Mariah Carey & Luther Vandross’s Endless Love: 100M Streams Milestone
Celebrate a significant milestone as the iconic duet featuring Mariah Carey and Luther Vandross achieves a remarkable 100 million streams on Spotify. This achievement marks Mariah’s 22nd track to reach such a feat, solidifying her enduring influence in the music industry. Join the global audience in revisiting this timeless collaboration that has captivated listeners and continues to make waves in the world of streaming.
Exploring Musical Excellence
“Endless Love” is a touching ballad written by Lionel Richie, first performed as a duet between Richie and singer/actress Diana Ross. The song beautifully expresses everlasting affection between the singers. Luther Vandross and R&B-pop sensation Mariah Carey later covered the song, giving it a fresh twist. Shania Twain and Kenny Rogers also shared their renditions. Billboard honored the original version as the greatest song duet of all time.
Tommy Mottola, the President of Sony Music Entertainment, proposed that Vandross create an album of cover versions titled “Songs.” The album featured Vandross’ renditions of classics like Stephen Stills’ “Love the One You’re With,” Heatwave’s “Always and Forever,” and Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly,” marking a significant milestone in his career.
Surprisingly, it was Mariah Carey who suggested the collaboration to Tommy Mottola during a drive home, after he mentioned Luther’s plans for an album of covers.
Walter Afanasieff produced Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey’s rendition for Vandross’ 1994 album, “Songs,” marking Carey’s debut in a prominent duet role. Notably, this collaboration preceded her earlier duet, “I’ll Be There,” with the then-unknown background singer Trey Lorenz. The song received a Grammy Awards nomination in 1995 for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals, although it ultimately lost to “Funny How Time Slips Away” by Al Green and Lyle Lovett. Columbia Records later featured the track on Carey’s compilation albums “Greatest Hits” (2001) and “The Ballads” (2008). Originally released as the second single from “Songs” on August 26, 1994, it also appeared on the 30th Anniversary Edition of Carey’s “Music Box” (2023).
Exploring the Global Success of “Endless Love”
“Endless Love” made its debut on the US Billboard Hot 100 on September 10, 1994, entering at number 31 and reaching its peak at number two. The track marked Luther Vandross’ highest-charting pop hit and Lionel Richie’s return to the top 10 singles as a songwriter after seven years. For Vandross, it became his fifth top-10 single and Carey’s 12th. Maintaining its presence in the top 40 for 13 consecutive weeks, the song secured the 56th spot on the Hot 100 1994 year-end chart.
Internationally, “Endless Love” enjoyed widespread success, topping the charts in New Zealand for five weeks and landing in the top five in the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and the Netherlands. It also reached the top 20 in numerous other countries.
The single “Endless Love” was accompanied by two music videos: one captures Carey and Vandross in a studio recording the song, while the other showcases their live performance at Royal Albert Hall. The latter rendition is part of the Luther Vandross: From Luther with Love music video collection, available in DVD format.
The song has received multiple certifications:
– Australia (ARIA): Certified Platinum with 70,000 units, indicating strong sales in the region.
– Japan (RIAJ): Achieved Gold status with 50,000 units, reflecting a significant impact in the Japanese market.
– New Zealand (RMNZ): Certified Platinum with 10,000 units, showcasing success in the New Zealand music scene.
– United Kingdom (BPI): Attained Gold certification with 400,000 units, highlighting substantial sales in the UK.
– United States (RIAA): Certified Platinum with 1,000,000 units.
With reported 1,000,000 physical sales to date and 300,000 digital downloads, 100 million streams on Spotify, over 170 million views on YouTube and counting, we’re certain additional certifications are in the works. This data underscores the song’s enduring popularity and commercial success across various formats.
The achievement of “Endless Love” reaching 100 million streams on Spotify marks a significant milestone in the song’s enduring legacy. Mariah Carey and Luther Vandross’s heartfelt rendition has captivated audiences for decades, resonating across generations with its timeless message of love and devotion. This milestone not only pays homage to the exceptional talent of both artists but also reaffirms the enduring power of music to transcend time and connect people on a profound emotional level. As the song continues to inspire listeners worldwide, its journey to 100 million streams on Spotify serves as a testament to its enduring impact and unwavering popularity in the digital age, solidifying its status as a cherished classic for years to come.
Mariah Carey’s Vault: The Unreleased Hits That We’ve Never Heard
We Read Tommy Mottola’s Biography So You Didn’t Have To – Part 1
