"A No No" is the fourth track and second single from Mariah Carey's fifteenth studio album, Caution. The song was initially released as the album's third promotional single on November 1, 2018 and was later serviced by Epic Records to rhythmic contemporary and urban contemporary radio as a single on March 4, 2019.
Background and release[]
On July 14, 2018, Carey posted a picture with Jermaine Dupri, the song's co-producer, in a recording studio on Instagram, possibly during the recording sessions for the song.[1] On July 18, 2018, Carey posted another picture with Dupri in a studio, this time also featuring frequent collaborator Johntá Austin.[2]
"A No No" was first digitally released on November 1, 2018 as Caution's third promotional single, included with the pre-order of the album. A lyric video was released on December 4, 2018.
The song was later released as the second radio single from Caution, impacting both Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop and Rhythmic radio on March 4th, 2019,[3] with a music video being released four days later, on March 8, 2019. To further promote the song, two remixes (and its music videos) were later released.
Composition[]
Written by Carey alongside producer Robert "Shea" Taylor and Muni Long, the song's instrumental samples "Crush On You" by Lil' Kim and borrows its bridge from The Notorious B.I.G.'s line "He's a slut, he's a ho, he's a freak / Got a different girl every day of the week," also from "Crush On You" (which itself samples "Rain Dance" by The Jeff Lorber Fusion), which prompted Lorber, Lil' Kim, The Notorious B.I.G., Mase, Cam'ron and producer Andreao Heard to be credited as additional songwriters. The song features additional production by Carey's long-time collaborator Jermaine Dupri. "A No No" is written in the key of D major and set in common time with a tempo of 90 bpm.[4][5]
The song's lyrics sees Carey rejecting a past lover who has "wronged [her] for the last time".[6] The lyrics include a shout out to Ed Shapiro, Carey's legal representative at the time, and a comparison between her and the character Gilligan from the 1960s American sitcom Gilligan's Island. The song ends with Carey saying "no" in a variety of languages, including Spanish, French, Portuguese and Japanese, over the background vocals.
Lyric video[]
A lyric video for the song was uploaded on Carey's YouTube channel on December 4, 2018. The animated collage features pictures of signs, scissors, snakes, islands, jewelry, clouds, fire, clocks and more while the lyrics cycle by in pink, black and white. By the end, the word "no" floats away from the screen in various languages.[7]
Music video[]
On March 6, 2019, Carey officially announced on social media that a music video for "A No No" would be released. The video premiered on Carey's YouTube channel on March 8, 2019, following an exclusive first look on Good Morning America. The music video features cameos from Carey's children and then-boyfriend Bryan Tanaka. It starts with the singer riding a neon pink and blue subway train. As the video progresses, Carey is joined by other passengers in an impromptu party where she sings and they dance. The video version of the song features additional vocalizations which are not present on the album version, sung by Carey in a whistle register.[8]
An exclusive behind-the-scenes picture was revealed by People that same day.[9]
Further behind-the-scenes content was posted by Carey on YouTube on May 2, 2019, available for those who Shazammed her performance at the Billboard Music Awards.[10]
Live performances[]
"A No No" was included as the opening track in the Caution World Tour setlist. Carey also performed the song as part of a medley at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards on May 1, 2019, where she received the Icon Award. The song also served as the opening song of Carey's set at Festival d'été de Quebec on July 11, 2019, at the Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival on August 31, 2019 and at the Expo 2020: 1 Year to Go Celebration concert on October 20, 2019. This performance was broadcast live on YouTube worldwide.
A snippet of the song was performed during the "Car Ride Medley" during the final leg of The Butterfly Returns in 2020.
"A No No" was also included in a medley of hits performed towards the end of the show during the Merry Christmas One and All! tour in 2023 and Carey's performance at the Saadiyat Nights festival on January 6, 2024.
Credits and personnel[]
- Additional production – Jermaine Dupri
- Assistant mastering engineer – Will Quinnell
- Assistant mixing engineer – Bill Zimmerman
- Assistant recording engineer – Jeremy Nichols
- Background vocals – Maryann Tatum, Priscilla Hamilton
- Mastering – Chris Gehringer
- Mixing – Phil Tan
- Production – Mariah Carey, Robert "Shea" Taylor
- Recording engineer – Brian Garten
- Songwriting – Andreao Heard, Cameron Giles, Christopher Wallace, Jeff Lorber, Kimberly Jones, Mariah Carey, Mason Betha, Priscilla Hamilton, Robert "Shea" Taylor
Trivia[]
- Carey changed the lyrics of "A No No" during the Merry Christmas One and All! tour. "Ed Shapiro" was replaced by "Joey Brenner," Carey's current legal advisor. Brenner is credited on all studio albums from E=MC² until Merry Christmas II You.
Stefflon Don Remix[]
Despite Carey's wish to remix "A No No" with Lil' Kim and Cardi B and Elliott's possible involvement, a remix featuring British rapper Stefflon Don was released instead on March 15, 2019.
Critical reception[]
The remix received mixed reactions from both fans and critics. Stefflon Don's verse was noted for its assertive tone, advocating female strength and independence. However, according to The Brandeis Hoot, the remix lacks the creative spark found in Carey's previous remixes, feeling more like a "copy and paste" with minimal new elements. The publication highlighted that, while Stefflon’s contribution fits the song’s vibe, the remix ultimately doesn’t stray far from the original, leading to an underwhelming result.[11]
Music video[]
An extended version of the original music video with added scenes of Don rapping her verse on a subway platform was released on March 22, 2019.
