(ThyBlackMan.com) Mariah Carey’s name has long been synonymous with vocal excellence, genre-defining pop ballads, and an unmatched ability to capture emotion in song. While her biggest hits often dominate playlists and radio rotations, her catalog is deep with love songs that go beyond the mainstream smashes everyone knows. These tracks show a different side of Mariah — one that is intimate, nuanced, and masterfully arranged. They span her career from the early ’90s through her more mature releases, reflecting both the evolution of her voice and her emotional storytelling.
These seven love songs might not be the ones that first come to mind when thinking about Mariah, but they are gems that deserve another listen. Whether it’s the quiet vulnerability of a stripped-back ballad, the slow-burn allure of a mid-tempo R&B groove, or the cinematic swell of a heartfelt declaration, each track reveals why Mariah remains one of music’s greatest interpreters of love.
1. Underneath the Stars
Part of what makes “Underneath the Stars” so compelling is the way it captures the feeling of being completely lost in a moment of intimacy. The title itself suggests secrecy, vulnerability, and a sense of being outside the rest of the world — an almost cinematic love scene set under a canopy of night. Mariah taps into this imagery with precision, her lyricism painting a picture of shared glances and whispered promises that exist only between two people. It’s love in its most delicate form — no drama, no turbulence, just pure connection.
Vocally, she employs a breathy, almost feather-light tone that perfectly suits the song’s mood. She doesn’t overuse melisma here; instead, her runs are placed sparingly, like brushstrokes on a painting, so that each flourish enhances rather than overwhelms. The decision to keep her vocals restrained is part of the magic — it invites the listener in, making the experience feel personal rather than performative.
The production, handled with an ear for nostalgia, incorporates soft Rhodes piano, understated bass, and airy synth textures that nod to the quiet storm era of artists like Minnie Riperton and Smokey Robinson. This deliberate retro influence makes the song timeless; it doesn’t feel bound to the mid-’90s but instead exists in its own dreamy space.
Hearing it today, especially through high-quality streaming or vinyl reissues, “Underneath the Stars” has a richness that rewards repeated listening. It’s the perfect soundtrack for late-night reflection or romantic evenings, proof that Mariah can convey just as much emotion in a whisper as in a high note.
2. The Roof (Back in Time)
“The Roof” is a lesson in how to write a love song that is as much about memory as it is about the moment itself. The way Mariah recounts the rooftop meeting — “It wasn’t raining yet / (Yet) / But it was definitely a little misty on / (But it was definitely) / That warm November night” — feels almost like an excerpt from a romance novel. She’s not simply singing about love; she’s documenting it, freezing it in time so the listener experiences it with her.
Her vocal performance is layered with intentional complexity. There’s a conversational quality in the verses, like a whispered confession, which contrasts with the lush, multi-tracked harmonies of the chorus. The backing vocals act as an emotional echo, giving the impression of thoughts and feelings swirling in her mind.
The sample from Mobb Deep’s “Shook Ones Part II” is an inspired choice. It takes something gritty and urban, recontextualizing it into a sensual framework. The strings, understated percussion, and warm bassline elevate the track into cinematic territory. This is where Mariah’s genius as a producer shines — she understands how to marry contrasting elements into something cohesive and deeply emotive.
In 2025, “The Roof” feels even more powerful because it represents a type of storytelling largely absent from modern R&B. It’s both personal and grand, a fusion of intimacy and atmosphere that makes it more than just a song — it’s a short film for the ears.
3. Breakdown (feat. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony)
What sets “Breakdown” apart from traditional love songs is its raw portrayal of emotional suppression. It’s not about love at its peak, but about the quiet devastation that follows when things start falling apart. Mariah’s choice to collaborate with Bone Thugs-n-Harmony — a group known for their rapid, melodic rap delivery — was unexpected at the time, but it works beautifully. Their harmonized flows weave in and out of her verses, creating a conversation-like dynamic that mirrors the back-and-forth of a relationship in decline.
Lyrically, Mariah avoids clichés. She captures the difficulty of putting on a brave face while silently suffering: “You called yesterday to basically say that you care for me, but you’re just not in love.” It’s a line that cuts deep in its simplicity, because it’s not about betrayal or anger — it’s about the quiet truth that love sometimes just fades.
The instrumentation is intentionally understated: a smooth bass groove, light percussion, and minimal keys that create space for the vocals to carry the emotion. This sparseness makes every harmony, every ad-lib stand out, drawing the listener closer into the song’s emotional core.
Today, “Breakdown” feels like a precursor to the kind of emotionally candid R&B that artists like SZA and H.E.R. have popularized. Its honesty makes it evergreen, and for fans going through their own quiet heartbreaks, it remains a song that says what’s hard to say out loud.
4. Bliss
“Bliss” is unlike any other song in Mariah Carey’s discography — it’s part love song, part vocal experiment, and part mood piece. At first listen, it might seem like a straightforward sensual track, but a deeper dive reveals just how much thought went into every element. The song’s opening, with layered whistles and airy harmonies, creates an immediate atmosphere of intimacy. From the first few seconds, you’re enveloped in the world Mariah is building.
