Happy anniversary Mariah Carey! While we all know she’s got one of the best voices in the game (okay, if you’re asking me, it’s the best voice in the game), but she’s influenced more than generations of American Idol Contestants (did we mention she’s one of the most successful songwriters of all time too? 18 #1 hits almost all penned by Ms. Carey, putting her just behind Elvis). Happy Birthday Anniversary MC, and thank you for incomparable contributions to music!

Mariah Carey feat. ODB “Fantasy (Remix)”
The song that launched the pop-hip hop collaboration….


Mariah Carey feat. Nicki Minaj – “Up Out My Face”
Mariah proves she’s till got it with 2009’s hottest remix

Mariah Carey feat. Bone Thugs N Harmony – “Breakdown”
Slant Magazine calls it “the song of Carey’s career, where the lyrical strokes are as broad and obvious as they are naked. The song’s central question, “So what do you do when/Somebody you’re so devoted to/Suddenly just stops loving you?” is so naïve and bare, it’s almost as devastating as a child asking hard questions about death.”

Mariah Carey “Can’t Let Go” – Live on SNL (1991)
See if you can spot Randy Jackson in this one . ..

Mariah Carey “You and I” – Stevie Wonder Tribute
One of the best performances of her career….who else could capture Stevie’s key & tone?

Mariah Carey “Last Kiss”
Okay, this one’s for me….but if you haven’t heard this album cut from Mariah’s 2008 album E=MC2, you’re missing out! It’s also Q’s favorite from the album, which while we know is sometimes called into question here at GFM, it’s gotta count for something!