The First Vision

For the first vision of Latter Day Saint movement founder Joseph Smith, see First Vision.

The First Vision is the debut video album by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey, released by Sony Music Video on January 22, 1991. It is a collection of music videos, live performances, and film footage detailing the development and promotion of Carey's first studio album Mariah Carey (1990). Music videos of three Mariah Carey singles – "Vision of Love", "Love Takes Time", and "Someday" – are featured, as are snippets of the future singles "I Don't Wanna Cry" and "There's Got to Be a Way". The collection presents Carey performing at New York City's Club Tatou and behind-the-scenes footage of her rehearsing for appearances on Saturday Night Live and It's Showtime at the Apollo. During an interview segment, Carey answers questions about her life and music.

The First Vision
VHS cover
Video by Mariah Carey
Released	January 22, 1991
Length	42:00
Label	Sony Music Video
Mariah Carey chronology
The First Vision (1991) MTV Unplugged +3 (1992)

Critics focused on Carey's depiction in The First Vision. Some considered it insightful and others opined it projected her in a sexual manner. They praised Carey's live performances as an effective vocal showcase. The video peaked at numbers 2 and 24 on US and UK music video charts published by Billboard and the Official Charts Company, respectively. The Canadian Recording Industry Association certified it gold for shipments of 5,000 copies and the Recording Industry Association of America certified it platinum for 100,000 units in the United States.

Background and release

Columbia Records released Mariah Carey's first studio album Mariah Carey on June 12, 1990.^[1] To support the record, Carey performed live at New York City's Club Tatou, Studio 8H, and Apollo Theater.^[2] Her first three singles – "Vision of Love", "Love Takes Time", and "Someday" – reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.^[3][4] Columbia commissioned music videos for the three songs and all were released commercially as part of Carey's debut video album, The First Vision.^[2][3]

Sony Music Video issued The First Vision on VHS in the United States on January 22, 1991,^[5][6] and in the United Kingdom on March 4, 1991.^[7] A LaserDisc edition followed on August 25, 1992,^[8] and a DVD was released in Japan on November 17, 2004.^[9] Sony Pictures Entertainment made it available for digital download and rental in the United States on December 7, 2021.^[10] Club Tatou performances of "Don't Play That Song" and "Vanishing" are included on disc two of a 1991 Australian edition of Mariah Carey^[11] and all were released for digital download and streaming as part of the 2020 extended play The Live Debut – 1990.^[12]

Summary

The First Vision contains Carey's first three music videos, live performances, film footage, and her responses to interview questions. It opens with the "Vision of Love" music video. Carey explains how she began singing as a young girl and credits her mother for being a musical inspiration. She describes how gospel music significantly influences her and that it is expressed in her songs' lyrics and musical arrangements.^[2] In a live performance at Club Tatou on October 22, 1990,^[12] Carey performs "Vanishing", a track from Mariah Carey that was not released as a single.^[2][13] She is accompanied by a piano player and three background singers, Patrique, Billy, and Trey Lorenz.^[2][3] They rehearse for Carey's appearance on It's Showtime at the Apollo by singing "Who's Loving You". Carey states that she always dreamed of singing at the Apollo Theater because some of her idols such as Aretha Franklin had performed there. She reflects on working odd jobs before getting a record deal and recounts how "Love Takes Time" came to be included on her album. The music video for the song is shown, after which Carey details her filming experience.^[2]

