Performer: Jason Castro
Song: “I Don’t Want to Cry”

Her fourth hit single of 1990 (see!), “I Don’t Wanna Cry” proved that Mariah Carey’s masterwork of “Vision of Love” was no fluke. Off her debut album, “I Don’t Wanna Cry,” many believed was written by a high priced songwriter out of the hit machine, but in fact showed the world that she is equally as gifted a songwriter as a songstress.

It became her fourth number one of her debut record, a feat never achieved by any other artist and setting up her run to overtake Elvis in 2008.

And here’s Mariah’s original 1990s video that kind of looks its age. The video, not Mariah!

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Performer: David Cook
Song: “Always Be My Baby”

A fun and light love song from Mariah, “Always Be My Baby” served as her first collaboration with super-producer Jermaine Dupri. This 1995 song went to the top of the charts and is just one of Mariah Carey’s 18 number hits.

Also from Daydream, the hit single was the fourth single from that record. Having three or more singles off of a record is an accomplishment. Mariah continually releases a fourth or fifth single and they almost always hit the top of the charts.

Mariah Carey in her 1995 version.

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Performer: Kristy Lee Cook
Song: “Forever”

Never meant to be a country song, “Forever” as sang by Kristy showed the world what a phenomenal songwriter Mariah Carey has always been.

“Forever” arrived off of Mariah’s fourth album, Daydream in 1996. It was never a true single, but became one because of the audience identification with the song. Placed on B-sides of other hit songs, the track got some serious airplay and eventually peaked on the Hot 100 at number nine.

We could listen to Mariah sing this song “Forever.” Live from Tokyo…it’s Mariah.

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Performer: Brooke White
Song: “Hero”

Another hit single off of Mariah’s 1993 Music Box, “Hero” is the quintessential Mariah Carey ballad. Powerful and sensitive, “Hero” showed off Mariah’s inspirational side by informing the world that “the Hero lies in you.”

The song took on a life of its own after the 9/11 attacks. Mariah performed “Hero” during the Sept. 14 charity event broadcast on every major network. In a room full of celebrities, you could have heard a pin drop when she delivered the song into the heart of a grieving nation.

And here’s Mariah from that famous 9/11 concert:

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Performer: Syesha Mercado
Song: “Vanishing”

The least known of the Mariah Carey songs that were performed on American Idol, this track arrived in 1991 as the B-side of her hit single “Emotions.” Performed with Mariah only accompanied by a piano, “Vanishing” is further proof that the vocal prowess exhibited by Mariah is not the likes of which we will see again for a very long time.

Here’s Mariah doing it as only she can.

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Performer: Carly Smithson
Song: “Without You”

“Without You” was originally recorded by Badfinger in 1970 but never became a hit until Harry Nilsson re-did it in 1971. Nilsson’s version spent four weeks atop the charts. But the song really became famous when Mariah Carey tackled it for her 1993 smash album, Music Box. Released as her third single it almost became a number one for Mariah, topping at number two.

Kelly Clarkson performed the song at the end of her run on American Idol and served as the song that clinched her title.

Here’s Mariah taking Harry Nillson’s classic to new heights….

And let’s not forget Kelly Clarkson and her heaven-sent classic…

Then, there’s the true original…Harry Nilsson’s…

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Performer: David Archuleta
Song: “When You Believe”

“When You Believe” was the song fans of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston were waiting for to arrive. The track was the theme from one of Dreamworks’ first foray’s into animation. The 1998 song hit number one with its slick production by Babyface and the dream team combination of Mariah and Whitney.

The fact David tackled a song not only by Mariah, but a duet with Whitney shows this kid’s confidence — tackling two titans at once, well done, David.

and here’s the titans of pop, Mariah and Whitney…

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