because of this performance, "somebody's doing the wrong note" [un]officially became part of the lyrics when i sing this in the shower.

The greatest vocalist ever.

There's something very calming about these videos. Sam stays so positive even when he's pointing out flaws. I know when I click that it's going to be a nice time.

Omg the long hair is giving my flashbacks to your first few vids....

Her style changed so much over the years. She was never trained, well trained informally (by her mom) but i think the longevity and superstardom she achieved was because of how innovative and inventive she was with her ever changing sound. PLUS she created new styles/genres and not to mention how GREAT of a songwriter she is as well.

I mean... Sam Johnson/Mariah Carey: That’s a combo. Saw it on my Phone, rewatched it on a Big Screen for the full experience. Love it

Oh lord the screen in the background 😂😂

We lambs know, Mariah was chest puller at the beginning of her career until she fixed it 1-2 years later

Damn, the KZfaq algo really hates you. I only get notifications from you every once in a while. So weird. Anyway, great content as usual. It’s no BS, so I can see why some people are triggered by your analysis of their favorite performers, but you’re really nice about it, so all these haters can go jump in a lake! Keep doing you, Sam!

I love that the bg pic of mariah kept changing 😂❤

Mariah is coming for your Best Hair superlative, Sam

Oof "There's no shame in vocal nodules" -- that's a concept that honestly never occured to me, but I am grateful to start to think on that, having had them myself (I got rid of them without surgery, but it helped derail my hopes for a music major to be on vocal rest for a year as a sophomore at university). It's definitely not the impression I have gotten from previous instructors. It's often used as a judgement against singers--even though mine were actually probably due to my childhood speech (vocal fry & low pitch to sound tougher, bullying sux), and my singing technique probably developed to compensate for the nodules. Anyway--it seems in the wider world to often be held up as definitive/medically verified proof of bad singing. It's nice to consider that it was just an injury and not hard evidence that I didn't deserve to be a singer 😭 Thanks Sam you healed my heart a little bit today

Mariah herself said that she had nodules since she was a child and had them since the very beginning of her career ! Which mean in this performance she had nodules 🤯! Imagine sounded that good with a “already damaged voice”

Just the fact that she wrote this song when she was a teenager is mindblowing to me ❤

I love Mariah, not for her whistles or range, but for that beautiful unique and heavenly tone. Especially in her early years.

She was able to sing with those nodules for 30++ years she was really born to last

I'm still learning English, and it's so helpfull to hear to your talking, your enunciation is amazing! Btw, i'm a crazy lamb just like many people here hahaha

Excellent video. Mariah Carey is the #1 reason I wanted to sing. I'm giving my age away lol, but her self-titled debut album (which "Vanishing" was on) was the first cassette I ever owned... I played that cassette OUT. "Vision of Love" is still to this day one of my go-to karaoke songs.

"I love Mariah Carey and I am proud of what I said" haha, loved how you ended the video. As always, great analysis! Straight to the point, without any personal feelings or biases affecting your analysis.

The 90s female artists were just incredible. They’re all equally superior in their own ways. Mariah, Whitney, Celine, Madonna... But Mariah for me was just unmatchable. She truly inspired a whole generation of singers. And helped pave the way for many artists in today’s generation. I have so much respect for these powerful woman. That’s why it annoys me when people make unnecessary comparisons. Besides that Mariah still sounds great and will always be knows as one of the best female singers/songwriters of all time. Could you please react to Mariah Carey’s Vision Of Love (Live at home for GMA). Which she performed just a couple of days ago and killed it.👸🦋✨

Mariah has one of the most amazing voices I have ever heard. I don't care if she doesn't sound like she did in the 90s, her voice is better than most artist today.

I really appreciate your insights and advice on the voice, I find your approach is universal and really helpful for singers across any genre. Thank you for posting these videos!

Mariah has said that she's had nodules since childhood. And I'm assuming some of her singing habits, incredibly demanding song catalogue, and work schedule over the years have not allowed them to heal, and worsened them. Also, she's said that her nodules have allowed her to sing higher than many other people and facilitated her singing in the whistle register as well as she does. Obviously, we can't confirm these statements, but just throwing that out there. But anyway, thank you always for your honesty and expertise. This is why your channel is a cut above. And like you said, we can love and appreciate Mariah Carey and still acknowledge that she has some unhealthy singing habits.

