05/30/2025
Marking the milestone of our preferred track as MC’s monumental comeback celebrates its 20-year anniversary.
05/30/2025
Mariah Carey at VH1 Save The Music: A Concert To Support The VH1 Save The Music Foundation – Show – Day 1 at Beacon Theatre in NYC.
Marc Bryan-Brown/WireImage
Mimi is free and better than ever, dahhlings. On Friday (May 30), Mariah Carey presented The Emancipation of Mimi (20th Anniversary Edition) to commemorate two decades since the release of her significant tenth studio album.
Featuring hit singles such as “We Belong Together,” “Shake It Off” and “Don’t Forget About Us,” the 2005 LP heralded a new phase of creative satisfaction and significant chart success for the Elusive Chanteuse, reaffirming her position as a pioneering queen of R&B crossover excellence.
The multi-disc, 40-track anniversary edition revisits the magic that Carey unlocked on Mimi with a lavish collection of remixes, bonus tracks, radio edits, a cappella versions, and a special live recording from Carey’s performance at the American Music Awards 50th anniversary special held in 2024.
While the Emancipation of Mimi reissue was preceded by Kaytranada’s remix of “Don’t Forget About Us,” Carey also enlisted Solange to add her unique touch to “Say Somethin’ – Solange Southern Star Remix,” and Esentrik reimagines the album opener “It’s Like That” with Jermaine Dupri and Fatman Scoop.
To commemorate the landmark event, Billboard has evaluated all 18 tracks on the original version of The Emancipation of Mimi and its Ultra Platinum deluxe edition — from its numerous chart-topping hits to Lambily-favored deep cuts like “Stay The Night,” “I Wish You Knew,” “Your Girl” and “Fly Like a Bird.”
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“Makin’ It Last All Night (What It Do)” (feat. Jermaine Dupri)
This engaging interplay between Carey and Jermaine Dupri is unmistakably steamy, but of all the bonus tracks on The Emancipation of Mimi (Ultra Platinum Edition), the mid-tempo track feels the least vital to the collection as a whole — especially when compared to the several catchier collaborations with Dupri that rank higher on this list.
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“We Belong Together – Remix” (feat. Jadakiss & Styles P)
“We Belong Together” had already become the quintessential song of 2005 by the time Carey introduced this remix as a bonus track on the deluxe version. With contributions from Jadakiss and Styles P, the elusive chanteuse accelerates the tempo over a lively piano backdrop, even modifying some of the song’s iconic lyrics — expanding her original reference to The Deele’s “Two Occasions” to “I only think of you/ On two occasions/ That’s day and night.”
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“One and Only” (feat. Twista)
Mimi gracefully traverses the emotional ups and downs of heartbreak on this deep cut, allowing uncertainties to surface as she ponders, “Is this just an impossible dream, baby?/ Too elusive to pursue/ It’s been such a sad and windy road for me/ Just searchin’ for the truth.” Meanwhile, Twista presents himself as a fast-talking knight in shining armor in his typically intricate guest verse.
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“Mine Again”
Following a powerful 1-2-3 knockout with the album’s initial three tracks, Carey slows the pace with “Mine Again,” a poignant, love-laden ballad that culminates in a subtle key change during the final chorus. The embodiment of restraint, the singer-songwriter alternates her tones between a strong belt and delicate falsetto before finally unleashing her iconic whistle note on the song’s concluding, resounding note.
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“Joy Ride”
The next-to-last ballad on the standard tracklist, “Joy Ride” is a dazzling celebration of discovering lasting love. Carey embarks on a euphoric journey to cloud nine throughout the romantic track, reiterating “we found love” repeatedly as she delights in the sheer joy and comfort found in a soulmate’s embrace.
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“Say Somethin’” (feat. Snoop Dogg)
Carey and Snoop Dogg had such a fantastic synergy on Rainbow-era hit “Crybaby” that it was only natural for the duo to reunite for “Say Somethin’,” a Neptunes-produced track originally intended to be Mimi’s lead single, before the LP took a different route with Jermaine Dupri’s creative direction. Despite this, the relaxed collaboration ultimately became the sixth and final single from the album, perhaps best remembered for its luxurious, Paul Hunter-directed visual, filmed in Paris.
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“So Lonely (One & Only Pt. II)” (feat. Twista)
Positioned as a spiritual successor to the album track “One and Only,” this bonus number surpasses its predecessor thanks to Carey’s airy falsetto and special contributions from producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, who uses an intense string arrangement, hollow handclaps and the tinkling sounds of a music box to create an atmospheric soundscape worthy of swooning. Furthermore, Twista delivers two rapid-fire verses this time around, amplifying the impact of his guest performance.
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“Get Your Number” (feat. Jermaine Dupri)
Carey asserts her standards on “Get Your Number,” determined not to hand out her contacts to just anyone on the dance floor. Yet with Jermaine Dupri acting as the club-hopping love interest, Mariah generously allows the rapper a chance on The Emancipation of Mimi’s third global single — even as she quickly reminds him (and any other potential suitors) that she’s “got a house in Capri and my own G4/ And a Benz with the doors that lift up from the floor,” thankyouverymuch.
