Mariah Carey is more than a singer — she is a phenomenon. With a career spanning over three decades, she has not only dazzled audiences with her five-octave range and signature whistle notes, but she has also consistently conquered the Billboard Hot 100. Her 19 number-one hits are a testament to her versatility, stamina, and ability to adapt to the evolving landscape of pop, R&B, and even holiday music.
From her debut in 1990 to her holiday anthem finally topping the charts in 2019, Mariah’s reign at the top is as much about timing as it is about talent. Each chart-topping hit tells a story — from defining the sound of the 1990s to staging triumphant comebacks, and even rewriting the rules for holiday classics in the streaming era.
THE HITS
| # | Song | Year First Reached No. 1 | Weeks at #1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vision of Love | 1990 | 4 |
| 2 | Love Takes Time | 1990 | 3 |
| 3 | Someday | 1991 | 2 |
| 4 | I Don’t Wanna Cry | 1991 | 2 |
| 5 | Emotions | 1991 | 3 |
| 6 | I’ll Be There (feat. Trey Lorenz) | 1992 | 2 |
| 7 | Dreamlover | 1993 | 8 |
| 8 | Hero | 1993 | 4 |
| 9 | Fantasy | 1995 | 8 |
| 10 | One Sweet Day (with Boyz II Men) | 1995 | 16 |
| 11 | Always Be My Baby | 1996 | 2 |
| 12 | Honey | 1997 | 3 |
| 13 | My All | 1998 | 1 |
| 14 | Heartbreaker (feat. Jay-Z) | 1999 | 2 |
| 15 | Thank God I Found You (feat. Joe & 98°) | 2000 | 1 |
| 16 | We Belong Together | 2005 | 14 |
| 17 | Don’t Forget About Us | 2005 | 2 |
| 18 | Touch My Body | 2008 | 2 |
| 19 | All I Want for Christmas Is You | 2019 | 4 |
A Look at Her Decade-by-Decade Dominance
1990s: The Reign Begins
The 1990s were Mariah’s launchpad. With 13 #1 hits and 60 weeks at the top, she established herself as the definitive voice of a decade. From her debut album’s Vision of Love to the Daydream classics like Fantasy and One Sweet Day, Mariah wasn’t just participating in pop culture — she was shaping it.
2000s: The Comeback Queen
After a quieter period in the early 2000s, Mariah staged a monumental return with The Emancipation of Mimi. The hits We Belong Together, Don’t Forget About Us, and Touch My Body added 3 more #1s, totaling 18 weeks at number one, proving her enduring appeal and chart power.
2010s: Holiday Domination
Even decades later, Mariah continues to surprise. All I Want for Christmas Is You, originally released in 1994, finally claimed the #1 spot in 2019 thanks to streaming dominance and seasonal enthusiasm, showing that her music can transcend generations and trends.
The Numbers That Define a Career
Across her career:
- Total #1 Hits: 19
- Total Weeks at #1: 86
- Decade breakdown:
-
- 1990s: 15 #1s, 60 weeks
- 2000s: 3 #1s, 18 weeks
- 2010s: 1 #1, 4 weeks
Mariah Carey’s number-one hits are more than chart achievements; they are cultural milestones. From heart-stopping ballads to playful pop tracks, groundbreaking collaborations, and holiday classics, each song reflects her unmatched artistry. Her reign at the top has not only endured but evolved, proving that when it comes to Mariah Carey, the crown is rarely ever empty.
The Number Ones Playlist
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