Mariah is the greatest vocalist of all time. Period... Doesn't matter how her voice is now when she is 50 years old. What matters is what she has done and is there for everyone to praise...

Sad that the video with better quality was just taken down. It had 1M+ views. We really appreciate tho that you still made an effort just for us 😍

Lambs, Sam is our friend. He's just analysing her vocal state and technique in this performance objectively. This is not in any way derails her talent. It's just a technical lens of what she could've done better in this particular performance.

No one can learn what Mariah does, you’re simply born with it or not!

Sam, can you please put Mariah Carey’s “without you” live @ Tokyo Dome on your list. And please analyze it in the same way as this video. I love you analyzing Mariah. It’s extremely helpful. Because her voice was such a mystery to many people for so many years.

People get very confused in terms of healthy / beautiful. Sometimes vocals sound beautiful but they’re not as “healthy” as they could! Mariah creates beautiful sounds but sometimes she sings in a “unhealthy” technique in order to create certain sounds, maybe she could create them without as much effort or tension but it’s how she decided to approach and she’s still brilliant despite all that!

I literally stopped what I was doing when I saw this upload. This is my most awaited reaction!!

Sam, I think you are a fantastic voice teacher, and, your analyses of singers are spot-on. You always approach your analyses with respect and kindness to the singer you are analyzing. I am a voice teacher and head of a voice department in Europe, and I completely agree with your views about technique, artistry, and care and preservation of the vocal apparatus. Please keep the videos coming - you are just great!

Wow, that was the best reaction to this performance. It was so so interesting and full of information! We all know that Mariah is next level. But she's also a human. That's why it's great to know how much work it costs to create a beautiful sound like she does. It was so cool to finally hear something professional and real but also kind about her.

As a Brit, I really enjoy it when Sam talks about Mariah going to Homebase.

I remember listening to that song on cassette tape over and over, loved singing it. She’s incredible.

I’ve been waiting for you to do this one! 👏🏻👏🏻

Sam, I love, love, love your analysis of vocal technique. Keep on speaking up for those of us who appreciate your insights. I also greatly enjoy your candor ... performers at this level use their voices so much more than the rest of us can imagine so repetitive strain is definitely a thing.

I know you're doing a great job because you're talking about mariah and analyzing her with major respect. Cool Video!

I think shes her best around 1994-1996

omg i'm happy you're doing this video. Its one of my favorite songs/performances of hers. :)

You are so well spoken. Great vocabulary and you are able to explain things clearly but also very specifically. Love listening to your analysis.

I love the reaction, and the way you kept changing the Mariah Carey background picture from time to time 😂

“Somebody’s doing the wrong note.” Therefore Shaderiah was born.

I've been waiting this analysis for ever! Thank you ♥️

I love you & I love your passion in doing what you do. Also, I love how you change the faux wallpaper in the monitor right behind you to different images of Mariah from her debut era. Thanks and keep doing what you're doing!

I never comment but I wanted to say a) you are awesome. Your videos make me so happy and I always look forward to them and b) I’ve been wishing for ages for a vid on some old school Mariah and this was wonderful. I love your approach.

😍😍😍😍😍😍 always loved mariah.. only artist I had every album of... lol.. so to watch you dissect this gem was a treat.... I'm sad its over.. please do more!!!

You are great to watch for both entertaining and educational purposes! Love your style!

I have learned a lot just from this video. I really appreciate your candor and insight. The voice is an amazing instrument that cannot be replicated and it makes you an individual. Thank you Mr. Johnson.

She has a new performance on GMA hope you'll react to it👌

22:26 I believe Mariah's highest note was a Bb7 in Emotions 1991, VMA Awards

Fantastic analysis Sam! Thanks for another amazing video! Love your Funko Pop collection! My son has a huge collection.

Yes I have been waiting for this for so long!

I see Mariah, I click!

One of my favourite ever vocalists is Steve Perry from Journey. Every perfomance is worthy of a studio recording. Such a rarity.

This is my all time favorite song from Mariah. It was one of the first songs I heard shortly after my grandmother passed away years ago. It has such an impact. Glad to see you reviewed it.

