How Dod Mariah Careys Song Why You So Obsessed With Me Get Popular Again

Obsessed is the pb unmarried from Mariah Carey's 12th studio album, "Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel." The song was written and produced by Mariah, Terius "The-Dream" Nash, and Christopher "Tricky" Stewart. The single was released on 8 February 2009

The vocal draws from musical influences of R&B & hip-hop music congenital around a thumping bass line. Additionally, the vocal is accentuated past handclaps while Mariah's voice is processed with auto-tune.

Lyrically, the song describes the protagonist's dilemma regarding a stalker and finds her asking him, "Why are you then obsessed with me?" several times throughout the song. The line, "Why are yous then obsessed with me" comes from the motion-picture show, "Mean Girls" which is one of Mariah's favorite films. The remixed version of the song features rapper Gucci Mane.

Song Background\Information [ ]

At the time of the song'southward release, it raised some controversy as the critics and the media suggested that Mariah was aiming the song at rapper Eminem, who had negatively referenced her several times in his music. Having alluded to Eminem in ane of her songs, "Clown," critics suggested that "Obsessed" was besides an outcry at Eminem.

Song Reception [ ]

"Obsessed" received generally positive reviews from music critics. While most reviewers complimented the song's lyrics and production, some criticized Carey for her usage of auto-tune.

Daniel Kreps from Rolling Stone stated that "the bitter mid-tempo track is already more musically and lyrically engrossing than Eastward=MC²'s singles." The A.V. Club'south Michaelangelo Matos complimented the song's clever lyrics, and called information technology a "wicked dis of an unnamed Eminem for spreading rumors about their interest."

Though criticizing Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel for existence full of mid-tempo numbers, James Reed from The Boston Earth felt "Obsessed" "stood out of the goo", due to its witty lyrics and stiff beat product.

Monica Herrera of Billboard gave the vocal a positive review, describing it as a "gem of a dis tape that coasts, even over its sputtering moans and synth jabs." Additionally, Herrera complimented Carey's lyrics, calling them "bity and funny."

Amusement Weekly's Leah Greenblatt described the track as a "brash synth kiss-off" while Alex Macpherson from The Guardian called it "jaunty" and "wisecracking." On "Obsessed", Sal Cinquemani from Slant Magazine felt the "attitude is sexy" while Jon Caramanica from The New York Times felt the song was a stand-out track from the album, which he felt was "dated." He described that although the entire anthology was produced past Carey, The-Dream and Catchy Stewart, which he described as "masters of compensation, helping elevate mediocre singers — similar The-Dream himself or Rihanna, on 'Umbrella' — to something sublime", "Obsessed" sounded "Dr. Dre-esque, and felt it was a notable exception from the rest of Memoirs of an Imperfect Affections."

Los Angeles Times's Ann Powers described information technology as an "aggressive rails" while Lauren Carter of the Boston Herald wrote "Carey's musical stiff-arm ends with some vocal acrobatics to let us know she'due south still got it. Expect to become 'Obsessed' this summer."

MTV News rated the song as one of the contenders for the "best of the summertime", writing: "Mimi returns, this time with an Auto-Tuned kiss-off to wannabe lotharios (and Eminem?) that will probably exist the soundtrack to a one thousand thousand summer hookups and just as many public-intoxication collars. Glossy, creamy and decidedly "urban," Mariah strikes dorsum. Your radio has been warned." Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine chose the vocal every bit a "top pick" from Memoirs of an Imperfect Affections while Amos Barshad of The New York Times listed it equally the fifth top vocal of the summer.

In dissimilarity, "Obsessed" received a mixed review from the Los Angeles Times writer, Todd Martens, who wrote that although "its feistier Mimi than [they]'re used to", she ultimately "has been molded to fit electric current trends" and that the single "again sells out the songbird to her producers."

Bill Lamb from About.com was also critical of "Obsessed", stating that Carey should have put out a stronger lead single from the album, and ultimately wrote: "Her vocals, historically amid the most memorable in pop music history, are drowned by auto-melody leaving a faceless drone on the chorus. I hope she has indeed settled her score hither and on the album Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel she volition render to songs worthy of her talent."

Music Video [ ]

Background

The song's music video was directed by Brett Ratner, who had previously worked with Carey on six other music videos, and was shot from 27-29 Januray 2009. Throughout the video, Carey plays herself and a male stalker, dressed as both a bellhop and a human being wearing a gray hoodie and sweatpants.

Ii videos were shot for "Obsessed", one for the original version, and one for the remixed version, which features Gucci Mane. The video was shot predominantly at the Plaza Hotel, and on the streets of New York Metropolis. Afterwards several photographs of Carey dressed every bit the stalker were leaked, critics and bloggers immediately compared Carey's costume to Eminem'southward usual attire, and many wrote that aside from the goatee, the pair looked akin.

