Which version: Mariah Carey or David Cook Always be by my baby
March 9, 1996 was when "Always Be My Baby" the song co-written and originally sang by Mariah Carey came out. It was written as a ballad, with a soft, crooning R&B-Pop feel in a moderate tempo which highlighted Carey's vocal strengths filled with rifts, and whistling galore. She also applied the "double voice" studio created effect, where her own lower vocal notes where incorporated as back-up.
The song was a hit, opening 2nd on the Billboard Hot 100. It stayed in that position for a month, before bumping Celine Dion's "Because You Loved Me" out of the top spot and remained there uncontested for two weeks, she then returned back to No.2. At the end of the US chart run it had stayed for almost 9 weeks which is sill the fourth longest stay in the Billboard Hot 100's history. "Always Be My Baby" was Carey's 11th chart topper, which placed her in the same level as the other big female solo artists with the most number of singles; Madonna, and Whitney Houston.
The song disappeared for a while until it made a comeback, and what a comeback it was! The then American Idol Season 7 contestant David Cook took the well-known song and made it his own. Transforming it into the rock, revamped, reworked and edgy version that is today. That was perhaps the moment when the judges, the audiences across America started to see him winning the competition.
David Cook's "Always Be My Baby" studio recording, was released on the iTunes Store during the show's run as "Always Be My Baby (American Idol Studio Version) - Single" which was one of best-selling singles for that season.
Both versions have their highlights but which is more preferred between the two?
While listening to the lyrics and the music of the song one could say from the way Carey sings it, suggests that things ended well between the protagonist and her lover, there is still an attatchment from the good memories, and while they will never be together they will always be each other's baby. Cook's haunting version almost sounds like his daring her to try move on, even as he says, Girl don't you know you can't escape me. He's laying claim, not allowing it to happen. But that's just one interpretation. And the song is open to many.
Which version of Alway be my baby, Cook's or Carey's really fit the lyrics?
