"The Roof (Back in Time)" is the fourth track from Mariah Carey's sixth studio album, Butterfly. It was released on March 20, 1998 through Columbia Records.
Released commercially in Europe as the third single from Mariah's "Butterfly" album, it was also an airplay-only release in the US — hindering its charting ability.[1]
An #MC30 release titled "The Roof (Back in Time) EP" which includes various remixes of the song was released on August 28, 2020.[2]
Background[]
In 1997, while in the process of divorcing Tommy Mottola, Mariah went to Puerto Rico to see Derek Jeter.[3] One night while staying at the El Conquistador Resort, they shared a kiss.[4] Mariah first publicly revealed this in August of 2020.[5] When she was questioned if she remembers the money, she responded:
| “ | Of course I do! I can never forget that moment […] I mean, it’s not like it was some intensely deep, intellectually stimulating — again, it was a great moment, and it happened in a divine way because it helped me get past living there, in Sing Sing, under those rules and regulations. | ” |
– Mariah Carey | ||
While in a car, Mariah heard the song “Shook Ones, Part II,” by Mobb Deep. She then called Poke and Tone from Trackmasters. They then "got the sample and got busy." Mariah describes "The Roof" as her first completed "docu-song."
Carey's vocal range in the song spans from the low note of E♭3 to the high note of F♭5; the piano and guitar pieces range from F♭3 to G♭5 as well.[6] Mariah has cited the song as her favorite from the Butterfly album.[7]
Critical reception[]
In his review of the Butterfly album, Slant Magazine's Rich Juzwiak described “The Roof" as a "rough-enough R&B revision of Mobb Deep’s “The Shook Ones.” But lyrically, Mariah the writer is vivid, sometimes shockingly clever (rhyming “liberated” with “Moet” is a stroke of genius)."[8]
Music Video[]
The official music video for "The Roof (Back in Time)" was directed by Mariah Carey and Diane Martel in early 1998.
Audio[]
Gallery[]
“Them Chickens is ash and i'm lotion” To view the The Roof (Back in Time) gallery, click here.
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Lyrics[]
[Intro]
(I got you stuck off the realness)
(I got you stuck off the realness)
[Verse 1]
It wasn't raining yet
But it was definitely a little misty on
That warm November night
And my heart was pounding (pounding)
My inner voice resounding
Begging me to turn away
But I just had to see your face to feel alive
And then you casually walked in the room
And I was twisted in the web of my desire for you
(And I was twisted)
My apprehension blew away
I only wanted you to taste my sadness
As you kissed me in the dark
[Chorus]
Every time I feel the need
I envision you caressing me
And go back in time
To relive the splendor of you and I
On the rooftop that rainy night
[Verse 2]
And so we finished the Moet
And started feeling liberated
And I surrendered as you took me in your arms
(You took me in your arms)
I was so caught up in the moment
I couldn't bear to let you go yet
So I threw caution to the wind
And started listening to my longing heart
And then you softly pressed your lips to mine
And feelings surfaced I'd suppressed
For such a long long time (And I was lifted)
And for a while I forgot the sorrow and the pain
And melted with you as we stood there in the rain
[Chorus]
Every time I feel the need
I envision you caressing me
And go back in time
To relive the splendor of you and I
On the rooftop that rainy night
Every time I feel the need
I envision you caressing me
And go back in time
To relive the splendor of you and I
On the rooftop that rainy night
[Bridge]
Last night, I dreamed that I
Whispered the words "I love you, boy"
And touched you so very
Subtly as we were kissing goodbye
(Pretty baby, how I'm missing you)
[Chorus]
Every time I feel the need
I envision you caressing me
And go back in time
To relive the splendor of you and I
On the rooftop that rainy night
Every time I feel the need
I envision you caressing me
And go back in time
To relive the splendor of you and I
On the rooftop that rainy night
(On that rainy night)
Every time I feel the need
I envision you caressing me
And go back in time
To relive the splendor of you and I
On the rooftop that rainy night
Every time I feel the need
I envision you caressing me
And go back in time
To relive the splendor of you and I
On the rooftop that rainy night
References[]
- ↑ Mariah Carey Network - The Roof (Back in Time)
- ↑ Apple Music — The Roof (Back in Time) EP
- ↑ The Meaning of Mariah Carey
- ↑ UPRoxx — Two Decades Later, Mariah Carey Finally Admits Two Of Her Songs Are About Derek Jeter
- ↑ Genius - The Roof (Back in Time)
- ↑ Wikipedia: The Roof (Back in Time)
- ↑ Mariah Records — The Roof (Back in Time) Blues & Soul (UK) “Butterfly kisses,,, or in bed with Mariah!” by Jeff Lorez, September 23, 1997
- ↑ Slant Magazine — Review: Mariah Carey, Butterfly
| Butterfly | |
|---|---|
| September 16, 1997 • 57:19 • Columbia | |
| Songs | |
| Released | Butterfly • Breakdown • Babydoll • Fly Away (Butterfly Reprise) • My All • The Roof (Back in Time) • Fourth of July • Close My Eyes • Whenever You Call • Fly Away (Butterfly Reprise) • The Beautiful Ones • Outside |
| Singles | |
| Honey • Butterfly • The Roof • Breakdown • My All | |
| Artists | |
| Mariah Carey | |
| Tour | |
| Butterfly World Tour | |