Vocally, this is Mariah operating in full control of her instrument. She integrates her whistle register seamlessly into the fabric of the song, not as a climax but as a recurring texture. The result is a track where the vocals themselves feel like an additional instrument, blending into the bass, synths, and percussion to create a lush, immersive soundscape.
The lyrics are overtly romantic and physical, yet they’re handled with an elegance that keeps them from tipping into the overly explicit. She relies on imagery and sensation — touch, breath, closeness — to convey the depth of connection. It’s an example of how suggestion can be far more powerful than directness in love songs.
Listening in 2025, “Bliss” feels as modern as anything on current R&B charts. Its minimal yet atmospheric production could fit alongside contemporary artists like The Weeknd or Jhené Aiko. For longtime Mariah fans, it’s a reminder that she has always been ahead of the curve in blending vocal mastery with innovative production.
5. Lullaby
“Lullaby” is one of those tracks that captures the emotional stillness of love — the kind of affection that’s less about grand gestures and more about quiet constancy. Coming from Charmbracelet, an album often described as one of Mariah’s most personal and understated, it feels like a whispered confession directly to the listener. The song’s tone is nurturing, almost maternal in its tenderness, yet still deeply romantic. It’s about creating a safe space for someone you love, both emotionally and physically.
Lyrically, “Lullaby” speaks to the reassurance that comes from knowing someone will be there when the world feels overwhelming. Lines are phrased with care, offering promises of peace and understanding. Mariah frames love as a protective force here — not just passionate or intoxicating, but restorative. It’s rare for mainstream love songs to focus so purely on comfort without veering into sentimentality, and Mariah balances that line perfectly.
Her vocal delivery is restrained but intentional. She keeps her voice close to the mic, allowing the breath in her tone to become part of the intimacy. The harmonies are feather-soft, almost like a blanket wrapping around the melody. There’s no showy vocal climax here, and that’s by design; the song’s strength lies in its gentleness, making it ideal for repeat listens late at night or during quiet moments of reflection.
In 2025, “Lullaby” still feels like a hidden treasure in her discography. In an era where so much music is designed to grab attention instantly, this track takes the opposite approach — it invites you to slow down, to sink into the moment, and to remember that love is often found in the simplest gestures.
6. Last Kiss
“Last Kiss,” from Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, is a masterclass in understated heartbreak. Unlike some of Mariah’s more theatrical break-up anthems, this one is subdued, almost resigned. That’s what makes it so affecting — it captures the inevitability of a goodbye you can’t avoid, no matter how much you wish you could.
The piano line that anchors the song is soft but insistent, like a ticking clock counting down the final moments of a relationship. The addition of gentle strings and subtle harmonies enhances the bittersweet tone without drowning out the core melody. Mariah’s decision to keep the arrangement uncluttered allows the listener to focus on the story she’s telling.
Vocally, she leans into vulnerability rather than power. There’s a fragility in her voice that feels completely intentional — a wavering that mirrors the emotional uncertainty of the moment she’s describing. The chorus swells just enough to give the song an emotional lift, but it never loses its intimacy. This is the kind of performance where you can hear her holding back tears between the lines.
Even now, “Last Kiss” remains one of her most relatable love songs because it’s not just about loss — it’s about cherishing the very last moments with someone before they become a memory. In 2025, it’s a reminder that love songs don’t have to be loud to be powerful, and that sometimes the quietest farewells leave the deepest marks.
7. The Art of Letting Go
With “The Art of Letting Go,” Mariah delivered one of her most emotionally mature works — a ballad that’s as much about self-respect as it is about love. Released outside of a studio album, it felt like a personal statement, one that stood apart from the commercial pressure of a lead single. The result is an unfiltered glimpse at her as a storyteller and interpreter of complex emotion.
Lyrically, it navigates the fine line between grief and acceptance. The verses are conversational, almost as if she’s speaking directly to the person she’s letting go of, recounting memories and unspoken truths. By the time she reaches the chorus, the song swells into something cathartic — not with anger, but with a kind of weary strength.
The arrangement is minimal but deeply textured. Soft piano chords provide the foundation, while light percussion and strings give it a subtle lift. The lack of heavy production keeps the emotional focus squarely on her voice, which moves between delicate vulnerability and full, resonant warmth. Mariah’s vocal choices here — the pauses, the gentle crescendos, the whispered phrases — are as deliberate as they are impactful.
In the present day, “The Art of Letting Go” resonates in a culture that increasingly values emotional wellness and closure. It’s a love song for those who understand that ending a relationship doesn’t mean erasing the love that once existed. Instead, it reframes that love as something to honor while moving forward. For anyone who’s ever struggled to release someone they cared for, this song remains a quietly powerful companion.
Together, these songs offer a deeper appreciation of Mariah Carey’s artistry beyond her commercial triumphs. They reflect her talent for translating personal sentiment into music that feels both universal and enduring. Decades after their release, each track remains a testament to her skill as a storyteller and her unmatched capacity to give voice to the many dimensions of love.
