"The Distance" is the fifth track on Mariah Carey’s fifteenth studio album, Caution. It was released as the album’s second promotional single on October 18, 2018, through Epic Records.[1] The song features Ty Dolla $ign and boasts production by Skrillex, Lido, and Poo Bear.[2]
Background[]
The song was released as a promotional single on October 18, 2018 which is the same date when pre-orders for the Caution album were made available.[3] On the song's released date, Sony Music / Epic Records released the following statement:
"The Distance" sees Carey spread her wings yet again. The track's expansive production builds in cinematic fashion as a pep rally chant roars in the background. Soon, the singer's immense vocals take hold, delivering yet another legendary chorus befitting of her canon. Meanwhile, West Coast R&B titan Ty Dolla $ign lays down a smooth cameo as the perfect counterpoint.[4]
The song was revealed as the fifth track on the album on October 31, 2018.[5]
Commercial Performance[]
The song was released as the 2nd promotional single from the album and actually received the most promotion out of any other single, standard or not. It failed however to impact the charts
Samples[]
The song samples La Di Da Di by Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew (Ft. Slick Rick) as well as Happy Song by Bring Me The Horizon.
Live performances[]
Carey debuted the song live on the first Tokyo date of the 2018 Asia tour and it was performed on every show until the tour's end. The song was also performed live on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on November 16, 2018 and on the 2018 Christmas shows, replacing "Emotions" (except in Paris and Madrid, where both songs were performed). The song was also performed at Carey's concert at the King Abdullah Economic City in Saudi Arabia on January 31, 2019.
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
S-P-I-R-I-T, it's great to see
We got it, the spirit
Hey, hey, let's hear it
[Verse 1: Mariah Carey]
Ain't nobody stopping us
What we have is dangerous
Left their opinions in the dust
Said can't nobody fuck with us
They'll never find a way to make us fade away
Our love won't fade away (No)
They'll never find a way to make us fade away
Our love won't fade away
[Pre-Chorus: Mariah Carey & Ty Dolla $ign]
Warm days, cold nights, late October
Separated, people saying what we have is over
But the hate only made us get closer (Close)
And closer
[Chorus: Mariah Carey & Ty Dolla $ign]
Said we couldn't go the distance, yeah
Look at us, we're going the distance
They just wanna be us
They don't wanna see us going the distance (Yeah)
For laughs, for laughs, la di da
Said we couldn't go the distance
For life, for life, la di da
Look at us, we're going the distance
The distance, oh
[Verse 2: Mariah Carey & Ty Dolla $ign]
There was no good, having hands out
Trying to diminish me
Boy we stayed up, camping out crowds
In spite of them difficulties
But they can't, but they can't, but they can't
Take away them precious memories (Yeah)
And I won't, and I won't, and I won't
Let 'em come between you and me (Woo)
[Pre-Chorus: Mariah Carey & Ty Dolla $ign]
Warm days, cold nights, late October
Separated, people saying what we have was over
But the hate, only made us get closer, (Close)
And closer
[Chorus: Mariah Carey & Ty Dolla $ign]
Said we couldn't go the distance, ah
Look at us, we're going the distance (They)
They just wanna be us
They don't wanna see us going the distance (Yeah)
For laughs, for laughs la di da
Said we couldn't go the distance
For life, for life, la di da
Look at us, we're going the distance
[Verse 3: Ty Dolla $ign & Mariah Carey]
We've been goin' all the way, ay
For the longest (Ooh yeah)
We too strong (Too strong)!
We're too solid (Ooh yeah)
They can't stop it now (Ooh)
We're a problem now? (Ooh)
Fuck all their comments (Fuck all their comments)
They be so toxic (They be so toxic, yeah)
We be kissing in public
You like it, I love it
You lit it, I'm with it
We going the distance
[Chorus: Mariah Carey & Ty Dolla $ign]
Said we couldn't go the distance, yeah yeah (Oh oh)
Look at us we're going the distance, yeah
They just wanna be us
They don't wanna see us going the distance (Yeah)
For laughs, for laughs, la di da
They said we couldn't go the distance
For life, for life, la di da (For life, for life) (Ooh yeah)
Look at us, we're going the distance
[Outro]
S-P-I-R-I-T, it's great to see
We got it, the spirit
Hey, hey, let's hear it
References[]
- ↑ Exclaim Canada - Mariah Carey Gets Ty Dolla $ign for "The Distance"
- ↑ Mariah Carey Network - The Distance
- ↑ Twitter @mariahcarey - Pre-order my new album #Caution NOW and get a new song - THE DISTANCE ft. @tydollasign
- ↑ Sony Music Canada - LEGENDARY GLOBAL ICON MARIAH CAREY SHARES NEW SONG “THE DISTANCE” FEATURING TY DOLLA $IGN
- ↑ Twitter @mariahcarey - Track 5 The Distance ft. Ty Dollar $ign I love a good chant! S-P-I-R-I-T! #Caution @skrillex @tydollasign