The Ballads (Mariah Carey album)

2008 compilation album by Mariah Carey

The Ballads

Compilation album by

Mariah Carey

Released| October 17, 2008 (2008-10-17)
Length|

* 70:41 (UK)
* 75:32 (US)
* 76:10 (Japan)

Label|

* Columbia
* Legacy

Producer|

* Mariah Carey
* Walter Afanasieff
* Jermaine Dupri
* Manuel Seal
* Rhett Lawrence
* Jam & Lewis
* Dave Hall
* DJ Clue
* Trackmasters
* Stevie J
* Mike Mason
* Steve Mac
* Babyface

Mariah Carey chronology
| E=MC²
(2008)  | The Ballads
(2008)  | Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel
(2009)

|
|

The Ballads is the third compilation album by American singer Mariah Carey. The album features some of Carey's top selling ballads over the course of her career. It was released internationally in late 2008, and in North America in January 2010. It was also re-released in the UK as LoveSongs, in February 2010.[1][2][3]

## Background

[edit]

The album contains some of Carey's hits and singles from her time at Columbia Records, except for selected tracks from Glitter (2001). It does not feature any new material or include songs recorded with her then-current label, Island Records. The 1993 single "Hero" was re-recorded and re-released to promote The Ballads compilation. The video shows Mariah Carey walking into the recording room accompanied by her dog, lingering in the studio and singing to the song. It is intercut with a scene of New York City during the night.[4]

## Promotion

[edit]

Carey performed "Hero" at the Inauguration of Barack Obama on January 20, 2009, in Washington, D.C.,[5] and was featured on a CBS TV special.[6] A limited edition of The Ballads was being sold exclusively at all Target Stores; this edition included a small bottle of Carey's fragrance Luscious Pink.[citation needed]

## Critical reception

[edit]

The Ballads ratingsReview scores

Source| Rating
AllMusic| [7]

Blogcritics said: "This release is a different type of Mariah Carey album. Without her faster and hip hop songs, it is smoother as it puts the focus squarely on her vocals which has always been her greatest attribute and saving grace".[8] AllMusic stated, "And that's what The Ballads is: nothing but big love songs sung in a big voice."[7] Billboard stated that the album "will keep singing on the chart as we get closer to Valentine's Day, as it seems like a natural gift purchase."[9]

## Commercial performance

[edit]

The album debuted at number 17 on UK Albums Chart.[10][11] Following a successful appearance on X Factor, the album peaked at number 13 in its 4th week and remained on chart for ten consecutive weeks.[12] In Ireland, the album peaked at number 8 and remained on chart for twelve weeks, and has been certified gold. In New Zealand, the album peaked at number 19, remaining on chart for three weeks.[13] The album also debuted at number 79 in Australia. In Japan, the album has reached number 19.[14] The album debuted at number 45 on the Dutch Albums Chart and fell nine spots behind in the second week. In the third week the album climbed from number 54 to 5.[15]

The album debuted at number 10 on the U.S. Billboard 200 with first week sales of 29,000 units.[16] It was the chart's highest debut in that week and the fourth compilation that Carey has charted, following #1's (number 4 in 1998), Greatest Hits (number 52 in 2001) and The Remixes (number 26 in 2003).[16] It also debut at number 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[17] As of November 2018, the album has sold 395,000 copies in the US.[18]

## Track listing

[edit]

American releaseNo.| Title| Album| Length

|
|
|

1.| "Hero"| Music Box| 4:19
2.| "One Sweet Day" (featuring Boyz II Men)| Daydream| 4:41
3.| "Vision of Love"| Mariah Carey| 3:31
4.| "Without You"| Music Box| 3:34
5.| "Can't Let Go"| Emotions| 4:27
6.| "Love Takes Time"| Mariah Carey| 3:49
7.| "I'll Be There" (featuring Trey Lorenz)| MTV Unplugged| 4:43
8.| "Thank God I Found You" (Make It Last Remix featuring Joe and Nas)| The Remixes| 5:09
9.| "Endless Love" (featuring Luther Vandross)| Songs and Greatest Hits| 4:18
10.| "I Still Believe"| #1's| 3:54
11.| "My All"| Butterfly| 3:50
12.| "The Roof (Back in Time)"| Butterfly| 5:14
13.| "When You Believe" (with Whitney Houston)| #1's| 4:31
14.| "Anytime You Need a Friend"| Music Box| 4:26
15.| "Always Be My Baby"| Daydream| 4:18
16.| "Dreamlover"| Music Box| 3:53
17.| "How Much" (featuring Usher)| Rainbow| 3:31
18.| "Reflections (Care Enough)"| Glitter| 3:23
Total length:| 72:11

