Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme)

They Say...

Review by Jose F. Promis, All Music Guide

Can't Take That Away was the final stateside single released from Mariah Carey's album Rainbow, although in Europe she followed it up with the chart-topper Against All Odds. Can't Take That Away proved to be Carey's first miss -- the single didn't even crack the U.S. Top 20. Stranger still, it charted as its B-side, "Crybaby" (which featured Snoop Doggy Dogg). So there's actually no record of Can't Take That Away ever making the U.S. charts (save for a lowly peak on the dance chart). That said, the single is equipped with two dance mixes, an instrumental dance mix, and the album version of "Can't Take That Away," as well as the album version of "Crybaby." The first mix, the "Morales Revival Triumphant Mix," is just that, a joyful and triumphant ten-and-a-half-minute dance music free for all filled with Carey ad-libs, background singers, and deep house grooves. The second mix, "Morales Club Mix," fails to hit its mark because it uses the actual vocals from the original version (which is a ballad), and somehow the vocals don't seem to fit quite right over the dance beats, resulting in something of an awkward-sounding remix (possibly a first for Carey -- her dance remixes have always been first-rate). The instrumental version of this dance mix is great -- hence, this is one of those ballads that should have been left just that -- a ballad. Finally, the single ends with "Crybaby," which is a sleek, sly, slinky, and smart mid-tempo R&B song, with Mariah lending uncharacteristically subtle vocals alongside Snoop's playful raps. The last track is the original version of "Can't Take That Away," which is a soaring ballad that reaches an amazing, heartfelt climax during its final and grandest chorus. The song, however, comes off a little too much as a Carey self-empowerment tune, so if one doesn't mind the ego, then one can enjoy the song.