One Sweet Day

1995 single by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men

"One Sweet Day" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey and American R&B boy band Boyz II Men. The song was released on November 14, 1995, as the second single from the former's fifth studio album, Daydream (1995) by Columbia Records. The artists co-wrote the song with Walter Afanasieff, who co-produced it with Carey. Lyrically, the song speaks about the death of a loved one and misses them, and finally about seeing the person in heaven. The artists wrote the song about specific people in their lives, being inspired by sufferers of the AIDS epidemic, which was a topic at the time.

"One Sweet Day"
Single by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men
from the album Daydream
B-side"Open Arms"
ReleasedNovember 14, 1995 (1995-11-14)
GenreR&B
Length4:42
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Mariah Carey
  • Walter Afanasieff
Mariah Carey singles chronology
"Fantasy"
(1995)
"One Sweet Day"
(1995)
"Open Arms"
(1995)
Boyz II Men singles chronology
"Hey Lover"
(1995)
"One Sweet Day"
(1995)
"I Remember"
(1995)
Music video
"One Sweet Day" at YouTube

Music video change

The music video for "One Sweet Day" was filmed in February 1995, and features snippets of Carey and Boyz II Men in the studio and recording the song. The busy schedule of both Carey and Boyz II Men did not allow time for them to shoot a proper video.

Chart performance change

"One Sweet Day" debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart dated December 2, 1995, with sales of 204,000 units.[1] Columbia distributed free copies to stores, where it was sold for as low as 49 cents.[2] It became Carey's tenth number one single on the Billboard chart and Boyz II Men's fourth number one. he song remained at the peak for a record-breaking 16 consecutive weeks, from December 2, 1995, to March 16, 1996.[3] It became a record for being the only song to stay at number one on the chart for 16 weeks until 2017, when the record was tied by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee's "Despacito", featuring Justin Bieber.[4] The record would remain until Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road", featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, broke the record in 2019, spending nineteen weeks on top the Billboard Hot 100. It still remains the only number one debut to spend sixteen continual weeks at number one.[5]

Track listing and formats change

Credits and personnel change

Credits adapted from the Daydream liner notes.[12]

  • Mariah Carey – co-production, songwriting (music and lyrics), vocals
  • Walter Afanasieff – co-production, songwriting (music)
  • Nathan Morris – songwriting (lyrics), vocals
  • Wanya Morris – songwriting (lyrics), vocals
  • Shawn Stockman – songwriting (lyrics), vocals
  • Michael McCary – songwriting (lyrics), vocals

Charts change

Certifications and sales change

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[94] 3× Platinum 210,000 
France (SNEP)[95] Silver 125,000*
New Zealand (RMNZ)[96] Platinum 10,000*
Norway (IFPI Norway)[97] Gold  
United Kingdom (BPI)[99] Gold 400,000[98]
United States (RIAA)[100] 4× Platinum 4,000,000 

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone
 sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Release history change

Release dates and formats for "One Sweet Day"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States November 14, 1995 CD maxi single [101]
United Kingdom November 27, 1995 [102]
Japan November 30, 1995 Mini CD single Sony Music Japan [103]

