (number 52 in 2001) and The Remixes (number 26 in 2003). It also debut at number 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[https://web.archive.org/web/20051216232446/http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/chart_display.jsp?g=Albums&f=Top+R%26B%2FHip-Hop+Albums Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums] As of November 2018, the album has sold 395,000 copies in the US.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8485573/mariah-carey-sales-ariana-grande-no-1-ask-billboard|title=Ask Billboard: Mariah Carey's Career Sales, Ariana Grande Fun Facts & More|last=Trust|first=Gary|date=November 18, 2018|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 29, 2019|archive-date=November 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119010725/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/8485573/mariah-carey-sales-ariana-grande-no-1-ask-billboard|url-status=live}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| total_length = 72:11
| extra_column = Album
| headline = American release
| title1 = Hero
| extra1 = Music Box
| length1 = 4:19
| title2 = One Sweet Day
| note2 = featuring Boyz II Men
| extra2 = Daydream
| length2 = 4:41
| title3 = Vision of Love
| extra3 = Mariah Carey
| length3 = 3:31
| title4 = Without You
| extra4 = Music Box
| length4 = 3:34
| title5 = Can't Let Go
| extra5 = Emotions
| length5 = 4:27
| title6 = Love Takes Time
| extra6 = Mariah Carey
| length6 = 3:49
| title7 = I'll Be There
| note7 = featuring Trey Lorenz
| extra7 = MTV Unplugged
| length7 = 4:43
| title8 = Thank God I Found You
| note8 = Make It Last Remix featuring Joe and Nas
| extra8 = The Remixes
| length8 = 5:09
| title9 = Endless Love
| note9 = featuring Luther Vandross
| extra9 = Songs and Greatest Hits
| length9 = 4:18
| title10 = I Still Believe
| extra10 = #1's
| length10 = 3:54
| title11 = My All
| extra11 = Butterfly
| length11 = 3:50
| title12 = The Roof (Back in Time)
| extra12 = Butterfly
| length12 = 5:14
| title13 = When You Believe
| note13 = with Whitney Houston
| extra13 = #1's
| length13 = 4:31
| title14 = Anytime You Need a Friend
| extra14 = Music Box
| length14 = 4:26
| title15 = Always Be My Baby
| extra15 = Daydream
| length15 = 4:18
| title16 = Dreamlover
| extra16 = Music Box
| length16 = 3:53
| title17 = How Much
| note17 = featuring Usher
| extra17 = Rainbow
| length17 = 3:31
| title18 = Reflections (Care Enough)
| extra18 = Glitter
| length18 = 3:23
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = American digital deluxe bonus tracks
| total_length = 82:20
| title19 = The Roof
| note19 = Mobb Deep Extended Version
| length19 = 5:30
| title20 = Always Be My Baby
| note20 = Mr. Dupri Mix featuring Da Brat and Xscape
| length20 = 4:39
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = European edition
| total_length = 70:20
| extra_column = Album
| title1 = Hero
| length1 = 4:19
| title2 = Vision of Love
| length2 = 3:31
| title3 = Without You
| length3 = 3:34
| title4 = Always Be My Baby
| length4 = 4:18
| title5 = My All
| length5 = 3:50
| title6 = How Much
| note6 = featuring Usher
| length6 = 3:31
| title7 = Dreamlover
| length7 = 3:53
| title8 = Thank God I Found You
| note8 = Make It Last Remix featuring Joe and Nas
| length8 = 5:09
| title9 = The Roof (Back in Time)
| length9 = 5:14
| title10 = One Sweet Day
| note10 = featuring Boyz II Men
| length10 = 4:41
| title11 = Anytime You Need a Friend
| length11 = 4:26
| title12 = I'll Be There
| note12 = featuring Trey Lorenz
| length12 = 4:43
| title13 = I Still Believe
| length13 = 3:54
| title14 = Reflections (Care Enough)
| length14 = 3:23
| title15 = Open Arms
| extra15 = Daydream
| length15 = 3:30
| title16 = Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)
| note16 = featuring Westlife
| extra16 = Coast to Coast and Greatest Hits (International Edition)
| length16 = 3:25
| title17 = Endless Love
| note17 = featuring Luther Vandross
