"Someday" is the fourth song and third single by Mariah Carey from her debut album, Mariah Carey. The song was written by Mariah Carey and Ben Margulies. It was recorded between December 1988 and October 1990, and was officially released as the third single on December 13, 1990. Despite the song becoming Mariah's third #1 hit song of her career, it failed to become a hit internationally.
Song Information[]
"Someday" was one of the five songs on Mariah's demo tape, handed by Brenda K. Starr to record executive Tommy Mottola, that led to Carey being given a recording contract. Sony made alterations to the version on the demo tape because they thought it was too rough, so the horn melodies were taken out and replaced with electric guitar melodies, and the ending was shortened by about eight seconds. Mariah and Ben were forced to accept the changes that were made because neither had been allowed to co-produce. Reportedly, Mariah was unhappy with the final version of "Someday" that was produced, because both she and Ben thought it had been too "polished."
Music Video[]
The single's video, directed by Larry Jordan, was filmed on location at Bayonne High School in Bayonne, New Jersey and depicts a boy who treated a girl badly now wanting her back in his life. A group of hip-hop dancers appear, and at one point in the video, Mariah joins them. It also featured Larry Wright drumming on plastic buckets. The main version of the video was based on "Someday" (new 7" jackswing), but there is an extended video with the music from "Someday" (new 12" jackswing). The new 12" jackswing version of the video was replaced by the 1992 MTV Unplugged live performance of the song on the DVD/home video #1's (1999).
Live Performances[]
Mariah has performed "Someday" on multiple occasions such as award shows, and concerts. "Someday" was part of the set list for her 1993 "Music Box" Tour and "#1 to Infinity" Las Vegas residency show. She also performed the song during the following concerts/shows:
- MTV Unplugged (1992)
- 18th Annual American Music Awards (1991)
- Thanksgiving Concert (1993)
- Tattoo Club Debut Showcase (1990)
Song Remixes[]
A large number of remixes were produced by Shep Pettibone, in particular the main remix of the song known as "Someday" (new 7" jackswing) and an slightly alternative and extended version of it known as "Someday" (new 12" jackswing). There is also a house mix known as "Someday" (new 12" house), a slightly extended album version known as "Someday" (new 7" straight), and an a cappella, "Someday" (pianoapercapella).
Chart Performance[]
"Someday" became Mariah's third #1 hit song of her career, reaching the top of the Billboard Hot 100 during its 8th week on the chart, spending two weeks at #1 from March 3 to March 16, 1991. It replaced Whitney Houston's "All the Man That I Need." The song also topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart for one week on March 16, 1991. The song was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Charts[]
| Country | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 44 |
| Canadian Singles Chart | 1 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 21 |
| Finnish Singles Chart | 17 |
| French Singles Chart | 38 |
| Japanese Albums Chart | 48 (Note: In Japan, EPs are only eligible to chart on the albums chart) |
| UK Singles Chart | 38 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | 5 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Dance\Club Play | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | 3 |
See also[]
| Mariah Carey | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Songs | "Vision of Love" · "There's Got to Be a Way" · "I Don't Wanna Cry" · "Someday" · "Vanishing" · "All in Your Mind" · "Alone in Love" · "You Need Me" · "Sent From Up Above" · "Prisoner" · "Love Takes Time" | |||
| Featured artists | N/A | |||
| Tours | N/A | |||