Mariah Carey’s "Butterfly" [LIVE on Letterman 1997] - SINGER REACTS

[@Pijat_Semarang]

This is why Mariah Carey's voice is not boring to listen. She can produce so many textures in her voice. What a Legend.

[@adany83]

this song is one of the most beautiful songs of her, this album is a master P , full of harmonies and raspiness on her voice, she is THE VOICE.

[@FermiBubbleGummyBear]

I really love how her voice effectively flutters like a butterfly across the entire song. It's really evident in the raw Acapella, and it almost sounds like she interweaves vibrato with a trill and it has this beautifully delicate and vulnerable quality.

[@fz634]

it’s the best ❤

[@FishFinga17]

When this song came out, though I found it beautiful, it frustrated me a bit because I could not understand why Mariah would hold back so long, especially after the fireworks of "Emotions". But now decades later it took me this long to realize the genius songwriter that is Mariah Carey, mimicked the flight pattern of the butterfly as it appears in nature 🤯. Like as of this moment! Can picture now, how a what 20yr old MC was laying in a field writing the this masterpiece way back when. Also, her attention to detail regarding the backup vocals (somebody's singing the wrong note 🤣) is legendary. I mean Erika pointed out how the backup singer went into a high riff. Funny what a trained ear can pick up

[@MC-8]

I always thought she sounded like how a butterfly flies... it's incredible

[@SuperVictor400]

This happens throughout the album but especially in this song, it's such an incredible detail that few people comment on but it's totally consistent with this song's proposal.

[@ilovetati91]

Her voice was really raspy in that era. It didn't feel like "cracking" in the traditional sense, but a tonal quality her voice took on during this time period for different reasons

[@ilovetati91]

@Adonister87 We know that.

[@rosemont2283]

Not this 😭

[@ilovetati91]

@@rosemont2283 LinkedIn is one click away bestie

[@avec-toi]

@@rosemont2283 😭😭

[@popland1977]

@Adonister87 her tour only had a few dates though

[@franss7554]

I love Mariah’s constant flipping back and forth between chest and head voice in this song, and how she makes it seem easy to do so. I like how she almost only uses very soft tones for the 2 verses, and leave the punchy belts for the climax. And how she ends it very softly too! Thank you Erika for breaking that down😍, that was really interesting to watch you explain how so much is happening in only a split second when it comes to Mariah’s singing!

[@erikatorresmusic_]

you are SO welcome!!!

[@MonarchButterfly.]

@@erikatorresmusic_ Please could you react to "I Wanna Love You Forever" live @ Netherlands it start at 07:30 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIekhKSprb6gbJo

[@MC-8]

This song is really an underrated masterpiece, from the lyrics, to the vocals to the music

[@burburchacha]

15:04 this was the era when her nodules were starting to hinder her

[@carloss5376]

i love how you mentioned the backup singers! this is one of my favorite performances by mariah but i can’t help but always sing with the the background singers and their perfect harmonies!

[@darcydecastro4403]

Thank you for describing both the technicality and emotions of her performance here. It means a whole lot more from someone who have truly studied music. 💙

[@Natulifee]

Mariah é a maior lenda viva da atualidade ❤

[@fate5150]

Mariah's voice Is so 😻

[@heyrhomee3171]

I love the way you break down every note she sang. When Mariah sings, she makes it look easy and effortless, but when others do it, you can see the struggles.

[@ares6953]

Mariah Carey is the blueprint for so many singers out there !! such a unique and wonderful voice with so much texture and range !

[@Ernie1978]

Mariah Carey's voice is a unique instrument. God-given talent - just like yours, Erika. Thank you for blessings us with this video filled with wicked explanations. Also, I love how you edit these videos - gotta say it!!

[@erikatorresmusic_]

Thank you so much sweetheart

[@sodade21]

One of my Favorite performances of that Era and the favorite of the song. She sound so fragile and emotional connected with every little note/change/register Very nice analysis and really reminded me of that little details I loved and almost forgot about... Thank you! 💖❤💓🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋❤💜💓💗

[@erikatorresmusic_]

This was a beautiful performance, I totally agree she sounded very emotionally connected. So happy you liked it!! Thanks for coming back

[@desh2769]

@@erikatorresmusic_ she's said she wrote this song as what she'd always hope Tommy would say to her. She just needed him to let go of the choking control he had over her, but he never did, so she divorced him.

