| "Betcha Gon' Know (The Prologue)" | |
|---|---|
| Song byMariah Carey | |
| from the albumMemoirs of an Imperfect Angel | |
| Released | 2009 |
| Studio |
|
| Length | 4:00 |
| Label | Island |
| Songwriters | Mariah Carey,Christopher Stewart,Terius Nash, James Wright |
| Producers | Mariah Carey, Christopher "Tricky" Stewart,The-Dream,James "Big Jim" Wright |
"Betcha Gon' Know (The Prologue)" is a song by American singerMariah Carey from her twelfth studio albumMemoirs of an Imperfect Angel (2009). It was co-written and co-produced by Carey,Christopher "Tricky" Stewart,James "Big Jim" Wright andThe-Dream. The song was recorded at several recording locations, including The Boom Boom Room inBurbank, California, theStudio at the Palms inLas Vegas, Nevada and at Honeywest Studios inNew York City. The lyrics revolve around the idea of outing a cheating boyfriend publicly on television, and Carey makes a reference toOprah Winfrey and her chat show.
"Betcha Gon' Know (The Prologue)" garnered mixed responses frommusic critics. Sal Cinqeumani forSlant Magazine wrote that the song was "promising,"[2] however, Jon Caramanica forThe New York Times criticized the song's lackluster arrangement and Carey's vocal execution.[3] Upon the release ofMemoirs of an Imperfect Angel, the song peaked at number 66 on the USHot Digital Songs chart in October 2009, and remained on the chart for a total of two weeks.
After Carey finished herThe Adventures of Mimi Tour (2006) in support of her tenth studio albumThe Emancipation of Mimi (2005), she began to work on material for her eleventh studio effort, the yet untitledE=MC² (2008).[4]E=MC² was hailed as one of the most anticipated albums to be released in 2008, with many critics weighing their opinions on whether Carey would be able to deliver significant success, following her achievements withThe Emancipation of Mimi.[5] After the release and success of "Touch My Body", the project'slead single, subsequent singles of the album failed to garner airplay or significant charting,Island Records halted promotion of the album.[6] Since the album's release, Carey had planned to embark on an extensive tour in support ofE=MC², describing its production and direction in several interviews. When asked to describe the tour's theme, Carey explained "I'm thinking elaborate. I like elaborate. We only do substantial. That's what my jeweler says. I haven't gotten the looks in mind just yet, but we're going to figure it out soon enough."[7] Although plans for a tour were underway, and Carey's announcement for a tour during her promotional appearance onThe X Factor in the United Kingdom in November 2008, the tour was suddenly cancelled in the following month.[8]
Because of the tour's cancellation, various media outlets circulated speculation that Carey had become pregnant, and had abandoned her plans for a tour as a result.[9] Many reports were made claiming that Carey had been visiting a famed gynecologist's office in Los Angeles.[8] Carey did not address those rumours until two years later on October 28, 2010, which was the same day she announced her new pregnancy;[10][11] she admitted that she had indeed been pregnant during that time period in late 2008, and suffered a miscarriage.[12] For that reason, she cancelled the tour, and lost the child only two months later.[13] Carey later opted to record a new album, that would be released during the summer of 2009.[14] During the later stages of the project, Carey released the title,Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel, that would serve as the singer's twelfth studio album.[14]
"Betcha Gon' Know (The Prologue)" was co-written by Carey, Christopher Stewart, James Wright and Terius Nash.[1] It was also produced by the foursome, with Stewart credited asChristopher "Tricky" Stewart, Wright as James "Big Jim" Wright and Nash asThe-Dream.[1] It is the opening song on the album, and lasts for a duration of 4 minutes exactly.[15] As the album's opening track, Carey sing's "Welcome to a day of my life" as the first line of the song, as she begins to sing about the downfalls and shortcomings of love.[15] According to Sal Cinqeumani forSlant Magazine, Carey sings in a taunting, schoolyard nature when she performs the lyrics "I'm gon' la-la-la-la-la-laugh."[2]
The song's lyrical content revolves around the protagonist getting a their own back to their estranged and cheating lover publicly on TV, as Carey sings "Oprah Winfrey whole segment, for real."[16] Becky Bain forIdolator interpretation of the lyrics were that it is from a female perspective who sings about an adulterous man.[17] The remix featuring R. Kelly leaked in July 2011, and draws influence fromR&B.[17] In 2014, Carey announced that the remix would appear on her fourteenth studio album,Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse, as a deluxe edition bonus track.[18]
"Betcha Gon' Know (The Prologue)" garnered mixed responses frommusic critics. Sal Cinquemani for Slant Magazine wrote that "Betcha Gon' Know (The Prologue)" is a "promising" song.[2] James Reed for theBoston Globe was complimentary of the song because he felt that the first half of the track list better represented Carey, writing "halfway in, 'Memoirs' starts to sag under its own weight, and the sweetness that initially was so irresistible starts to get a little too sticky."[15] Jon Caramanica forThe New York Times was critical of the song, noting that her collaborators of choice on the album have delivered "largely listless arrangements", writing that Carey is "mumbling" on "Betcha Gon' Know (The Prologue)".[3] He likened her singing style on the song to other tracks on the album "Ribbon" and "Insepareable", writing that "talk-singing" is usually "the preserve of far worse singers."[3] When the "Betcha Gon' Know (The Prologue)" remix featuring R. Kelly surfaced online, Becky Bain for Idolator wrote that the "stream-of-consciousness, the various voices for multiple players, the cheating plotline" is a reworking of his series of songs entitledTrapped in the Closet (2005).[17]
Credits adapted from the liner notes ofMemoirs of an Imperfect Angel.[1]
Upon the release ofMemoirs of an Imperfect Angel, "Betcha Gon' Know (The Prologue)" debuted and peaked at number 66 on the USHot Digital Songs chart on October 17, 2009. The song spent two weeks on the chart in total.[19] It debuted at number three and peaked at number one on the USBubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.[20]
| Chart (2009) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| USBubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[20] | 1 |
| USHot Digital Songs (Billboard) | 66 |
Following the announcement of plans for theAngels Advocate Tour in support ofMemoirs of an Imperfect Angel, Carey revealed that she was going to release a remix album of the standard edition, including new featured artists and songs from the album's recording sessions which did not make the final cut.[21] American singer and songwriterR. Kelly was confirmed to be the featured artist on the remix of "Betcha Gon' Know (The Prologue)".[21]Angels Advocate had been planned to be released in March 2010, but for unknown reasons was cancelled.[22] The remix featuring R. Kelly, with the shortened title of "Betcha Gon' Know", was included as a deluxe edition bonus track on her fourteenth studio albumMe. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse, which was released on May 27, 2014.[18] Upon the release of the album, "Betcha Gon' Know'" debuted on the South Korean InternationalGaon Single Chart at number 67 for the week ending May 31, 2014.[23]
