What makes I Want to Know What Love Is by Mariah Carey notable?

This album is notable for its cover of Foreigner's classic, which reintroduced the song to a new generation and earned critical acclaim. The single 'Obsessed' also became a commercial success, peaking at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, affirming Carey's enduring appeal in the pop landscape. In 2009, Mariah Carey was in a phase of artistic reinvention following her commercial peak with the album 'The Emancipation of Mimi' in 2005. This release marked her return to the mainstream after a series of less commercially successful projects, positioning her once again as a significant figure in pop and R&B music.

How many songs are on I Want to Know What Love Is?

I Want to Know What Love Is has 2 tracks, running approximately 10 minutes.

I Want to Know What Love Is

Mariah Carey · 2009

10 min · 2 tracks · contemporary R&B

A powerful blend of heartfelt balladry and club-ready grooves that showcases Carey's vocal prowess and emotional depth.

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Top tracks — play these first

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I Want To Know What Love Is — This track serves as the centerpiece of the album, featuring a lush arrangement that complements Carey's powerful vocal delivery, capturing the essence of longing and vulnerability.
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Obsessed (Cahill club edit) — The club edit transforms Carey's hit into an infectious dance anthem, showcasing her ability to transition between emotive ballads and upbeat tracks while maintaining lyrical wit.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The single features contrasting styles but lacks strong cohesion as a two-track release.

What we noticed

The title track features a gradual build-up, starting with soft piano and vocals before expanding into a full orchestral arrangement.
The second track is a club edit that emphasizes a danceable beat, contrasting sharply with the ballad nature of the first track.
Both tracks showcase Carey's vocal range, with the first focusing on emotional delivery and the second on rhythmic precision.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Reintroduced a classic to a new generation, marking a return to mainstream success.
Career context: In 2009, Mariah Carey was in a phase of artistic reinvention following her commercial peak with the album 'The Emancipation of Mimi' in 2005. This release marked her return to the mainstream after a series of less commercially successful projects, positioning her once again as a significant figure in pop and R&B music.
Stylistic neighbors: Alicia Keys· Whitney Houston· Beyoncé