Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now) (Mariah Carey recording) explained

Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)
Cover:Against All Odds Mariah Carey.png
Border:yes
Type:single
Artist:Mariah Carey
Album:Rainbow
B-Side:"Crybaby"
Released:29 May 2000
Recorded:1999
Genre:
Length:3:25
Label:Columbia
Producer:
Prev Title:Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme)" / "Crybaby
Prev Year:2000
Next Title:Loverboy
Next Year:2001

"Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey; it is a cover of the song originally written and recorded by Phil Collins. Carey co-produced the song with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis for her seventh studio album Rainbow (1999). It was released on 29 May 2000 as the fourth and final single from the album, by Columbia Records. It was her final single release with Sony Music, until the release of "Infinity" in 2015.

Although the song was promoted as part of Rainbow in the United States, it was not released as a commercial or a radio single there. The song peaked at number two in Norway, while reaching the top 20 in numerous European countries. The music video for Carey's version of the song, directed by Paul Misbehoven, consists of a montage of clips of Carey singing the song from her various Rainbow World Tour stops. Another version of the song, with Irish boy band Westlife, was also released, and reached number one on the UK chart.

Critical reception

"Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" received positive reviews. Danyel Smith of Entertainment Weekly wrote: "Listeners with an eye on the tabloids could read her close, ringing interpretation of Phil Collins' 1984 hit, 'Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)', as a postmortem on her bittersweet affair with Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter and a poignant evocation of the couple's shared mixed-race heritage ('You're the only one who really knew me at all')."[1] Los Angeles Times' Elysa Gardner called this cover "surprisingly faithful, forthright" and "she resists her tendency to over-embellish notes and focuses on what really matters: the melody and lyrics".[2]

MTV Asia editor Dara Cook wrote: "Mariah festoons herself in Phil Collins' 1980s melodic garb, appropriately pret a porter with overwrought emotion. She delicately ascends the sparely accompanied first verses—but alas, that damn drum roll soon sounds and the bouffant strings and vocal gymnastics ensue."[3] Rolling Stone's Arion Berger was not happy with the cover selection which he called a "drippy Eighties power-pop hit".[4]

Westlife remix

Against All Odds
Cover:Westlife carey.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Mariah Carey featuring Westlife
Album:Rainbow Coast to Coast
Recorded:1999–2000
Genre:
Length:3:25
Label:
Producer:

Carey later released a duet version of the song, simply titled "Against All Odds", featuring newly recorded vocals by Irish boy band Westlife. The song was released as the first single from the band's second album, Coast to Coast (2000). The song was released on September 15, 2000.[5] Carey's vocals from the solo version were retained for the duet, though a new instrumental track was produced by Carey and Steve Mac, featuring a more organic sound with violins. The music video shows Carey and Westlife recording the song and exploring the island of Capri by boat.

The single debuted at number one in the United Kingdom, selling 112,000 copies.[6] It remained at number one in its second week, selling a further 78,500 copies.[7] The song became Carey's second to top the UK Singles Chart and Westlife's sixth consecutive number one. As of November 2021, the song has sold 507,000 copies in the country. It is Westlife's sixth biggest selling single (paid-for sales and combined sales categories) of all-time and their fifteenth most streamed single in the United Kingdom.[8]

The song also spent two weeks at number one in Scotland and three in Ireland. It peaked at number three on the continental chart, European Hot 100 Singles. Its chart success in European countries led to its inclusion on the international editions of Carey's compilation albums Greatest Hits (2001) and

  1. 1 to Infinity
(2015).

Track listings

  1. "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" (Pound Boys Main Mix) – 9:09
  2. "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" (Pound Boys Radio Edit) – 3:37
  3. "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" (Pound Boys Deep Dub) – 8:12
  4. "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" (Pound Boys Dub) – 6:56
  1. "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" – 3:25
  2. "Crybaby" – 5:19
  3. "Thank God I Found You" (Stargate Radio Edit) – 4:21
  4. "Can't Take That Away" (Morales Club Mix Edit) – 3:57
  1. "Against All Odds" – 3:21
  2. "Against All Odds" (Pound Boys Main Mix) – 9:09
  3. "Against All Odds" (Mariah only version) – 3:21
  4. "Westlife Interview" (CD extra video version)
  1. "Against All Odds" – 3:21
  2. "Against All Odds" (Westlife only version) – 3:21
  3. "Against All Odds" (Pound Boys Dub) – 6:48
  4. "Against All Odds" (CD extra video version)
  1. "Against All Odds" – 3:21
  2. "Against All Odds" (Pound Boys radio edit) – 3:37
  1. "Against All Odds" – 3:20
  2. "Against All Odds" (album version) – 3:26
  3. "Against All Odds" (Pound Boys radio edit) – 3:32
  4. "Against All Odds" (instrumental) – 3:20
  1. "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" (with Westlife) – 3:21
  2. "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" (Mariah Only) – 3:25
  3. "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" (Pound Boys Radio Edit) – 3:37
  4. "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" (Pound Boys Main Mix) – 9:09
  5. "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" (Pound Boys Deep Dub) – 8:12
  6. "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" (Pound Boys Dub) – 6:56