Credits and personnel[]
- Additional production – Jermaine Dupri
- Assistant mastering engineer – Will Quinnell
- Assistant mixing engineer – Bill Zimmerman
- Assistant recording engineer – Jeremy Nichols
- Background vocals – Maryann Tatum, Priscilla Hamilton
- Mastering – Chris Gehringer
- Mixing – Phil Tan
- Production – Mariah Carey, Robert "Shea" Taylor
- Recording engineer – Brian Garten
- Songwriting – Andreao Heard, Cameron Giles, Christopher Wallace, Jeff Lorber, Kimberly Jones, Mariah Carey, Mason Betha, Priscilla Hamilton, Robert "Shea" Taylor, Stephanie Allen
Shawni Remix[]
Credits and personnel[]
- Additional production – Jermaine Dupri
- Assistant mastering engineer – Will Quinnell
- Assistant mixing engineer – Bill Zimmerman
- Assistant recording engineer – Jeremy Nichols
- Background vocals – Maryann Tatum, Priscilla Hamilton
- Mastering – Chris Gehringer
- Mixing – Phil Tan
- Production – Mariah Carey, Robert "Shea" Taylor
- Recording engineer – Brian Garten
- Songwriting – Andreao Heard, Cameron Giles, Christopher Wallace, Jeff Lorber, Kimberly Jones, Mariah Carey, Mason Betha, Priscilla Hamilton, Robert "Shea" Taylor, Shawni LaDawn
Lyrics[]
[Verse 1]
I ain't even mad, no, not like befo'
Off with your head, now slither out the door
Snakes in the grass, it's time to cut the lawn
Ed Scissorhands, AKA I cut you off
(No) You ain't gonna lie to my face no mo'
Hit me with 'I'm sorry', but I'm sorry, no
Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na, no
Get me Ed Shapiro on the phone
(Case closed)
[Pre-Chorus]
You shoulda known that it's bigger than you
You'll never know what I already knew
After everything I already been through
I can't waste no time, pay no 'tention to you
[Chorus]
I said no
No no no
A no no
No no
That's a no no
No no
I said no no
No no
[Verse 2]
You came so close, you just don't know
Irregardless of what transpired
It ain't even worthy of a slick reply
Even if I was the last woman alive
I would be like Ginger, you ain't Gilligan isle
Really don't care, I'm in love with the island
Rockin' Dior 'cause it goes with my diamonds
Got a pink gown Custom by Alaia
I'll be on stage with the stadium light up
[Pre-Chorus]
You shoulda' known that it's bigger than you
You'll never know what I already knew
After everything I already been through
I can't waste no time, pay no 'tention to you
[Chorus]
I said no
No no no
A no no
No no
That's a no no
No no
I said no no
No no
I said no
(I said no)
A no no
No no
That's a no no
No no, I said no no
No no
No
[Bridge]
He's a slut, he's a hoe, he's a freak
Got a different girl every day of the week (Check it)
He's a slut, he's a hoe, he's a freak
Got a different girl every day of the week (Check it)
He's a slut, he's a hoe, he's a freak
Got a different girl every day of the week (Check it)
He's a slut, he's a hoe, he's a freak
Got a different girl every day of the week (Check it)
[Chorus]
I said no
(I said no)
A no no
(Look)
I said no no
That's a no no
(I said no)
No no
I said no no
(No)
(No no no)
(No no no)
(No no no)
(And I said no)
(No no no)
[Outro]
Parlez-vous francais? I said no
Lemme translate it, I said no
I can say it en español
No
(No no no no)
Portuguese? Boy, you know
Japanese? Boy, you know
(I said no)
(I said it)
(I said no)
I said no
I think, I think that was it
Yep
References[]
- ↑ Mariah Carey [@mariahcarey]. (2018, July 18). "Back in the lab with @jermainedupri 🔥 #workmode #pondestudio" [Photograph]. Instagram. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ↑ Mariah Carey [@mariahcarey]. (2018, July 18). "📝🎶" [Photograph]. Instagram. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ↑ Trust, Gary. (2019, February 4). Mariah Carey’s ‘With You’ Becomes Her 23rd Top 10 on Adult Contemporary Chart. Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ↑ Music Score - Mariah Carey - A No No
- ↑ Song BPM - Mariah Carey (A No No)
- ↑ Jahmal, Karlton. (2018, November 1). Mariah Carey Reinvents A Hip-Hop Classic For "A No No". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ↑ Bajgrowicz, Brooke. (2018, December 4). Mariah Carey Debuts Colorful 'A No No' Lyric Video: Watch. Billboard. Archived from the original. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
- ↑ Aniftos, Rania. (2019, March 8). Mariah Carey Takes a Glam Subway Ride in Flashy ‘A No No’ Video: Watch. Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ↑ Murphy, Helen. (2019, March 8). Mariah Carey Drops Music Video for 'A No No' — See the Cute Behind-the-Scenes Snap with Her Kids. People. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ↑ Mariah Carey [@MariahCarey]. (2019, May 1). Dahhlings!! 🦋 Lil' excited lil' excited to perform tonight on the @BBMAs stage! @shazam my performance to unlock some super special BTS [Post]. X. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
- ↑ The Brandeis Hoot - “A No No” remix receives mixed reviews amongst unexpected collaboration