American digital deluxe bonus tracksNo.| Title| Length

|
|

19.| "The Roof" (Mobb Deep Extended Version)| 5:30
20.| "Always Be My Baby" (Mr. Dupri Mix featuring Da Brat and Xscape)| 4:39
Total length:| 82:20

European editionNo.| Title| Album| Length

|
|
|

1.| "Hero"|  | 4:19
2.| "Vision of Love"|  | 3:31
3.| "Without You"|  | 3:34
4.| "Always Be My Baby"|  | 4:18
5.| "My All"|  | 3:50
6.| "How Much" (featuring Usher)|  | 3:31
7.| "Dreamlover"|  | 3:53
8.| "Thank God I Found You" (Make It Last Remix featuring Joe and Nas)|  | 5:09
9.| "The Roof (Back in Time)"|  | 5:14
10.| "One Sweet Day" (featuring Boyz II Men)|  | 4:41
11.| "Anytime You Need a Friend"|  | 4:26
12.| "I'll Be There" (featuring Trey Lorenz)|  | 4:43
13.| "I Still Believe"|  | 3:54
14.| "Reflections (Care Enough)"|  | 3:23
15.| "Open Arms"| Daydream| 3:30
16.| "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" (featuring Westlife)| Coast to Coast and Greatest Hits (International Edition)| 3:25
17.| "Endless Love" (featuring Luther Vandross)|  | 4:18
18.| "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (not in certain European territories)| Merry Christmas| 4:01
Total length:| 70:20

International iTunes Store bonus tracksNo.| Title| Length

|
|

19.| "Anytime You Need a Friend" (Ministry of Sound Mix)| 9:44
20.| "Always Be My Baby" (Always Club)| 10:25
Total length:| 90:29

Japan track listing[19]No.| Title| Album| Length

|
|
|

1.| "Hero"|  | 4:19
2.| "One Sweet Day" (featuring Boyz II Men)|  | 4:41
3.| "Endless Love" (featuring Luther Vandross)|  | 4:18
4.| "Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme)"| Rainbow| 4:32
5.| "Open Arms"|  | 3:30
6.| "Reflections (Care Enough)"|  | 3:23
7.| "Butterfly"| Butterfly| 4:35
8.| "Love Takes Time"|  | 3:49
9.| "My All"|  | 3:50
10.| "Without You"|  | 3:34
11.| "Always Be My Baby"|  | 4:18
12.| "Vision of Love"|  | 3:31
13.| "Can't Let Go"|  | 4:27
14.| "Anytime You Need a Friend"|  | 4:26
15.| "Thank God I Found You" (Make It Last Remix featuring Joe and Nas)|  | 5:09
16.| "I'll Be There" (featuring Trey Lorenz)|  | 4:43
17.| "I Still Believe"|  | 3:54
18.| "Never Too Far"| Glitter| 3:55
19.| "All I Want for Christmas Is You"|  | 4:01
Total length:| 75:35

## Charts

[edit]

### Weekly charts

[edit]

| Chart (2008–2011)  | Peak
position

|

Argentine Albums (CAPIF)[20] | 9
Australian Albums (ARIA)[21] | 79
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[22] | 25
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[23] | 5
European Albums (Top 100)[24] | 42
French Compilations (SNEP)[25] | 39
Irish Albums (IRMA)[26] | 8
Italian Albums (FIMI)[27] | 56
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[28] | 19
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[29] | 19
Scottish Albums (OCC)[30] | 16
South Korean International Albums (Circle)[31] | 64
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[32] | 22
Taiwanese Albums (Five Music)[33] | 1
UK Albums (OCC)[34] | 13
UK R&B Albums (OCC)[35] | 1
US Billboard 200[36] | 10
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[37] | 7

