It’s Like That
| "It's Like That" | ||
|---|---|---|
| Datei:Mariahcareysingle ilt.jpg | ||
| Single by Mariah Carey | ||
| From the album The Emancipation of Mimi | ||
| Single Released | 2005 | |
| Single Format | 12" Maxi Single Digital Download | |
| Genre | Pop/R&B | |
| Song Length | 3:23 | |
| Record Label | Island/Def Jam | |
| Writers | Mariah Carey Jermaine Dupri Manuel Seal Johnta Austin | |
| Producers | Mariah Carey Jermaine Dupri Manuel Seal | |
| Video Director |
Brett Ratner | |
| Certification | Gold | |
| Chart Positions |
#16 (USA) #4 (UK) #9 (AU) | |
| Mariah Carey single chronology | ||
| "U Make Me Wanna" 2004 |
"It's Like That" 2005 |
"We Belong Together" 2005 |
"It's Like That" was the first single from Mariah Carey's 14th album, The Emancipation of Mimi.
The Song
The single, released in 2005, was co-written by Mariah, Jermaine Dupri, Manuel Seal, Johnta Austin and was co-produced by Mariah, Jermaine Dupri, and Manuel Seal. "It's Like That" was among the last songs recorded for The Emancipation of Mimi. After recording nearly 20 tracks for the album, Mariah was satisfied with her output, but her boss, L.A. Reid felt something was missing, and asked Mariah to write more songs with Jermaine Dupri. The results were the blockbuster smashes, "It's Like That" and "We Belong Together". Although the song features rapped/spoken parts from Jermaine Dupri and Fatman Scoop, they are not credited on the track for technical reasons.
In this club inspired track, Mariah declares that she "came to have a party" and briefly dabbles in alcohol and marijuana usage in the song. She then notes that 'it's her night' and relaxes in the midst of a cool party-filled, but dramaless environment, before chanting "It's Like That, y'all". The song is also noted for Mariah's infamous line, "them chickens is ash and I'm lotion" as she disses enemies, and compares herself to lotion.
Chart Success
The song proved to be one of Mariah's biggest commercial successes in years, as it was a top 20 single peaking at #16 on Billboard Hot 100. This is especially noteworthy considering most of Mariah's other recent songs had failed to chart on the Hot 100 and even the Hot 100 Bubbling Under Singles chart! Nevertheless, although fans and critics celeberated her Top 20 milestone, they were slightly disappointed as most of Mariah's songs are usually hit or miss; they usually don't fall into in between positions like #16.
Critics lambasted Mariah's record company, as the song was close to hitting the Top 10, but missed it due to a few minor factors. First of all, the song had been exposed to radio without the help of a music video initially. By the time the music video had came out, the song was already dropping on the charts. Mariah also seemed to be hurt, ironically, by sales. As the charts had changed in structure since Mariah's last major song had charted,digital downloads were now given heavy weight in determining chart positions. Unfortunately. Mariah's low downloads dragged it down and prevented the song from reaching the Top 10. Eventually the single was certified gold by the RIAA the single became Mariah's 24th gold single and her first digital single.
As many changes changes were being made to the charts in 2005, Mariah was able to chart on some new charts for the first time. As digital downloads were now being counted towards the charts, "It's Like That" was Mariah's first song to chart on Hot Digital Tracks and The Hot Digital Songs. Mariah was also able to perform on the new Dance Radio Airplay charts (not a major suprise considering her success in previous Dance Sales and Club Play Charts), and also managed to chart on The Hot Ringtones. "It's Like That" would also be the last single of Mariah's ever to chart on The Top 40 Tracks, as that chart was removed from Billboard while Mariah was still on it, and it has been replaced by The Pop 100 and The Pop 100 Airplay.
Remixes
There is also an official remix produced by Scott Storch that takes the song in a more Middle Eastern flavor and it features a rap by Fat Joe. Dance remixes, featuring resung vocals from Mariah, were produced by David Morales and they include but are not limited to the Morales Classic Mix and The Stereo Expereince Mix. Peter Rauhofer has also remixed this song, but his remixes have not been released to the public yet.
