mariah carey's story

Bye Bye

Bye Bye" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, taken from her eleventh studio album, E=MC²(2008). It was written by Carey, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen and Johntá Austin, and produced by the former three. It was released as the album's second single on April 15, 2008, in the United States, Australasia and select European countries. The song draws influence from pop and R&B music genres, and features a piano and keyboard-driven melody. Lyrically, the song features a dialogue in between Carey and her deceased father throughout the verses, and a universal salute to departed loved ones on the chorus, where she sings "This is for everybody, just lift your hands to the sky, cause we won't ever say bye bye".

The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, with many considering it a highlight from the album. Many reviewers complimented its simple production, as well as its very personal and inspirational lyrics, while some criticized it for being too simple for an artist of Carey's caliber. Though expected by critics to have surely become Carey's nineteenth chart-topping single in the United States, following the success of "Touch My Body", the track only managed to reach a peak position of number nineteen on the Billboard Hot 100. Throughout other countries where it found release, the song achieved relatively weak charting, peaking within the top ten in New Zealand, and in the top-fifty in Canada, Ireland, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom.

"Bye Bye" was performed on few live televised appearances, in comparison to the large promotional boost given to "Touch My Body". Carey first performed the song on T4, followed by Good Morning America and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Carey performed "Bye Bye" for the final time on the seventh season of American Idol, where she was featured as a mentor for the top-seven week. Titled "Mariah Carey Week" and airing live on April 14, 2008, the contestants were to perform a song from Carey's catalog. The song's accompanying music video was directed by Justin Francis on the island of Antigua in the Caribbean. Notably, Carey and Cannon began dating during their trip to the island, and later wed on April 30, 2008. The video features behind-the-scenes footage of the couple, Carey promoting the album in the United Kingdom, as well as photos of several of Carey's close friends, family and past collaborators.

Background:

In 2001, Carey suffered a physical and emotional breakdown, causing her to abandon promotion of her then-releasedstudio album Glitter (2001), and its film of the same name.[2] As she was hospitalized for exhaustion, the film project received strong negative critical feedback, with the album faring only slightly better.[3] Following Carey's absence from the public eye, as well as her abandonment of promotional appearances for the film and soundtrack, her unprecedented $100 million five-album record deal with Virgin Records (EMI Records) was bought out for $50 million.[4][5] After recovering from her breakdown, and completing her contractual agreement with Virgin Records, Carey began recording her intended "comeback" and follow-up album, Charmbracelet (2002).[6] Though the album focused on incorporating several inspirational and adult contemporary ballads, and re-capturing Carey's audience from throughout the 1990s, critics took notice of Carey's different vocals.

During the album's conception in 2002, Carey's estranged father, Alred Roy, was diagnosed with cancer.[8] After divorcing from Patricia, Carey's mother, when the singer was only three, he kept only limited contact with her throughout the years, as Patricia continuously moved due to their poverty.[8] During this period of Carey's life, when she was just recovering from a breakdown and career slouch, she began reconnecting with her father during his short time in hospital care.[1][9] In a song titled "Sunflowers for Alfred Roy", present on Charmbracelet, Carey refers to a moment she shared with him on his death-bed.[10] Critics described the song as "the album's most lyrically personal song" and appreciated its simple piano accompaniment, while Carey retells of a visit she shared with her father in his hospital room, "Strange to feel that proud, strong man / Grip tightly to my hand."[8][9] In later interviews, Carey explained how during those heartfelt and emotional moments they experienced during his sickness, they were able to maintain closure for all those years of separation.[1][11] She also said how she felt at ease, after being able to see her father again, in his most vulnerable state.[1]