Mariah Carey Butterfly live David Letterman show

[@RafaMedinadaydream]

I feel so proud of her. This one of her hardest songs ever and she simply nailed it.

[@joddymario4927]

simon cowell once said, singing whitney houston' songs are very difficult but singing mariah carey' songs are vocal suicide.. She is indeed incredible one.. God bless you mariah

[@walterajimenez9466]

The golden years of RnB...

[@ArnoldPerezFlute]

Her tone in the beginning is truly captivating. There is a buttery tone that no other singer has. Kind of sounds like the crackling noise of vinyl.

[@airplanefreak27]

I love when she did performances like this - no lip syncing and true, all-natural grit. Like she was struggling but she SANG and KILLED IT.

[@ArtbyKurtisEdwards]

Most of Mariah Carey pre-'we belong together' isn't lip synced. It does seem like the Butterfly album was the hardest for her to sing. I think it's because it one of her most personal.

[@ultralamb7808]

Kurtis Edwards The reason why the Butterfly album was so hard to sing life is because of the whisper tones which are very difficult to do and require amazing breath control e.t.c. The belting was the easy part for her here because she still had most of her voice in 1997 but it was just harder for her.

[@ArtbyKurtisEdwards]

Ultra Lamb IDK... "Can't let go" has a lot of falsettos, and whispers tones. Butterfly isn't sung in the whisper ranger, she sings the verses in falsetto. It's all opinion anyway, we aren't on her staff. LOL. I do agree, the falsettos do require a ton of control and this song is crazy complex with them. However, she, verifiably, within interviews communicated Butterfly as her most personal and was publicly going through a divorce. Talk to any vocal coach.... those are the biggest challenges she faced with Butterfly.

[@anggiansyahpohan5357]

Ultra Lamb i agree with you. Butterfly album is a falsetto album. Hahah. Her falsetto was so soft and she sang in it in many hard parts. I still can't do that

[@taeydream]

Ultra Lamb how is the belting on the butterfly album easy? the belts in outside are literally insane, and she definitely could not have done them live during this era

[@Sasori0fTheSand]

A song that is hard for Mariah Carey, is damn near impossible for everyone else. I love her facial expressions throughout this video, she's really struggling/focusing to get these notes out and she did it perfectly.

[@chocolatnoir1108]

thats why she will easily be caught is she lipping.

[@watchdotcom7786]

That why she is bad to lipsing

[@GaGaBjork1996]

I literally can't sum up the words. Perfect performance. And "Butterfly" truly is a new classic. The lyrics are beautiful, I think it's my favorite Mariah ballad (although she has so many A+ ballads). What a tough song to sing technically and she pulled it off ten fold. This was her best album.

[@ermanaziahsukemi4162]

Hfignvn gfjghvbbbvg

[@StephenScaccia]

How did this song not end up becoming a #1? Easily one of my favourites!

[@zusman84]

Like Simon Cowell once said, it is hard to sing a Whitney song but it is vocal suicide to sing a Mariah song.

[@GidanSimone]

wow! ahah where did he say this?

[@Steev82]

Simone Maiorca no matter if he said it, its the truth

[@GidanSimone]

I know it is the truth. I agree, but that wasn't my question ;)

[@ThePharaoho]

Jesus Soto It's hard whispering a song?

[@ThePharaoho]

Dylan Summers Whitney always sang with full vocals, she didn't whisper songs.

[@christianjamesbautista745]

This is why no one dares to sing a Mariah Carey song because all of her songs are written/co-written by her and can only and be perfectly sung by her 😍😍😍

[@CloroxBleach-hx9qp]

This song may not have whistles but it is actually very difficult. The climax really. Continual belting for 20 seconds.

[@globug327]

A lyrical genious, the arrangement of this song and her voice makes this one of theeee best songs ever made!!! Hands down!!