Charts

Weekly charts

Original version

Chart (2000)Peak
position
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[16] 10
European Hot 100 Singles (Music & Media)[17] 36
Germany (Official German Charts)[18] 29
Poland (LP3)[19] 40
Portugal (AFP)[20] 9
US NAC/Smooth Jazz (Radio & Records)[21] 28

Westlife remix

Chart (2000)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[22] 52
Croatia (HRT)[23] 2
Denmark (IFPI)[24] 2
European Hot 100 Singles (Music & Media)[25] 3
Japan (Oricon)[26] 78
Poland Airplay (Music & Media)[27] 16
Portugal (AFP)[28] 4
UK Airplay (Music Control)[29] 10

Year-end charts

Original version

Chart (2000)Position
Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia)[30] 42
France (SNEP)[31] 74
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[32] 200
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[33] 93

Westlife remix

Chart (2000)Position
Brazil (Crowley)[34] 95
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[35] 47
Ireland (IRMA)[36] 8
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[37] 47
UK Singles (OCC)[38] 28

Certifications

Westlife remix

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormat(s)VersionLabel(s)
Various29 May 2000OriginalColumbia
Netherlands15 September 2000CDSony Music
United Kingdom18 September 2000Westlife remixColumbia
France25 September 2000Maxi CD
Japan27 September 2000Sony Music Japan
Australia23 October 2000CDColumbia
Various9 October 2020Original and Westlife remixLegacy