[@hergar5780]

Can’t agree more

[@loyalpaname4458]

Mariah incredible voice 🔥🔥

[@charliechuggerz]

i loved your reaction analysis ugh so good

[@erikatorresmusic_]

You are so welcome!

[@eltonsouzasantos4875]

Queen of voice 👑

[@Scott-yy]

You never fail to bring a smile on my face with your videos!! One of my favourite Mariah songs and performances. She wrote it from the perspective of what she wanted her ex-husband to say to her. I also love how her style of vocal producing is so intentional. It's almost like her voice was opening up like a butterfly out of a cocoon from the beginning with breathy and airy to the end with belts and a fuller voice. Very emotional and personal for her.

[@erikatorresmusic_]

I'm so happy to hear that :) thank you, I agree the way she sings is so thoughtful and intentional, and she really grows throughout this performance.

[@elponchi]

Loving this reaction: the vocal dynamics of this song are out of this world. You can tell the resemblances between Ariana's breathy tone and Mariah's breathy vocals she developed since 1993 and you can clearly hear all over the Butterfly record.

[@tylermills4812]

Actually Mariah's been using those breathy vocals since she debuted!

[@alejandrocorpuziii8702]

mariah is the queen Diva on Earth forever. listen to all of her songs. No one can sing like Mariah Carey . She always makes it very unique. Thanks Erica.

[@TheGreatHeathenArmy]

My goodness, your voice is insane. I was not ready, subscribe earned.

[@jenpot25]

Even in her bad vocal days, her voice is so Angelic. But her performance in this video is fire...

[@bigbof6527]

Greatest Vocalist Alive! Great reaction!

[@roamover8826]

Spread your wings and fly. You are flying there in analyzing one of the most heartfelt songs for me. Nice one. 😀

[@rasierra]

Clearly an educated lamb. Instant subscribe!

[@erikatorresmusic_]

🥰🥰🥰

[@Maidhi]

this album is the first time I getting know Mariah~ 😊

[@arturodelcastillo9191]

All students have to analyze her , a master perfection vocalist ! Look how she looked the backgrounds when they don’t do the exact note ….. 😅🫣😝

[@arborja]

Imagine how powerful your voice is, that you need to pull the mic away from your mouth to not break it 😍

[@wimpytx93]

I love your reactions! And how you compare the techniques. It wasn’t: 🚫🚫🚫 It also wasn’t:🚫🚫🚫 It was:✅✅✅

[@hergar5780]

That live!!! I am living for it! I am so blessed she gave it a credit and offered it to us on streaming. what I love is how the technique is bringing so much emotion like she feels her song as she was creating it at that moment. One of her best live ever.

[@Andrea-cp8ng]

Your reactions on Mariah are just great. Thank you!

[@markboron5581]

First time watcher and 5 mins into the video and I absolutely love how you are dissecting almost every phrase!! So great to hear someone actually breakdown technically sonically rhythmically psychologically etc how she achieves those MC sounds! Subscribed 😊

[@debbie4525]

I love the way Erika demonstrates vocally everything she says verbally; that alone is hard to find on these critiques. That she does so so beautifully, professionally, with such attention to detail, mixing razor sharp intelligience and wit into the mix, is just icing on the cake! This is a wonderful find, thank you so very much Erika Torres!

[@brandonleans]

Omg I just absolutely LOVE all your reactions. And like damn your musical background in there is amazing.

[@erikatorresmusic_]

Thank you ❤️

[@lycheequibal]

Mariah 's voice is too busy making riffs and runs, from low to airy and to belt high notes.. Such a gifted lady.

[@wrapt8234]

Guys mariah gave that background singer the eye 😂😂meaning someonez doing the wrong note she was singing over mariah thought u would notice the eye since your reactions are detailed

[@kaylahface]

