MTV Unplugged is a live EP by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, released in the United States on June 2, 1992, by Columbia Records. Following the success of Carey's previous two albums and the growing critical commentary on her lack of concert tours and unsubstantial televised performances, Sony organized a live performance show at the Kaufman Astoria Studios, New York on March 16, 1992. The show, titled MTV Unplugged, originally aired on MTV to help promote Carey's second album Emotions, as well as help shun critics who deemed Carey a possible studio artist. However, after its success, the show was released to the public as an EP, with an accompanying VHS titled MTV Unplugged +3.
Upon release, the EP garnered generally positive reviews from music critics, many of whom complimented Carey's vocals. Commercially, the album was a success, peaking at number three on the US Billboard 200, and was certified 4× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting shipments of two million copies within the United States.<!--- EP's required only 500,000 for a Platinum certification. RIAA source also says "2 Million" for "4x Multi-Platinum" ---> Additionally, the EP experienced strong success in several international markets, such as the Netherlands and New Zealand, where it reached number one and were certified 2× Platinum. MTV Unplugged peaked within the top-five in the United Kingdom, and in the-top ten in Australia and Canada.
"I'll Be There" was chosen as the lead single from the album. Due to its critical success until that point, it was released one month before its parent EP, eventually becoming Carey's sixth chart-topper in the United States, and one of the few songs to do so by two different acts. Globally, the song was successful, topping the charts in Canada, the Netherlands and New Zealand, as well as reaching the top-five in Ireland and the United Kingdom. After its success, "If It's Over", a song from Carey's second studio effort Emotions was released, due to its exposure on the show and EP.
Background
After the release of Carey's second studio album, Emotions (1991), critics began wondering whether Carey would finally embark on a worldwide tour, having not toured to promote her self-titled debut album. Although Carey had done several sporadic award show appearances, as well as television program performances, critics began accusing Carey of being a studio artist, not capable of delivering or replicating the same quality vocals live, especially her whistle register. The issues Carey faced once the show was booked was the content; she didn't know what material to present at the intimate concert. While Carey felt strongly of her more soulful and powerful songs, it was decided that her most popular content to that point would be included. The show featured a number of musicians, back-up vocalists and just a crew of ten, for filming and recording. Directed by Larry Jordan, who previously worked with Carey on the music video for "Someday". They were Lew Delgado, baritone saxophone; Lenny Pickett, tenor saxophone; George Young, alto saxophone; Earl Gardner, trumpet; and Steve Turre, trombone. During the song, Carey would often place her index finger over her left ear, especially while using the whistle register. The performance varied heavily from the studio version, as it was more low key and only used voices in a cappella form, without any heavy instrumentation. After performing the song alongside a very simple arrangement and minimal instrumentals, the back-up singers began humming to the tune of "Can't Let Go", leading Carey to present "another final" song for the show. Carey's version was met with critical acclaim and extended popularity, leading to it being shown more often than usual.
Video
After the success of the EP's lead single "I'll Be There", Sony chose to release not only the EP, but a VHS accompaniment package; a video of the actual concert titled MTV Unplugged +3.
MTV Unplugged +3 garnered generally positive reviews from music critics. Allmusic editor Shawn M. Haney gave the video three out of five stars, praising Carey's vocals as well as her cover of "I'll Be There". Haney wrote "Gradually, the power and esteem of these tales lift to new heights and remain at a peak with the breathtaking, moment-making performance of "I'll Be There," a charming song first cut by The Jackson 5." A writer for Entertainment Weekly called the show a "vocal Tour de force", and wrote "in addition to her breathtaking pipes, she has developed a commanding stage presence."
Singles
After the decision to release the EP was made, Sony decided to release Carey's live version of "I'll Be There" as the only single, due to its critical success. "I'll Be There" was certified Gold by both the Australian Recording Industry Association and Recording Industry Association of New Zealand, denoting shipments of 35,000 and 7,500 units of the song in their respective countries.
Critical reception
MTV Unplugged garnered generally positive reviews from music critics. AllMusic editor Shawn M. Haney gave the album three out of five stars, praising Carey's vocals as well as her cover of "I'll Be There". Carey was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the album.
