Most underrated song of her career... and possibly her lyrical best.

My dad is 60. He owns every Mariah album. He blasts her in the garage and sips wine. He requested Always be my Baby be played At his funeral, when I was 15. Ill never forget that.

The way she majestically portrays the events of that evening and how the thrill has stuck with her... Mariah is a true artist.

The track that confirmed to all, she loves hip hop and knows her roots. Hardest song on the album blended gracefully with hip hop & R&B.

“The Roof” is of course set on a rooftop on a “misty,” “warm November night”; she even mentions that it “wasn’t raining - yet” which foreshadows later events in the (song’s) story. In the first verse, she shares her inner monologue, confessing “my heart was pounding, my inner voice resounding, begging me to turn away but I just had to see your face to feel alive.” Here, she characterizes herself as once again having this intense, sensual yearning for the subject of her desires. Her desires, she so wonderfully describes, had her “twisted in a web” likening her love interest to a spider, thus making herself the entangled prey. There is also a certain sense of taboo to the lyrics of the song, seen by lines such as “my apprehension blew away, I only wanted you to taste my sadness as you kissed me in the dark.” The line not only refers to her apprehension, but also gives a wonderful metaphor of him “tasting” her sadness. Both of which leave the listener with questions: “Why is she so apprehensive? Why is she so sad?” Following the first verse, we meet the first incantation of the chorus in which she reveals that, with this song, she is going “back in time, to relive the splendor” that existed between herself and this mysterious man, “on the roof top that rainy night.” Mariah takes the masterful storytelling up another notch on the second verse, which opens with the cleverly rhymed line, “And so we finished the Moét, started feeling liberated.” Here, she attributes her surrender to him to the effects of a little champagne, yielding liberation. She further addresses the taboo of the encounter and the yearning she felt for him, expressively singing, “I threw caution to the wind and started listening to my longing heart.” Finally, he “softly pressed [his] lips to” hers, which brings light to “feelings [she’d] suppressed for such a long time.” This moment clearly was therapeutic for her, again evidenced by the following lyric: “For a while I forgot the sorrow and the pain and melted with you as we stood there in the rain.” It is remarkable and impressive how Carey is able to weave such intricate meaning and emotion into one line, yet still create rhyme. This, though, is the case for many of the other tracks on Butterfly, “The Roof,” however is one of the best examples. On its bridge, she admits to being in love. In one of the final choruses that follow, she provides some interesting, poignant, and telling ad-libs. Recalling the lyrics of the bridge, she coos, “Last night I had the strangest dream. It was actually quite symbolic. I whispered that I love you very subtly.” Almost unnoticeable, this ad-lib seamlessly intertwines itself into the harmonies and melody of the chorus. This “dream” she references may be the very inspiration behind the song.

Her most underrated single?

man she turned a classic rap tune into a heartfelt bop

This song deserved so much better. How it didn’t hit the top of the charts is beyond me. Mariah was in her bag when she dropped this one.

I was 17 when this came out. I’m now 42. This has aged like fine wine. MC for life!!!

The lyricism, the nostalgia, the vocalism, the perfectionism, the homage, the looks, the aesthetic, the filmography, the timelessness 😍😍

This Era of Mariah (Finally Separated From Tommy) is so Iconic and So fun to watch. She finally gets to collab with the artists she wants to, wear what she wants to, and she looks so free 🦋

Can’t believe RollingStones listed both Lana and Taylor (love them both) as the best songwriters, but this masterpiece of lyricism and storytelling exists. The lyrics alone in this song tramples over every song those two have ever written. Mariah is the one and only true songwriter.

Jesus Christ this song is such an underrated masterpiece.

This song is like a warm hug or a comfy blanket on a rainy candle-lit evening.

Why is Mobb Deep not given as much recognition for their part on this track? Definitely made it one of my favorites ❤️

Mariah really doesn’t get the recognition she deserves for her songwriting. Obviously her vocals are always 🔥but damn can she write a song.

Such an underrated song

she WROTE the ENTIRE LYRICS. Remember that.

How does one of her best music videos only have 10 million views? Her date night look, some of the looks she gives the camera are hauntingly beautiful and iconic.

“ The Roof” is one of Mariah Carey’s best lyrical compositions. My personal favorite. That being said I believe this did not become a big hit because Mariah was all over the place at one time. Back to back albums, singles, remixes , videos. Over saturation. I believe this is why she received so much public backlash by the time “Glitter” was released. Remember how many remixes and different videos she used to make for 1 song.

MASTERPIECE SHOULD HAVE BEEN #1

My fellow humans, this is what you call breathing artistry.

It's the end of 2022 and I'm listening to this and reminiscing on the old days. Both good and bad memories.❤️💔

Mariah's writing is TOP TIER! I'm stuck on Melt Away right now!!!

probably her most underrated song. One of her best R & B songs

The fact that Mariah was able to convey that moment she shared with Jeter, to us, without us even knowing it really happened and turning the experience into poetry with a melody is so groundbreaking. She is truly a singer-songwriter. The very definition of the word. How many “songwriters” can take a quick moment they shared with someone and turn it into something as beautiful as this. The Roof has always been my favorite song, and now I know why. I felt every thing she was singing about. And her words moved upon me like the rain caressed her that night on the rooftop.

