20 Years: Greatest Mariah Carey Songs

Before she was gaining critical acclaim for her role in the movie "Precious," Mariah was topping the charts as a Grammy-winning singer/songwriter.

Since 1990, she has accumulated 18 number one singles, the most by any female solo artist in billboard history. Only the Beatles have more number one hits than Mariah Carey. She has sold over 175 million albums to date. Billboard rates her as the second most successful female artist behind Madonna. She also has a five octave vocal range, prominently featured in several of her number one hits, including "Emotions," and "Dreamlover."

In celebration of 20 years of success in the recording industry, I have rated 10 of the greatest songs of her career.

10) Touch My Body

Mariah's 18th number one single and the lead single off her 11th studio album (E=MC2), this song proved she still has what it takes to pump out a number one hit, 18 years into her career. It's lyrics are simple, but catchy and effective.

Not many artists nearly 20 years into their career can release a new song entitled "Touch My Body" and make it appealing, but Mariah Carey proves she can still work it.

9) Make It Happen

This is one of her underrated inspirational songs. Make it happen, next to "Can't Let Go" was one of Mariah's first singles not to reach number one. Still the song made it into the Billboard top ten, peaking at number 5, which by other artists' standards, would make it among their greatest hits. Still, charts aside, Carey seems to realize the power of this song as she includes it in a number of her tours and live performances.

8) Through the Rain

Through the Rain is arguably Carey's most underrated song. This is a song that touches at anyone who is in the middle of 'the rain,' anyone who is at a particularly dire point in their lives. It has the power to tug at you and uplift you in a way that 'Hero' comes slightly short of.

It starts out with a humble whisper and climaxes with Carey belting she can make it on her own and that she's strong enough to mend and heal from whatever difficulties she has been dealing with. If you are ever really despressed, turn this song on and you will believe "your gonna make it through the rain."

7) Vision of Love

This is the song that made Mariah Carey Mariah Carey. "Vision of Love" was the debut single from her debut album, "Mariah Carey." Its use of her extensive vocal range sent it straight to number one in 1990. The song also earned Carey three grammy nominations.

6) Dreamlover

This song is point blank a Carey classic. It's simple lyrics appeal to anyone wishing to meet their dream guy or dream girl and fall head-over-heals in love. The song also makes great use of her high octave range. It spent eight weeks at number one between Sept.-Oct. 1993 and continues to be featured prominently at her recent concerts and tours.

5) Always Be My Baby

This is another of Carey's feel good songs that leave you feeling everything will be alright in the end. Released in March 1996, the song became Carey's eleventh number one hit.

The song recieved a Grammy Award nomination in 1996 for best female R&B vocal performance. The song was the most played single of that year.

4) I'll Be There

While not an original Mariah Carey song, it has now become one of her classics. Carey's version of the song debuted at Carey's MTV unplugged appearance. Ironically, it was not intended to be released as a single. Allegedly, it was included in the performance at the last minute as Carey was told that artists who appear on the show generally do one cover. The success of the performance led to a radio edit of the song, which was released as a single and spent two weeks at number one in June 1992.

3) Emotions

No song before or since from Carey has so effectively emphasize her five octave range to the degree "Emotions" has. One is often left wondering if it is possible to break glass if this song is played loud enough. The song was nominated for Best Female Vocal Performance at the 1992 Grammy Awards, losing to "Something to Talk About" by Bonnie Raitt.

Emotions gave Carey the unique distinction of being the only artist to have their first five singles reach number one in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

2) One Sweet Day

Written and sung by Carey and Boyz II Men, this song is another heart-tugger for those who have lost a loved one. The song holds the unique distinction of being the longest running number one single in Billboard Hot 100 history with 16 total weeks atop the charts. In 1996, the song recieved a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals and Record of the Year. The song made Carey the only artist ever to have two consecutive singles debut at number one.

1) Hero

"Hero" will be forever considered Carey's signature song and is the queen of inspirational "you can make it" songs. The song, totally and solely written Carey, gives you inspiration and hope that when you're feeling down, you'll eventually come to the realization that you can make it though the hardship. The song struck a new chord after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 and was performed by Carey at the America: A Tribute to Heros" benefit concert that year.

The song was Carey's eighth number one hit, staying at the top of the charts for eight weeks. It was also nominated in 1995 for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, losing to Sheryl Crow's "All I Wanna Do."

"Hero" is regularly included in her tour setlists, often as the closing song of her concerts.

So, as Carey exclaims, "when you feel like hope is gone, look inside you and be strong and you'll finally see the truth, that a hero lies in you."