Madame Butterfly Mariah Carey has unveiled a new music video on her official website to accompany her recent cover of Foreigner's classic 1984 ballad "I Want To Know What Love Is" as the second single lifted from her twelfth studio album "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel," was out November 16. The single has helped Carey reached another milestone, made new album hit her 20th top 10 on the Adult Contemporary chart Wednesday, only been beat by Celine Dion (21).The single, produced by Carey, C. "Tricky" Stewart and James "Big Jim" Wright, was released in the US for digital download September 15. Before it was re-recorded, the song has been covered by other artists, such as Tina Arena, Clay Aiken, David Phelps and Gloria Gaynor among others. Mick Jones said of her version: "I think she's actually retained the integrity of the song. You know, the arrangement is very similar to the original. They haven't tampered with the song too much. She's captured a certain emotional thing, a feeling."
The Hype Williams directed CG-heavy video was shot in New York City and captures Carey making a live performance in an anonymous baseball stadium, whilst shots are intercut with people who have had tough times in their past, who get quite emotional watching her perform, where a particularly lanky-looking Carey sings into an old-school mic atop a giant butterfly emblem in the field as the True Worship Church Choir provides backup vocals. Mimi looks at least ten years younger in the clip, sporting her Unplugged-era perm-tastic hair and a notable lack of Hello Kitty clothing. This incredible Carey inspire-a-thon clip is so corny, almost magical and really breathtaking.
Career-wise, the 39-year-old R&B singer is almost as powerful as she's ever been. The single has garnered very positive reviews, with many critics praising Carey's version of the classic ballad. Australian magazine "Rhyme & Reason" stated that "While Carey stayed true to the original, this piano-led remake is less an overhaul of the classic '80s hit than it is a modest but impressive update." Bill Lamb from About.com said that "Mariah Carey's new version could leave you speechless. The diversity of vocal coloring expressed in this recording is stunning. This single is a reminder of just how formidable Carey's talents are given a strong production and arrangement."
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