This when music was as fresh as a summer breeze, the elements of R&B and Hip Hop intertwined like a symphony.

The sad thing is most people will not understand how amazing this song is

Her magnum Opus is most definitely Butterfly. Changed the entire game and template. The Roof, Honey, Breakdown, Babydoll. A masterpiece. Icon.

Am I the only one who thinks this song is way underrated?

The Roof is extremely underrated. If you didn't have The Butterfly CD Or Cassette Or BET in the 90s, Then you would never have known it then or even now.

Her best ever track imo. Total masterpiece, conveys the mood and emotion perfectly ♥️ love it even more now knowing the back story

Who else is currently having a Mariah Carey marathon???

Even vocal coaches can't know how many layers she added to this song. The secret only Mariah knows

She is a musical genius!!! The way she collaborates with real hip hop is so sick! This is probably my favorite track. It'll FOREVER be a classic

This right here highlights Mariah's talents as a songwriter: poetic and intelligent.

“It wasn’t raining yet... But it was definitely... A little misty on a warm November night...” Her lyricism is definitely underrated

"I got you stuck off the REALNESS" R.I.P Prodigy 👑

I LOST MY VRIGINITY TO THIS SONG AYYY

The 4k looks amazing!! Please do all your music videos Mariah!!!

20 years later...and I still think 'Butterfly' is Mariah's masterpiece. 🦇

The whole vibe to this song and video still can't be matched by any other artist in my opinion.. This is my favorite era of hers

If this album didn't have so many hits already, this one could have definitely been released and been another. It almost sounds like it could be a hit today as well.

Mariah got me through all my tough times growing up as a transgender female in the "hood". My first song I ever heard of Mariah was Hero! That helped me get threw life with every single word of that song! It helped me reflect on who I was and who I wanted to be! Thank you Mariah 🥰

Not only is this my favorite Mariah Carey song, this is my favorite song in general of all time. Absolutely nothing else I've ever heard beats this. This never ever ever gets old. It is so cleverly written, and it is such a treat. It truly brings me to another world every single time. And then the fact that the video is so perfect as well. This song deserved so much more attention. This should be known by everyone, but in a way I kind of like that it's a hidden gem.

She is so unbelievably beautiful here.

I’ve said it a few times before and I’ll say it again… Butterfly is Mariah’s best album ❤

Mariah Carey is hands down one of my favorite Female Music Artists of all time! My other favorites are Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Patti LaBelle, Anita Baker, Mary J. Blige, and too many to name!

Nobody will ever discredit this woman's gift of talent. Listen to this song at night with earphones w/ no Instagram, Snapchat or Twitter distracting you and just LISTEN to the lyrics.

She was drop dead gorgeous here. Love her hair in this video ❤

This is my favourite Mariah Carey song

When the queen rhymed "finished the moet" with "started feelin liberated" I died and went to heaven.

Poetry in song. The lyrics are so breathtaking. Combined with her voice and this beat, it's a blissful experience.

Brilliant song. Incredible video. Her face and eyes at the end get me every time. She looks genuinely sad and broken but beautiful at the same time.

Coming back to this video after reading her book and the video is literally exactly like the night she described with Derek 😍😍the lyrics everything i love her this always been one of my fav songs but knowing the back story make me love it more

"The Roof" was about her first kiss with Jeter, which took place on the roof of his apartment building. Oh myyy !

She legit looks like a 90s supermodel in the limo scenes. Gorgeous. ✨

Very good 4K remaster 😍

Without Mobb Deep...this song would not exist....js Although MC is a siren....this beat....Gooood Lorrrrd. Between the Two,,, unbeatable....song def. should have charted.

I feel that despite her massive success in pop, Mariah will be forever underrated as an R&B singer/songwriter even though she was a pioneer in melding R&B and hip/hop. She'll never get the same R&B cred that Mary J Blige has.

thank you god, for creating mariah carey, and me

This is my fave Mariah song...timeless. The song is supposed to be about Derek Jeter. The Captain hit a homerun that night.

Hands down one of Mariah’s best, and my faves. The production, lyrics, vocals…love it!

Seriously one of the most impressive lyrics ever written. It's a shame its not publicly known as such.

Easily one of the Mariah's Best songs.

This era Mariah could make any man fall in love instantly with a single glace. Just abosluelty gorgeous and at the hieght of her musical powers. I love this album.

Her memoir brought me back here ❤

People may say Hero, we belong together or touch my body .. I say THE ROOF . A true masterpiece 🏅

Lyrically, the best song written by Mariah. This and Underneath the stars prove her skills as a song writer. It's funny because over the last two months I have revisited everything Mariah and instantly realize everything missing in music today. This song has everything missing in music today. The vibe, instant connection, the descriptions and vocal musicianship. The way the the two genre's intertwine, like I couldn't imagine this song without the collaboration, they're just inseparable. A real hidden gem in her catalog. I wonder what everyone else thinks is her best lyrical work? Comment below...

