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"Fantasy" after beginning with ethereal sounds, Mariah's haunting voice, and then that sweet piercing high note, then goes into a skippy thumping dance number overlaid with a sample of the Tom Tom Club's "Genius Of Love". It's an evolution from "Dreamlover", more upbeat, with better lyrics. This song is real, not just a sweet sweet fantasy. Interesting to see Mariah's co-musical collaborators--Tina Weymouth and Chris Franz of Talking Heads, and Adrian Belew.

"Underneath The Stars" is a slow R&B dance number with strong bass defining the tempo of the rhythm and its sweet and languid qualities.

OK, hands down, this is Mariah's best song ever, and I'm not saying this because it monopolized the Billboard charts for weeks. "One Sweet Day" is the zenith of the gospel-tinged Mariah ballad that set people tingling since "Vision Of Love" stormed on radio. This song makes "Vision" sound a raindrop, and like "Vision", is another religious song masquerading as a pop song, but the bittersweet thoughts of the chorus

Then comes a familiar opening lyric, "Lying beside you, here in the dark..." with that piano. Yes, it's written by Steve Pery and Jonathan Cain. But when Mariah sings those opening words to "Open Arms", it's got that silky, sultry touch, as if she's brushing my ear with her lips. Her voice rises to its smooth soulfulness when she sings the chorus. I could listen to this over and over, and it'd be something I'd want a prospective missus to give me in a mix tape. What a daydream, eh?

The swaying mid-tempo "Always Be My Baby" is another #1 song and another candidate for a possible love tape for me. It was produced by Jermaine Dupri, for which I give him credit. He also does "Long Ago".

"I Am Free" is another gospelish ballad, and after wandering through misery, she is free...to do what? "Free to live/free to laugh/free to soar/free to shine/free to give/free to love/free enough to fly." I need to paste that on my binder.

"When I Saw You" is another favourite here. rhythmically paced in 1,2,3,4 beat per syllable: "When I saw you (1234), When I Saw You (1234)/ I could not breathe (1234), I fell so deep (1234)" and Mariah's voice sounds so rich and potent here I find it irresisible

"Melt Away" sizzles with another low sultry opening vocal. Given that it is co-written by Babyface, its smooth R&B overtones is not surprising. The next one is another stunning ballad. The piano, strings lullaby "Forever" has Mariah loving someone despite their parting and vowing to return should he need her.

The R&B-techno of "Daydream Interlude" leads into the final ballad, which is more melancholy and might be a reflection of Mariah. "Looking In" basically says despite the world of fame and fantasy, "she smiles through a thousand tears" and "wades in insecurity."

So, many wonderful ballads, three of which I cherish so much, three other songs I'd want some girl to tape for me, that my heart nearly melted to tears. That may also be the reason why she made a drastic shift to guest rappers in Glitter three albums later. Still, this album is Mariah's masterpiece, songs that are kisses, tears, and hugs all at once.


An excellent album showcasing a very talented artist   February 7, 2000
 16 out of 17 found this review helpful

I don't understand why some naysayers don't give Mariah the props she deserves. This is an artist who is not only an extraordinary singer but she also writes each and every one of her own songs, composes her music, produces her records, provides her own backing vocals and even takes part in directing her music videos. Unlike most "divas", Mariah is also one of the few artists who always sings "live" (unlike Celine, Janet or Madonna who use vocal tracks or lip synch in theirs concerts) when she performs. Can you get any more talented than this! Since her debut, Mariah Carey has sold nearly 130 million records (and counting!) worldwide.. more than any other (female) artist. And this feat she has accomplished in less than 10 years!

Daydream is one of the best albums in her career (followed by Butterfly) so far. My favorite tracks are Fantasy (both versions), Always Be My Baby, Open Arms, Melt Away, Forever, and I Am Free. But I love every single track on this album. One Sweet Day, Underneath The Stars, and When I Saw You plus Daydream, Long Ago and Looking In are also good songs. If you haven't purchased this album yet, go and get it as soon as you can because you don't know what you are missing. If you like this album you should love Butterfly.

One of my other Mariah favourites is Music Box but it has a more pop sound to it as opposed to R&B/Hip Hop. But they are all great albums.


Probably the last of her best work thus far   June 14, 2004
 6 out of 6 found this review helpful

By this point, Mariah Carey has become one of the biggest acts in the music industry. This collection, however, shows the beginnings of the dowfall of Mariah. The Diva attitude started to come through. The mix of several producers starts to show the disjoint theme and arrangements throughout the CD. Her first 2 albums had a cohesiveness that this CD doesn't have.

However, there were some stand-out performances on this CD. "Fantasy" was a great revival of an obscure 80s song. Mariah's version is better than the 80s song. ONE SWEET DAY was a great collaboration with Boys II Men. "Open Arms" was a cover of an 80s ballad but this version doesn't have the type of umph found in the original.


ten years ago this month and still amazing ^_^   September 7, 2005
 6 out of 7 found this review helpful

In the Autumn (or fall) of 1995 Mariah released what would become one of her biggest selling and most popular albums titled daydream this was also the beginning of a new Mariah who would evolve into a much more RnB style Artist which was trying to distance herself from the squeaky clean good girl image that was put across by her early albums.

The album kicks off with the lead single FANTASY (released earlier than planned due to public demand) this up-tempo classic is one of the most famous and loved Mariah songs with its funky beat this song was huge everywhere and of course reached the number one spot in the USA. The next song is UNDERNEATH THE STARS a sweet sort of innocent ballad about young love a nice song but not among the most famous of Mariah's hits. However the next song ONE SWEET DAY is a ballad with male soul group boyz 2 men and holds the world record for the most consecutive weeks at number one (16! to be exact) this is a very emotional song about missing someone close to you who has passed away (it was written for one of Mariah's producers who passed away) while not my favourite song on the album it is defiantly a highlight of her career. OPEN ARMS is a cover song ive never heard the original so I can't compare the two but I really love this one I think it's the lyrics that really bring the song to life. Next up is another number one hit ALLWAYS BE MY BABY this has a nice tune and a cute video filmed at Camp Mariah (a camp for kids in the city to get to experience the country)

I AM FREE is a song about somebody completely changing your life and making you feel "free" this could describe Mariah's feelings after her split from very controlling Tommy Mottola the song just sounds very personal somehow. WHEN I SAW YOU is a ballad and one of the many good songs on the album and is about love at first sight some think that the lyrics are too repetitive in places. LONG AGO is probably the most RnB song on the whole album and sounds like kind of like something that should be on the butterfly album and is about not being able to resist someone a very cool song with nice lyrics. MELT AWAY is one of my favourite songs on the whole album its lyrics, music and melody blend perfectly it also has a sort of up-tempo feel for a ballad. The next two are songs FOREVER and FANTASY (SWEET DUB MIX) the former is your typical Mariah style ballad though you can tell even her straight forward ballads are becoming more RnB - ish and the later is a cool remix of fantasy but nothing amazing (the ODB remix is far better). The last song LOOKING IN is very emotional and the music is kind of haunting (you'll know when you listen) and in the words you can see Mariah's secret unhappiness at the time of this recording this is a great way to end the album!^_^

Daydream couldn't quite top music box sales wise but it came very close and is without a doubt one of her best and really does show her growth but what would come next would shock the public indeed! ^_^