Betcha Gon' Know (The Prologue)

Album: Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the opening track from American R&B and recording artist Mariah Carey's twelfth studio album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.
  • On this song Carey threatens to out a cheating lover on national television. The song's subject matter of revenge is a topic Carey has rarely tackled before.
  • Carey wrote and produced the entire album in collaboration with The-Dream and Tricky Stewart, the hitmaking duo behind Rihanna's "Umbrella" and Beyoncé's "Single Ladies." Carey said in publicity materials: "My main goal was to work with people I could collaborate with without it seeming redundant or stale. In my opinion Tricky is one of the most underrated major producers out there right now. I really enjoyed collaborating with him. And I especially liked writing with The-Dream, basically because we both love having fun with lyrics and melodies, and we're also capable of getting more serious on deeper songs. There is a particular sense of freedom I feel when we write together -- even though I make him stay in the studio all night until he is ready to kill me! LOL!"
  • A remix version with R. Kelly was included on Carey's 2014 album, Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse, as a deluxe edition bonus track. It was originally earmarked for an remix version of Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel entitled Angels Advocate but the project was canceled.
  • For the first time, Carey also worked with renowned hip-hop/R&B producer Timbaland, as well as her longtime collaborator Jermaine Dupri, on a number of tracks for the album, but none of them made the cut.
  • Mariah told The B. Scott Show this was based on a semi-true story but she was also inspired by her friends that "have inner anger."
  • In the second verse, Mariah returns to the scene of the affair and tries to pretend nothing is wrong, telling her cheating lover she fell asleep on Jasmine's sofa and thought Rae Rae would let him know. Jasmine is Jasmine Dotiwala, a British broadcaster who befriended the singer after she interviewed her for MTV. Rae Rae is Mariah's former back-up dancer and friend Rachel McIntosh, whom she also calls on speed-dial on the E=MC2 track "Migrate."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

When Rock Belonged To Michelob

When Rock Belonged To MichelobSong Writing

Michelob commercials generated hits for Eric Clapton, Genesis and Steve Winwood in the '80s, even as some of these rockers were fighting alcoholism.

Movie Stars In Music Videos

Movie Stars In Music VideosSong Writing

Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Mila Kunis and John Malkovich are just a few of the film stars who have moonlighted in music videos.

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")

Terry Jacks ("Seasons in the Sun")Songwriter Interviews

Inspired by his dear friend, "Seasons in the Sun" paid for Terry's boat, which led him away from music and into a battle with Canadian paper mills.

Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty

Rob Thomas of Matchbox TwentySongwriter Interviews

Rob Thomas on his Social Distance Sessions, co-starring with a camel, and his friendship with Carlos Santana.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.