Carey prepares for her October 27, 1990, Saturday Night Live performance with her background singers and describes their close friendship.^[2][3] They rehearse by singing "All in Your Mind", another Mariah Carey track, on stage.^[2][11] Additional rehearsal footage is shown as the studio version of the song plays in the background. Back at Club Tatou, Carey covers Franklin's "Don't Play That Song". She answers further questions about how success makes her feel and says she looks forward to completing the writing process for her second album, Emotions (1991). Footage of Carey performing "I Don't Wanna Cry" is then shown.^[2] As The First Vision preceded the filming of that song's music video,^[14] an alternative preview is provided with Carey singing amid red-orange lights on an empty stage.^[3] She describes the lyrical inspiration for "Someday" and collaborating with its video director. After the clip is shown, Carey expresses gratitude for how she can share her music with the world. "There's Got to Be a Way" plays in the background as the credits roll. In subsequent non-VHS releases, her performances of "Love Takes Time" and "Vision of Love" at Club Tatou are provided.^[2]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[14]
Chicago Sun-Times	^[6]
Los Angeles Times	^[15]
Select	^[16]

According to AllMusic writer Ashley S. Battel, The First Vision was a compelling prelude to Carey's stardom.^[14] Forrest Spencer of AllMovie believed it provided insights into her early career that fans would appreciate.^[17] Los Angeles Times writer Dennis Hunt found the interview segment the weakest portion because Carey "offers no in-depth answers to basic questions".^[15] Writing for Select, Chris Marlowe said she was "carefully scripted to convey a sense of charming casualness".^[16] Rolling Stone's Jim Farber felt she came across as uninspiring. He likened the video to an advertisement for a phone sex line owing to Carey's "saucerlike eyes, serpentine hair, and maul-me expressions".^[18] Hunt remarked the camera's focus on her resembled production choices typically seen in a Playboy video.^[15]

The recordings of Carey's live performances received positive reviews. In his biography of Carey, author Chris Nickson considered them the best part of the video.^[3] Hunt felt they provided Carey ample opportunity to showcase her vocal abilities.^[15] According to Marlowe, "her voice can make up for nearly anything".^[16] Jornal do Brasil writer Marcus Veras considered the rehearsals a highlight.^[19] People's Ralph Novak complimented the cover of "Don't Play That Song" as he felt its lyrics allowed Carey's voice to come across more powerfully than in her self-written material.^[20] Lynn Voedisch of the Chicago Sun-Times said she exuded emotion when singing it.^[6] Reviewing in 2020, NME writer Eddy Lim described Carey's performance of "Vision of Love" as extraordinary and Jon Caramanica of The New York Times thought "Vanishing" showcased "her voice in its full, pure, almost unfathomable luster".^[21][22]

Commercial performance

The First Vision debuted at number six on the US Billboard Top Music Videos chart in the March 2, 1991, issue.^[23] It peaked at number two a month later and remained on the chart for the next 44 weeks.^[24] According to Billboard, it was the fifth best-performing music video of 1991 in the United States.^[25] The Recording Industry Association of America certified it platinum for shipments of 100,000 copies^[5] and the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) certified it gold for 5,000 units.^[26] When the CRIA retired video certifications in 2021, it remained Carey's only certified video in that country.^[27]

In the United Kingdom, the video reached number 29 on the Chart Information Network (CIN) music video chart dated March 23, 1991.^[28] Three years later amid Carey's simultaneous number ones on the albums (Music Box), singles ("Without You"), and music video charts (Here Is Mariah Carey),^[29] The First Vision entered at number 37 on the Official Charts Company's music videos chart dated April 2, 1994.^[30] It peaked at number 24 for the week ending June 11, 1994, and appeared on the chart as late as July 1995.^[31][32]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Mariah Carey and Ben Margulies, except where noted. Although track listings vary between releases, the only video difference is the addition of "Love Takes Time" (live) and "Vision of Love" (live) in non-VHS editions.^[2]

VHS edition 1 (42 minutes)^[2] 1. "Vision of Love" 2. "Vanishing" (live) 3. "Love Takes Time" 4. "Don't Play That Song" (live; Ahmet Ertegün, Betty Nelson) 5. "I Don't Wanna Cry" (Mariah Carey, Narada Michael Walden) 6. "Someday" (extended version) VHS edition 2 (42 minutes)^[2] 3. "Who's Loving You" (a capella; Smokey Robinson) 4. "Love Takes Time" 5. "All in Your Mind" (a capella) 6. "Don't Play That Song" (live; Ertegün, Nelson) 7. "I Don't Wanna Cry" (Carey, Walden) 8. "Someday" (extended version) 9. "There's Got to Be a Way (Carey, Ric Wake)

