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About Bill from the UK: I love Mariah more than you do. London Daydream Tour Attendee.

Nostalgia part 3 (51,454) by Bill from the UK So it's now Christmas 1994. Everybody at school is talking about AIWFCIY, and how good it is, but I haven't heard it yet. Due to the string of ballads released from Music Box, I assumed it would be a slow song. I switched the radio on one night after school, and it came in at the bridge to AIWFCIY, although I didn't realise it was Mariah at the time. I remember thinking that the "hey yeah" ad-lib after the "everyone is singing" line sounded very Mariah-y, and then when the final verse ended and she sang the "all I want for Christmas" part, I felt my blood run cold and I jammed my finger on the "record" button (I always kept an emergency blank tape in the stereo), not caring what I was taping over. I stayed up all night switching stations trying to catch a glimpse of it again, and thankfully heard it twice more across different shows and was able to record it. I remember coming home from school one night and my lovely mum had bought me the cassette single as a surprise, I was over the moon, and loved the black and white picture of her in the sleigh. Then during the last few days of school before the Christmas break, one of my friends brought the album in and I spent the whole day listening to it on my Walkman, avoiding the festivities. The teacher came up to me and asked if I was okay, and I said I was perfectly happy sitting by myself listening to the album. Finally got my copy for Christmas (on Boxing Day from my aunt and uncle). (Tuesday 7 April 2015; 16:39)

More nostalgia (51,437) by Bill from the UK So it's autumn 1994. It's the October half term holiday and I'm "cat sitting" for my aunt with my nan. The only thing I pack is my Walkman and Mariah tapes. At this point I have managed to buy through pocket money both Emotions and the Unplugged album on cassette and have been playing them non stop, as well as buying the AYNAF single. Even though both AYNAF and Music Box were on the album, I wanted to buy the single because I loved the cover (and remember being surprised at her straightened hair lol). Each time I was in town, I used to go into the record shops and hold and stare at the debut album and try to remember its track listing. As a reward for cat sitting, my mum bought me the debut album. I remember her calling me whilst at my aunt's to check she had the right one. I could not wait to get home and listen to it. When I did, to my disappointment, it played the Emotions album, it was a faulty cassette. We took it back that weekend (if only I had the foresight to hang on it to as a collector's item. ) and I finally got to hear the album when it was replaced. It was agony having the lyrics there but no songs haha. Once home I sat in the back room of my house and played the debut album to myself, reading the lyrics and just loving the gold background the track listing had, thinking it was so beautiful. Got a couple more stories to share with you all, I love reading everyone's stories. (Monday 6 April 2015; 18:53)

Kate / nostalgia (51,432) by Bill from the UK I was born in the early 80s so I got to live through Mariah's career as it was taking off in Europe, it's what is so great about being a 90s kid. I remember I first saw her on the MTV chart countdown my older brother used to watch. I was 9, almost 10, when I walked into the room and was standing there dumbfounded at this beautiful woman running around a field singing about her dream lover. Literally frozen to the spot as I tried to take in her looks and her voice and the song. Something clicked in me then and I just knew she was special and would be an important part of my life. When Without You was released, I was a fan. The cassette single was the first Mariah item I ever bought (I wanted to buy the singles of Hero and Dreamlover but I had no pocket money left). I loved that sepia cover and loved Never Forget You as much as Without You. I then bought Music Box and used to listen to it in bed on my Walkman after lights out, learning the lyrics, gazing at her other album covers that were in the inlay and wanting to hear them so badly lol. I've got more stories which I will post later. Great topic. (Monday 6 April 2015; 9:10)

Shelly (51,381) by Bill from the UK I am so glad you are back. Welcome home. (Saturday 4 April 2015; 18:20)

Record reviews (51,361) by Bill from the UK I've long been a fan of the Wilson & Alroy Record Reviews website. They cover all Mariah's albums and even her maxi singles. It's a great read, but be warned, they don't appear that keen on fan favourite Butterfly but really rate Daydream and Rainbow and others. Check it out. (Friday 3 April 2015; 21:05)

Edward / Nick's book (51,322) by Bill from the UK Please let this story about Nick's book be fake. The Daily Mail, for those of you not familiar, is an extremely right-wing, trashy, hackneyed tabloid with stories that border on out and out racism and has wound up in hot water several times over letting its journalists write whatever they want with no factual evidence to support it. I pray this story is nothing more than their usual celebratory divorce shit stirring they do every so often. Edward, "ace under her sling", absolutely brilliant. (Thursday 2 April 2015; 22:04)

LC (51,309) by Bill from the UK Great post, you took the words right out of my mouth. (Thursday 2 April 2015; 7:45)

