The Ballads is the third compilation album by American singer Mariah Carey. The album features some of Carey's top-selling ballads over the course of her career. It was released internationally in late 2008, in North America in January 2009, and in the United Kingdom in February 2010. It debuted at number ten on the US Billboard 200, marking the highest debut of the week, and also peaked atop the UK R&B Albums Chart.

Background and release The album was announced in 2008 and was set to feature various ballads both from Carey's time at Columbia Records and from the soundtrack album, Glitter (2001). The album did not feature any new material or any songs from then-label, Island Records. The album was released internationally on various dates from October 2008, and later released throughout North America on January 20, 2009. For the North American release of the album, Carey re-recorded her 1993 single "Hero". A music video was shot which showed Carey singing in a recording room accompanied by her dog. It is intercut with a scene of New York City during the night. The album was later re-released in the United Kingdom under a new title, LoveSongs, on February 8, 2010.

Promotion Carey performed "Hero" at the Inauguration of Barack Obama on January 20, 2009, in Washington, D.C., and was featured on a CBS TV special. A limited edition of The Ballads was being sold exclusively at all Target Stores; this edition included a small bottle of Carey's fragrance Luscious Pink.

Critical reception

Blogcritics said: "This release is a different type of Mariah Carey album. Without her faster and hip hop songs, it is smoother as it puts the focus squarely on her vocals which has always been her greatest attribute and saving grace". AllMusic stated, "And that's what The Ballads is: nothing but big love songs sung in a big voice." Billboard stated that the album "will keep singing on the chart as we get closer to Valentine's Day, as it seems like a natural gift purchase."

Commercial performance The album debuted at number 17 on UK Albums Chart. Following a successful appearance on X Factor, the album peaked at number 13 in its 4th week and remained on chart for ten consecutive weeks. In 2018, the Official Charts Company reported that the album listed amongst Carey's top ten biggest albums on the chart. In Ireland, the album peaked at number 8 and remained on chart for twelve weeks, and has been certified gold. In New Zealand, the album peaked at number 19, remaining on chart for three weeks. The album also debuted at number 79 in Australia. In Japan, the album has reached number 19. The album debuted at number 45 on the Dutch Albums Chart and fell nine spots behind in the second week. In the third week the album climbed from number 54 to 5.

In 2009 for its American release, the album debuted at number 10 on the US Billboard 200 with first week sales of 29,000 units. It was the chart's highest debut that week Carey's fourth compilation album to chart, following #1's (number 4 in 1998), Greatest Hits (number 52 in 2001) and The Remixes (number 26 in 2003). It also debut at number 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. As of November 2018, the album has sold 395,000 copies in the US.

Track listing

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2008–2011)Peakposition Argentine Albums (CAPIF)9Australian Albums (ARIA) 79European Albums (Top 100)42French Compilations (SNEP)39Japanese Albums (Oricon)19Taiwanese Albums (Five Music) 1

Year-end charts Chart (2008)PositionUK Albums (OCC)126Chart (2009)PositionUS Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)97

Certifications and sales

Release history Various International – October 17, 2008 South Korea and Argentina – October 21, 2008 Hong Kong – October 22, 2008 Germany – October 24, 2008; April 10, 2009 Australia – November 3, 2008 France – November 17, 2008 Japan – November 26, 2008 Canada – November 2008 Brazil – December 2, 2008 Taiwan – December 30, 2008 Portugal – January 19, 2009 US – January 20, 2009 Spain – February 3, 2009

References