Vision of Love – Mariah Carey – 1990

This song was so memorable that I remember when I first saw the music video for it, back in the first half of 1990, before it had even been released as a single. The world didn’t know who Mariah Carey was then, but with an introduction like this, I knew it wouldn’t be long.

I was no music industry expert, but even at thirteen my finger was close enough to the pulse to know that this girl was going to be a big star, and I said as much to anyone who would listen. My mum just thought I fancied her, but as partial as I am to young women with a proclivity for a good ol’ fashioned perm who know how to handle a microphone stand, it was about more than that.

Over the years, as Mariah’s career and subsequent style has progressed, my love for her output has dissipated. In fact, nothing she has released this century has moved me in any way. But from those soaring vocals on this her debut single, to the ease with which she reaches that upper register and just nails it, Vision of Love is gold, and Mariah’s voice (for the best part of a decade) was money.

As for her descent into disrepute in later years – I blame Tommy Mottola for that. But that’s a rant for another post on another day…