Loverboy

Mariah Carey released "Loverboy" as the lead single from her Glitter soundtrack on July 16, 2001. The track marked a deliberate shift away from her signature ballads toward high-energy dance and R&B beats designed for club play. Produced by Carey alongside Larry Blackmon of Cameo and Thomas Jenkins, the song samples the bassline and rhythm from Cameo's 1986 funk hit "Candy." This fusion blended Carey's vocals with the group's signature sound to create a driving summer anthem.

Lyrically, the song explores themes of desire and seduction while Carey adopts a playful persona. Critics noted the successful integration of the funk sample, though some felt the production leaned too heavily on mid-90s dance-pop tropes. Despite mixed reviews upon release, the track has since gained status as a cult favorite representing Carey's experimental phase in the early 2000s. [edit]