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“Circles”
Mariah finds herself in a whirlwind of urgent queries on “Circles,” endlessly pursuing answers she cannot seem to uncover to resolve her recent heartbreak. The singer-songwriter keeps it straightforward and uncomplicated on this fan-favorite deep track, which she co-wrote with Sounds of Blackness’ Big Jim Wright to capture the nostalgic essence of ‘70s soul music.
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“Stay the Night”
Constructed over an irresistible interpolation of Ramsey Lewis’ 1973 instrumental rendition of “Betcha By Golly Wow!” along with a vocal sample from the pioneering Bronx DJ The 45 King, “Stay the Night” allows the superstar to “rock… til the morning light” with a fortunate lover. The album track is also significant for including one specific name in its credits: a rising talent named Kanye West, acknowledged as both a co-writer and co-producer alongside Carey.
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“To the Floor” (feat. Nelly)
Another atmospheric, dreamy invitation crafted by The Neptunes, “To the Floor” features Mariah’s inaugural collaboration with Nelly. The outcome is an upbeat, dance-ready track showcasing the pair’s cool chemistry as they declare, “Whatever happens, it’s goin’ down tonight.” Fortunately, the dance party is meant for a crowd as Nelly follows the flirtation with the command “Everybody to the floor!” in what could’ve easily become another radio success for Mimi had it been chosen as a single.
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“Your Girl”
Is it safe to say Mariah has never sounded more in control and aware of her desires than on the flirtatious fan-favorite album track “Your Girl”? Layering her vocals over the deliciously vintage chorus, the icon emphasizes her message with echoing ad-libs as she confidently claims, “I’m gonna put those naughty thoughts into your mind/ I’m gonna show you clearly I can rock your world/ You’re gonna know for sure that I should be your girl.”
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“I Wish You Knew”
The thunderous applause at the start of “I Wish You Knew” is well-deserved, as Carey delivers a radiant vocal performance brimming with longing lyrics and the charm of a live backing ensemble. Calling upon Lambs in the audience for empathy (“I don’t know if anybody else out there tonight knows what it feels like…”), the icon channels the classic allure of a live performance reminiscent of Diana Ross, before unleashing her whistle tone during the finale’s heartfelt chorus.
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“Shake It Off”
Overflowing with doo-wop-inspired harmonies and plenty of shady lines, this frosty farewell kept Mariah’s momentum on the charts, as she sought to liberate herself from a boy toy who would value her as she deserves. (Later on, she would drop a remix of the single featuring a collaboration with Jay-Z and Jeezy.) Famously, “Shake It Off” reached No. 2 on the Hot 100, held back only by the relentless 14-week reign of “We Belong Together” at No. 1. Achieving the feat of blocking her own ascent, Carey made Billboard history as the first female artist to simultaneously occupy the top two positions on the chart.
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“It’s Like That” (feat. Jermaine Dupri and Fatman Scoop)
With the assistance of Jermaine Dupri and Fatman Scoop, Mariah lays down the groundwork for the entire upcoming studio set on “It’s Like That” using a single couplet: “It’s a special occasion/ Mimi’s emancipation/ A reason to celebrate.” Thriving in the spotlight, the pop and R&B icon displays a carefree attitude, ready to celebrate on the album opener, which initiated the entire rollout as Mimi’s lead single, prior to “We Belong Together” skyrocketing up the charts to become its signature hit. The song also gifted the Lambily one of the LP’s most reliably and effortlessly fierce criticisms with the instantly iconic line, “Them chickens is ash and I’m lotion.” Ahem: It’s like that, y’all.
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“Fly Like a Bird”
For Lambs across the globe, “Fly Like a Bird” stands as one of the most cherished and uplifting closing tracks in their queen’s entire catalog. The Songbird Supreme’s voice soars on the smoldering ballad, imbuing the spiritual prayer with fervor, elegance, and gospel-influenced melisma, before being joined by a choir for the final, triumphant refrain as she pleads, “I need you now, Lord/ Carry me high/ Don’t let the world break me tonight/ I need the strength of you by my side/ Sometimes this life can be so cold/ I pray you’ll come and carry me home.”
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“Don’t Forget About Us”
Just when The Emancipation of Mimi appeared to reach the peak of its cultural dominance, Carey released the platinum edition of the album at the end of 2005, anchored by the unforgettable “Don’t Forget About Us.” In this nostalgic slow jam, the superstar diverts her focus from the pain she holds within by offering some pointed wisdom, reminding a former lover, “I bet she can’t do it like me/ She’ll never be MC.” Extending the remarkable success story of Mimi, the bonus track earned Carey yet another No. 1 hit, concluding the year of her victorious Emancipation on an extraordinary high note.
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“We Belong Together”
Two decades later, it’s challenging to articulate just how crucial “We Belong Together” was to the soundtrack of 2005. With its cooing ad-libs, stream-of-consciousness verses, and flawless references to Babyface and Bobby Womack, heartbreak has never sounded so good, and Mariah struck gold by unveiling her vulnerability through this R&B ballad. Yet, even amidst this melodic outpouring of feelings, she reminded her audience, “This song ain’t even half of what I’m feeling inside.” Generations of Lambs responded in kind, transforming the heart-wrenching anthem into a No. 1 hit for 14 non-consecutive weeks — at that time, only behind the record set by Carey’s own Boyz II Men duet “One Sweet Day.”
- Source: NEWHD MEDIA