Hero is a 1993 pop ballad by American singer Mariah Carey, released on October 18, 1993 as the second single from her third album Music Box. It was written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff. The song was originally intended for Gloria Estefan to record for the 1992 film Hero, but Carey kept it after Sony executive Tommy Mottola urged her to, changing some lyrics to fit her voice. Lyrically, it speaks of inner strength and becoming your own hero in times of doubt. Musically, it features piano, guitar and organ with Carey’s uplifting vocal performance. Hero topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks and reached the top five in several countries, earning multi-platinum status in the United States and winning ASCAP and BMI awards, while earning a Grammy nomination and becoming one of Carey’s signature songs in live shows and compilations.