Hey babe!!! I just wanted to thank you as a fellow singer myself (I don’t know how old you are I’m 31) for professionally breaking down this song!!!! This is my number one favorite song probably in the whole world. I always go back to this song when I’m in my singing moods. When I was younger, it got me through break ups. It still kind of does. (🥴But also how come this is like the best song for sticking up for like a cheating ex or some thing😂😂😂😂😂), now that I’m a legit adult and have been through lots of life experience so far in terms of all kinds of relationships; I think about the meaning of this song in just a little bit of a different lens 🤔🧐a more mature lense I suppose. Of corse the sentiment of this songs lyrics 🦋 still holds true a million percent! I just don’t take it as an excuse for a former lovers bad behavior like I once did when I was young and dumb. Idk there’s a lot of variables that go into the meaning… ANyWAYS: my point in saying thanks to you is because I haven’t ever (since I got on KZbin in 08) seen but maybe 2 entire people on YT cover this song at all or in general period!! I will go and check every year or so to see if there’s somthing new, and here you are full blown breaking it down baby!!! 👏🫡🤗🥳 I don’t know all the correct verbiage when it comes to music 🎼 I just sing 🎤 ignorantly, but I do know that there is probably a reason that there’s not much out there on this particular song. I’ve always been so proud of myself for being able to sing that hook near the end of the song, that starts @13:02 in this video. But the rest of the song is sooooo extremely hard for me to keep up and still sound nice like Mariah; cus it’s so airy and sooo high pitched, and all the other stuff you were explaining 😂😂 So I personally, actually only stick to singing the “hardest” part in Butterfly 🦋 cus it’s the only part of that song that I CAN do and kill 😂😂😂 I would pay 💰 you to teach me how to sing this entire song effortlessly 🙌🏼 I’m a closeted singer 🙃☹️ it’s starting to actually really get to me now that I’m 31 and only 3 people in total (none of my ex boyfriends cus they sucked and NEVER made me feel comfortable enough with them) have heard MY REAL voice. My 6 year old son, who’s my biggest fan has actually given me confidence and more courage to actually do somthing about it! It’s really quite sad, I feel literally like Ariel 🧜🏻‍♀️ and everyone around me is Ursula 🐙 . I have such severe stage fright that even like when I go to record myself, even if I’m alone!!! My singing voice automatically goes downhill all the way, it sounds like some fool on American Idol who THINKS that they can sing 😂!! I can only sing like Mariah/Ariana/ Celine/Whitney ; when I am all alone in my house or 🚿 I don’t even bother recording my vocals on my phone anymore. Whether it’s through video or audio on my iPhone, it sounds like actual garbage! It sounds nothing like what I’m hearing IRL…. It’s the same phenomenon that we have, with not being able to truly know what we look like in a mirror or in a camera. That’s another thing! I don’t even freaking take pictures of myself anymore.😂😂😂😂it just severely pisses me off & adds 10+ pounds to my face and body 1000000 percent 👌🏼 The Camera really do be adding 10 lbs plus 😒 except I only feel that way about myself!! Everyone else looks AND sound’s perfectly great to me lol! I’ll never understand! 😫 I’m NOT good at tech shit! But could you maybe recommend an affordable system for me whether it’s a microphone or I don’t even know what!!!! Just something for me to record my vocals and hear what I am hearing in my ears while I sing!!

[@keenanvigne]

Way to analyze this beautiful song 🙌🏿

[@GARdotETH]

Absolutely love this performance! In the studio version, Mariah layered her own vocals in the background but I love how the background singers in this live version take over her backing vocals back and forth, so cool.

[@lilyrobert2224]

Hi Erika. Thank you for another great analysis. Your breakdown of Mariah's performance was very detailed. I like this classic song, and I enjoy you going over these relatively unknown performances. Thanks!

[@erikatorresmusic_]

Hi Lily!!! So happy you enjoyed the silly video & all the lil details. This is such a classic song ❤️❤️

[@marianonicolasguzman4870]

I really love that you show differences between more than one way to sing each phrase. Super clear and interesting 👏💪

[@zusman84]

Yes was waiting for this reaction. Great reaction. I love the butterfly album. I love "Outside" the lyrics and vocals are everything to me. I've cried to that song. Mariah uploaded "Outside" as an "a cappella" version, I think you should check that out. You can hear her voice so much clearer as well as the background vocals without the music. It's ear-candy to me. 😊

[@somespecies]

"Forever" still doing cameos in your MC videos. Love that 😂

[@erikatorresmusic_]

HAHA

[@never152]

Wow this is a great video. And you're an amazing singer.

[@erikatorresmusic_]

Thank you so much!!

[@ccohen747400]

I really enjoy your perspective. Thanks for the excellent breakdown!

[@erikatorresmusic_]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching :)

[@SalRN14]

Best reaction vid since you actually explain what is going on with the vocals.

