When Mariah Carey recorded a grunge album and almost got hurt
The history of popular music is full of lost albums. Projects that never got off the ground, were not adequately publicized or were simply rejected by the record company. Generally, these works become objects of fascination for the public because they perhaps present a new side of their favorite artists. However, no one expected a grunge album from Mariah Carey.
In his memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Wsandy, released in 2020, the singer said she felt suffocated at the time of recording the album Daydream (1995). His contract with Sony Music did not give him enough artistic freedom and his marriage to Tommy Mottolathen CEO of the record label, was in a precarious position. Mariah wrote about the time (via Rolling Stone USA):
I was exploring my musical range, but I was also filled with anger. It has always been a challenge for me to recognize and express dissatisfaction. My personal life was suffocating during Daydreamand desperately needed an outlet.”
While recording the album, she and her collaborators decided to ease the tension by working on something different. The singer imagined an alternative persona for herself, inspired by grunge and David Bowie. She would have dark hair, a gothic look and would make ridiculous songs full of tortured lyrics. It was explicitly a parody. Mariah explained the reasoning behind the idea (via Rolling Stone USA):
“Alternative rock was such a popular genre at the time, so I thought, ‘Well, we’ve got a full band here, let’s just do something and I’ll come up with some shit to sing’.”
The report was corroborated by Dana Jon Chappellea sound engineer who worked with the singer from 1991 to 2005. Every day at midnight, the focus of work changed from the album commissioned by the record company to this side project. The programmer Gary Cirimelli took over the guitar, the producer/composer Walter Afanasieff went to drums and keyboards, and a member of the administration team Mariah played the bass.
Furthermore, Carey recruited her friend ClarissaDanedavidson to record vocals with it, in an attempt to give a different dimension to the sound. She wrote in The Meaning of Mariah Carey (via Ultimate Guitar) about how this game became his favorite part of the sessions Daydream:
I couldn’t wait to do the alter-ego sessions after recording Daydream every night.”
The result of these sessions was Someone’s Ugly Daughtercredited to the name chick. Sony Music didn’t like the joke at all, with Mariah writing in his memoir (via Ultimate Guitar):
I got into a lot of trouble making this album – the alternative album – because at the time everything was super controlled by the people in charge.”
Eventually, the record company – run by the singer’s then husband – agreed to release the album. Someone’s Ugly Daughter came out in 1995, but crucially with vocals by Mariah removed from the final version. Clarissa became the face and voice of the project, even appearing in official music videos.
Artistic freedom
Daydreamin turn, was released in September 1995 and became one of the most successful albums in history, with more than 20 million copies sold and hits the size of “Fantasy”, “One Sweet Day”, “Open Arms”, “Always Be My Baby” and “Forever”. Three years later, Mariah Carey divorced from Tommy Mottola after five years of marriage. Their first album after the separation, Rainbow (1999), saw the singer express greater artistic freedom in the form of collaborations with rappers and pop artists.
Crucially, the work also saw the appearance of a remnant of the past. The clip “Heartbreaker” shows the singer playing two roles: herself and Bianca, the same alternative persona created during the recording of her grunge album. His alter-ego made other appearances in videos over the years, becoming a well-known figure among fans.
As for the version of Someone’s Ugly Daughter with your vocals intact, Mariah revealed during a 2021 appearance on the podcast Music Now from the Rolling Stone USAwho found the master tapes and planned to release the restored album. Furthermore, he said that the project could be continued with the collaboration of another mysterious artist.
Collaborated: Pedro Hollanda.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
