It's A Wrap

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

Songfacts®:

  • "It's a wrap" is a slang expression that means "it's finished" or "it's completed." The film and TV industry often use this phrase to signal the end of the day's work and the crew can wrap up and go home for the night.

    Here, Mariah Carey slams her cheating lover and tells him their romance has come to an end.
  • Carey is sick of waiting all night long for her lover to come home. When he finally turns up in the early hours like it's nothing, she tells him it's the final straw and their relationship is over.

    That was your last shot
    You ain't coming back
    It's the Martini I mean it baby
    It's a wrap


    The "Martini shot" is a term used in the film and television industry to refer to the final shot taken before production wraps for the day. The phrase is said to have originated from the idea that the end of the workday is cause for celebration, just like having a martini at the end of a long day.
  • Mariah Carey wrote "It's a Wrap" herself. Barry White also gets a writing credit because the song samples "I Belong to You" by The Love Unlimited Orchestra, penned by White.
  • Carey recorded the ballad for Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. Though she didn't release it as a single, "It's A Wrap" became one of the star's most popular songs from the album.
  • Longtime Carey collaborator Big Jim Wright and Tricky Stewart co-produced the song with the singer. Stewart helmed much of the Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel album with his longtime writing and production partner The-Dream.
  • Carey included a remix version with Mary J. Blige as a deluxe edition bonus track on her 2014 album, Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse. The new rendition was originally earmarked for Carey's canceled remix album, Angel's Advocate.
  • On January 15, 2023, Carey posted a video to TikTok of her singing to a slightly sped-up version of "It's A Wrap" with the support of four backup dancers. TikTok users started a dance challenge by posting videos of themselves performing their own choreography to the song, causing it to go viral. This led to a massive surge of streams for the ballad.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

Jonathan Cain of Journey

Jonathan Cain of JourneySongwriter Interviews

Cain talks about the divine inspirations for "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Faithfully."

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Dino Cazares of Fear Factory

Dino Cazares of Fear FactorySongwriter Interviews

The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.

Weezer

WeezerFact or Fiction

Did Rivers Cuomo grow up on a commune? Why did they name their albums after colors? See how well you know your Weezer in this Fact or Fiction.

Lip-Synch Rebels

Lip-Synch RebelsSong Writing

What happens when Kurt Cobain, Iron Maiden and Johnny Lydon are told to lip-synch? Some hilarious "performances."