| length17 = 4:18
| title18 = All I Want for Christmas Is You
| note18 = not in certain
European territories
| length18 = 4:01
| extra18 = Merry Christmas
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = International iTunes Store bonus tracks
| total_length = 90:29
| title19 = Anytime You Need a Friend
| note19 = Ministry of Sound Mix
| length19 = 9:44
| title20 = Always Be My Baby
| note20 = Always Club
| length20 = 10:25
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Japan track listing{{cite web |title=Top > Discography > The Ballads |url=http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/MariahCarey/discography/SICP-2100 |publisher=Sony Music Entertainment Japan |access-date=March 11, 2019 |language=ja |archive-date=April 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426065048/http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/MariahCarey/discography/SICP-2100 |url-status=live }}
| total_length = 75:35
| extra_column = Album
| title1 = Hero
| length1 = 4:19
| title2 = One Sweet Day
| note2 = featuring Boyz II Men
| length2 = 4:41
| title3 = Endless Love
| note3 = featuring Luther Vandross
| length3 = 4:18
| title4 = Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme)
| length4 = 4:32
| extra4 = Rainbow
| title5 = Open Arms
| length5 = 3:30
| title6 = Reflections (Care Enough)
| length6 = 3:23
| title7 = Butterfly
| length7 = 4:35
| extra7 = Butterfly
| title8 = Love Takes Time
| length8 = 3:49
| title9 = My All
| length9 = 3:50
| title10 = Without You
| length10 = 3:34
| title11 = Always Be My Baby
| length11 = 4:18
| title12 = Vision of Love
| length12 = 3:31
| title13 = Can't Let Go
| length13 = 4:27
| title14 = Anytime You Need a Friend
| length14 = 4:26
| title15 = Thank God I Found You
| note15 = Make It Last Remix featuring Joe and Nas
| length15 = 5:09
| title16 = I'll Be There
| note16 = featuring Trey Lorenz
| length16 = 4:43
| title17 = I Still Believe
| length17 = 3:54
| title18 = Never Too Far
| length18 = 3:55
| extra18 = Glitter
| title19 = All I Want for Christmas Is You
| length19 = 4:01
}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
{{col-2}}
= Year-end charts =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"|Chart (2008)
!scope="col"|Position |
|---|
| scope="row"|UK Albums (OCC){{cite web|url=http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2008.pdf|title=The Official UK Albums Chart 2008|publisher=OCC|access-date=October 16, 2015|archive-date=March 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327100010/http://www.ukchartsplus.co.uk/ChartsPlusYE2008.pdf|url-status=live}}
|126 |
| scope="col"|Chart (2009)
!scope="col"|Position |
| scope="row"|US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2009/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2009|magazine=Billboard|access-date=October 23, 2020|archive-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419112329/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2009/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|url-status=live}}
|97 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications and sales
{{certification Table Top}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=Ireland|artist=Mariah Carey|title=The Ballads|award=Gold|certyear=2008|relyear=2008|accessdate=September 6, 2017}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United Kingdom|artist=Mariah Carey|title=The Ballads|award=Gold|certyear=2008|relyear=2008|id=11786-3664-2|accessdate=September 6, 2017}}
{{certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United States|artist=Mariah Carey|title=The Ballads|relyear=2008|salesamount=395,000|salesref=|nocert=yes}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}
Release history
- Italy – October 17, 2008{{Cite web |url=http://www.ibs.it/disco/0886973924129/mariah-carey/the-ballads.html |title=Mariah Carey - The Ballads - cd di Mariah Carey - - disco di Mariah Carey - IBS |access-date=October 24, 2008 |archive-date=December 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217041306/http://www.ibs.it/disco/0886973924129/mariah-carey/the-ballads.html |url-status=live }}