Finally !!! I was waiting for you to react Mariah again because you are one of the best on KZfaq and your explanations always help me to sing better. So thank you for this reaction.

Loved the reaction! For more Mariah I would recommend to watch her GMA performance of vision of love so you can analyze her current voice when it's at it's best!

Early Mariah is great but like you said, she does have a lot of quirks that aren’t that healthy. I believe she sorted most of that out by 1994, and for a couple years her technique was almost impeccable. I think what hurt her was just an unhealthy lifestyle (too much touring, lack of sleep, drinking), which ended up tiring her voice and made her revert to those bad singing habits as a way to sing “around” her damaged voice, which only ended up hurting it even more. I wish I could go back in time and tell her to take proper care of her voice. I think her story proves that things like these can happen even to the best of us.

I'm fascinated and amazed by both her voice and your ability to find flaws in it. I could watch these forever 🤩

Yay! I saw the request and so excited to see this..LOL had to comment before watching.

I've learned that nodules are caused by dummy thicc vocal chords

I don’t have an academic understanding of music but I was there at her beginning, she was just flawless, was like she was mutant lol I think she damaged her vocals cords on the past decade but Mariah at her prime was something else

Amazing vocal analysis as always. I love your vocal reactions because you don’t sugarcoat what you have to say. You can tell that you truly appreciate her as a singer but it’s up to you as a vocal teacher to show us the positives and negatives that ultimately affected her. This was a truly enjoyable reaction. I know there are a thousand videos in queue lol but when you get a chance can you react to Anytime you need a friend live at Tokyo Dome. It would be great to see what you think about the differences from 1990 to 1996. ❤️

Very objective. It's a good analysis. Love your reaction whenever you're blown away.

I would totally be this guy's student. There's something about him that makes me not feel shy about exposing my terrible voice.

I think a few questions I would like you to explore is: Is her voice a vocal anomaly? How do her vocal nodules (which she claims she’s had since birth), assist or detract from her vocalizations? Is there a nurture versus nature argument regarding Mariah Carey’s vocal type, range, and production of sound? Would her singing still be considered virtuosic today as it was during her debut? Does Mariah Carey have a reliable instrument or vocal technique? How does her tone and timbre differentiate her from other popular singers, and what if any effect do they have on her vocal stylings (melismas, runs, riffs, dynamics, stylings)? I for one would be interested in hearing your musings. It is clear that Mariah Caret is in a class all her own, accompanied by a very select group of women. So it is not a stretch to consider as a basic principle that she is an extremely gifted singer with a natural talent. But exploring everything she can do on top of her basic production of sound would provoke an interesting series of discussion.

You're awesome. Love your insights.

What an objective & academic based analysis. I love this.

Oh damn from full on belt to whistle , she's the QUEEN❤️😭

Do you think lower voices like Cher or Annie Lennox aged very well because their vocal folds don't come together as often as a high voice like Mariah Carey?

Excellent as always.

she's got vocal nodules since she was a young girl. her doctor said that's the reason why she can hit whistle notes, but it is also the reason for the raspiness and breathy sound

I love when you react to Mariah in her primer because most reactors are always starstruck by the outcome of her voice that they ignore her vocals choices. I'd love to see your react to Mariah singing Hero with Pavarotti. Her voice is already very different from this video and still sounds great. Or maybe Vision of Love live at BET in 2005. Love from Brazil.

There is a 1990 Vanishing performance that she just released it in HQ on her official KZfaq channel for her MC30 campaign. Check that performance out if you’re interested.

Aww. The way you praise her. Btw thank you for analyzing her vocals. I've learned a lot. She's a great sibger❤️❤️❤️

Great Video, As Per Usual.... Thank You For This Top Tier Content King 👑

*I'm EARLAYYY*

I like your "looking at the bigger picture" approach to your vocal analysis, shows knowledge, sensibility and you're super respectful of Mariah's talent and legacy. On a lighter note she might've been a little tense because of her backup singers being off key for most of the song, but she called them out lol, even her rehearsals are classics! thank you for this reaction.

I LOVE MARIAH AND I LOVE SAM AND THIS WAS AMAZING - thank you!!

I love the anatomical and scientific detail that you get into. It’s super helpful for me as a singer. Thank you!!!