[@jordanharris5896]

gotta have 20 lungs to sing this shit

[@Ariespartner]

Jordan Harris im dead 😂😂

[@StephenScaccia]

that fucking truth tho. LOL

[@Dannoc100]

Wow the way she says "goodbye" at 2:56. I would definitely, definitely put this in top 10 mariah belted notes

[@sirmarky9991]

I thought it really was goodbye not to fly. But anyway, why am I replying from a comment 4 years ago. 😂

[@whirlaway05]

I am proud to be a lamb :)

[@teammmx]

you're a cute lamb

[@osnarful]

u guys are forgetting MARIAH WORTE THIS AMAZING SONG!

[@RafaMedinadaydream]

osnar zz wrote and produced

[@hedrickiii3414]

no wonder Mariah is avoiding this song to sing live. it's hard AF.. u need to have 10 lungs to sing this..lmao

[@pcg514]

I wish there was a LOVE instead of LIKE... Now why do people compare that Regine to Mariah... Did we forget MC wrote the damn song? The vocal control alone to sing that song live is unreal. There isn't artist on this planet who could even come close to MC's emotion and lyrical style. One of her best live performances of all time. Thank you for uploading this video I must have watched it 100 times over.

[@D3v1ut]

This performance is truly miraculous. The things she does vocally is truly amazing and so complicated to achieve. Wow, just wow. Her transitions are flawless.

[@AyyRamiK]

The way she can sing this song live is so incredible. Probably one of the most difficult songs to master, but she does it with such ease and beauty

[@clamant7]

Amazing!!! Awesome vocal, great range, excellent vocal control, flawless performance, and stunning appearance. Go Mimi!!!

[@Pikimai]

This is so so difficult to sing not only that but this was done live. Amazing!

[@jeremycorsello22]

I always cry every time i hear this song, from a beautiful voice Mariah Carey. I adore her so mech, Indeed! :')

[@mariahjojo7315]

I'm so proud to be a lamb till the end! she's simply the best!

[@mollly333]

Mariah is a freaking goddess here! This is perfection... I love her Butterfly album..

[@Buffnerd_i]

never seen her trying so hard to sing, this song must be hard as fuck

[@izell6316]

It is lol. The climax is one of the most difficult climaxes ever.

[@KM-fu8ur]

The climax is basically impossible to sing. I've never seen anyone, Mariah included, successfully do the entire thing live. Even in the studio version of the song, it's made up of two separate takes cut together.

[@SpaceCond0r]

I mean she did the entire thing live here, SNL, and on the Butterfly Tour.

[@JasonQiuMusic]

She's trying hard because she's actually singing and not lipping like she does all the time now

[@johnrovicmendoza5073]

"most" of the time.

[@mariahsarey]

You can tell she's going through something listening to the vocals. I'm a huge uber pink yet lavender little lamb. I've been there from the start so no haters! She never lost her voice like people had said she needed to re group and realize her new reality as a woman free from all that doubt and now her voice is better than ever and I challenge u to finding more than a few flawed performances they arnt there because they don't exist! Luv u!!

[@michaelthomas7907]

One hundred Percent one of the hardest songs to sing ever

[@Marvinglz]

This is why no one in these singing reality TV competitions dares and sings a Mariah Carey song. They're extremely pitchy and complicated to sing. Mariah recorded them and she has trouble singing them imagine a beginner?

[@Constavlos]

what about leona lewis?

[@Marvinglz]

Constavlos I've only heard Leona sing "Without You" and she couldn't sing the low parts. But she's a really good singer. Has she ever song a real Mariah song?

[@Constavlos]

lower register is Leona's weakest point. no she doesn't really sing any mariah but you should check out all her X factor performances and her live version of fireflies if you wanna hear her voice at full display.

[@Marvinglz]

Constavlos I've seen all her X factor shows and her new music doesn't interest me but thanks. :)

[@Constavlos]

ah yeah she sings different genres to mariah, but she definitely is the strongest live vocalists of today. no singer around today has the combination of tone quality, power, range, skill, and emotional expression that she has.

