I once dedicated this song to an ex... He can choke! Anyways, today marks the 25th anniversary of Mariah Carey's 11th Billboard Hot 100 #1 hit, "Always Be My Baby","which is difficult to get. Not everybody has that to their credit".
"Always Be My Baby", now certified triple platinum, was released on March 9, 1996, from her fifth studio album Daydream, which went on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time, having sold over 20 million copies sold worldwide!
To celebrate its anniversary, here are 5 must-see performances of "Always Be My Baby". These are my personal go-to favorites. I'd love to hear about yours, so feel free to @ me on Twitter @DarrellC_Scott.
#1 Madison Square Garden (1995)
This performance was featured as a part of Carey's fourth DVD/home video release, titled "Mariah Carey at Madison Square Garden". When I think of this song, this is the version I am likely to play. The amount of energy from the crowd and the delivery of the vocals is just unmatched.
You can stream this version, as it was featured for #MC30 on the Always Be My Baby EP, which I have provided for you. If you want to see the full concert, which included performances of Make It Happen, Fantasy, Dreamlover, and other Mariah essentials, you can purchase the DVD for $9.99 on #AppleMusic, which I have also linked
#2 Tokyo Dome (1996)
Of course, the Daydream Era vocals are stellar here, but it's the all-white ensemble for me. This version has recently been made available for streaming on all platforms courtesy of Mariah's recently released "Rarities" album. This performance and the entire concert is prime Mariah vocal showcase. I am glad I don't have to search Youtube to hear this version anymore!
#3 Adventures of Mimi Tour (2006)
How can we not love the Emancipation Era! Many lambs would argue she hit yet another vocal prime during these years. This performance was brought to us courtesy of "The Adventures of Mimi Concert tour of 2006. I love this performance the quality of her voice here is pristine. She seems relaxed and she hit all the big notes.
#4 Live at Oslo: Sweet Fantasy Tour (2016)
This one is a hidden gem! Unlike the others, it wasn't professionally recorded for the masses. It was captured by presumably, a fan in the crowd with one hell of a view and great footage.
Considering this performance was in 2016 during her "Sweet Fantasy Tour", you have to appreciate how amazing she sounds and that she also does a few things differently that the lambs might appreciate, such as the adlib at 1:03 in the video.
#5 iHeart Living Room Concert (2020)
This a more recent performance of this song (March of 2020) and is a #quarantine vocal moment that you must witness, as it is only fitting for the occasion. Mariah gave us a stripped-down, intimate rendition of this song from the comfort of her home studio with the talented Daniel Moore on the keys.
I like this version because you can enjoy how healthy and beautiful Mariah's current voice is, without all the screaming fans and everything that comes with your typical recording of a live performance. Sometimes, you don't need all that extra energy, especially with a song as nostalgic and sentimental as ABMB.
That's all for today, Lambily. What are your favorite performances of Always Be My Baby? What version are you streaming to celebrate?
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While you're here, please don't forget to check out my book, Manstress Diaries which tells the story of an unstable therapist who falls in love with a married addict! It includes plenty of Mariah-inspired moments that only the Lambily could truly appreciate, including chapters: "Stay the Night" and "Don't Forget About Us."