HERO
MARIAH
CAREY &
SONGWRITERS:
MARIAH CAREY & Walter Afanasieff
COUNTRY:
U.S.A.
ALBUM: HERO
LABEL: COLUMBIA
GENRE: SOUL
YEAR: 1993
"Hero"
is a song by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released on
October 19, 1993, via Columbia Records as the second single from Carey's third studio
album, Music Box(1993). Originally intended for Gloria Estefan, the song was
written and produced by Mariah and Walter Afanasieff. While writing the song,
Carey did not connect to its style or sound, therefore forfeiting it over to
the soundtrack of the film of the same name. However, after being convinced to keep it, she
changed some of the lyrics to more precisely fit her personality. Lyrically,
the song is regarded as one of Carey's most inspirational and personal ballads,
with its protagonist declaring that even though people may feel discouraged or
down at times, in reality, they are "heroes" if they look inside
themselves and see their own inner strength; in time, it will help them
"find the way".
The song received mixed reviews from contemporary music
critics for its lyrical content, while Carey's vocal performance was praised.
Aside from its lyrics, "Hero" derived its hook and sound from several
musical instruments such as the guitar, piano, and organ. The
song experienced strong success in several international markets, and also
became Carey's eighth chart topper on the Billboard Hot 100. Additionally, it was ranked
number 53 on the Decade-End Chart. Outside the United States, "Hero"
enjoyed strong charting, reaching the top five in Canada, France, Ireland, New
Zealand and Norway and the top ten in Australia and the United Kingdom.
Due to fan requests and letters, as well as their
connection to its personal meaning and content, the song remains one of Carey's
most performed songs. Deemed by many as her signature
song, the song was originally performed on The Arsenio Hall Show, The Tonight
Show with Jay Leno, and Hey Hey It's Saturday during its original chart run.
Additionally, Carey performed it on several live telethons and specials, such
as Pavarotti and Friends and Michael Jackson & Friends in 1999, America: A
Tribute to Heroes in 2001, Live 8 in 2005, and the inaugural ball for Barack
Obama in 2009. Additionally, the song was featured on the set-lists of all of
Carey's tours, usually serving as the encore or closing number, and making its
debut during the album's accompanying set of concerts, the Music Box Tour. The
song was included on several of Carey's compilation albums, #1's(1998), Greatest
Hits(2001), The Ballads(2008), and #1 to Infinity(2015).
There's a hero, if you look
inside your heart
You don't have to be afraid of
what you are
There's an answer, if you reach
into your soul
And the sorrow that you know
will melt away
And then a hero comes along,
with the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside,
and you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is
gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the
truth, that a hero lies in you
It's a long road, when you face
the world alone
No one reaches out a hand for
you to hold
You can find love, if you
search within yourself
And the emptiness you felt will
disappear
And then a hero comes along,
with the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside,
and you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is
gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the
truth, that a hero lies in you
Lord knows, dreams are hard to
follow
But don't let anyone tear them
away
Just hold on, there will be
tomorrow
In time, you'll find the way
And then a hero comes along,
with the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside,
and you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is
gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you'll finally see the
truth, that a hero lies in you
That a hero lies in you
That a hero lies in you
That a hero lies in you.
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