On this day in 1990, Mariah Carey released ‘Love Takes Time’ as the second single from her debut self-titled album.
The song almost didn’t make it onto Mariah’s debut as it was completed after the album had already been finalised, and Mariah intended it for her second full-length release. It was added at the very last minute, and the song’s title isn’t printed on early pressings of the album.
‘Love Takes Time’ became her second consecutive #1 single in the US, staying on top for three weeks. It also topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks charts. Internationally, it was a Top 15 hit in Canada, New Zealand and Australia.
Mariah won two BMI Pop Music Awards for ‘Love Takes Time’, for ‘Best Songwriter’ and ‘Song of The Year’.
The music video was filmed in the Hamptons, and Mariah has made it known that it wasn’t a great experience for her as it was raining and very cold, among other reasons. The heart-shaped diamond and ruby necklace which Mariah is wearing in the video was given away as a prize in 2014 as part of a charity for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Mariah’s phenomenal live performance of the song at the Tatou Club in 1990 was included on the digital EP ‘The Live Debut – 1990‘.
Watch the music video:
Live at the Tatou Club (1990):
Live at Proctor’s Theatre (1993):