React to her gma performance 2020 she is still sounding AMAZING

You should watch this interview where she talks about her voice. She said that she can control how airy her voice can be (she specifically said belts but idk) and it's very interesting for me :)

Loved all of this. I love Mariah Carey but also love the technique analysis.

I absolutely love your content. Thank you

I just went today to my local ENT because at the beginning of the pandemic (due to requests) I started doing a 3 hour 10 week run on Friday evenings of request driven live shows. The last few i felt my voice was fatigued but just tried to adjust how i approached certain songs so that i could get through it. The last few months I have been really hoarse and thought it may be allergy related, but I knew something was wrong because the hoarseness kept getting worse. I was afraid that I may have nodules, cyst, or a polyp. Prepared for the worst......after he ran the scope down he found that I didn't have any of the big 3 but that my vocal folds were inflamed and suggested that I do 3 to 4 weeks of vocal rest (no speaking) and stay hydrated and then he suggested that I work with a speech therapist and/or voice coach to learn better on how to sing more with my diaphragm to take some of the load off of my throat. Wanted to put this comment out there so that if others are concerned like myself and start reading and expecting the worst, it is not always the worst options you read so much about. I hadn't read of inflamed vocal folds so I was rather stressed out about it. Definitely a good idea to go to an ENT to get checked out. :)

I’d like to hear your opinion on Whitney Houston’s technique at her prime! I think Whitney and Mariah used to sing similar in terms of pulling chest voice a little too much for effect! So it would be interesting to watch you analyzing Whitney’s vocals. Some interesting performances are “All at once live at American music awards”, “All The Man That I need live at the American music awards”, “Porgy, And I am telling you and I have nothing live” and “I have nothing live at the billboard music awards”! Love your videos!

Thanks Sam! I think you rock!

Really enjoyed your insights!

In behalf of all Mariah Carey fans, thank you so much for reacting to her. This is one of her most legendary performance of all time 🥺❤️

So good, Sam! Love your Mariah videos. I had a suggestion. You did the Mariah medley reaction, but could you do the 2013 Mariah medley from American idol and compare it to her more recent one?

Sam, I love Mariah. And I love watching your videos. Keep up the great work.

You won’t be disappointed, I promise and I also respect your opinion and what your saying. Your really excellent and distinct vocal teacher and very precise

I had the VHS tape (yes I’m that old) of her MTV Unplugged concert. I suggest you take a look at that cuz the sound quality was amazing and this style of her. Especially when she sings “I’ll be There” EDIT: The unplugged concert was her first 1 or 2 albums so you’ll get her early music off there too. Man I wish I had kept that tape

She started her career with a damaged voice. Her nodules are with her since she's young. For her to be able to sing in extremes is beyond amazing. I agree with your words that her problem is consistency. I hope you could react on her recent Vision of Love and Close my Eyes from GMA 2020. I'm quite curious as to your reaction with the recent performance since it's the opposite in terms of vocal consistency during her Billboard Awards performance. Thank you, Sam.

I really love your videos and the way you talk. Pure honesty and objectivity. I'm a singer and a vocal coach too and I totally agree with you about nodules. It's a damage, and we need to work our voice avoiding damage, but that's all. 💛✨(Sorry for my rusty English)

Your groundedness and self-confidence is inspiring! Another job well done...

I don’t understand how mariah is able to produce the lows and have a deep darker tone in her mid to lows but then becomes so bright in her mix.

Mariah has been around for 30 god damn years but people want to harp on her for not hitting everything the same. No ones else sounds the same, be it Patti LaBelle, Elton john, etc. Singing is comparable to a sport, it requires a mix of exercise and rest, and when you go out to perform execution changes in the heat of the moment, throughout it all missteps happen, but and small. No matter how optimally well you do your body breaks down, to Sam's point you do what you can with information available to mitigate that wear and extend those abilities. But time will catch up regardless...and after 3 decades she can still sing circles around 99% of us.

I saw a video where she talks about having nodules since childhood and learning to 'sing around them'. Love your work Sam! Just subscribed :)

Yes. Love this perspective. She is incredibly talented, yet still human. There is likely not a singer alive that couldnt find room for improvement somewhere. Love the realness Sam! ....and the hair 🙌❤