References change

  1. McKenna, Jerry (December 2, 1995). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight". Billboard. p. 97. ProQuest 1506019205.
  2. Strauss, Neil (January 25, 1996). "Are Pop Charts Manipulated?". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 21, 2022.
  3. Nickson 1998, pp. 145
  4. Trust, Gary (August 28, 2017). "Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber's 'Despacito' Ties for Longest Run at No. 1 in Hot 100's History". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Archived from the original on August 29, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2017.
  5. Trust, Gary (July 29, 2019). "Winner's Circle: Lil Nas X's 'Old Town Road' Breaks Record With 17th Week Atop Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  6. One Sweet Day (US Cassette CD Single liner notes). Mariah Carey. Columbia Records. 1995. 38T 78074.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. One Sweet Day (Japan CD Single liner notes). Mariah Carey. Columbia Records. 1995. SRCS 7821.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. One Sweet Day (UK CD Single 1 liner notes). Mariah Carey. Columbia Records. 1995. 662603 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. One Sweet Day (UK CD Single liner notes). Mariah Carey. Columbia Records. 1995. 662603 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. One Sweet Day (US CD Single 2 liner notes). Mariah Carey. Columbia Records. 1995. 44 78075.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. "One Sweet Day EP by Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men". iTunes. Archived from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  12. Carey, Mariah (1995). Daydream (Liner Notes) (Compact Disc). Mariah Carey. New York City: Columbia Records.
  13. "Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men – One Sweet Day". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  14. "Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men – One Sweet Day" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  15. "Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men – One Sweet Day" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  16. "Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men – One Sweet Day" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 "Major Market Airplay". Music & Media. February 3, 1996. p. 23.
  18. "Discos populares en Latinoamérica". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). 20 January 1996. Archived from the original on August 6, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  19. "Major Market Airplay". Music & Media. January 20, 1996. p. 19.
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 Lwin, Nanda (2000). Top 40 Hits: The Essential Chart Guide. Music Data Canada. p. 59. ISBN 1-896594-13-1.
  21. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2864." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  22. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2887." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  23. "Hits of World". Billboard. Vol. 108, no. 3. January 20, 1996. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  24. 24.0 24.1 "European Hot 100 Singles 1996". Music & Media. December 21, 1996. p. 12.
  25. "Adult Contemporary Europe - ACE Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. January 27, 1996. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
  26. "EHR Top 40". Music & Media. January 20, 1996. p. 21.
  27. "Mariah Carey + Boyz II Men: One Sweet Day" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  28. "Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men – One Sweet Day" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  29. "Major Market Airplay". Music & Media. March 2, 1996. p. 27.
  30. "Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men – One Sweet Day" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  31. "Major Market Airplay: Hungary" (PDF). Music & Media. March 30, 1996. p. 29. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  32. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (25.11.1995 – 1.12.1995)" (PDF) (in Icelandic). Dagblaðið Vísir – Tónlist. Retrieved April 3, 2018.[permanent dead link]
  33. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – One Sweet Day". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  34. "Classifiche". Musica e Dischi (in Italian). Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved May 28, 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Mariah Carey".
  35. "Major Market Airplay: Italy" (PDF). Music & Media. February 10, 1996. p. 27. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 23, 2020. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  36. マライア・キャリーのアルバム売り上げランキング (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on December 6, 2013. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  37. "M-1 TOP 40". M-1.fm. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2021. See LW column.
  38. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 2, 1996" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  39. "Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men – One Sweet Day" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  40. 40.0 40.1 40.2 "Major Market Airplay". Music & Media. January 6, 1996. p. 19.
  41. "Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men – One Sweet Day". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  42. "Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men – One Sweet Day". VG-lista. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  43. "Discos populares en Latinoamérica". El Siglo de Torreón (in Spanish). 11 February 1996. Archived from the original on February 10, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
  44. "Major Market Airplay: Poland" (PDF). Music & Media. January 13, 1996. p. 19. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  45. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  46. "Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men – One Sweet Day". Singles Top 100. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  47. "Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men – One Sweet Day". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  48. "Mariah Carey: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  49. "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company.