Will / Tidal (51,262) by Bill from the UK Hi Will. Personally I love Spotify. My mobile phone contract gives me two years for free, and I listen to it all the time and have discovered a heap of new music off the back of it. That said, I do agree that artists should receive royalties for their work of a fair amount. A happy medium would be if Spotify stuck to past, back catalogue releases, that have already made all the money they will ever make, and the newer releases are on a platform like Tidal. Kind of like Sky Movies vs Sky Movies Box Office. (Tuesday 31 March 2015; 23:43)

MIAM / demo tape (51,217) by Bill from the UK I can see why you don't believe the demo tape is real, but allow me to tell you something. We all know about "the" demo tape, the one Tommy Mottola got hold of at the industry party, played in his limo, and caused him to go rushing back to the party to find Mariah. You're right, Vanishing was not on that demo tape. However, when an artist is working on an album, they will produce demos of songs ahead of going into the studio to produce them. Think of them as rough cuts. Artists normally produce demos of several songs, so the record label can give the go ahead to start work on the album, suggest changes, say which ones don't work, etc., so it's entirely plausible that Mariah recorded a demo of Vanishing to say to Sony, "Hey, this is what we've written for the album you've commissioned me to record, what do you think?", rather than just blindly diving into a studio with no direction. For that reason I think that the tape may be genuine, but it's just downright mean to tease the fans with just a few seconds lol. I'd love to hear the songs on their entirety. (Sunday 29 March 2015; 8:22)

The Roof (51,202) by Bill from the UK I need to just say that The Roof is one of Mariah's greatest compositions, and easily the best track on Butterfly. It is so moody, atmospheric, intense, and yet soothing. I really do transport with Mariah "back in time" when I hear this song. I am there on that roof with her. The song is like a painting, it's the only way I can describe its nuances and different colours and that driving, steady, rhythmic, almost urgent undertone it has thanks to the Shook Ones sample. The strings, the layers of soft vocals, the imagery, the delicate tinkling bells, the rooftop that rainy night. (Saturday 28 March 2015; 14:47)

Happy anniversary Mariah (51,185) by Bill from the UK Happy anniversary Mariah. I love you so much. Thank you for being the soundtrack of my life and bringing me so much joy and pleasure with your music and singing. You are beautiful, your voice is beautiful, your songs are beautiful, and I will love you for all you have done for me until my dying day. (Friday 27 March 2015; 21:59)

Playlists (51,147) by Bill from the UK I am loving reading everybody's playlists. Here's a recent one I've been playing on my iPod: 1. AYNAF (Dave's Empty Pass) 2. The Roof 3. Crybaby 4. The One 5. If We 6. Make It Look Good 7. My All (Stay Awhile Remix) 8. ABMB (Mr Dupri Extended Mix) 9. Someday (Unplugged) 10. Music Box 11. I Still Believe (Pure Imagination Remix) 12. Fantasy (Def Club Mix) 13. Loverboy 14. Make It Happen (Unplugged) 15. DYKWYGT (Mariah Bonita) 16. Joy to the World (Celebration Mix) 17. TGIFY (Make It Last Remix) 18. Vanishing 19. Till The End Of Time 20. Everything Fades Away Only with Mariah could one artist enable such a diverse playlist. From R&B, to soul, to pop, to hip hop, club anthems, quiet storm numbers, swooping ballads, genius sampling/collabs. I know we all know it anyway, but Mariah is nothing short of incredible. Compiling playlists of her different elements is one of my most favourite pass times so to read all yours is great for me. (Thursday 26 March 2015; 22:48)

Shelly (51,023) by Bill from the UK What sad news, you are the loveliest person. But, you do what you need to do. Looking forward to seeing you after Vegas. Love the Someday demo, I hope Mariah is planning a 25th anniversary of the debut with the demo tape added on as a bonus, how great would that be to commemorate her career with what started it all? I can't believe I made the top 10 posters lol. Sorry everyone haha. (Wednesday 18 March 2015; 20:00)

Rainbow (50,902) by Bill from the UK Has anyone else been playing Rainbow on repeat since listening to that amazing interview? I've always enjoyed the album (except Did I Do That), but am seeing it and appreciating it in a whole different way now. In fact, DIDT is even beginning to grow on me. What is happening in this world? Lol. (Sunday 15 March 2015; 16:49)

Hero at HRC (50,897) by Bill from the UK Well that was just lovely. (Sunday 15 March 2015; 15:15)

Lee TS / Rainbow interview (50,867) by Bill from the UK Thank you so much for sharing that Rainbow interview. It is one of the best interviews I have ever listened to. She was herself, spoke about her voice and the music and her race and her insecurity. It was illuminating and frank and candid and beautiful. Thank you. (Saturday 14 March 2015; 16:08)

Andrew (50,755) by Bill from the UK "A Mariah fan [...] does not throw clouds around on a website which is a forum to enjoy, promote and uplift." Lol, when have you ever enjoyed, promoted, or uplifted Mariah? All I've ever seen you do is insult her, bad mouth her, call on her to resign, say her voice is finished, ridicule her positive fans and snap at anybody who says anything contrary to what you post. Since you appeared here, all you've done is bring the mood of the place down. (Tuesday 10 March 2015; 17:28)