[@cmanning5709]

Her delivery is unmatched ... Feelings in every note every word Speaks to our hearts

[@MrDLOC11]

the creativity, the passion, the one & only Ms. Mariah Carey its the love & soul in her heart that makes her voice so compelling Beautiful.

[@jaywithyu]

Up until this day Mariah's whispery tone still gets me every time and those are the hardest thing to do

[@icydelight3693]

Perfect performance! I just love how she manages to harmonize with her voice... Wish she wrote songs that she can perform live today

[@aldys92]

The most difficult song to sing of Mariah.

[@MrZiga1234]

ex92 i think just behind whenever you call or anytime you need a friend

[@semutmerah1987]

ex92 i think the most difficult is Vision of Love

[@mahenur]

ex92 or emotions?

[@Okidk-f5l]

cos those falsettos are hit with airy texture ....

[@ramonpadilha9987]

ex92 1-Emotions 2- My All 3 - Forever

[@LevinaRosa]

wow go Mariah, this performance is reminding me why I was such a major fan at school, her voice was soo amazing here and she was so passionate and this performance was truely heart felt at the time!

[@valedavila5336]

God! how i love this woman.

[@Christina_Bodmer]

I remember watching this and recording it on my VHS. I still have her TV appearances all on tape!

[@chartstatss]

Vanessa Bodmer send me some

[@necholocastillo1910]

bow to the queen! this song is very hard

[@mariahmimimc09]

It's obvious that Mariah's voice would change at some point ! I mean every performance she did from 1990 to 1996 was perfect ! It's bound to take some kind of till on her voice and its amazing she can even sing with vocal noduals ! She is still arguably the best vocalist even today ! And to still be feared by artists half her age after she's been around for almost 25 years is incredible ! Mariah is and always will be remembered as one of the greats !

[@aozorafreak]

I can't stop watching it REPLAY !!!

[@gigsterians]

What I love about MC is her singing style that no one else can sound like her!!! She's brilliant and this song is so beautiful with a great concept of reality!!! Like a Butterfly Mariah is tha most colorful diva!!!

[@marcc5353]

shes special

[@ckeataus]

Not an easy song to sing...hat off to Mariah..the consummate artist, singer, professional..the falsetto, head..chest voice..transitions are wonderful..and divine..one of my favourite Mariah songs..coz it has depth...and a wonderful melody. :)

[@victorb2696]

This song is extremely difficult to sing

[@ocsound1]

The best live version of this song on youtube from anything recent, she synched sooooo many of these, it's nice to hear one live .... and oh boy she CAN sing live, LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear MORE of this :-)

[@dhavalparmar7661]

I love you mariah..just divine..this song is very hard... but still. I feel no one can give better then this performance too..like the way you give

[@GuddzGonzales]

OH MY GOD!!! I love this song and the way she sang it was just...PERFECT!!

[@GuguSilva.]

This song is very hard to sing ... even for Mariah . But it was very good ... I liked it.

[@jonesflorence2215]

Watch a Cover of Butterfly by Regine Velasquez. I'm sure you will be amaze. ^_^

[@Marcusrafaelfet]

+Jones Sarenas A lot of singers can belt, but Mariah's tone is unique, regina have a quite regular tone and texture.

[@theovanua]

+Davey she sings good I agree, but lacks emotion

[@darwinlapitan1759]

+Jones Sarenas regine can belt but does not have the vocal texture and natural vocal dynamics of mariah carey.

[@davidfireman7]

this song is absolutely amazing and this performance, this voice, this style of music.... amazing.

[@mindyramos6541]

I wish I could sing like her! I wish I could sing at all!

[@ricobhi]

This is my favorite performance of this song of all time. She was so amazing and beautiful and real here.

[@1ParmisDesMillions]

she's irreplaceable Miss Carey!

[@richardernacio9409]

Some others don't like Mariah during live. But for me, I really really love her. Her aura is superb, fantastic, truly a diva. Super vocal power!

[@tylerpilz7123]

At 3:20 at least five people were immediately and nonverbally fired.

