The Mariah formula: First listen on 'Touch My Body'
Pop star Mariah Carey unveiled today her new single and the science-friendly title of her new album, "E=MC2," due April 15. The title alone already does Janet Jackson one better. The latter went all sci-fi with her latest video, "Feedback," but Mariah is cutting out the B-movie trappings and going straight to the equation.
So is Mariah unveiling her inner Albert Einstein with the title? Or is she leaking the formula that goes into crafting a mega-hit?
E = extreme, acrobatic-like wailing.
M = multimillion-dollar production team. (Billboard.com writes that the A-list lineup cooking with Mariah in the M lab includes Jermaine Dupri, will.i.am, Stargate and Bryan Michael Cox, among others.)
C2 = Club songs multiplied by colossal ballads.
All right, so the title is certainly a not-so-subtle nod to her top-selling 2005 album, "The Emancipation of Mimi." The first single, "Touch My Body," hit radio today. It was produced by C "Tricky" Stewart and The Dream, the pair who worked on Rihanna's Grammy-winning "Umbrella."
So how is it? "Touch My Body" rides a relatively restrained slow-dance groove, with some light, orchestral-synth flourishes thrown in. The rhythm is almost completely carried by an effortless keyboard bump, the easygoing repetitiveness of which eventually wears the listener down, and sets up a delicate frame for Carey to sing around.
She pulls back when the song picks up the pace, and Carey keeps it simple here, playing with tempos rather than range. Indeed, she almost quietly slides into the chorus. "If you run around and brag about this secret rendezvous, I will hunt you down," she sings, letting the last line trail off. But you don't necessarily believe her, as the feel is more playful that sinful.
The song will be getting the full blockbuster treatment, as "Rush Hour" director Brett Ratner shot the video for the cut. Go here to listen.
Photo credit: Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times
This song is understated, and very catchy. Not what i was expecting, but I am pleasantly surprised.
Posted by: weaver | February 12, 2008 at 02:24 PM
The song is okay. I mean, it's not bad, but it's hardly memorable. It's rather lightweight, which describes most of Mariah Carey's songs!
Posted by: Sam | February 12, 2008 at 03:00 PM
I definitely love this song. She is so amazing.
Posted by: Jacky | February 12, 2008 at 03:56 PM
This si so catchy! I love it already.
Posted by: loretta | February 12, 2008 at 06:43 PM
Honestly I expected her to open with a club banger (or maybe just hoping lol) but I absolutely love it! She's the best! Another #1 for sure!
Posted by: arthur ray | February 13, 2008 at 01:41 AM
im loving "touch my body". its very classy, smooth, genuine, an most of all its mariah. lol i think this could possibly be mariah's 18th number 1 single. i hope so
Posted by: Tayshaun | February 13, 2008 at 04:50 AM
THE FIRST TIME I HEARD IT I WAS LIKE "NO"....BUT AFTER HEARING IT AGAIN....IT'S A HOT TRACK!
Posted by: MIKE | February 13, 2008 at 07:34 AM
I just heard this song yesterday in the car and only heard the later part of the song and i went to bed not knowing if this was Mariah or not. I find out today it is her and I am so glad that she picking up from TEOM and hitting the hard r&b pop even more.
Posted by: Adrian Berryhill | February 13, 2008 at 02:41 PM
I myself am not a fan of r&b music but after hearing this song a few times on the radio today i find its very catchy, flirty, song. Never been much of a Mariah fan but in todays oversaturated music world, I love the simpleness of the song and the fact that she didnt oversing. Great job Mariah
Posted by: berry goredon | February 13, 2008 at 05:12 PM
Great catchy track..classic Mariah..subtle,sensual & super groovy..a different approach from her but its truly amazing..this song will stay with you long after the song ends..Mariah Rocks!
Posted by: Bud | February 13, 2008 at 11:30 PM
i really love this song,,,
Posted by: bernadette | February 14, 2008 at 03:52 AM
Love Mariah, first time i heard this song i fell in love with it, she's an amazing singer, and she doesnt overdo it on this track! wonderful!
Posted by: Chris | February 14, 2008 at 09:47 AM
I heard at least 100 times since it premiered!!! I can't get enough!! This is the perfect lead single!! It's definatly going to be her 18th #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart!! Only 2 days of air play and already charted on Hip-hop/R&B chart at #78!! Go Mariah!!! Finally she is saving us from this drought of lame music... I mean Low..#1 for several weeks...ehh time to put REAL music up in the #1 slot. Mariah Carey is the greatest and most creative singer/songwriter of our time. And for all you haters, you want to hear her high register, you have plenty of songs to choose from, she should be know for her Voice and register and not just register aspect. And for those who wanted another "Vision of Love," just lsiten to it. Why would she try and recreate her past!? Shes grown and is adapting to the mainstream music of this decade. Thank you, take care everyone, God bless, and PLEASE support "touch my body" not only does she deserve it to be #1, it will finally pick up from 1999 where "Heartbreaker" left off, her lead single becoming a #1!!! Thanks again!
Posted by: TP | February 14, 2008 at 01:53 PM
I think the song will be the first of 3 number ones from this album that will lead her to tie the record of the beatles 20 number 1 songs.
Posted by: Lanair Lett | February 14, 2008 at 03:00 PM
Good song
keep going.
i can't for the whole album.
Posted by: a14168 | February 14, 2008 at 07:45 PM
Very catchy song...not the best vocals, but good song nontheless.
Posted by: Bill | February 15, 2008 at 04:59 AM
I JUST HEARD THIS SINGLE A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE I WROTE MY COMMENT HERE....ONE THING THAT I CAN SAY,,,,THIS IS GONNA BE HER 18TH 1'S.I HAVE A GREAT HUNCH THAT THIS WILL BE A MONSTER HIT AND MOVES MARIAH'S STATUS AS A SINGER AND A SONG WRITER TO INCOMPARABLE HEIGHTS
Posted by: mark david | February 17, 2008 at 01:20 AM
She can do a lot better. Last really good album was Butterfly. She is pretty much done and needs to retire!
Posted by: James Lenaghan | February 19, 2008 at 09:27 PM