"Looking In" is the final track from the standard edition of Mariah's fifth studio album, Daydream.[1] It was released on October 23, 1995 through Columbia Records.
Background[]
In an interview with MTV in 1995, Mariah stated that Looking In was a song she wrote very quickly because it "flowed out of her."[2] She also described the song as "real" and "emotional."[2] Looking In seems to be a reference to the fact that while Mariah was highly successful in her career at that point (1995), she felt trapped in her marriage to Tommy Mottola, who was reportedly “controlling” with few interests in common with her and stopping her from being close to her loved-ones. Seeing only her Grammys and chart-topping hits misses the bigger picture of her heartache.[3] According to Mariah, Looking In was written in 15 minutes.[4]
Critical reception[]
In his book titled Mariah Carey Revisited, author Chris Nickson described Looking In as "Sinewy than previous ballads."[5] He also states that Mariah used the song to reflect on her life and career so far. He also stated the following:
“It is a very personal song,” she agreed, “but it is more about a mood. We all go through different moods, you can’t always feel happy—it’s showing a different side. When you are in the public eye, people seem to think they know all about you—they form a perception which often bears little relation to the person.”[5]
Live performances[]
Mariah first performed Looking In at the MLB All-Star Charity Concert in 2013.[6]
Lyrics[]
You look at me and see the girl
Who lives inside the golden world
But don't believe
That's all there is to see
You'll never know the real me
[Verse 2]
She smiles through a thousand tears
And harbors adolescent fears
She dreams of all
That she can never be
She wades in insecurity
And hides herself inside of me
[Verse 3]
Don't say, "She takes it all for granted"
I'm well aware of all I have
Don't think that I am disenchanted
Please understand
[Verse 4]
It seems as though I've always been
Somebody outside looking in
Well, here I am for all of them to bleed
But they can't take my heart from me
And they can't bring me to my knees
References[]
- ↑ Wikipedia:Daydream album Track Listing - retrieved 8/14/20
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Youtube: MTV Interview 1995 Lookin In Mentioned - retrieved 8/14/20
- ↑ Genius Annotation Lookin In - retrieved 8/14/20
- ↑ Twitter: AllAboutMariah Looking In - retrieved 10/3/2020
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Scribd: Mariah Carey Revisited - retrieved 8/14/20
- ↑ Mariah Carey - 02. Looking In (LIVE at MLB All-Star Charity Concert, NY) COMPLETE PERFORMANCE - retrieved 8/14/20
| Daydream | |
|---|---|
| September 26, 1995 • 46:33 • Columbia Records | |
| Songs | |
| Released | Always Be My Baby • Daydream Interlude (Fantasy Sweet Dub Mix) • El Amor Que Soñé • Fantasy • Forever • I Am Free • Long Ago • Looking In • Melt Away • One Sweet Day • Open Arms • Underneath the Stars • When I Saw You |
| Unreleased | One Night • Slipping Away |
| Artists | |
| Mariah Carey • Boyz II Men | |
| Tour | |
| Daydream World Tour | |