Retrospective
Writing for MusicHound, Eric Deggans said "though the 26-plus people appearing on this disc seem to believe the Unplugged ethic, Carey's vibrant live performance is nearly worth the heresy." In its third week, the album peaked at number three, charting one spot higher than Emotions. In total, the album remained in the top-twenty for fourteen weeks, and on the chart for fifty-seven (making one re-entry). MTV Unplugged was certified four times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting shipment of two million copies throughout the country.<!--- EP's required only 500,000 for a Platinum certification. RIAA source also says "2 Million" for "4x Multi-Platinum" ---> On June 20, 1992, MTV Unplugged entered the Canadian RPM Singles Chart at number thirty-seven, eventually peaking at number six five weeks later, becoming also Carey's third consecutive top-ten album in Canada. During the week of November 22, 1992, the album spent its last week on the chart, exiting at number eighty-seven after spending twenty-four weeks on the album's chart. To date, the album has been certified Platinum by the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA), denoting shipments of 70,000 units throughout the country.
Europe and Oceania
Outside the United States, the album experienced success in several European markets. In Austria, MTV Unplugged entered the albums chart at number thirty-nine, eventually peaking number twenty-one and spending a total of ten weeks on the chart. In France, the album peaked at number twenty-two, and was certified double-Gold by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP), with estimated sales of 144,000 copies. On the Swiss Albums Chart dated September 13, 1992, the album reached its peak position of number nineteen. After only five weeks charting within the country, it was certified Gold by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). In the United Kingdom, the album debuted and peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart, during the week dated July 18, 1992. After spending ten weeks on the chart, the album was certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), denoting shipments of 100,000 units.
In Australia, the album debuted at number thirty-four on the ARIA Charts, during the week ending July 12, 1992. and thiry-three weeks in the top 100. The album was certified Platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), denoting shipments of 70,000 copies.
Track listing
Personnel
Credits for MTV Unplugged adapted from AllMusic.
- Mariah Carey – arranger, producer, vocals
- Walter Afanasieff – arranger, piano, producer
- Vernon "Ice" Black – guitar
- Henry Casper – background vocals
- David Cole – piano
- Laura Corcos – strings
- Melonie Daniels – background vocals
- Lew Del Gatto – baritone saxophone
- Darryl Douglass Workshop Company – background vocals
- Sammy Figueroa – percussion
- Earl Gardner – trumpet
- Winterton Garvey – strings
- Greg "Gigi" Gonaway – Drums
- Peggy Harley – background vocals
- David Hewitt – engineer
- Cecilia Hobbs – strings
- Randy Jackson – bass
- Ren Klyce – bells, celeste, timpani
- Trey Lorenz – vocals
- Patrique McMillian – vocals
- Geno Morris – vocals
- Peter Moshay – production coordination
- Lenny Pickett – tenor saxophone
- Cheree Price – background vocals
- Kelly Price – background vocals
- Dan Shea – harmonium, harpsichord
- Liz Stewart – background vocals
- Steve Turre – trombone
- Spencer Washington – background vocals
- Belinda Whitney-Barratt – strings
- George Young – alto saxophone
Charts
Weekly charts
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (1992–1993)
!scope="col"|Peak<br />position
|-
|-
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Canadian Albums (The Record)
|11
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Dutch Albums (Stichting Nederlandse Top 40)
|1
|-
!scope="row"|European Top 100 Albums (Music & Media)
|8
|-
!scope="row"|French Albums (SNEP)
|22
|-
|-
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums (Oricon)
|13
|-
|-
|-
|-
|-
|-
!scope="row"|UK Albums (MRIB)
|1
|-
!scope="row"|US Top 75 R&B Albums (Cash Box)
|5
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (1994–1995)
!scope="col"|Peak<br />position
|-
|-
|-
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (2020–2022)
!scope="col"|Peak<br />position
|-
!scope="row"|Greek Albums (IFPI)
|27
|-
|-
|}
Year-end charts
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (1992)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
!scope="row"|Australian Albums (ARIA)
|25
|-
!scope="row"|Canada Top Albums/CDs (RPM)
|34
|-
!scope="row"|Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)
|10
|-
!scope="row"|European Top 100 Albums (Music & Media)
|65
|-
!scope="row"|Japanese Albums (Oricon)
|96
|-
!scope="row"|New Zealand (RMNZ)
|34
|-
!scope="row"|US Billboard 200
|35
|-
!scope="row"|US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)
|31
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (1994)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
!scope="row"|Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)
|26
|-
!scope="row"|German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)
|80
|}
{|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|-
!scope="col"|Chart (1995)
!scope="col"|Position
|-
!scope="row"|Dutch Albums (MegaCharts)
|96
|}