- South Korea and Argentina – October 21, 2008[http://www.kyobobook.co.kr/product/detailViewMuc.laf?mallGb=MUC&ejkGb=MUC&linkClass=0201&barcode=8803581133981 인터넷 교보문고] The Ballads] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305074010/http://www.kyobobook.co.kr/product/detailViewMuc.laf?mallGb=MUC&ejkGb=MUC&linkClass=0201&barcode=8803581133981 |date=March 5, 2016 }}
- Hong Kong – October 22, 2008
- Germany – October 24, 2008;[https://www.amazon.de/dp/B001G83TS0 Amazon.de] April 10, 2009[https://www.amazon.de/dp/B001M3LG98 The Ballads: Mariah Carey: Amazon.de: Musik]
- Australia – November 3, 2008[http://www.bigwentertainment.com.au/product/ballads_2386572_9430.html Ballads (Carey, Mariah): Music: BIGWentertainment.com.au] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024202707/http://www.bigwentertainment.com.au/product/ballads_2386572_9430.html |date=October 24, 2008 }}
- France – November 17, 2008[https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B001H8VBJ8 Amazon.fr]
- Japan – November 26, 2008{{Cite web |url=http://www.hmv.co.jp/product/detail/2797095 |title=Ballads(グレイテストヒッツ)【CD】-Mariah Carey (マライアキャリー)｜R&B/ダンス｜ダンス＆ソウル｜音楽｜HMV ONLINE オンラインショッピング・情報サイト |access-date=October 21, 2008 |archive-date=February 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212223218/http://www.hmv.co.jp/product/detail/2797095 |url-status=live }}
- Canada – November 2008
- Brazil – December 2, 2008{{Cite web |url=http://www.livrariasaraiva.com.br/produto/produto.dll/detalhe?pro_id=2610640&ID=C95CC3777D80B05121F210627 |title=The Ballads - Saraiva.com.br |access-date=November 11, 2008 |archive-date=July 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722174718/http://www.livrariasaraiva.com.br/produto/produto.dll/detalhe?pro_id=2610640&ID=C95CC3777D80B05121F210627 |url-status=dead }}
- Taiwan – December 30, 2008[http://www.books.com.tw/exep/cdfile.php?item=0020129882 博客來音樂館>瑪麗亞凱莉 / 藏愛-冠軍情歌精選] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101094815/http://www.books.com.tw/exep/cdfile.php?item=0020129882 |date=January 1, 2009 }}
- Portugal – January 19, 2009{{Cite web |url=http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=pt-BR&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fcotonete.clix.pt%2Fquiosque%2Fnoticias%2Fbody.aspx%3Fid%3D41729&sl=pt&tl=en&history_state0= |title=Google Tradutor |access-date=January 7, 2009 |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307211145/http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=pt-BR&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fcotonete.clix.pt%2Fquiosque%2Fnoticias%2Fbody.aspx%3Fid%3D41729&sl=pt&tl=en&history_state0= |url-status=live }}
- US – January 20, 2009[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001KL3GYU Amazon.com: The Ballads: Mariah Carey: Music]
- Spain – February 3, 2009{{Cite web |url=http://www.europapress.es/cultura/musica-00129/noticia-mariah-carey-reune-17-mejores-canciones-amor-the-ballads-venta-febrero-20090119194854.html |title=Mariah Carey reúne 17 de sus mejores canciones de amor en 'The ballads', a la venta el 3 de febrero. europapress.es |access-date=January 19, 2009 |archive-date=October 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029002453/https://www.europapress.es/cultura/musica-00129/noticia-mariah-carey-reune-17-mejores-canciones-amor-the-ballads-venta-febrero-20090119194854.html |url-status=live }}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Mariah Carey}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ballads, The}}
Category:2008 greatest hits albums
Category:Mariah Carey compilation albums
Category:Albums produced by Jermaine Dupri
Category:Albums produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Category:Albums produced by Walter Afanasieff