Top 10 Best Songs by Mariah Carey

Inevitably the number 1. It's not just a Christmas hit, it's THE modern Christmas classic. The Phil Spector-like "Wall of Sound," the bells, and the tempo make it irresistibly cheerful.

The song is musically genius with jazz chords and a sixties vibe. Mariah sings it with playful energy and power. Every year it returns to the charts; it has become the sound of Christmas itself.

Her "Backyard Session" cover of godmother Dolly Parton. This version went viral and convinced critics of her singing talent. She sings it purely, raw, and with respect for the original.

Without autotune or tricks, she shows what she's capable of. In the Netherlands, this version is hugely popular and often ranks high in the lists. Proof of her country roots.

We're Back On Track. Greatest hit of all time in Mariah's catalogue, bar none. Her vocal mastery is unmatched. No one can touch this song, not even the original artists.

Her big comeback in the 2000s. A tight R&B ballad with a fast, rhythmic vocal style in the verses. It's about regret after a breakup.

The climax, where she goes up an octave and her voice breaks with emotion, is iconic. It's modern, soulful, and showed she hadn't given up her throne.

The ultimate power ballad. While Mariah is sometimes critical of it being too sugary, for fans it's a source of strength. The message is simple: the hero is within you.

The production is classic 1990s: piano and swelling strings. She sings it with a conviction and technique that elevates the song above clichés. A staple of talent shows.

For years the longest-charting number 1 in the US. A funeral song about the loss of friends (during the AIDS epidemic). The harmonies between Mariah and the men are beautiful.

It's a tearjerker of the highest order. The voices fill each other in and build toward an emotional climax. A song of comfort and hope for a reunion.

A sultry ballad with clear Latin influences and a Spanish guitar. Mariah sings soft and panting in the verses, and powerfully in the chorus.

The atmosphere is sultry and intimate. It's about intense longing for a distant lover. One of her most stylish and sexy songs.

Groundbreaking for combining the sample of Tom Tom Club's "Genius of Love" with pop vocals. This song laid the foundation for the collaboration between pop singers and rappers (in the remix with ODB).

It's light, cheerful, and dreamy. Mariah sounds like she's floating. A perfect pop song that blurred genre lines.

Her debut single that changed everything. This song introduced the melisma style (singing many notes on one syllable) to pop music, influencing a whole generation of singers.

It's a raw, soulful ballad. The buildup is slow and dark, leading to a powerful climax. Pure talent shines through; this is where the legend began.

A perfect mid-tempo R&B song. The beat is relaxed and summery, with that recognizable "Doo-doo-doo" in the intro. It's about a love that never completely disappears.

Mariah sings here in her most "chill" way. The melody is sweet and nostalgic. It's the sound of a carefree summer love that stays in your memory.