Music Video
The music video was directed by Brett Ratner, who also directing some of Mariah's other videos including "Heartbreaker", "I Still Believe", "Thank God I Found You, and this video's sequel, "We Belong Together". Initially, Mariah had wanted Paul Hunter to direct the video, but he was apparently busy. Mariah, who is a close friend of Brett, was reluctant at first, as Ratner had stopped directing music videos for the most part and mostly dabbled in movies, but after hearing a proposed treatment, she approved.
The main gist of the video revolves around Mariah's night at a mysterious nightclub. It is the night before her wedding, and Mariah has thrown a first class party to celebrate. To add extra elements of mystery to her party, several guests are seen wearing masks, seemingly inspired from the movie Eyes Wide Shut. Various celebrity cameos can also be seen in the video including Brian McKnight, Randy Jackson, and the two featured rappers on the track, Jermaine Dupri and Fatman Scoop. For the most part, the crowd at the party can be seen having a good time as they dance along to this track and play various casino games like craps.
However, things begin to get a bit fishy as Mariah's fiance, played by Eric Roberts, refuses to partake in party activities and retreats to his office, where he secretly spies on Mariah and the rest of the party through a surveillance camera. Meanwhile at the party, Mariah is having a good time and is singing along to Fatman Scoops's outro rap when she sees a sight that surprises her. A party guest, played by Wentworth Miller, takes off his mask and reveals himself to be an ex-beau of Mariah's.
Viewers are left on the edge of their seats to wonder what happens next as the video abruptly ends. There is a resolution to this cliffhanger as this video serves as the prequel to the album's second single, "We Belong Together". (The two music videos were filmed simultaneously.)
The music video has never been released on Home Video or DVD.
Comprehensive Charts
"It's Like That" Debuted at #53 on The Billboard Hot 100
"It's Like That" Was Ranked #TBA on The Billboard Hot 100 Year End Charts (2005)
"It's Like That" Remained in The Billboard Hot 100 for 20 weeks
"It's Like That" was Mariah's 7th #1 single on The Billboard Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales
"It's Like That" was Mariah's 9th #1 single on The Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | "It’s Like That” | Billboard Hot 100 | #16 |
| 2005 | "It’s Like That" | Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales | #8 |
| 2005 | "It’s Like That" | Billboard Hot 100 Airplay | #14 |
| 2005 | "It’s Like That" | Billboard Pop 100 | #20 |
| 2005 | "It’s Like That" | Billboard Pop 100 Airplay | #17 |
| 2005 | "It’s Like That" | Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks | #17 |
| 2005 | "It’s Like That" | Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales | #4 |
| 2005 | "It’s Like That" | Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay | #17 |
| 2005 | "It’s Like That" | Billboard Hot Digital Songs | #10 |
| 2005 | "It’s Like That" | Billboard Hot Digital Tracks | #7 |
| 2005 | "It’s Like That" | Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales | #1 (1 Week) |
| 2005 | "It’s Like That" | Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #1 (1 Week) |
| 2005 | "It’s Like That" | Billboard Dance Radio Airplay | #10 |
| 2005 | "It’s Like That" | Billboard Top 40 Tracks | #34 |
| 2005 | "It’s Like That" | Billboard Mainstream Top 40 | #16 |
| 2005 | "It’s Like That" | Billboard Rhythmic Top 40 | #9 |
| 2005 | "It’s Like That" | Billboard Hot Ringtones | #27 |
Official Remixes/Versions List
It's Like That (Album Version/Main Version)
It's Like That (Club Version)
It's Like That (Instrumental)
It's Like That (No Rap)
It's Like That (No Fatman Scoop)
It's Like That (Remix) featuring Fat Joe
It's Like That (Remix Instrumental) (12" Vinyl Only)
It's Like That (Morales Classic Mix)
It's Like That (Morales Club Mix)
It's Like That (Morales Radio Mix)
It's Like That (Stereo Experience Mix)
It's Like That (Stereo Experience Dub)