[@Steev82]

Tyler Pilz lol

[@MorbidandSinister]

"spread your wings and prepare to fly" beautiful lyrics, beautiful melody mariah=topnotch as always

[@luisboricua9]

That was amazing!!!!!!

[@jmatt4life]

I am an ardent Mariah Carey fan. And I had not seen this performance. It is spectacular. Raw with emotion. You can see it in her face. AWESOME! I understand how years of performing at her level may have strained and worn her vocals but on a good day, she still sounds incredible. Thank you Mariah!!! sAm:)

[@nurhoneyda]

I am weeping right now. I am still in love with her. NO MATTER WHAT!!!!

[@kingroy18]

The phrasing and technique. One of the hardest songs ever to sing

[@vante517]

"SO SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND FLAAAH"

[@rockabye274]

Fantastic live performance that shows Mariah at her best. It doesn't get much better than this.

[@masshuugab2338]

One of the Hardest song of Mimi esp the climax.

[@yourfirstone5789]

I swear to god everytime i see this performance it always touches me. Simply her best & my favourite performance.

[@waihongbryanlee]

No lip-syncing here. Please leave her alone, haters.

[@MrDLOC11]

for deeply felt emotional lyrics sung with such spectacular pain and love of singing you really have to go to golden age of gospel to find anything that comes this close... really, incredibly, Mariah Carey is as good as the caravans all put together.....like no one else in Pop....

[@jacolby101]

👑 #legend

[@mariahisthe1]

the skillzzz are truly amazing. The head voice, the chest voice and air control is just amazing.

[@jianfeishao]

One of most difficult pop songs ever written

[@BrwnSugaKing]

She is amazing and her backup singers were strong and excellent. One of my top 5 Best Female R&B singers of all time

[@TeanoZ]

She should transpose it down so she can cope better, that way she could perform it more. I find it's such a shame that there aren't many live versions of such a beautiful song.

[@Eddy6159]

It's one of her hardest songs so I'm not surprised she doesn't sing it even now lol.

[@gregreis]

ONE OF THE BEST SONGS EVER!!! LOOK AT THE LYRICS!!! So wonderful!!!!!!!!!!

[@AyyRamiK]

Incredible

[@gregreis]

Flawless performance. Wonderful! That's what other singers don't have at all: emotion + power!!!

[@jonlyyonathan1]

BEASTTT!!!

[@jessescapone]

dear god i thank you so much to be alive to witness this spectacular singer singing in my day. mariah is the BEST SINGER THERE EVER WAS IN HISTORY!!! not only her phenominal voice but also her extreem talent in writing lyrics you blessed the world with your voice baby and i will ALLWAYS LOVE YOU MIMI NO MATTER WHAT!!! your bigist "lamb" from israel jesse

[@Borinssj]

03:20 GET A CHILL MIMI

[@jmatt4life]

This is absolutley Amazing and AWESOME!!! How is it that she has not gotten much credit for writing her songs? She writes about 95% of her songs. In my opinion she has not gotten her due credit beyond her incredible singing talent. Thank you for sharing this video. sAm (=

[@kiboydelosreyes9744]

Still the best though struggeling but nobody can sing like this. They can hit the notes but they cannot sing like the ultimate song bird of the century

[@juan0806]

Simply amazing, That texture of her voice takes me to heaven.

[@alexandernortes7846]

God! If looks could kill @ 3:21

[@Fanson-o4y]

Telling the others to shut up LOL

[@rikrox3996]

+Alexander Nortes I replay that part so many times, it was so funny & shady at the same time LOL

[@danialvalentin5845]

+Alric Thomas who was it shady to

[@rikrox3996]

the backup singers thats trying to finish her note thats why

[@danialvalentin5845]

+Alric Thomas but she was gonna run out of breath

[@designsofbutterflies]

i love this song !!!! i also LOVE her hair like that parted in the middle, i don't like it now,,, still love you mariah !!!!! beautiful voice !!!!!

