song written american singer songwriters mariah carey production originally released september carey second studio effort emotions lyrically song tells romance finds protagonist asking lover let months release performed song appearance television second number setlist following release extended play song live version second single quarter live single version second verse chorus songs shortened received limited release featured airplay single certain territories peak netherlands reached number eighty carey performed live 34th annual grammy awards saturday night live background recording promotion carey self titled debut album appeared hall perform single vision love talked performance singer songwriter watching carey perform taking interest material year later recording sessions carey second studio album emotions king contacted carey asking interested covering feel like natural woman song written alongside carey declined feeling uneasy covering song musical influences executed perfectly determined work carey king flew new_york_city day hopes writing composing ballad sort day songwriters exchanged musical ideas melodies piano came conception interview following collaboration king said following carey love voice expressive gives lot meaning sings composition ballad incorporates genres influences sound instrumentation soul jazz drawing inspiration 1950s 1960s music style song written carey song production features musical melodies including tenor alto soprano saxophone notes piano trumpet horn bass song carey makes brief use whistle register prior according author song instrumentation basis crucial carey performance song additionally described content instrumentation song gospel soulful influences allowed mariah tear loose reality far vocal comprise reputation far deep rumble high covered octaves wonderfully power tune built backing vocals harmonies filled spare melody horns entered end song truly vocal showcase mariah live performances carey performed 17th season saturday night live alongside let performance carey appeared stage wearing black leather sports jacket matching black pants boots played piano provided live background vocals additionally additional musicians provided saxophone tenor saxophone alto saxophone trumpet additionally carey performed 34th annual grammy awards held february curtain drawn carey walked stage wearing red black evening gown sporting golden large red curtain held singers placed standing concealed elevated platform march carey performed song live seven piece set list aired mtv times eventually released titled release following release lead single month prior public arrival carey live version released airplay single countries following release promotion carey second studio effort emotions halted reception release garnered generally positive critical appreciation contemporary music critics bill_lamb commented song stands carey best complimented gospel allmusic wrote musical journey describing song vocals instrumentation chicago_tribune compared style great soul ballads 60s rolling_stone gave mixed review comparing work called translates falsetto managed chart number netherlands lasting weeks chart track listing credits personnel recording recorded mixed right track recording personnel lyrics mariah carey music mariah carey king production mariah carey synthesizers bass keith quinn tenor programming programming mixing assistant engineer arrangement mariah carey background vocals mariah carey credits adapted liner notes emotions charts
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