LaserDisc edition (49 minutes)^[2] 4. "All in Your Mind" (a capella) 5. "Don't Play That Song" (live; Ertegün, Nelson) 6. "I Don't Wanna Cry" (Carey, Walden) 7. "Someday" (extended version) 8. "Love Takes Time" (live) 9. "Vision of Love" (live) DVD edition (49 minutes)^[2] 7. "Love Takes Time" (live) 8. "Vision of Love" (live)

Credits

Personnel adapted from the closing credits.^[2]

The First Vision Jeb Brien – producer, director, segment director Judy Minot – editor Music videos "Love Takes Time" Bojan Bazelli – director of photography Sean Fullan – editor Ron Kay – producer Wayne Maser – co-director "Someday" Lexi Godfrey – producer Larry Jordan – director Judy Minot – editor Daniel Pearl – director of photography "Vision of Love" Bojan Bazelli – director of photography Ron Kay – producer Tom Muldoon – editor

Additional footage Club Tatou performances Jeb Brien – producer David Greenwald – editor Jim Gucciardo – producer Ed Stephenson – director of photography "I Don't Wanna Cry" Michael B. Borofsky – producer Interview segment David Hewitt – on-site recording Kevin Moy – assistant editor RVI/Rutt Videos Inc. – post-production Tim Smith – camera, lighting Sync Sound – audio post-production Deb Turco – assistant editor Saturday Night Live and Apollo segments Goochinetti Productions – producer Ed Stephenson – camera

Charts and certifications

1991 chart performance Chart (Publisher) Weekly peak position Year-end position UK Music Videos (CIN)^[28] 29 — US Music Videos (Video Insider)^[33] 1 — US Top Music Videos (Billboard)^[24]^[25] 2 5^[a] US Top Video Sales (Billboard)^[35]^[36] 20 69^[a] 1994 chart performance Chart (Publisher) Weekly peak position UK Music Videos (OCC)^[32] 24

List of certifications Country (Organization) Units (Certification) Canada (CRIA)^[26]^[27] 5,000 (Gold) United States (RIAA)^[5] 100,000 (Platinum)^[b]

Notes

1. According to Billboard, the "Final year-end chart positioning is based on a point system. Points are given to each title for each week on the chart. The Year-End Charts Positions reflect the accumulation of all points – based on the number of weeks on the chart, plus positions attained – that each title has received." It is based on Billboard issues from November 24, 1990, to November 23, 1991.^[34]
2. As of March 26, 1991^[5]

