Open Arms is the fourth track and third single from Mariah's fifth studio album Daydream. It was released on December 5, 1995 through Columbia Records. The song was written by Stephen Perry & Jonathan Cain and produced by Mariah and Walter Afanasieff.[1]
"Open Arms" is arguably one of Mariah's biggest hits outside the United States. Internationally, the song peaked number 4 on the UK Singles Chart and number 7 on the Irish Charts.[2][3]
Mariah has also recorded a Spanish version of Open Arms called "El Amor Que SoƱƩ."
Background[]
Open Arms was originally recorded by the rock band Journey for their albums Heavy Metal and Escape in 1981. The meaning behind the song "Open Arms" is a live story about a couple who drifted apart over time and then found their way back to each other again. Once they found their way back together they then realized how much they loved each other after all and that they were meant to be. Basically, the ballad is a plea from one lover to another begging them to forgive their wrong doings of the past and asking them to start the relationship fresh. This song was one of Journey's biggest hits which reached #2 on the Billboard top 100 charts in 1982.[4]
It has been said that it was Mariah's idea to cover the song for her album Daydream.[5] She has stated the following about the song:
"For years I have been a fan of [Journey singer] Steve Perry. He has a fantastic voice. I have been singing his songs since my youth! I already have sung a lot of covers, but I keep enjoying it. I used to love singing along with the songs I heard on the radio. The version of āOpen Armsā is my own interpretation.ā
Critical reception[]
"Open Arms" received numerous negative reviews from critics. The New York Times described the cover as being a "sobbing remake."[6] Critic Bill Lamb felt the track was "simply an uninspired song selection."[7] On website such as Pitchfork, critics describe the cover as being a "failure" because it wasn't written by Mariah.[8] Author Chris Nickson also didn't care for the cover. He stated the following in his book Mariah Carey Revisited:
"If anything, āOpen Arms,ā the Journey song, seemed out of place here. Although it brought back memories for Mariah, the song itself was rather overblown. Thankfully, she and Walter had toned down the arrangement, but it still somehow sounded too glossy, particularly coming after the very heartfelt āOne Sweet Day.ā And even the added background vocals of Melonie Daniels and Kelly and Shanrae Price, with their gospel edge, couldnāt save what had never been a very good tune. Still, as missteps went, it was a small one, one track that didnāt live up to the excellence of all the others."[5]
Live performances[]
During Daydream Era, "Open Arms" was performed numerous times, especially internationally. In 1995, Mariah performed the song in Sweden and Italy.[9][10] In 1996, Mariah performed the song at Multiple TV shows and events such as:
- Sacree Soiree
- MTV Studio[11]
- Gold Disc Awards
- Wetten Dass
- Des O Conner
- Top of the Pops
- Tros TV Shows (Holland)
- 4 Uur Show (Netherlands)
Open Arms was also a part of the set-list for the Daydream World Tour (1996). Mariah has not perform the song live after 1996.
Track listings and formats[]
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El Amor Que SoƱƩ[]
"El Amor Que SoƱƩ" is one of two international bonus tracks from Mariah's sixth studio album, Daydream.[12] The song is a Spanish version of Open Arms.
El Amor Que SoƱƩwas released on December 5, 1995 through Columbia Records.
Background[]
El Amor Que SoƱƩ is a Spanish cover of Open Arms. It was released internationally in countries such as Australia, Argentina, Austria and Spain.[13] On September 4, 2020 the song was re-released as a part of the Mariah En EspaƱol #MC30 extended play which features numerous songs that Mariah has recorded in Spanish.
Music video[]
The Music video for the Spanish version of the song, "El Amor Que SoƱƩ," is a performance from Madison Square Gardens in 1995.[14] The performance was filmed after the show as Mariah mimed to the studio version.
Lyrics[]
Lying beside you here in the dark
Feeling your heart beat with mine, mine
Softly you whisper, you're so sincere
How could our love be so blind
We sailed on together
We drifted apart
And here you are by my side
So now I come to you with open arms
Nothing to hide, believe what I say
So here I am with open arms
Hoping you'll see what your love means to me
Open armsā¦
Living without you, living alone
This empty house seems so cold
Wanting to hold you, wanting you near
How much I wanted you home
But now that you've come back
Turned night into day
I need you to stay
So now I come to you with open arms
Nothing to hide, believe what I say
So here I am with open arms
Hoping you'll see what your love means to meā¦
Open arms
Solo dos cuerpos, jugando a amar
Juntos en la oscuridad
Fuimos queriendo, cada vez mƔs
Nada podĆa cambiar
El paso del tiempo
Nos quiso alejar
Y nuestro amor pudo mƔs
Y ahora estoy frente a ti, amƔndote
Mi corazĆ³n no puede esconder
Que yo sin ti no sƩ querer
Vuelvo a vivir a tu lado el amor
Que soƱƩā¦
Sola en mi cuarto, sin tu calor
Fui conociendo el temor
Te quise tanto, mi alma te di
Hoy que regresas a mĆ
Se llena el vacĆo
Se apaga el dolor
Hoy tengo tu amor
Y ahora estoy frente a ti, amƔndote
Mi corazĆ³n no puede esconder
Que yo sin ti no sƩ querer
Vuelvo a vivir a tu lado el amor que soƱƩ
Que soƱƩā¦
Gallery[]
"Paint pretty pictures of what I'd do if you were mine" To view the Open Arms gallery, click here.
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References[]
- ā Daydream Wikipedia Page - retrieved 7/29/20
- ā Mariah Carey: Open Arms Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
- ā "The Irish Charts ā Open Arms". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 29, 2020
- ā Journey - Open Arms - Lyrics Meaning Music Banter -retrieved 7/29/20
- ā 5.0 5.1 Mariah Carey Revisited via Scribd Chris Nickson - retrieved 8/1/2020
- ā Holden, Stephen (October 8, 1995). "POP MUSIC; Mariah Carey Glides Into New Territory". The New York Times. - retrieved 7/29/20
- ā Lamb, Bill. "Review Of Mariah Carey's 'Daydream'". Top40.about.com. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved July 29, 2020
- ā Cox, Jamieson Daydream Review - Pitchforker - retrieved 7/29/20
- ā Mariah Carey "Open Arms" LIVE in Sweden 1995 LIVE Youtube - retrieved 8/1/20
- ā Mariah Carey - Open Arms (Live @ Numero Uno 1995) Italia - retrieved 8/1/2020
- ā YouTube: [RARE HD Mariah Carey - Open Arms ( live in MTV Studio)] - retrieved 8/1/20
- ā Genuis: El Amor Que SoƱƩ - retrieved 8/14/20
- ā MCArchives: Open Arms (Discography) - retrieved 8/14/20
- ā Open Arms Wikipedia Page - retrieved 8/14/20
| Daydream | |
|---|---|
| September 26, 1995 ā¢ 46:33 ā¢ Columbia Records | |
| Songs | |
| Released | Always Be My Baby ā¢ Daydream Interlude (Fantasy Sweet Dub Mix) ā¢ El Amor Que SoƱƩ ā¢ Fantasy ā¢ Forever ā¢ I Am Free ā¢ Long Ago ā¢ Looking In ā¢ Melt Away ā¢ One Sweet Day ā¢ Open Arms ā¢ Underneath the Stars ā¢ When I Saw You |
| Unreleased | One Night ā¢ Slipping Away |
| Artists | |
| Mariah Carey ā¢ Boyz II Men | |
| Tour | |
| Daydream World Tour | |