Mandy Monroe (50,669) by Bill from the UK What a great idea you've had. Do you imagine the guests performing their favourite Mariah songs, and her sitting back in the front row taking it all in, or Mariah being on stage with them? Either way I think it sounds brilliant and I'd love for something like that to happen to honour her and her trail blazing career. (Friday 6 March 2015; 0:56)

A stats nerd lies in me (50,555) by Bill from the UK We haven't had a list for a while (wink), so I thought I'd share something with you all. Below is a list of Mariah's UK top 40 singles in peak position order. Makes a good spotify play list. 1. Without you 1. Against all odds 2. I'll be there 2. All I want for Christmas is you 2. We belong together 3. Endless love 3. Always be my baby 3. Honey 3. I know what you want 4. Fantasy 4. Open arms 4. My all 4. When you believe 4. It's like that 5. Heartbreaker 5. Touch my body 6. One sweet day 7. Hero 8. Anytime you need a friend 8. Through the rain 9. Vision of love 9. Dreamlover 9. Get your number/Shake it off 10. Thank God I found you 11. Don't forget about us 12. Loverboy 16. I still believe 17. Emotions 17. Make it happen 17. Boy (I need you) 19. I want to know what love is 20. Can't let go 22. Butterfly 22. Beautiful 27. Say somethin' 30. Bye bye 32. Never too far/Don't stop 37. Love takes time 38. Someday (Sunday 1 March 2015; 17:58)

Celine (50,546) by Bill from the UK It's odd how I don't listen to Celine, as most Mariah fans like her. She's a great singer but I've never been wowed by any of her songs or her delivery. The only song of hers that I rate is Falling Into You. That song is without question her best, and one of the best songs I've ever listened to in fact. There's just something about it. (Sunday 1 March 2015; 3:58)

Baby (50,418) by Bill from the UK I often wonder if we'll ever see Bianca again. I hope so lol. (Thursday 26 February 2015; 9:06)

My All (50,407) by Bill from the UK I love reading everybody's comments about this great track. I also love the song and the video. The video is very surreal with the giant shell and strange trees in the water, like she is in another world, and the black and white is stunning. I also loved the remixes. David Morales did a great job, and the Stay Awhile version is one of my ultimate favourites. And then she came out with Mi Todo and the associated remixes for the Spanish version. Just great. I also love how in recent years, when performing live, she incorporates the "feel your body, feel your body, feel your body" refrain from the remix, but in the original version. I also love it when the live version merges into the Morales mix at the end. Brilliant stuff. Good one Mimi. (Wednesday 25 February 2015; 21:05)

Tobby / Without You (50,344) by Bill from the UK I agree with you Tobby about Without You. Being from the UK, I always consider it a #1, and was glad it was included on the UK release of the first #1's album. I wonder if she will include it for the update. It was a huge success across all of Europe actually, hitting the top spot in several countries, and really was what propelled her to stardom on this continent. It's quite a significant landmark in her career from an International perspective, as it helped break her in many new territories, so it would be great if it was featured on the updated album, again, even as a bonus track would be great. (Sunday 22 February 2015; 23:53)

Number ones (50,289) by Bill from the UK I think if another artist, especially one who looks up to and appreciates Mariah, exceeds her Billboard record, we should congratulate them and accept it with good grace. Mariah has reigned in that category for a long time, and has been the top female artist in that area for years. Mariah paved the way in many, many areas. She pretty much single-handedly popularised the use of melisma as a contemporary singing style, she was the first to popularise the rapper du jour remixes, she brought back artists recording Christmas records, she had a string of #1's from the debut to only a few years ago. Mariah's chart toppers have records of their own that are unlikely to be beaten. Her debuting at #1 with Fantasy, the long stretches One Sweet Day and We Belong Together spent at the top etc. And let us not forget that 17 of those 18 #1's were written by Mariah, a feat which will take a long, long time to beat. Even Elvis fans cannot contest that, as he never wrote his material. I think if her record is surpassed, it will only highlight just how incredible and ground breaking Mariah's career and achievements have been. And I'm sure Mariah will be the first to congratulate Rhianna. (Thursday 19 February 2015; 7:29)

Luke and John John (50,220) by Bill from the UK Thanks for replying Luke, I remember KISS playing the Fantasy remix a lot a few years back, I think during their "KISStory" segment. John John, Heart is the one radio station I never listen to lol. I shall start as I'm sick of Smooth and Magic having a love affair with every other female singer except Mariah. I must hear Whitney, Aretha and Celine at least three times a day each on those stations. I don't know why it is, but Mariah just seems to sound wonderful on the radio. Better than the CD, not sure why that is. I think I posted it here when it happened, but I had to wait in all day for a delivery once and had Magic playing. I almost had a heart attack when Dreamlover came on. It sounded glorious. (Monday 16 February 2015; 20:50)

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