Carey tweeted: "I am Not at any point in the video playing a specific person. I'm dressed as a 'stalker' in 3 unlike ensembles." Carey also revealed that the music video would reference several of her favorite films, such as "Mean Girls" with the line "Why are y'all then obsessed with me " besides as "The Devil Wears Prada" by featuring French celebrity photographer Patrick Demarchelier, who was also heavily referenced in the film.

In an interview with MTV News, Carey described going nether-comprehend as the stalker part: "Well, we had a lot of people outside. I'm walking upwardly to the Plaza [Hotel], and when I was dressed as Mariah Carey, there were a lot of people simply standing at that place taking pictures, and the street was closed downward, and it was a whole rigmarole. It is what it is. So, basically, I went into costume every bit the stalker, and I told my babysitter, 'I don't want you to walk with me.' So, a friend of mine was there, and I was like, 'Let's walk together.'"

Afterward reports continued to speculate regarding the video's subject field, Ratner explained that the main inspiration behind the video was the 1983 film, "The King of Comedy." In an interview with MTV News, Ratner responded to reports that the video was regarding Eminem: "It's not near Eminem — nosotros weren't like, 'Let'south find an Eminem look-akin'. We weren't talking to any Eminem [wait-alikes]. I estimate it'southward a good rumor, only I don't recall it's true. I don't actually know. I never asked her, but and then when I recommended Ellen, that's where she got the thought. Mariah never talked to me nigh that. Y'all know, Mariah ... she's like the virtually feminine girl y'all can imagine, so the more than I covered upward the less piece of work I had to do on the transitions of changing back and forth. I kind of told the wardrobe guy, 'Permit'southward bulk her up with layers and stuff' — commencement of all, to hide her breasts, considering they're prominent, and to kind of make her more than boyish. A b-male child fabricated sense."

On July 10, 2009, Carey announced via her Twitter business relationship that the video would premiere on the talent competition program, America's Got Talent, which is hosted by hubby Nick Cannon. She posted: "Merely wanna let you lot know that the earth premiere of the 'Obsessed' video is on 'America's Got Talent' (hosted by NCx0x) Wed.night..July 15th!" Although the full video was prepare to premiere, but a 2 minute preview was shown, while the full version was later released online.

On July 23, 2009, Carey visited 106 & Park to premiere the video for "Obsessed", as well every bit the remix video. She discussed the making of the video, likewise as the postponement of "Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel" which was delayed over 1 calendar month.

Video Synopsis

The video begins with Carey at a photoshoot in a individual room at the Plaza Hotel, speaking the line, "And I was like, why are you so obsessed with me?" Side by side, a Rolls-Royce Phantom is shown pulling upwards to the hotel, with Carey stepping out of the vehicle. Equally she gets out of the car, Carey dressed equally a bellhop, assists her to the ramp where she greets fans. The side by side scene finds Carey walking into the hotel, and waving to anybody, with the camera zooming to the bellhops face to reveal him attentively staring at her.

As the first verse begins, Carey is shown at the photo-shoot in the hotel, with a cameo by Patrick Demarchelier as the photographer. The bellhop, now dressed in a grey hoodie and sweatpants, is shown holding a hair-blower at Carey, apparently assisting with the shoot. As the shoot continues, scenes of the bellhop are shown in his room, where she has dolls of Carey on the wall, likewise as quilts with the comprehend of her 2005 anthology, "The Emancipation of Mimi."

The video progresses every bit Carey, at present on the streets of New York, is walking towards the hotel. Equally she begins to notice the bellhop, dressed in the sweats, pursuing her, she turns around in haste and begins jolting back to the hotel while property several shopping numberless. Additionally, scenes of the stalker's home are shown again, this time more than elaborately, with his walls covered with portraits of the singer, too as album covers and lights effectually a big photo of her. The video continues with several scenes of the stalker staring at Carey during the shoot, as well as his obsession with her in his bedroom.

Every bit the video comes to an cease, she waits for her limousine to make it at the hotel. However, before she gets inside, she notices the stalker attempting to take a film of her. She and then looks directly into his camera and gives a smile. The video and then shows him again, all the same attempting to accept a picture, right before a bus hits him. Carey gasps in shock later on witnessing the incident. The video closes with more shots of the photoshoot. The scene where the stalker gets hit by a passenger vehicle, and the opening line Carey speaks, are both references to "Mean Girls."

The remix video for the song features the same storyline and footage, merely showing inter-cut scenes of Carey dressed in a white ensemble, while laying on a vintage wooden table. Equally Gucci Mane stands side by side to her in a white suit, he pours her champagne and hands her the drinking glass.

