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Forever (Mariah Carey song)
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Wikipedia article
"'Forever'" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter, and record producer Mariah Carey for her fifth studio album, 'Daydream' (1995). It was released by Columbia Records on June 18, 1996, as an airplay-only single and the fifth single from the album. The song was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff, and was composed throughout 1995. Its lyrics describe a situation where the protagonist knows her relationship with her lover has withered away, however he will continue living in her memory forever.
The song's music video is a collage of snippets from Carey's shows at the Tokyo Dome, during her Daydream World Tour in 1996. Most of the video is the performance of the song during one of the three Japanese shows on the tour. Serving as an airplay only song in the US, and a limited release around the world, the song received a well amount of chart success specifically in the U.S.. In the United States, 'Billboard' rules did not allow the charting of non-commercially released songs. For this reason, it did not chart on the Hot 100, however peaking at number two on the Adult Contemporary chart. Outside the US, the song peaked at number 11 in Canada, 40 in New Zealand and 44 in the Netherlands.
Composition
"Forever" was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff in early 1995. The song is written in the key of A major and features a basic chord progression of A-C/G-Fm/E-D-E. Throughout "Forever," Carey's voice spans from the low note of C#3 to the high note of A5. According to author Chris Nickson, the song's instrumentation and throw-back melody bring reminders of 1950s and 60s balladry. The throw-back was featured through the chord changes, and in the way that the guitar arpeggios "stayed at the forefront of the music." "Forever" finds Carey displaying subtle and harmonizing vocals, with Nickson describing her voice as "undeniably rich." Stephen Holden from 'The New York Times' described it as a "50s-style rock-and-roll ballad," while calling Carey's voice "magnificent."
Reception
Ken Tucker, an editor from 'Entertainment Weekly' praised the song's instrumentation, writing "I like the brisk waltz tempo of 'Forever'." In 2020, 'Billboard' ranked it as the 100th greatest song of Carey's career. "Forever" was released as an airplay only single in the US, and received a limited European release. Due to 'Billboard' rules at the time of its release, "Forever" wasn't eligible to chart on the Hot 100. However, the song charted on the Adult Contemporary chart, peaking at number two. In Canada, the song peaked at number 11 on the Canadian 'RPM' Singles Chart issue dated September 30, 1996. In New Zealand, the song entered the singles chart at its peak of number 40, spending only one week in the chart. On the Dutch Singles Chart, "Forever" peaked at number 47, fluctuating in the chart for a total of nine weeks.
Music video and live performances
"Forever" was first performed in October 1995 in Carey's concert at Madison Square Garden. The next year it was performed throughout all the shows on Carey's Daydream World Tour in 1996. The music video for "Forever" was filmed at one of the Japanese shows during the tour. It presents Carey singing the song on stage at the Tokyo Dome, and inter-cuts scenes from other segments of the show. For the show and video, Carey wore a pair of black pants and matching blouse, together with a long leather trench coat. Her hair teased in a long wavy fashion, and is a golden-auburn color. The video features three back-up singers, one male and two female and a large projection screen on the stage's rear. The live audio of this performance was released on the single.
Formats and track listing
'European CD Single'
# "Forever" 4:01
# "Forever" (Live) 4:12
'Australian CD Single'
# "Forever" 4:01
# "Underneath the Stars" 3:33
# "Forever" (Live) 4:12
# "Make It Happen" (Live) 4:43
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the 'Daydream' liner notes.
* Mariah Carey co-production, songwriting, vocals
* Walter Afanasieff co-production, songwriting
Charts
Weekly charts
{| class="wikitable sortable"!Chart (1996)
!Peak
position
|-
|align="left"|Australia (ARIA)
|align="center"|77
|-
|-
|-
|Canada Contemporary Hit Radio ('The Record')
|align="center"|11
|-
|Canada Hit Parade (AC/CHR/Rock) ('The Record')
|align="center"|13
|-
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40 Tipparade)
|align="center"|4
|-
|-
|-
|-
|-
|US Adult Contemporary ('Radio & Records')
|align="center"|2
|-
|-
|US CHR/Pop ('Radio & Records')
|align="center"|6
|-
|US CHR/Rhythmic ('Radio & Records')
|align="center"|17
|-
|US Hot AC ('Radio & Records')
|align="center"|9
|-
|-
|-
|}
Year-end charts
{| class="wikitable sortable"!Chart (1996)
!Position
|-
|align="left"|Canada Top Singles ('RPM')
|align="center"|98
|-
|align="left"|Canada Adult Contemporary ('RPM')
|align="center"|24
|-
|align="left"|US Radio Songs ('Billboard')
|align="center"|51
|-
|align="left"|US Adult Contemporary ('Billboard')
|align="center"|18
|-
|US Adult Contemporary ('Radio & Records')
|align="center"|10
|-
|US CHR/Pop ('Radio & Records')
|align="center"|50
|-
|US CHR/Rhythmic ('Radio & Records')
|align="center"|57
|-
|US Hot AC ('Radio & Records')
|align="center"|44
|-
|US Mainstream Top 40 ('Billboard')
|align="center"|54
|-
|US Rhythmic ('Billboard')
|align="center"|61
|}
Release history
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release date and formats for "Forever"
! scope="col"| Region
! scope="col"| Date
! scope="col"| Format(s)
! scope="col"| Label(s)
! scope="col"|
|-
! scope="row"| United States
| June 18, 1996
|
| Columbia
| {{center|}}
|}
References
Bibliography
*
Category:1990s ballads
Category:1996 singles
Category:Mariah Carey songs
Category:Songs written by Walter Afanasieff
Category:Songs written by Mariah Carey
Category:Pop ballads
Category:Song recordings produced by Walter Afanasieff
Category:1995 songs
Category:Columbia Records singles
Category:Sony Music singles
Category:Contemporary R&B ballads
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