This album was just a classic!!

This is the 4K treatment this masterpiece needed. Please, MC team, keep up updating her videos, please please! Much love from 🇧🇷

This b side is better than most artists' entire discography.

Such a masterpiece.. The way she uses the English language and rhymes in these lyrics can't be matched

this is my favorite song for a myriad of reasons: 1) The lyrics resemble a poem. For someone who highly values the message of a song, this is a true precious gem; 2) She sings most song in her light lyric coloratura tessitura, which is something that pleases me since light voices are my favorite. I truly appreciate Mariah's head voice since it has a lot of warmth and beauty to it; 3) The crazy runs and melismas she does as both main vocalist and backup voice are impressive, which isn't very surprising since she has got the most agile voice in the game; 4) The way she uses her own voice to do backup lines never ceases to amaze me. She truly is an artist who cared for her craft to the point where she perfected every aspect of the song;

As a REAL Mariah Carey fan, I understand you cannot appreciate the depth of this song if you do not know the lyrics..so poetic its almost unbelievable, she is truly a musical genius LYRICS: It wasn't raining yet (yet), But it was definitely a little misty on that warm November night (but it was definitely), And my heart was pounding (pounding), My inner voice resounding (oh), Begging me to turn away, But I just had to see your face to feel alive (to feel alive), And then you casually walked in the room (oh), 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 (oh), 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, And so we finished the Moët 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 (so I), And then you softly pressed your lips to mine (oh), 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 (oh), And melted with you as we stood there in the rain, Every time I feel the need, I envision you caressing me (envision you caressing me), And go back in time (back), To relive the splendor of you and I (you and I), On the rooftop that rainy night, Every time I feel the need (every time), I envision you caressing me (envision you), And go back in time, To relive the splendor of you and I (you), On the rooftop that rainy night, Last night I dreamed that I whispered the words I love you, And touched you so very subtly as we were kissing goodbye, Oh, Oh yeah, yeah, Oh, Pretty baby, How I'm missing you, Every time, Every time I feel the need, I envision you caressing me (envision you caressing me), And go back in time (I go back), To relive the splendor of you and I (oh), On the rooftop that rainy night (on the roof that rainy night)....

This song is pure art. The background vocals, the vocals and lirics are perfection.

The definition of a timeless song! 🔥

Yes I’m 63, and I have always loved her music ❤️

Today is the anniversary of butterfly and she mentioned this is her favorite song on the album 😍😍😍

I don't GAF what she sounds like now, this woman has more than proven her talent. Amazing artist, in the truest sense of the word. God bless her

This song was totally about a night she had with Derek Jeeter. It was that unforgettable she had to immortalize the night.

I feel sorry for anyone that hasn’t seen this video or heard this song. Everything about it is perfection. Mariah is so damn hot in the video too. She was on fire during the Butterfly era.

Mariah looks bomb in this video. 👌😍😍😍

SO UNDERRATED im upset. literally one of her best and people always say beyonce's better and Im like what?

her videos during the butterfly era are so aesthethic

This song was way ahead of it’s time

Mariah just got inducted into Songwriters All of Fame. So, I decided to come remind myself how long overdue she’s deserved her flowers.

I love the rich tone her voice had here.

This song is so beautifully written her penmanship is unmatched

THE ROOF IN 4K! I USED TO PRAY FOR TIMES LIKE THIS!

She was serving looks dahling! She came through with this song

The Butterfly era was her peak of hotness. She looked her hottest during this phase of her career. The long legs, sandy blonde hair, the booty that poked out. They’re aren’t too many artists that can claim to being a legit vocalist and a legit sex-symbol.

Now in 4k...glorious

What makes you a real artist is putting your heart and soul in your music. When you express yourself through your music. This is what she is doing here.. Amazing song. So touching.

"Butterfly" really is such a gem. She has so many iconic eras, but she was especially beautiful in that era. This was the peak of her R&B power, she built off of what she started with "Fantasy", and went from singing ballads to singing more Hip-Hop infused R&B. She was also finally free of her record label/marriage, and she could follow her true passion, and decide her own image. I have so much love for Mariah, it's crazy, I speak like she is my best friend 😅 Every moment of her career has been so iconic, she is ever changing, an incredible vocalist, an immaculate songwriter, stunningly beautiful, and extremely intelligent. All of the positive adjectives. She is the legend of my life, there will never be another Mariah, she is the ONE.

Fun Fact: Mariah Carey sampled one of the best hip hop/rap songs of all time with this song "Mob Deep - Shook Ones"

2:53 she literally sounds like a 🎻 🤯

2024..... LETS GOOOOO!!!!!!

Most people see Mariah only as this powerhouse vocalist who has lost her charm and skills over time. They forget that she's so much more than that. She is an institution. Her lyricical creativity, her music, the legacy that she created will never be matched.

Not only is Mariah the greatest singer of all time, but she is also the best song writer ever. This song's lyrics are genius, as many of her song's lyrics are, but this one is the best.