Mariah Carey has had an impressive career that has spanned three decades. During those three decades, she has earned a record-breaking and record-setting 19 number ones on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She is an inductee into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. She also developed a legion of loyal fans, whom she lovingly calls "lambs."
In the past 31 years, Carey has crafted a total of 15 studio albums, including the "Glitter" soundtrack. Her musical history has seen her experimenting with R&B, hip-hop, dance, and gospel. Carey's wide range of influences has been a key factor in her success and longevity.
Since Carey doesn't celebrate birthdays, today marks her "anniversary" and there's no better time to rank all her studio albums. So let's take a journey though one of the most impressive discographies in music.
15. "E=MC²"
This album includes Carey's iconic, record-breaking, 18th Billboard Hot 100 number one, "Touch My Body." It also features some of her most personal lyrics on songs like "Side Effects," "Bye Bye," and "I Wish You Well." There's also "I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time," a single which should've been a much bigger hit.
14. "Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse"
The album has something for everybody and even features the legendary Stevie Wonder on "Make It Look Good." Carey also wrote a song, "Supernatural," for her twins, who also sing with her on the track. Carey puts a gospel twist on George Michael's "One More Try," and segues perfectly into the album's brilliant closer, "Heavenly (No Ways Tired/Can't Give Up Now)."
13. "Merry Christmas II You"
Carey's second Christmas album gives fans a softer, more R&B take on the holiday. But there's still plenty of festive treats on this album to make any Christmas lover happy. The incredible Marc Shaiman produced, co-wrote, and orchestrated brilliant songs for this album. "Oh Santa!" became a new Christmas-favorite among the lambily. Plus, Carey re-recorded her classic "All I Want For Christmas Is You."
12. "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel"
This album definitely sets a mood and is meant to be listened to as a whole body of work. Most people know "Obsessed," but the rest of the album is a much smoother ride. Carey worked with The Dream on most of the record. There's chill tracks like "Inseparable" and "Candy Bling," which takes the listener to another world. There's also the standout ballad, "Angels Cry," the beautiful "Languishing" interlude, and Carey's amazing cover of "I Want To Know What Love Is."
11. "Music Box"
This album became Carey's best-seller and the reason is understandable. This album includes some of Carey's most successful singles, including "Dreamlover" and "Hero." "Anytime You Need a Friend" and the title track are also standouts. Carey and the brilliant David Cole worked their magic on songs like "Now That I Know."
10. "Charmbracelet"
"Charmbracelet" may not have been the radio-friendly album Carey needed in the wake of "Glitter," but it was a great album regardless. From inspirational tracks like "Through The Rain" and "My Saving Grace," to more confessional songs like "Clown," this feels like a therapeutic album. Carey even deals with the loss of her father on the heartbreaking "Sunflowers For Alfred Roy."
9. "The Emancipation of Mimi"
Most people recognize this as the "comeback" moment of Carey's career. Every song on this album could've been released as a single and been a hit. "We Belong Together" and "Don't Forget About Us" both went to number one of the Billboard Hot 100. The former of which became Billboard's Song of the Decade. "Mine Again" and "Fly Like a Bird" are fan favorites. There's also the killer bonus track, "Secret Love."
8. "Glitter"
While this is a soundtrack for a film, it still counts as a Mariah Carey studio album. The film "Glitter" takes place in 1983, so the music for the soundtrack is heavily inspired by that era. Carey samples songs from that period on "Don't Stop (Funkin' For Jamaica)" and "Loverboy." She also covers tracks like, "Didn't Mean To Turn You On" and "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life." Other highlights include, "Never Too Far," "If We," and "Lead The Way."
7. "Emotions"
Carey shows impressive versatility on her sophomore effort. Carey created killer dance records with the late, great David Cole on "To Be Around You," "You're So Cold," and the title track. She also showed off her jazz chops on the album's haunting closer, "The Wind." There's also the inspirational classic, "Make It Happen," which recounts Carey's own rags-to-riches story.
6. "Daydream"
This album might be Carey's most well-known work outside of her first Christmas album. "Daydream" includes a slew of hits, including "Fantasy," "One Sweet Day," and "Always Be My Baby." "One Sweet Day" held the record for the longest-running single on the Billboard Hot 100 until Lil Nas X broke the record in 2019 with "Old Town Road." This album also features one of Carey's best and most personal songs, "Looking In."
5. "Merry Christmas"
Mariah Carey and Christmas seem to be a match made in Heaven. It's gotten to the point where nobody can imagine the holiday without Carey. This album is where it all started. From religious, gospel influenced renditions of "Silent Night" and "O Holy Night," to the festive fun of "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," there's something here for every Christmas lover. Carey also showcased her talents as a songwriter by penning three songs, including the now Christmas classic, "All I Want For Christmas Is You."
4. "Caution"
2018's "Caution" became Carey's best-reviewed album of her career, and with good reason. It is a welcome departure from her past work. "GTFO" opens the album with a lighthearted kiss-off to an ex-lover. "A No No" continues the sentiment, with a song that deserved to be a smash. "Giving Me Life" has the prettiest melody against a haunting, moody, catchy guitar riff. "One Mo' Gen" gets steamy and "Stay Long Love You" is nothing short of a bop. "8th Grade" has one of the best outros on a song out of Carey's entire discography. The album closes with "Portrait," a fitting personal track. There's also the Japanese bonus track, "Runway," which samples Carey's own song, "Butterfly."
3. "Mariah Carey"
Carey's debut begins with the haunting R&B ballad, "Vision of Love." The mysterious intro and impressive vocal runs made for a brilliant debut single. "There's Got To Be A Way" offers a socially conscious message and "I Don't Wanna Cry" offered a beautiful power ballad. Songs like "All In Your Mind" and "Alone In Love" are standout deep cuts from the album. The uptempo hit "Someday" is made even better in the Shep Pettibone remix that was used for the music video.
2. "Rainbow"
Even though Carey claimed she rushed "Rainbow" in order to finish her contract with Sony, it became one of her best albums. The effortless blend of R&B, hip-hop, and pop is pure brilliance. Carey worked with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, two legends who brought out the best in her. The lyrics are deeply personal, making for some of the best of Carey's career. The album is sequenced in an order that tells a story. "Petals" offers a look at some people with whom Carey parted ways and the "Rainbow" interlude gives listeners a hopeful follow-up. "Thank God I Found You" ends the album, which provides listeners with a happy ending.
1. "Butterfly"
Carey has often cited "Butterfly" as her favorite album. Through the years, fans have echoed her sentiment. The album was created during a period of newfound personal and creative freedom for Carey. Having just separated from Tommy Mottola, then-CEO of Sony Music, Carey explored sides of herself she wasn't previously allowed to. There's hip-hop on tracks like "Honey," "The Roof," and "Breakdown." She brings soulful R&B on "Fourth of July" and "The Beautiful Ones." There's even passionate love songs like "My All" and "Whenever You Call." The personal tracks, however, are fan favorites. Carey has described "Close My Eyes" as autobiographical and "Outside" is about Carey's mixed-race upbringing.
