As "With You," the lead single off the soon-to-be-released Caution (November 16!) enjoys the spotlight after M's lovely American Music Awards performance, the true lamb cannot help but recall that, A QUARTER CENTURY AGO, it was "Without You" with which M dominated airwaves in 1993. A cover of the song made popular by Harry Nilsson in 1972, "Without You" proved a great vehicle for a young MC with a voice still at 100%. The song is a bit syrupy, but who can resist putting a fist in the air on the second part of that first chorus (clue: not me)? It's a great showcase for her lower register, and shows her vocal agility as she transitions easily from the low notes to full-on belting. No breathiness, no whistle notes, just an incredible vocal performance..
Nilsson is actually quite an interesting chap. His success with "Without You" represented a peak, and he quickly fell off the charts through the 70s as commercial success eluded him. He is responsible for the "put de lime in de coconut" song. He was good friends with the Beatles, and became a gun law activist after the death of John Lennon. And, tragically, he owned the flat in London where both Mama Cass and Keith Moon died (four years apart, but both at the age of 32). Not exactly someone who seems ripe for a Mariah cover, but there you go. As M tells it, her mom sang "Without You" to her as a child and she's loved the song ever since.
Here's a famous live version from M's Fantasy tour at Madison Square Garden:
And of course, we cannot forget Ken Lee.
I have more thoughts on "With You," so watch this space!
With a promotional single released September 13, a lead
single to be released on October 4, a new studio album – her 15th –
to be released before the end of the year, and a year full of photos in which
she seems to be reverse aging, Mariah is once again redeeming some cultural
capital, building off the triumph of her NYE 2017 performance.
Two singles released almost back to back in the fall is an
almost unspeakable gift, akin to a new Jonathan Franzen 600+ page autumn blockbuster
about to plunk into our laps. And so far, so good. “GTFO,” released on
September 13 is a lowkey gem, produced by Hotline Bling alumni Paul “Nineteen85”
Jefferies and retaining some of that hit’s “wistful tech” allure.
As I basked in GTFO for a few days, I started reflecting on
M’s other alphabetically-named creation, “H.A.T.E.U.” from 2009’s Memoirs of an
Imperfect Angel. I found this to be really enriching comparison as the emotionality
of HATEU really brings out the quiet strength of GTFO. HATEU comes from a place
of rawness, a place of asking questions you might not be able to handle answers
to, a place of incomprehension.
No need to call my phone 'Cause I changed my number today And matter of fact I think I'm moving away (away) Sorry the frustration's got me feelin' a way And I just keep having one last thing to say And I just want to hold you, touch you, feel you Be near you, I miss you baby baby baby (baby baby baby) I'm tired of tryin' to fake through But there's nothing I can do Boy I can't wait to hate you
I mean, damn.
On the other hand, we turn to GTFO and find a soul sheerly
exhausted by serial disappointment and fuckery. Past sadness, past anger, just
DONE: get the fuck out.
How about you take your tings and be on your
merry way? Fly off with a wink, bye bye, baby How about you scuseami, let me call your valet You just take your tings and be on your merry
way
Byeeeeeeee! #takeyourtings
GTFO is HATEU’s sequel, a wiser and wearier missive to the
fuckboys of the world. If it’s any indication of the quality of this upcoming
studio effort, I’m here for it. Stay tuned.
