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Coming at you from the vault!!!! WORKIN’ HARD 🎁💖 I can’t believe we discovered this unreleased track I worked on with the amazing C+C (Cole and Clivillés) for the Music Box album 💿

– Mariah Carey on "Workin' Hard" via Instagram

"Workin' Hard'" is the fourth track from the second disc of Mariah Carey's Music Box: 30th Anniversary Edition, released on September 8, 2023, via Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings.[1]

Carey initially recorded the song during the Music Box sessions. However, it wasn't until 2023 that the track, along with "My Prayer," was released on Music Box: 30th Anniversary Edition as part of the #MusicBox30 celebration. It was written and produced by Carey, David Cole and Robert Clivillés.

Background[]

On August 31, 2023, marking the 30th anniversary of Music Box, Carey released a 51-second promotional video on social media. The video outlined various special releases and updates related to the album, including an "expanded digital version with bonus tracks," "new and unreleased tracks," and "new remastered audio" of the concert previously released as Here Is Mariah Carey. The trailer also announced that the #MusicBox30 series of content would commence on September 8, 2022.[2] Two days before the anniversary release, on September 6, 2023, Carey revealed its tracklist, which disclosed that "Workin' Hard" would appear as track 4 of the second disc, comprised of bonus tracks.[3] On the eve of the release, September 7, 2023, Carey shared a snippet of the song on social media. The teaser included short audio clips of the original demo of the song, the final version and its remix.[4]

Lyrics Analysis[]

Intro and Verse 1[]

The song kicks off with a rhythmic and catchy intro, setting the tone for the narrative. Verse 1 reveals Carey's nightly ritual of prayer and thanksgiving, acknowledging the blessings of making it through another day. Yet, despite these blessings, she prays for "the one [she] really loves," indicating that something—or someone—is still missing from her life.

"Every night before I go to sleep

I close my eyes and pray

And I thank The Lord

That once again

I made it through the day"

Pre-Chorus[]

In the pre-chorus, the emotional weight begins to build. Carey discloses her deep feelings for someone who seems oblivious to her. Despite her efforts to get his attention and make him care, he remains unaware of her affections.

"I’ve been trying to make him notice me

I’ve been trying to make him care

I’ve been trying to show him how I feel

He isn’t really aware"

Chorus[]

The chorus magnifies this emotional yearning, transforming it into a mantra of "working hard" to gain the love and attention of the person she desires. Carey looks to "Heaven up above" for divine intervention in this endeavor, making it clear that her desire isn't a fleeting whim but a deep, prayerful need.

"I’m workin’ hard (Gotta make him love me)

Gotta make him care (Make him want my love)

Heaven up above me

This is my only prayer"

Verse 2[]

In the second verse, Carey contemplates various strategies to capture his attention. She acknowledges her own youthful folly ("I guess I’m just a silly child") but remains optimistic that her efforts will ultimately succeed.

"Every day I contemplate another way

To make him mine

All my life’s a crazy game

I guess I’m just a silly child"

Bridge and Final Chorus[]

The bridge and final choruses serve as the climax, using repetitive phrases and hooks to emphasize the intensity of Carey's emotions and her steadfast efforts to make her love known and returned.

"Do-ya-do-ya-do-do-do-do-ya-do-ya-do-ya-do

(I’m working) Gotta make him love me

Gotta make him care (Do you want my love)

Heaven up above me (Yeah)

This is my only prayer"

Terry Hunter Remix[]

A remix version of the song by two-time Grammy nominated DJ Terry Hunter is also included on the release as the fifteenth track from the second disc of Music Box: 30th Anniversary Edition.

Background[]

On July 8, 2023, Hunter debuted his then-unreleased remix of "Workin' Hard" during his set at the Chosen Few Picnic & Festival, an annual event dedicated to house music in Chicago.[5] The remix was officially announced by Carey on September 6, 2023 as track 15 of the second disc of Music Box: 30th Anniversary Edition.

Critical reception[]

On November 10, 2023, it was announced that the Terry Hunter remix of "Workin' Hard" had been nominated for Best Remixed Recording at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.

Lyrics[]

[Intro]
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do

[Verse 1]
Every night before I go to sleep
I close my eyes and pray
And I thank The Lord
That once again
I made it through the day
I let Him know that I appreciate
The many blessings from above
And I pray that He will send to me
The one I really love

[Pre-Chorus]
I’ve been trying to make him notice me
I’ve been trying to make him care
I’ve been trying to show him how I feel
He isn’t really aware
That I’m dying to be his everything
That he’s all I’m thinking of
That I’m yearning for him desperately
Oh I’m rеally falling in love


[Chorus]
I’m workin’ hard (Gotta make him love mе)
Gotta make him care (Make him want my love)
Heaven up above me
This is my only prayer (Got me workin’, workin’ baby)
Gotta make this feeling
Something that we share (Want my love)
Gotta make him love me (Hey)
This is my only prayer

Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do (Hey)
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do

[Verse 2]
Every day I contemplate another way
To make him mine
All my life’s a crazy game
I guess I’m just a silly child
He doesn’t even look at me
He doesn’t know that I’m alive
But I know that eventually
I’ll have him by my side

[Chorus]
I’m workin’ hard (Gotta make him love me)
Gotta make him care (Make him want my love)
Heaven up above me
This is my only prayer (Got me workin’ workin’ baby baby)
Gotta make this feeling (Oh)
Something that we share (Eh)
Gotta make him love me
This is my only prayer (I’m workin’)


[Chorus]
Gotta make him love me (Ooo)
Gotta make him care
Heaven up above me
This is my only prayer (Ooo I’m workin’)
Gotta make this feeling
Something that we share (Make you want my love)
Gotta make him love me
This is my only prayer

[Bridge]
Do-ya-do-ya-do-do-do-do-ya-do-ya-do-ya-do (Oh yeah)
Do-ya-do-ya-do-do-do-do-ya-do-ya-do-ya-do
Do-ya-do-ya-do-do-do-do-ya-do-ya-do-ya-do (Gotta make this feelin)
Do-ya-do-ya-do-do-do-do-ya-do-ya-do-ya-do

[Chorus]
(I’m working) Gotta make him love me
Gotta make him care (Do you want my love)
Heaven up above me (Yeah)
This is my only prayer (I’m working)
Gotta make this feeling (Gotta make it gotta make it baby)
Something that we share (Do you want my love)
Gotta make him love me (Do ya baby do ya)
This is my only prayer


Oh, I’m workin’ hard
Gotta make him love me
Gotta make him care (Do you want my love)
Heaven up above me
This is my only prayer (Got me workin’ workin’ pretty baby)
I’m workin’ hard
Do-ya-do-ya-do-do-do-do-ya-do-ya-do-ya-do
Do-ya-do-ya-do-do-do-do-ya-do-ya-do-ya-do

References[]

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