One Sweet Day – 1995
“One Sweet Day” is a song by American singer Mariah Carey and R&B group Boyz II Men. The song was written by Carey, Walter Afanasieff and Boyz II Men: Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, Nathan Morris, and Michael McCary. “One Sweet Day” was produced by Carey and Afanasieff for her fifth studio album, Daydream, and was released as the album’s second single on November 14, 1995. The song speaks about death of a loved one, how the protagonist took their presence for granted and misses them, and finally about seeing the person in heaven. Both Carey and Boyz II Men wrote the song about specific people in their lives, being inspired by sufferers of AIDS epidemic, which was globally prevalent at that time.
“One Sweet Day” received universal acclaim from critics, many of whom praised its lyrical content and vocals, as well as calling it a standout track from Daydream. It was ranked first in Rolling Stone’s reader’s poll for the Best Collaboration of All Time. The song spent 16 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, becoming the longest running number one song on the chart.
The song spent 16 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, becoming the longest running number one song on the chart. Subsequently, “One Sweet Day” became the Billboard’s most successful song of the 1990s, topping the Hot 100 decade-end chart. Internationally, the song topped the charts in Canada and New Zealand, and reached the top-ten in Australia, Belgium, France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Carey performed “One Sweet Day” live alongside Boyz II Men at the 38th Grammy Awards ceremony, held on February 26, 1996.
Formats and track listings
Worldwide Cassette CD single
“One Sweet Day” (Album Version) – 4:41
“One Sweet Day” (Live Version form Fantasy: Mariah Carey at Madison Square Garden) – 5:08
Japanese CD maxi-single[39]
“One Sweet Day” (Album Version) – 4:42
“One Sweet Day” (Live Version from Fantasy: Mariah Carey at Madison Square Garden) – 5:10
“Open Arms” – 3:30
UK CD maxi-single #1
“One Sweet Day” (Album Version) – 4:41
“One Sweet Day” (Sweet A Cappella) – 4:52
“One Sweet Day” (A Cappella) – 4:48
“One Sweet Day” (Chucky’s Remix) – 4:51
“One Sweet Day” (Live Version from Fantasy: Mariah Carey at Madison Square Garden) – 5:08
UK CD maxi-single #2
“One Sweet Day” (Album Version) – 4:44
“Fantasy” (Def Drums Mix) – 4:01
“Joy to the World” (Celebration Mix) – 7:58
“Joy to the World” (Club Mix) – 7:35
U.S. CD maxi-single
“One Sweet Day” (Album Version) – 4:41
“One Sweet Day” (Sweet A Cappella) – 4:52
“One Sweet Day” (A Cappella) – 4:48
“One Sweet Day” (Chucky’s Remix) – 4:51
“One Sweet Day” (Live Version) – 5:08
“Fantasy” (Def Drums Mix) – 4:00
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from the Daydream liner notes.
Mariah Carey – co-production, songwriting, vocals
Walter Afanasieff – co-production, songwriting
Nathan Morris – songwriting, vocals
Wanya Morris – songwriting, vocals
Shawn Stockman – songwriting, vocals
Michael McCary – songwriting, vocals