Notes and References

  1. News: November 12, 1999. Rainbow Review Music Reviews and News. Entertainment Weekly. November 17, 2017. 18 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210518021311/https://ew.com/article/1999/11/12/rainbow/. live.
  2. News: Gardner. Elysa. October 31, 1999. Record Rack. Los Angeles Times. November 17, 2017. 18 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210518021311/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-oct-31-ca-28099-story.html. live.
  3. Web site: Cook. Dara. Mariah Carey – Rainbow Reviews CD. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160113081939/http://web.mtvasia.com/Review/CD/C1999000115.html. January 13, 2016. November 17, 2017. MTV Asia. Viacom.
  4. Berger. Arion. November 25, 1999. Rainbow Album Reviews. live. November 17, 2017. Rolling Stone. 18 May 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210518021311/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-album-reviews/rainbow-190409/.
  5. New Releases – For Week Starting September 18, 2000: Singles. Music Week. 31. 16 September 2000. 4 August 2021. 4 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210804143412/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/2000/Music-Week-2000-09-16.pdf. live.
  6. Single Factile. Jones. Alan. Music Week. 17. 30 September 2000.
  7. Chart Commentary. Jones. Alan. Music Week. 15. 7 October 2000.
  8. Web site: Copsey. Rob. January 12, 2019. Westlife's Top 20 biggest songs on the Official Charts. live. January 17, 2019. Official Charts Company. 12 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190112200650/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/westlifes-top-20-biggest-songs-on-the-official-charts__25303/.
  9. Web site: Mariah Carey – Against All Odds (2000, Vinyl). live. Discogs. September 2000 . 15 April 2019. 30 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190430140939/https://www.discogs.com/Mariah-Carey-Against-All-Odds/release/574117.
  10. Web site: 2000. Mariah – Against All Odds (2000, CD). live. Discogs. 15 April 2019. 30 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190430142340/https://www.discogs.com/Mariah-Against-All-Odds/release/978434.
  11. Against All Odds. Mariah Carey, Westlife. 2000. UK CD1 liner notes. Columbia Records. 669887 2.
  12. Against All Odds. Mariah Carey, Westlife. 2000. UK CD2 liner notes. Columbia Records. 669887 5.
  13. Against All Odds. Mariah Carey, Westlife. 2000. UK cassette single sleeve. Columbia Records. 669887 4.
  14. Against All Odds. Mariah Carey, Westlife. 2000. Japanese CD single liner notes. SME Records. SRCS 2351.
  15. Web site: August 8, 2000. Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) EP by Mariah Carey on iTunes. live. February 9, 2021. iTunes Store. 15 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230115151858/https://music.apple.com/us/album/against-all-odds-take-a-look-at-me-now-ep/1534177896.
  16. Web site: Oficiální Česká Hitparáda – Pro týden. IFPI ČR. cs. 17 March 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20000819005640/http://www.ifpicr.cz/radio.htm. 19 August 2000. dead.
  17. Hits of the World. Billboard. 17 November 2017.
  18. Web site: Mariah Carey – Against All Odds. de. GfK Entertainment. 27 May 2015. 30 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150630225937/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-4309. live.
  19. Web site: Mariah Carey – dorobek wykonawcy na LP3. LP3. August 8, 2024. pl. September 20, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240920233027/https://www.lp3.pl/wykonawca/711. live.
  20. Top National Sellers. 12 August 2000. Music & Media. 1 November 2020. 11. 25 August 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200825131539/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2000/MM-2000-08-12.pdf. live.
  21. NAC/Smooth Jazz Top 30. Radio & Records. 94. May 19, 2000. .
  22. 299.
  23. Web site: HR Top 20 Lista. Croatian Radiotelevision. 8 March 2021. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20001109054700/http://www.hrt.hr/hr/top20/lista.html. 9 November 2000.
  24. Top National Sellers. Music & Media. 17. 42. 12. 14 October 2000. 16 April 2020. 15 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230115151848/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2000/MM-2000-10-14.pdf. live.
  25. Hits of the world. Billboard. 21 October 2000. 27 May 2015. 15 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230115151850/https://books.google.com/books?id=QBIEAAAAMBAJ&q=westlife. live.
  26. Web site: https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/163336/rank/single/. ja:マライア・キャリーのアルバム売り上げランキング. ja. Oricon. 17 November 2017. 22 December 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151222225034/https://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/163336/rank/single/. live.
  27. Web site: Major Market Airplay: Poland. Music & Media. 25. November 25, 2000. July 23, 2021. 28 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210928233421/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2000/MM-2000-11-25.pdf. live.
  28. Top National Sellers: Portugal. 21 October 2000. Music & Media. 1 November 2020. 11. 6 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200606133603/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2000/MM-2000-10-21.pdf. live.
  29. The Official UK Airplay Charts Top 50. Music Week. 23. October 7, 2000.
  30. Web site: Rapports Annuels 2000. Ultratop. fr. 27 May 2015. 12 March 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120312025357/http://www.ultratop.be/fr/annual.asp?year=2000. live.
  31. Web site: Classement Singles – année 2000. SNEP. 27 May 2015. fr. https://web.archive.org/web/20120729033047/http://www.disqueenfrance.com/fr/page-259376.xml?year=2000. 29 July 2012. dead.
  32. Web site: Jaarlijsten 2000. nl. Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. 27 May 2015. 14 March 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040314144452/http://www.top40web.nl/jaarlijsten/jr2000.html. live.
  33. Web site: Swiss Year-end Charts 2000. Hung Medien. 27 May 2015. 6 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141006150256/http://swisscharts.com/charts/jahreshitparade/2000. live.
  34. Web site: Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2000. April 3, 2018. Crowley Broadcast Analysis. January 30, 2022. February 16, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190216170631/https://maistocadas.mus.br/2000/. live.
  35. Web site: Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 2000 p.9. Music & Media. 12 September 2022. 15 June 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200615122244/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/00s/2000/MM-2000-12-23.pdf. live.
  36. Web site: Top 100 of 2000. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20040602112628/http://www.rte.ie/2fm/charts/top100_2000.html. 2 June 2004. 16 March 2022.
  37. Web site: Årslista Singlar – År 2000. GLF/archive.is. 17 November 2017. sv. dead. https://archive.today/20150203152528/http://www.hitlistan.se/netdata/ghl002.mbr/lista?liid=43&dfom=20000001&newi=0&height=420&browser=MSIE&navi=no&subframe=Mainframe. 3 February 2015.
  38. Best Sellers of 2000 – Singles Top 100. Music Week. United Business Media. London, England. 25. 20 January 2001.

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