Mariah Carey Celebrates ‘Daydream’ 30th Anniversary With New Version

It’s not just a sweet, sweet fantasy: Mariah Carey has released an expanded edition of Daydream to celebrate the seminal album’s 30th anniversary. Officially titled Daydream: 30th Anniversary Edition, the new version includes unreleased bonus tracks, rare demos, live performances, and remixes. The digital version is out now via Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings.

“This album marked an era of firsts for me: my first rap collaboration on the iconic ‘Fantasy’ remix with O.D.B., my first time working with JD, my first world tour, my first time directing a music video on my own, and so many more,” Carey wrote in a post on social media. “It’s only fitting to include some ‘firsts’ on this anniversary edition too! Most notably, this is the first time I’ve ever agreed (or rather, been convinced) to release my private writing sessions for ‘I Am Free’ (with Walter A.) and ‘Melt Away’ (with Babyface). I hope you enjoy this lil’ glimpse into the making of these songs, along with remixes, live performances, acapellas, and b-sides.”

Daydream was released on Oct. 3 1995 as Carey’s fifth studio album, and marked a definitive shift in her sound as the superstar expertly blended R&B, hip-hop, and pop sounds together, creating a fresh landscape that set the foundation for her classic LP Butterfly. It debuted at Number One on the Billboard 200 and created multiple hits like “Fantasy,” “Always Be My Baby,” and “One Sweet Day,” Carey’s collaboration with Boyz II Men. Since then, the album has been certified 11-times multi-platinum.

In her 2020 memoir The Meaning of Mariah Carey, the singer revealed that during sessions for Daydream, she made an entirely different, totally unexpected project that has yet to be released: her alternative rock album.

“I was playing with the style of the breezy-grunge, punk-light white female singers who were popular at the time,” she wrote at the time. “They could be angry, angsty, and messy, with old shoes, wrinkled slips, and unruly eyebrows, while every movie I made was so calculated and manicured.” Carey continued: “I wanted to break free, let loose, and express my misery — but I also wanted to laugh. I totally looked forward to doing my alter-ego band sessions after Daydream each night.” Maybe we’ll get finally get to hear that album for Daydream’s next anniversary.

Daydream: 30th Anniversary Edition 3LP Track List
Side A
“Fantasy”
“Underneath The Stars”
“One Sweet Day (with Boyz II Men)”
“Open Arms”
“Always Be My Baby”
“I Am Free”

Side B
“When I Saw You”
“Long Ago”
“Melt Away”
“Forever”
“Daydream Interlude – Fantasy Sweet Dub Mix”
“Looking In”

Side C
“Fantasy” (Feat. O.D.B.)
“Always Be My Baby” (Feat. Da Brat & Xscape)
“Underneath The Stars” (Drifting Re-Mix)
“One Sweet Day” (Chucky’s Remix)
“Melt Away” (Extended A Capella)

Side D
“Slipping Away”
“One Night”
“Fantasy” (Def Club Mix)
“Always Be My Baby” (Def Classic Radio Version)

Side E – Live at Madison Square Garden
“Fantasy”
“Make It Happen”
“Open Arms”
“Dreamlover”
“Without You”

Side F
“One Sweet Day” (with Boyz II Men)  
“I’ll Be There” (with Wanya Morris)
“Hero”
“Always Be My Baby”
“Forever”
“Vision of Love”