### Year-end charts

[edit]

| Chart (2008)  | Position

|

UK Albums (OCC)[38] | 126
Chart (2009)  | Position
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)[39] | 97

## Certifications and sales

[edit]

Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Ireland (IRMA)[40] | Gold  | 7,500^
United Kingdom (BPI)[41] | Gold  | 100,000^
United States  | —  | 395,000[18]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

[edit]

* Italy – October 17, 2008[42]
* South Korea and Argentina – October 21, 2008[43]
* Hong Kong – October 22, 2008
* Germany – October 24, 2008;[44] April 10, 2009[44]
* Australia – November 3, 2008[45]
* France – November 17, 2008[46]
* Japan – November 26, 2008[47]
* Canada – November 2008
* Brazil – December 2, 2008[48]
* Taiwan – December 30, 2008[49]
* Portugal – January 19, 2009[50]
* US – January 20, 2009[51][52]
* Spain – February 3, 2009[53]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Official Site and Honey B. Fly Fan Club for Mariah Carey news.news". Mariah Carey Official Website. Archived from the original on March 31, 2010. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
2. ^ Lawler, Danielle; Moodie, Clemmie (January 26, 2012). "Is Mariah Carey going back to record label Sony?". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved April 3, 2018.
3. ^ "Mariah Carey: Love Songs (2010): CD". HMV. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2010.
4. ^ "Mariah 'Re Records' Hero for Ballads". Singersroom. Archived from the original on January 8, 2009. Retrieved January 8, 2009.
5. ^ "Access Exclusive: Mariah Carey To Sing 'Hero' For Obama". Access Hollywood. January 16, 2009. Archived from the original on January 19, 2009. Retrieved January 19, 2009.
6. ^ "Mariah Carey: Once Again, The Most". CBS News. January 18, 2009. Archived from the original on August 30, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
7. ^ a b Stephen Thomas Erlewine. "The Ballads \- Mariah Carey | Album". AllMusic. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
8. ^ "Music Review: Mariah Carey - The Ballads". Blogcritics. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
9. ^ Caulfield, Keith (January 28, 2009). "Romance And Indie Rock Hit The Billboard 200". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2009.
10. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. October 26, 2008. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
11. ^ "'The Ballads' makes a great debut on the UK charts! Enter to Win a Customized Mariah 'Ballads' iPod and More!". Mariah Carey Official Website. Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2008.
12. ^ "The Ballads \- Mariah Carey". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
13. ^ "Mariah Carey - The Ballads (Album)". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
14. ^ "マライア・ザ・バラード" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
15. ^ "Mariah Carey - The Ballads". αCharts. Archived from the original on December 22, 2008. Retrieved October 24, 2008.
16. ^ a b Hasty, Katie (January 28, 2009). "Taylor Swift Album Starts Eighth Week At No. 1". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Archived from the original on April 25, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2009.
17. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 16, 2005.
18. ^ a b Trust, Gary (November 18, 2018). "Ask Billboard: Mariah Carey's Career Sales, Ariana Grande Fun Facts & More". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 19, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
19. ^ "Top > Discography > The Ballads" (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2019.
20. ^ "Ranking Semanal desde 19/10/2008 hasta 25/10/2008" (in Spanish). Cámara Argentina de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Archived from the original on October 28, 2008. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
21. ^ "The ARIA Report: Top 100 Albums - Week Commencing 10th November 2008" (PDF). ARIA. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 19, 2008. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
22. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – Mariah Carey – The Ballads". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
23. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Mariah Carey – The Ballads" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
24. ^ "Eurocharts". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
25. ^ "Le Détail des Albums de chaque Artiste" (in French). InfoDisc. Archived from the original on July 20, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
26. ^ "irish-charts.com – Discography Mariah Carey". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
27. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Mariah Carey – The Ballads". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
28. ^ "マライア・キャリーのアルバム売り上げランキング" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on October 26, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
29. ^ "Charts.nz – Mariah Carey – The Ballads". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
30. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
31. ^ "South Korea Circle International Album Chart". On the page, select "2011.06.26~2011.07.02" to obtain the corresponding chart. Circle Chart
32. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Mariah Carey – The Ballads". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
33. ^ "Taiwan 3/2009" (in Chinese). Five-Music. Retrieved March 23, 2025.
34. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
35. ^ "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
36. ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
37. ^ "Mariah Carey Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
38. ^ "The Official UK Albums Chart 2008" (PDF). OCC. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2009. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
39. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2009". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 19, 2019. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
40. ^ "The Irish Charts - 2008 Certification Awards - Gold". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
41. ^ "British album certifications – Mariah Carey – The Ballads". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
42. ^ "Mariah Carey - The Ballads - cd di Mariah Carey - - disco di Mariah Carey - IBS". Archived from the original on December 17, 2008. Retrieved October 24, 2008.
43. ^ "인터넷 교보문고] The Ballads". Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
44. ^ a b "Mariah Carey - The Ballads" (in German). Germany: Amazon. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
45. ^ "Ballads (Carey, Mariah)". BIGWentertainment. Archived from the original on October 24, 2008. Retrieved October 24, 2008.
46. ^ "Mariah Carey - Ballads" (in French). France: Amazon. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
47. ^ "Ballads(グレイテストヒッツ)【CD】-Mariah Carey (マライアキャリー)｜R&B/ダンス｜ダンス＆ソウル｜音楽｜HMV ONLINE オンラインショッピング・情報サイト" (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved October 21, 2008.
48. ^ "The Ballads \- Saraiva.com.br". Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved November 11, 2008.
49. ^ "博客來音樂館>瑪麗亞凱莉 / 藏愛-冠軍情歌精選". Archived from the original on January 1, 2009. Retrieved January 1, 2009.
50. ^ "Google Tradutor". Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2009.
51. ^ "The Ballads: Mariah Carey: Music". United States: Amazon. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
52. ^ "Sony BMG to release Mariah Ballads Compilation". Mariah Carey Official Website. Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2008.
53. ^ "Mariah Carey reúne 17 de sus mejores canciones de amor en 'The ballads', a la venta el 3 de febrero" [Mariah Carey brings together 17 of her best love songs in The Ballads, on sale February 3]. Europa Press (in Spanish). Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2009.

