Don't Forget About Us

2005 single by Mariah Carey

"Don't Forget About Us" is a song by American R&B singer and songwriter Mariah Carey. It was written by Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan Michael Cox and Johntá Austin, and produced by Carey, Dupri and Cox. On October 10, 2005, it was released as the lead single from the reissue of her tenth studio album, The Emancipation of Mimi: Ultra Platinum Edition (2005). The song is influenced by R&B and hip hop soul music genres, and lyrically chronicles the emotions felt by the protagonist after the loss of their relationship. Carey explained that the true meaning of the song is to be interpreted by the listener, therefore not disclosing its entire meaning publicly. The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, with many heavily comparing it to Carey's previous single "We Belong Together". Several reviewers felt the song's similarity marked Carey's lack of creativity with it, while others embraced its radio friendly formula. "Don't Forget About Us" became Carey's seventeenth chart topping single on the US Billboard Hot 100, tying the record for most number one singles by a solo artist set by Elvis Presley 36 years before. Internationally, the song topped the charts in Finland, and reached the top ten in Hungary. Carey performed the song at the 33rd Annual American Music Awards, and during the half time of the Thanksgiving game between the Detroit Lions and the Atlanta Falcons. Additionally, the song was included on the set lists of Carey's The Adventures of Mimi and Angels Advocate Tours. The song's music video chronicles the two time frames, Carey in the present, as well as the past memories she shared with her ex lover that continue to haunt her. "Don't Forget About Us" was nominated for two awards at the 49th annual Grammy Awards held on February 11, 2007.

"Don't Forget About Us" is a mid tempo song lasting three minutes and fifty three seconds, while drawing influence from pop and R&B with downtempo beats music genres. Written by Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan Michael Cox and Johntá Austin, and produced by the former three, the song drew comparisons to Carey's "We Belong Together". Carey's vocal range spans three octaves and six semitones from the low note of D3 to the high note of A6. Lyrically, the song describes the potency of a "first love", and features a protagonist pleading to her lover to "not forget about them". Critics noted that the song's lyrics both let go of a lover, as well as cherishing their memory. Carey sings, "You just let it die / With no goodbyes", indicating a relationship that has long decayed, and how she has let it drift away, while also adding, "There's only one me and you / And how we used to shine / No matter what you go through / We are one, that's a fact that you can't deny", indicating that while they are no longer together, she will continue to cherish the memory of them and how strong their love was. Additionally, Lamb commented that although not as "strong" as "We Belong Together", the song was marginally better than another single from The Emancipation of Mimi, "Shake It Off". Reviewers from The New Yorker and Music Week were both taken aback by the single, calling it "beautiful" and "gentle", respectively. Todd Martens from the Los Angeles Times compared it heavily to Carey's 2008 single "Bye Bye", describing their piano melody as "a close match". In 2007, "Don't Forget About Us" was nominated for two Grammy Awards, in the "Best Female R&B Vocal Performance" and "Best R&B Song" categories, although not winning either.

"Don't Forget About Us" was released as the fourth international single from The Emancipation of Mimi (2005), and the first from its re release, the Ultra Platinum Edition. "Don't Forget About Us" became Carey's 17th chart topping single in the United States, tying the record set by Elvis Presley for most number one singles by a solo artist (Carey has since surpassed this record with "Touch My Body" in 2008 and "All I Want for Christmas is You" in 2019.) Currently, the only act to hold more US number one singles than Carey are The Beatles, who gained twenty throughout their career while Carey has accumulated 19 to date. "Don't Forget About Us" stayed in the top forty for eighteen weeks and reached number one on other Billboard component charts, including the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs. Outside the United States, the song achieved moderate international charting. In Australia, "Don't Forget About Us" debuted at its peak position of number twelve on the singles chart, during the week of December 18, 2005. In its second week, the song stalled at number twelve, before beginning its eleven week descent on the chart. On the Italian singles charts, the song charted for only one week, peaking at number eleven. In both the Wallonian and Flemish territories in Belgium, the song peaked at numbers two and one, although plummeting outside the top fifty the following week. On the Dutch Top 40 chart, "Don't Forget About Us" debuted at number ninety two during the week dated February 2, 2006. Spending one week at its peak position of number four, the song dropped to thirty two the following week. Similarly on February 26, 2006, the song debuted and peaked at number nineteen on the Swiss Singles Chart, and spent a total of five weeks on the chart. On the UK Singles Chart week dated December 12, 2005, "Don't Forget About Us" began its seven week run at its peak of number eleven.

Filmed in Los Angeles, the music video reunited Carey with Paul Hunter, director of the video for her 1997 single, "Honey". Since its release, Carey claimed it to be one of her favorite videos, due to its complex scenery and fun nature. Additionally, Carey and Hunter placed several secrets within the video's scenery, that would be intended for the "die hard fans".