Mariah Carey has the most #1 songs by a solo artist (19), so it stands to reason she’ll show up on Throwback Weekends. The week of January 8, 1994, saw her top the charts with ‘Hero,’ her eighth #1 in her first four years of recording.
Carey co-wrote the song but initially wasn’t moved to record it herself and planned to give it to Gloria Estefan. She eventually reconsidered and ended up with one of her signature songs, one she has performed at multiple live events, including the inauguration of President Obama.
Reading up on this song, I came across this quote by Carey about its meaning to her and her fans:
One person could say that ‘Hero’ is a schmaltzy piece of garbage, but another person can write to me a letter and say, ‘I’ve considered committing suicide every day of my life for the last ten years until I heard that song, and I realized, after all, I can be my own hero,’ and that, that’s an unexplainable feeling, like I’ve done something with my life, you know? It meant something to someone.
That’s a lovely sentiment, so I’ll resist the urge to say anything negative.
There’s a hero
If you look inside your heart
You don’t have to be afraid
Of what you are
There’s an answer
If you reach into your soul
And the sorrow that you know
Will melt away
[Chorus]
And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you’ll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you
[Verse 2]
It’s a long road
When you face the world alone
No one reaches out a hand for you to hold
You can find love
If you search within yourself
And the emptiness you felt
Will disappear
[Chorus]
And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you’ll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you
[Bridge]
Lord knows
Dreams are hard to follow
But don’t let anyone
Tear them away
Hold on
There will be tomorrow
In time
You’ll find the way
[Chorus]
And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive
So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you’ll finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you
[Outro]
That a hero lies in you
That a hero lies in you
Meet Me In Montauk 
Writing this comment with your family and my kids, who all give this song a thumbs down.