Video Reception

At the time of the video'south release, several critics complimented and took discover of the similarities in Eminem's attire and Carey'due south stalker. Nick Levine from Digital Spy wrote: "Information technology isn't quite as ridiculous as we were hoping, and Mariah's insisting the male person stalker she plays isn't meant to be a 'specific person', but at that place'south yet enough to enjoy in the 'Obsessed' video. In that location is a lot of MC cleavage, a not entirely convincing fake beard and a neat Mean Girls reference towards the end."

Newsday's Corris Footling described it as "genius!" and continued, "Motility over Eminem, I'yard officially obsessed with Mariah Carey. Who isn't? She can sing, she'southward pretty and she has really fun music videos. Anyone recall the Heartbreaker video where she had an evil twin trying to steal her man?"

A author from the Evening Standard called the video "shocking" and felt that Carey's disguise was then convincing, she should assume the office more frequently if she wants to travel incognito.

The New York Post's Jarett Wieselman described it as "human butterfly embraced her macho side", and concluded his review with "I'm guessing the video involves Mariah'southward butch bellhop becoming a little infatuated with the vocalist, or something. Basically information technology's another way to give her double the screentime -- much similar that Mariah-on-Mariah fight in 'Heartbreaker'!"

Daily News writer Chris Baud joked about Eminem going one step further, writing: "Information technology'southward great that Mariah seems to be having fun with this whole 'Mininem' matter, but nosotros're agape of the conflict going any further, because no one wants to see the next step: Eminem in drag."

Jennifer Armstrong from Amusement Weekly complimented Carey for "going after" Eminem, and concluded "I similar Mariah with a sense of sense of humor, and I dear the thought of her turning the tables on the king of celebrity-mocking videos."

Live Performances [ ]

Carey performed "Obsessed" on several televised appearances since its release. On August 5, 2009, Carey performed the song alive for the first time on the quaternary flavor of the talent contest, "America'due south Got Talent." Carey, actualization in jeans and a black summit, was accompanied past several male person dancers and three back-up singers. Every bit she performed the song, the dancers hoisted her into the air several times, and carried her to several areas on the stage. During the functioning, several white lights flashed, while monitors backside the dancers showed images of Carey and the video.

Breanne Heldman from Eastward! Amusement Boob tube criticized several aspects of the performance. She described the lighting as "anxiety inducing" and wrote, "That said, no ane is doubting the singer's impressive prepare of pipes, but—frighteningly jarring lighting and quick edits aside—did she actually utilize them on 'America's Got Talent' last night?" Aside from questioning the vocalist'south live vocals, she also felt Carey seemed "robotic", and didn't show endeavor or interest in the operation. A reviewer from Idolator also was disquisitional on the performance, asking if there was "anything good nearly [it]." He claimed Carey was lip-syncing, and described information technology as "lackadaisical", and wrote, "the fill-in dancers' moves would have probably received a large red 'X' from at least one of the judges."

In the U.s., on October 2, 2009, Carey began promotion of the album on Today, in the form of a four piece outdoor concert. Wearing a "black leather trench glaze and accessorized with a glittery microphone", Carey performed "Obsessed", "I Desire to Know What Dearest Is", "H.A.T.E.U." and her 1991 single, "Brand Information technology Happen." The functioning of "Obsessed" featured similar choreography equally on America's Got Talent, in which Carey was carried around by her dancers several times.

Carey performed "Obsessed" live on Lopez This night on December 16, 2009, aslope another vocal from the anthology, "Information technology'southward A Wrap." At the Fashion Rocks ceremony in 2009, Carey performed "Touch My Trunk" and "Obsessed", also as the remix to her 1995 vocal "Fantasy."

During the short set listing, Carey was accompanied by six men in black tie and suits, who hoisted her into the air in front of over 6,000 people during "Obsessed", and rigorous dance routines throughout "Touch My Trunk." Following the release of Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, she held four concerts at The Pearl Concert Theatre, where she included the song on the fix-listing.

Similar to the performance at the Fashion Rocks ceremony, Carey was hoisted into the air several times past 4 to six male dancers, each of whom circled her with intricate dancing throughout the song. Carey featured similar choreography for the vocal during her Angels Abet Tour where it was included throughout the entire span of the bout.

Charts [ ]

The song peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, #12 on Billboard'south Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Songs nautical chart, #eight on Billboard's Pop Songs nautical chart, and topped Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Society Play chart. It was certified Platinum by the RIAA.

In Australia, the vocal peaked at #13 on the ARIA Singles chart and was certified Gold. The song also charted in Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, kingdom of the netherlands, Europe, France, Italy, Nippon, New Zealand, Slovakia, Switzerland, and the Uk.

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Source: https://mariahcarey.fandom.com/wiki/Obsessed

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