[@syahrezaiskhan2251]

why did she doesn't sing this song again ? i want to hear she sings this song live in her new era which is today.

[@imsocreativelikethat3392]

Cuz this song hard at to sing haha. But if she actually does this song and it's live I'll be extremely impressed

[@pentagon324]

for me this is not her hardest song ever. i mean she was just using the whisper register the whole time but the bridge got some belts. "My all" is definitely harder than this. and i totally agree with you she really worked the song out. i thought she will rearranged the song but she sung it with the right key so im proud of her like you! :)

[@thuattrangia4417]

3:21 lol

[@MissJayG]

Not only does she sound perfect, she performs it with such passion. It's great to watch.

[@TheFamilitchi]

I think she feels umcomfortable singing with a mic because she can't pull the mic away for loud notes

[@Kerifinoana]

Next concert, I'll go!!! She really is amazing!!!! I understand why she plays the diva, she is!!!

[@reyvalvalsadera9805]

Wow! This was live and she nailed it! Show some respect bitches!!!

[@MoetDior]

She is so amazing! This song her voice!! just wow!! I love her!

[@jadewinestill3231]

stop talking about a fucking vocal decline...Enjoy the music damn..🙅🙅😒

[@hoanganhtuanvu7864]

Can Ariana Starbucks sing this?

[@mariewilliams7202]

i fucking hate you lmfaoooooo im dying

[@nassrol]

Anh Tuấn HAHAHAHAHAH im dead Hahaha

[@StephenScaccia]

Omfg hahahahahahahahahahahaha

[@chartstatss]

Anh Tuấn Ariana who?

[@sakurachristineito6428]

Hahahahh no..Ariana Venti can't sing this

[@christopherwilson868]

Does anyone know why she looked at the backup singers like that at 3:21

[@imalwaysright]

+Christopher Wilson Think it was just a moment of struggle. reaching deep or the background singers were going way too much and being extra on the notes before haha

[@christopherwilson868]

She seemed really mad but I believe she did that in the other live performance of this song as well.

[@imalwaysright]

+Christopher Wilson just edited my comment. the background singers were doing a bit too much in the notes before. way too high and overshadowing her. could be that

[@christopherwilson868]

+Fierce Ones I notices them doing that too but they were just trying to help her but still they did too much.

[@imalwaysright]

Christopher Wilson one was doing way too much. Doing a Xtina. Was it Kelly Price? LMAO

[@darldiva8443]

one of my favorite song. i love you mariah! lambily forever

[@shortyjems]

that Mariah death glare....

[@cabandtfc]

no other word for it, phenomenal! MC is the best, just stunning!

[@frengkihadi6859]

i can sing this song perfectly, but lie, i was lipsync

[@melanietranese7678]

I love this song

[@paulosousa8443]

what month of 1997 was this?

[@The90sAreTheBest]

October

[@jbell8303]

Definately a GREAT performance! People don't realize that when you hit that status of a SUPERSTAR, your schedule is SO stressing... Everyday, waking up at 3 or 4am just to get ready for the day will eventually take a toll on you, especially for a singer. The fact that she could pull off half of these performances is incredible, so I would have to agree with you Helen...

[@DanteRiccelli1]

this was the LAST fully live performance IMO. and the last time she improvised like she used to in 1996, taking the notes higher instead of lower :(

[@Eddy6159]

Last fully live performance? Are you f'in kidding me? This was probably one of the stupidest things I've heard someone say. Especially a 'fan'.

[@DanteRiccelli1]

loll you probably haven't reached lamb status yet

[@Eddy6159]

No. Even a basic fan knows that despite the lower quantity in totally live performances in the modern day, she still DOES them. It's just not as frequent or as vocally amazing as her prime.

[@DanteRiccelli1]

true... just to let you know i wasn't shading her... I'm probably her biggest lamb under 20. but i meant her last live performance of a song without much improv for the higher notes. she sang this song almost just like the original.

[@DanteRiccelli1]

kiril Veljanoski basically what I was saying lol