Michael Jackson memorial: Mariah Carey sings 'I'll Be There'

Pop & Hiss brings you quick thoughts on some of the main performances at today's public Michael Jackson memorial.

What: Mariah Carey's 'I'll Be There.' A No. 1 hit for Carey, who covered the Jackson 5 hit on her 1992 "MTV Unplugged" album. The ballad was an early sign of Jackson's strength as a vocalist, a childlike innocence conveyed with near expert phrasing. The Times' Ann Powers is inside Staples Center, and she offers that "Carey's version of the Jackson 5 song symbolizes innocence for her too -- it was one of her early hits, and a curly haired, cherubic Carey has been featured singing it in many televised Jackson tributes this last week. For Jackson's fans, the song recalls a period when the star made history as one of the first black teen idols to find acceptance across color lines."

At the memorial: In the very first verse Carey -- in a black, glittery dress -- made it clear that this would be a more restrained, elegant rendition of the song. Singing through the emotions, Carey was at a near-gasp in the song's opening moments. Her partner on the 1992 cover, Trey Lorenz, made an appearance here as well, heightening the performance's gospel undertones. Lorenz, in fact, showed off more vocal dynamics than Carey. But a more subtle Carey is a more graceful one. 

Inside the venue, Powers noted that Carey's take began in a tiny voice, as if to honor the boy Michael. When Carey found that Lorenz almost bowled her over, that's when she turned her voice up a notch to match her singing partner. Lorenz sang Michael's name in falsetto, and Carey added "Never Can Say Goodbye..." 

Very tasteful. 

-- Ann Powers and Todd Martens

Mariah Carey performs at a service for US pop star Michael Jackson at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO

Comments

[joseph]

Restrained? More like strained version. It confirms to me that she simply cannot sign live anymore. Trey Lorenz sounded better than Mariah. Her vocals were all over the place. Maybe hitting those high c's caught up to her but her performance was awful. I know it was a memorial for Michael Jackson but when your backup singer sounds better that says something to me. We won't be seeing her on tour any time soon unless she lip synch's as Britney does.

[matt]

Mariah Killed this song...years ago when she sang it...it was good. but she's lost her touch.

[bjth]

'tis possible her emotions affected her performance too. Having said that, wouldn't a more conservative neckline been more appropriate for a memorial service? (or am I completely out of touch...)

[Cindy]

No you aren't out of touch at all. This woman has no class at all. She can't even cover her chest for a memorial. Damn! She used to be so on point years ago. She has never gotten it since she went the route of the streetwalker, that we aren't interested in her body, it is her voice that is a gift. And now, her voice is completely shot. What happened to it? That is all that over singing and singing out of her range. It was awful. In the past, she would have tore that song up half asleep. She has really lost it.

[Kelly]

I love Mariah's version! That song is so good it's hard for anyone to screw it up. Plus Mariah has one of the best singing voices on the planet, but I think she may be getting some competition http://tinyurl.com/kknq2f

[Aarom]

That was great. I wish Whitney could still sing like that.

[Mariah Fan...]

I missed the live memorial, but caught the recap on Youtube. Even though Mariah Carey is my favorite artist of all time, this might have been her worst performance, topping even that of the 2006 BET Awards, a show she has since to appear. This performance only confirmed my thoughts as well as the thoughts of others that Mariah simply can't perform at her past standards. Her released music still sounds phenomenal, but it has been digitally enhanced countless times. Her live performances without the help of pre-recorded vocals or back-up singers amount to that of either a beginning performer, or in her case one who has constantly misused her vocal cords beyond repair. I only hope her upcoming album: Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel will not set standards that she simply can not live up to during a live performance.

[happygirl]

I would have to say that I was disappointed in the dress Mariah Carey chose to wear for a memorial service. It was inappropriate and tacky at best. The kind of dress she wore would have been great for a Grammy Awards show...but not for a Memorial Service. SMH!

[jessica]

Mariah Carey is going to have another breakdown now when she realizes how bad people are dogging her. Lol.

[ger]

an amazing performance
mariah was so emotional and she did her best
she looked that she was going to cry.
it was great
i love mariah and michael

[John]

I don't understand why some people are saying Mariah's performance was not good. Of course her goal was not to give her best vocals but to express her emotions and honor Michal Jackson. Anyway her vocals were really good. And the ones who are attacking her just believe she has to be perfect always and forget she's also a human being. I'm sure you wish to have the amazing incredible talent that she still has and you envy her, and that's why you attack her. I think her performance was beautiful and expressed a lot.