* v
* t
* e

Mariah Carey

* Albums
* Singles
* Songs
* Awards and nominations
* Videography
* Live performances
* Public image
* Cultural impact

Studio albums|

* Mariah Carey
* Emotions
* Music Box
* Merry Christmas
* Daydream
* Butterfly
* Rainbow
* Glitter
* Charmbracelet
* The Emancipation of Mimi
* E=MC²
* Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel
* Merry Christmas II You
* Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse
* Caution
* Here for It All

Compilation albums|

* #1's
* Greatest Hits
* The Remixes
* The Ballads
* #1 to Infinity
* The Rarities

Extended plays|

* MTV Unplugged

Video albums|

* The First Vision
* Here Is Mariah Carey
* Fantasy: Mariah Carey at Madison Square Garden
* The Adventures of Mimi

Concert tours|

* Music Box Tour
* Daydream World Tour
* Butterfly World Tour
* Rainbow World Tour
* Charmbracelet World Tour
* The Adventures of Mimi
* Angels Advocate Tour
* Australian Tour 2013
* The Elusive Chanteuse Show
* The Sweet Sweet Fantasy Tour
* All the Hits Tour
* Mariah Carey: Live in Concert
* Caution World Tour
* Merry Christmas One and All!
* Mariah Carey's Christmas Time

Concert residencies|

* Live at the Pearl
* All I Want for Christmas Is You: A Night of Joy and Festivity
* #1 to Infinity
* The Butterfly Returns
* The Celebration of Mimi

Books|

* The Meaning of Mariah Carey
* The Christmas Princess

Television|

* A Christmas Melody
* Mariah's World
* Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special

Works about Mariah Carey|

* Mariah Carey: Her Story
* Why Mariah Carey Matters

Related articles|

* Nick Cannon
* Tommy Mottola
* MonarC Entertainment
* Crave Records
* Someone's Ugly Daughter
* "I don't know her"

* Category

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz release group

|

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