30 Years Ago Today, Mariah Carey Went #1 with This Single? Is It Her Best Song Ever?
Mariah Carey is a singer and songwriter who has spent decades churning out hits. While her Christmas anthem "All I Want for Christmas Is You" has become a recurring chart-topper in recent years around the holiday season, during the 90s and 2000s, Carey was leaving her fingerprints all over the Billboard Charts with a variety of pop and R&B classics. One of those is actually celebrating a big milestone today, as May 4, 2026, marks 30 years since it climbed to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Given the song's popularity and chart accomplishment, does it qualify as Carey's best song ever?
Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby" Went #1 in 1996
A track from her chart-topping 1995 Daydream album, "Always Be My Baby" was released as a single on February 20, 1996. Written by Carey and composed by Carey, Jermaine Dupri, and Manuel Seal, it debuted at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and officially claimed the top position on May 4, 1996, remaining there for two weeks. The mid-tempo pop song was a musical win for her fans and a solid follow-up to her massive hit song "One Sweet Day" featuring Boyz II Men. Additionally, it was nominated for a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and Glamour named it #7 on its "53 Best '90s Songs."
Is Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby" Her Best Song Ever?
Not by a long shot. She has other singles in her catalog that I'd argue are far better. For example, "All I Want for Christmas" is the hit that keeps on giving. It routinely climbs back to the top of the charts around the holidays, it allegedly earns Carey between $2.5 million and $3 million annually, and it has garnered her the beloved title of the "Queen of Christmas."
Again, "One Sweet Day" was a massive hit. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 16 consecutive weeks, which was a record at the time. Then there are other tracks like "Fantasy," "Honey," "We Belong Together," and "Emotions," all #1 songs. But those are just my thoughts on "Always Be My Baby" not being Carey's best. Still a good track. But what do you think?
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This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 4, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published May 4, 2026 at 6:55 AM.