[@kyle1462]

Another great analysis of queen Mariah’s vocals…. The Roof is one of my faves off this album. Can you do My All Live analysis please 🙏

[@Carolch0327]

16:55 You imitating her hand gesture is the best thing ever😂😂😂😂 make me chuckle

[@fate5150]

Fav song from butterfly: Babydoll

[@wbillswbills9276]

Yaaasss... This is so perfect of her. She is so amazing.

[@jamestaliaferro1089]

My favorite song on this album is the Butterfly reprise. It's soooooo reminiscent of the club scene!!!!! ❤🐑 🦋 🌈

[@josemxnoel]

great react, i loved the observations about her voice, so interesting!!!🥰

[@jaspers5354]

Hands down the best female singer ever walked this earth, what she did with here voice and live...out of this world..❤

[@amazingjourneyb5261]

That voice so delicate. Handa down to the most beautiful and technical voice for eternity.

[@alexanderrahmatullah7059]

You are such a wonderful singer yourself. I'm looking forward to your Album

[@erikatorresmusic_]

❤️❤️

[@adany83]

i love all teh songs the album is my favorite but my top 2 are whenever you call and the roof!

[@RaciouS91]

Please react to Mariah's version of If you only knew + Somewhere over the rainbow live. It fulls of riffs and runs and very emotional performance

[@realtorhuan]

Love you videos! Please react/analyze My All. It's one of my favorite songs ever!

[@dvus1977]

I remember this performance. I was an avid Letterman Watcher. Lil Fact about Ed Sullivan Theatre ( Where the show was filmed) they kept it very very cold usually in the 50s because of confined space and all The equipment would overheat, She would jest with David over how cold they would keep the Studio. The cold ❄️🥶 affects her singing.

[@vanessam.mpantig886]

My all, Rooftop and whenever u call are my most favorites from that album..

[@angelxemotions9102]

Pleasee react to “emotions” live at Des O’Connor (INCREDIBLE WHISTLE NOTES)!!! And “make it happen” live at Madison suqare garden!!

[@darren2007]

Love your videos! I’ve watched Mariah for years so it’s really interesting listening to you break down the vocals ❤

[@erikatorresmusic_]

I'm so glad! :)))

[@francoruiters1280]

Can these karaoke fan people please stop asking to react to other people trying to song a Mariah Carey song. NO ONE CAN SING A MARIAH SONG, BUT MARIAH. Too many singers sing her songs, but they wana sing it word for word like Mariah did it, and not even try to make it their own. They can really get their own music and sound, and stop doing Mariah Carey, cos she's got this. Take a lesson from Ariana after years of copying Mariah's singing style and 90's inspired looks, ARIANA FOUND HER SOUND AND LOOK WHICH SHE'S KNOWN FOR TODAY. SHE'S FINALLY HER OWN ARTIST, COS ITS SAD TO SEE SOMEONE TRYING TO BE ANOTHER PERSON, EVEN OF U ADMIRE THEM, BE YOURSELF.

[@Just_Chosenn]

THIS IS MY FAVORITE PERFORMANCE

[@erikatorresmusic_]

I love this one!!!

[@tabshoura]

I love you. You are beautiful. You can pull anything off. Thx for sharing your knowledge

[@pasqualeperrone1560]

I enjoyed listening to this so much. Would you ever consider FLO’s music? They’re an R&b girl group from London. They have amazing harmonies and I would be really interested in hearing what you think of their approach to singing and harmony. :)

[@nikkojeanmatimatico9700]

Hoping to see you react about the "legendary death glare" she did after the phrase "to the sun".

[@Neonlike0]

So happy to see you do this one (any Mariah I'm happy with, let's be honest). The end of this just gives me chills every time. For some reason she has the best "resolutions" in her songs. There is only one MC. Your demonstrations are fire! I love the way she changed the run in this live version at 18:10-18:12. Did she do something different to the scale there because it sounds different?

[@erikatorresmusic_]

She did do something different!! Gonna talk about it in a riffing video in a few weeks. 😉 Thanks for pointing this out!! Love this performance. Thanks for coming back ❤️❤️

[@Neonlike0]

@@erikatorresmusic_ thanks for your reply. You're the best. Can't wait for the breakdown video. Amazing performance for sure!!

[@shiningspark8299]

Mariah's singing is the most pleasant and beautiful. Other people's singing is annoying. It makes her the best singer.