[Mariah Carey Sings at Michael Jackson Memorial Video]

Mariah Carey has succesfully conveyed with near Jackson 5 song version who symbolizes innocence. She's good..

[Dylan]

I think for how emotional she (obviously) was...she was AMAZING. Don't tell me you didn't get chills near the end when she got her composure back. People ought to be thankful she GAVE her time to honor the legend that IS Michael Jackson. I'm sure his family was honored and Michael would have loved every heartfelt note.

[Jess]

I really hate to critique a performance at a memorial, but I'm truly disappointed in Mariah.

[mimi]

happygirl - I agree, that dress was really in poor taste, and is a true reflection of her tackiness. How unfortunate that she is not able to understand that the event was not about her show casing her boobs. I believe the dress really took away from the performance. Distracting and slutty in the context of the event.

[Nhlamulo]

Mariah Carey's performance was outstanding. Its not easy to stand in front of millions of people and do what she did. It was a memorial service not a concert! Therefore, like all of us Miriah was in pain.

[Mariah Forever]

Go Mimi!!!
Go Obsessed!!!
Go M.O.A.I.A.!!!
Booooo haterzzzzz!!!!

[marko]

I am not a Maria hater. I own and enjoy her music from years ago. That being said, this performance was horrible. She's suppose to be a professional. I do not buy the idea that she sand poorly because she was mournful. Jermaine Jackson sang better and he lost his brother.

She needs to stop singing!

[Rollator]

Mariah is just one great fake. Nothing on her is for real. And her singing is really annoying. She is trying to put as many notes in one sentence as possible. Why doesn't she sing in a straightforward manner? She's is climbing up and down the vocal possibilities instead. And then their is her left hand going up and down. My God, I really don't like her at all...

[Micheal DeMolester]

How fanatics always feel compelled to defend their celebrities makes me laugh. Anybody can see she botched that performance, and truly I think it demonstrates her lack of skill in general. No wonder these folks lipsynch. And let's not even bother talking about her 'working girl' outfit at a memorial service, other than to say her body has had better days.

The real stars of this event are the ones that had the class NOT to attend, like Elton John, Madonna, et al.

[Jasmine Gilbert]

Yeah very tasteful for a prostitute..... She was my favorite singer until yesterday... The girl cant sing anymore and I'm just wondering why she didn't cancel like shes been doing lately... She sounded horrible but the fact that a singer knows their voice she should have known that she wouldn't be able to persorm. Between the cracking of her voice, being a little off beat and not being able to harmonize just gave me the feeling of embarassment for her. I would have had to walk off stage then disrespect everyone with ears.... Shame!!! Shame!!!

[MICHAEL]

it's funny how people complain that Mariah over sings and she needs to stop and then when she does scale it down, they complain that she has lost her voice. did you guys even watch the program. she was clearly emotional, you try to sing and be choked up at the same time. i was at Mariah's concert just 2 years ago ( which she sung LIVE) and the chic can sing her as* off.

[Angel]

I've always enjoyed Mariah Carey's voice, and I was initially glad to see that she would be singing "I'll Be There" since she should know it inside and out from her own performances. Boy was I wrong! She was awful. She didn't sound emotional. She sounded like she was at a rehearsal and it was her very first time practicing the song. If you compare the memorial performance to one of her earlier performances of that song, the difference is startling. Some people are saying her voice has been shot for a while now, and for her sake I hope that is not true, but I cannot think of any other reason her singing would have been so bad. I feel bad for her.

[gabriele]

Hi, I'm a guy from Italy...I' ve watched on tv the performance of Mariah Carey, and I have to admit her clothing was not appropriate for the Memorial, but she's really sung wih so pure emotion that how somebody could blame her? It's true, she has not been perfect, but who cares? She has made me move so deeply.

[Lizzy]

Mariah Did Brilliant, Anyone Could Tell That She Was Upset By Just Taking One Look At Her… You Could Almost See The Tears In Her Eyes..!

I Am Fed Up Of All These People, Fans Included Saying That She “Can’t Sing” And That ” Her Performance Was Terrible…”

In My Opinion, And Like So Many Others Have Said, She Doesn’t Need To Apologize… Coz Anyone Who Has Lost Someone Close To Them Will Know How Hard It IS To Get Up And Sing or even talk Like That When You’re Missing Whoever it is that you’ve lost…! You Can Tell That She Was Singing TO MICHAEL..!

So I’m Gonna End By Saying WELL DONE MARIAH, YOU DID A GREAT JOB….! :D :D And You’re True Fans Will Stick By You No Matter What..!