References

1. Mall, Andrew (2020). God Rock, Inc.: The Business of Niche Music. Oakland: University of California Press. p. 242. ISBN 9780520343429.
2. • The First Vision (VHS). Sony Music Video. 1991. 19V-49072.
   • The First Vision (VHS). Sony Music Video. 1991. 49072-2.
   • The First Vision (LaserDisc). CBS/Sony Records. 1992. CSLM 796.
   • The First Vision (DVD). GL Visual. 2004. MHBP 26.
3. Nickson, Chris (1998). Mariah Carey Revisited: Her Story. New York: St. Martin's Griffin. pp. 44, 179. ISBN 0-312-19512-5. OL 363685M.
4. "Mariah Carey Chart History (Billboard Hot 100)". Billboard. from the original on November 22, 2022.
5. "Gold & Platinum – The First Vision". Recording Industry Association of America. from the original on August 21, 2021.
6. Voedisch, Lynn (February 19, 1991). "Mariah Carey Sings in First Tape". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 36.
7. "New Releases: Albums – Music Videos". Datafile. Music Week. February 23, 1991. p. xi.
8. McGowan, Chris (July 18, 1992). "SMV Keying into First In-House Laser Projects". Billboard. p. 49. from the original on March 5, 2023 – via Google Books.
9. "ファースト・ヴィジョン" [First Vision] (in Japanese). Sony Music Entertainment Japan. from the original on December 18, 2019.
10. "Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' Makes History" (Press release). Sony Music. December 3, 2021. from the original on December 28, 2022 – via Recording Industry Association of America.
11. Mariah Carey (CD liner notes). Mariah Carey. Columbia Records. 1991. SAMP 306.
12. Kaufman, Gil (July 17, 2020). "Missed One of Mariah Carey's First Live Performances 30 Years Ago? Time to Catch Up!". Billboard. from the original on November 20, 2021.
13. Rowley, Glenn (October 5, 2020). "The 100 Greatest Mariah Carey Songs: Staff Picks". Billboard. from the original on October 16, 2022.
14. Battel, Ashley S. "First Vision Review". AllMusic. from the original on May 12, 2021.
15. Hunt, Dennis (March 17, 1991). "In Short, Gabriel Offers Dramatic Point of View". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 64. from the original on November 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
16. Marlowe, Chris (May 1991). "Screen: New Music Videos". Select. p. 124.
17. Spencer, Forrest. "Synopsis". AllMovie. from the original on November 7, 2022.
18. Farber, Jim (February 21, 1991). "Demolition Derbies". Rolling Stone. p. 45. EBSCOhost 9102180142. ProQuest 2529643942.
19. Veras, Marcus (July 14, 1991). "Gloria, Mariah, Basia". Jornal do Brasil (in Portuguese). p. B-7. from the original on June 8, 2023 – via Google Books.
20. Novak, Ralph (June 17, 1991). "Song". People. pp. 21–22. EBSCOhost 57914219.
21. Lim, Eddy (July 21, 2020). "Mariah Carey Shares Rare Archival Material to Celebrate 30-Year Career". NME. from the original on November 5, 2022.
22. Caramanica, Jon (July 17, 2020). "Drake Clears His Throat with DJ Khaled, and 10 More New Songs". The New York Times. from the original on August 11, 2022.
23. "Top Music Videos". Billboard. March 2, 1991. p. 57. ProQuest 1505977897.
24. . Billboard. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021.
25. "Top Music Videos". Billboard. January 4, 1992. p. V-6. ProQuest 1505963496.
26. "Carey's First Vision Certified Gold Video". RPM. September 21, 1991. p. 5.
27. "Gold/Platinum – The First Vision". Music Canada. from the original on August 21, 2021.
28. "Top 30 Music Video". Music Week. March 23, 1991. p. 21.
29. • "Official Albums Chart Top 100 06 March 1994–12 March 1994". Official Charts Company. from the original on February 10, 2022.
    • "Official Singles Chart Top 100 06 March 1994–12 March 1994". Official Charts Company. from the original on April 15, 2022.
    • "Official Music Video Chart Top 50 06 March 1994–12 March 1994". Official Charts Company. from the original on August 12, 2021.
30. "Official Music Video Chart Top 50 27 March 1994–02 April 1994". Official Charts Company. from the original on August 21, 2021.
31. "Official Music Video Chart Top 50 05 June 1994–11 June 1994". Official Charts Company. from the original on August 21, 2021.
32. "Official Music Video Chart Top 50 23 July 1995–29 July 1995". Official Charts Company. from the original on August 21, 2021.
33. "Videos – Music Videos". Sun Herald. April 15, 1991. p. B-2. from the original on August 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
34. "Chart Explanation". Billboard. January 4, 1992. p. V-8. ProQuest 1505952771.
35. "Top Video Sales". Billboard. April 13, 1991. p. 53. ProQuest 1505977370.
36. "Top Video Sales". Billboard. January 4, 1992. p. V-4. ProQuest 1505952303.