[@品茉兒-珈珈團隊]

Hi! You’re so good ! Do you know “whenever you call” ?? Hope can hear you talk about this song😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@PlayMouseTV]

i really, really appreciate your EVERY, SINGLE, DETAIL in EVERY, SINGLE, LINE 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 REALLY BENEFICIAL FOR AN ASPIRING SINGER-SONGWRITER like me, keep it up, im your new fan

[@erikatorresmusic_]

So happy to hear that :)

[@babyface03me]

Erika I love your channel and your very detailed review, please go a deep dive with When You Believe live in Oprah

[@jonnelcanon845]

Please react to her the one live performance and lead the way song. You're reaction videos are very fun and educational. Thank you for this. More power ❤️

[@reelzzz7765]

i so love this song

[@alisapolyak51]

I love how excited you get!! And yes …. She is full of weird stuff

[@doniell3807]

Hail y the queen...her voice like angel

[@motr1990]

Did you ever listen to Melt Away? One of my all-time fav songs of her. I think you will like it a lot. Don't think she ever performed it live though.

[@erikatorresmusic_]

I actually love that song!! You’re right it’s such a good one

[@angiegarciap]

Love Mariah! You have my immediate subscription lol 😄 Could you do videos teaching riffs? ☺️

[@erikatorresmusic_]

I have some up already!! And more coming for sure :))

[@richierich1129]

Subscribed

[@caitleen8547]

I subscribed. nice reaction. ❤️

[@adany83]

is funny how she has like 5 backup singers singing that adn she did all that herself in the studio!!

[@fate5150]

I love it

[@wf8590]

alan ( 阿兰 阿蘭) 『明日への讃歌 ～Ashitaeno Sanka～ 』from 『alan symphony 2014』by miu JAPAN kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZnamZumn9RlpqM ‘Singer 2020’ MIASIA - 逢いたくていま kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIuVl5J5Yq-ErK8

[@actuallyterry]

Was the Butterfly era that long ago.

[@joeymoricone9008]

Love this somg

[@MrDarkangel1883]

Erika can u please a Cover of butterfly 🦋- would be awesome. I really like u voice ❤

[@joeymoricone9008]

Yassssssss

[@dlouise64]

Lol you’re very entertaining

[@erikatorresmusic_]

Thank ya!

[@thesingleequestrian413]

Who was Mariah side eyeing? Lol it was after she talks about the background singer going on...👀

[@dacrimsoncurse]

mariah done jazz too Listen to her song The Wind from her second album

[@JMacx]

I love myself some raspRiah 😍

[@mackoycas]

Can you react to her best live vocals pls.

[@NighttimeBird]

Oh, Mariah. I'm a fan but I know she has a very complicated history with her voice. In an interview, she said she has vocal nodules and has had them since she was a child. If you watch her early on videos, you'll notice she's very confident with her voice. She opens her vowels throughout. From 97 on, she has shown a lot of restraint. She's lost a lot of her confidence and it seems she fights against her voice breaking. You can clearly hear some choices she makes, like preferring staccato over legato and not opening her mouth in the verse part. I don't think it's a sin to notice that your favourite singer might have some good and bad periods and Mariah is the best example to show how much a voice can change due to psychological/emotional or physical problems.

[@ethans7377]

I love love love your analysis. I was wondering (no pressure of course) if you would react to Whitney Houston I Believe In You and Me at the 16th Annual Music Awards from 2004. I think it's very interesting because it is past her "prime" but still shows that she was the vocalist of vocalists

[@zyongslife]

LOL someone messed up! @6:35

[@LSD77777]

You have a beautiful voice too

[@erikatorresmusic_]

❤️❤️❤️

[@theresasmiles4107]

Are you a lamb? 🤭 I'm a super lamb! She's my favorite artist, no question. I love your channel! You analyze beautifully, it really opens my eyes (& ears more carefully, haha) Thank you for sharing your dedication & passion. Gnarly May I request that you analyze Emily Bear's "Emotions"? She's 20 & a master pianist. A Disney producer & Emily just received a grammy for a recent album, "The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical".

[@erikatorresmusic_]

Thank you so much!! I am definitely a Lamb :)

[@StyleChatter]

Not sure if you noticed, but she sang this live version a half key lower than on the studio version. What do you think?

[@sodalover_8374]

I was like wtf everytime the reactor pauses the video to imitate Mariah's singing like it's not even close!