  50. "Mariah Carey Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  51. "Mariah Carey Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  52. "Mariah Carey Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  53. "Mariah Carey Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved April 23, 2022.
  54. "Mariah Carey Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  55. "Mariah Carey Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  56. "Mariah Carey Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  57. "Top 100 Pop Singles". Cash Box. December 30, 1995. p. 8.
  58. "Top 100 Urban Singles". Cash Box. December 30, 1995. p. 22.
  59. 59.0 59.1 59.2 59.3 59.4 "National Airplay Overview". Radio & Records. December 22, 1995. p. 108. ProQuest 1017295046.
  60. "National Airplay Overview". Radio & Records. January 19, 1996. p. 91. ProQuest 1017279811.
  61. * Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  62. Whitburn, Joel (2003). Joel Whitburn's Top 100 Pop Singles 1955–2002. Record Research. p. 106. ISBN 0-89820-155-1.
  63. "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 50 Singles 1995". ARIA. Archived from the original on August 3, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  64. "Jaarlijsten 1995" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Archived from the original on January 1, 2004. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  65. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1995" (in Dutch). GfK Dutch Charts. Archived from the original on June 27, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  66. "Top Selling Singles of 1995". RIANZ. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  67. "Årslista Singlar – År 1995" (in Swedish). GLF. Archived from the original on January 11, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  68. "Najlepsze single na UK Top 40-1995 wg sprzedaży" (in Polish). Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on December 22, 2015. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  69. "Top 95 of 1995". Radio & Records. December 22, 1995. p. 53. ProQuest 1017285440.
  70. "Top 95 of 1995". Radio & Records. December 22, 1995. p. 34. ProQuest 1017283811.
  71. "Top 95 of 1995". Radio & Records. December 22, 1995. p. 54. ProQuest 1017285448.
  72. "ARIA Charts – End of Year Charts – Top 50 Singles 1996". ARIA. Archived from the original on November 24, 2010. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  73. "Jaaroverzichten 1996" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on October 11, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  74. "Rapports Annuels 1996" (in French). Ultratop. Archived from the original on October 18, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  75. "RPM Year End Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. December 16, 1996. Archived from the original on March 22, 2008. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  76. "RPM Year End Top 100 Adult Contemporary Tracks". RPM. December 16, 1996. Archived from the original on October 20, 2014. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  77. "Classement Singles – année 1996" (in French). SNEP. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  78. "Jaarlijsten 1996" (in Dutch). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Archived from the original on January 1, 2004. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  79. "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1996" (in Dutch). GfK Dutch Charts. Archived from the original on March 15, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  80. "Top Selling Singles of 1996". RIANZ. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  81. "Årslista Singlar – År 1996" (in Swedish). GLF. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  82. "Swiss Year-end Charts 1996". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on February 24, 2015. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
  83. 83.0 83.1 83.2 83.3 83.4 "The Year in Music: 1996". Billboard. December 28, 1996. pp. YE-32, YE-40, YE-45, YE-84, YE-86. Archived from the original on January 15, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2022 – via Google Books.
  84. "Top 40/Mainstream Titles" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 30. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 14, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021 – via World Radio History.
  85. "Top 40/Rhythm-Crossover Titles" (PDF). Airplay Monitor. Vol. 4, no. 53. December 27, 1996. p. 32. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 14, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021 – via World Radio History.
  86. "96 of 1996". Radio & Records. December 13, 1996. p. 70. ProQuest 1017293708.
  87. "96 of 1996". Radio & Records. December 13, 1996. p. 28. ProQuest 1017298476.
  88. "96 of 1996". Radio & Records. December 13, 1996. p. 32. ProQuest 1017298542.
  89. "96 of 1996". Radio & Records. December 13, 1996. p. 72. ProQuest 1017293735.
  90. "96 of 1996". Radio & Records. December 13, 1996. p. 45. ProQuest 1017298417.
  91. "96 of 1996". Radio & Records. December 13, 1996. p. 47. ProQuest 1017298452.
  92. Cite error: The named reference Billboard. Vol 1999 was used but no text was provided for refs named (see the help page).
  93. "Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 24, 2016. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  94. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  95. "French single certifications – Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men – One Sweet Day" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved November 9, 2021. Select MARIAH CAREY & BOYZ II MEN and click OK. 
  96. "New Zealand single certifications – Mariah Carey – One Sweet Day". Recorded Music NZ.
  97. "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  98. Mariah Carey official top 20 biggest-selling songs in the UK MTV. Retrieved May 3, 2010.
  99. "British single certifications – Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men – One Sweet Day". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  100. "American single certifications – Mariah Carey – One Sweet Day". Recording Industry Association of America.
  101. "Mariah Carey: "One Sweet Day" (Single)". Sony Music Store. Archived from the original on September 29, 2003. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  102. "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. November 25, 1995. p. 39.
  103. "ワン・スイート・デイ" [One Sweet Day] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on January 2, 2022. Retrieved January 2, 2021.

Further reading change