Never Too Far
Encyclopedia
"Never Too Far" is a song written and produced by American singer Mariah Carey
, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
for Carey's tenth album/soundtrack, Glitter. The protagonist of this ballad states that although physical distance can sometimes separate lovers, the love they share will never be too far apart. It was released as the album's second single in 2001, and was Carey's first radio airplay-only release in the U.S. after 1998 when Billboard
magazine had given chart eligibility to singles that weren't released in a physical format.
"Never Too Far" became Carey's first U.S. single to not appear on the Billboard Hot 100
, but it reached number 5 on Billboards Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles
chart, which represents the twenty-five singles below the Hot 100's number 100 position which have not yet appeared on the Hot 100. It was not solicited to R&B radio stations in the U.S. As a double A-side with "Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica)
", the single reached the top forty in the United Kingdom and Australia. In Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Sweden, it was released on its own and peaked outside the top forty.
No remixes of the song were commissioned, though a radio edit reduces the lengthy introduction. The charity single "Never Too Far/Hero Medley
" combines the first verse of "Never Too Far" with a re-recorded version of the second verse and bridge of Carey's "Hero
" (1993), and it was later released in the U.S. and charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
Carey was unable to film a music video for the single as she was recovering from an emotional and physical breakdown. Instead, a video was created using a scene taken directly from the film Glitter
, where Billie Frank (played by Carey) sings the song at Madison Square Garden
during her first sold-out concert. Frank's performance of the song in the film omits its entire second verse, and the song's development runs in parallel with the film's love story.
Australian/European CD maxi-single
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
James Samuel "Jimmy Jam" Harris III and Terry Steven Lewis are an American R&B and pop-music songwriting and record production team...
for Carey's tenth album/soundtrack, Glitter. The protagonist of this ballad states that although physical distance can sometimes separate lovers, the love they share will never be too far apart. It was released as the album's second single in 2001, and was Carey's first radio airplay-only release in the U.S. after 1998 when Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
magazine had given chart eligibility to singles that weren't released in a physical format.
"Never Too Far" became Carey's first U.S. single to not appear on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, but it reached number 5 on Billboards Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles
Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles
The Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It lists the top 25 singles below number 100 that have not yet charted on the Billboard Hot 100. Sometimes, however, singles halt their progress on this chart, and never appear on the Hot 100...
chart, which represents the twenty-five singles below the Hot 100's number 100 position which have not yet appeared on the Hot 100. It was not solicited to R&B radio stations in the U.S. As a double A-side with "Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica)
Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica)
"Don't Stop " is a song written and produced by American singer Mariah Carey, DJ Clue, Duro, and Mystikal, and recorded for Carey's tenth album Glitter . It is built around a sample of the 1980s song "Funkin' for Jamaica " produced by Tom Browne and Toni Smith, and it features rapped parts by...
", the single reached the top forty in the United Kingdom and Australia. In Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Sweden, it was released on its own and peaked outside the top forty.
No remixes of the song were commissioned, though a radio edit reduces the lengthy introduction. The charity single "Never Too Far/Hero Medley
Never Too Far/Hero Medley
"Never Too Far/Hero Medley" is a medley recorded by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, first released as a charity single on December 11, 2001, as well as serving as the lead single for Carey's second compilation album, Greatest Hits...
" combines the first verse of "Never Too Far" with a re-recorded version of the second verse and bridge of Carey's "Hero
Hero (Mariah Carey song)
"Hero" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released on October 19, 1993 by Columbia Records as the second single from Carey's third studio album, Music Box . Originally intended for Gloria Estefan, the song was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff...
" (1993), and it was later released in the U.S. and charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
Carey was unable to film a music video for the single as she was recovering from an emotional and physical breakdown. Instead, a video was created using a scene taken directly from the film Glitter
Glitter (film)
Glitter is a 2001 film starring R&B singer, songwriter Mariah Carey. It was produced by 20th Century Fox and Columbia Pictures and directed by Vondie Curtis-Hall. It centers on the life and times of a struggling singer from the early club music scene in the 1980s.-Production:Carey has said about...
, where Billie Frank (played by Carey) sings the song at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
during her first sold-out concert. Frank's performance of the song in the film omits its entire second verse, and the song's development runs in parallel with the film's love story.
Formats and track listings
European CD single- "Never Too Far" (Edit)
- "Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica)Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica)"Don't Stop " is a song written and produced by American singer Mariah Carey, DJ Clue, Duro, and Mystikal, and recorded for Carey's tenth album Glitter . It is built around a sample of the 1980s song "Funkin' for Jamaica " produced by Tom Browne and Toni Smith, and it features rapped parts by...
" (featuring MystikalMystikalMichael Lawrence Tyler , better known by his stage name Mystikal, is an American rapper, and actor from New Orleans.-1993-1994: Early career:...
)
Australian/European CD maxi-single
- "Never Too Far" (Edit)
- "Don't Stop (Funkin' 4 Jamaica)" (featuring Mystikal)
- "LoverboyLoverboy (Mariah Carey song)"Loverboy" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released on July 16, 2001 by Virgin Records as the lead single from Carey's eighth studio album, Glitter . Written and produced by Carey, Larry Blackmon, Thomas Jenkins, Clark Kent, "Loverboy" is built around a sample from...
" (Drums Of Love) - "Never Too Far" (The Video)
Charts
| Chart (2001) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles Chart | 36 |
| Dutch Singles Chart | 67 |
| German Singles Chart | 97 |
| Spanish Singles Chart | 16 |
| Swedish Singles Chart | 56 |
| Swiss Singles Chart | 65 |
| UK Singles Chart | 32 |
| U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles | 5 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks | 17 |