| "Never Too Far/Hero Medley" | ||||
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| Single by Mariah Carey | ||||
| B-side | "There for Me" | |||
| Released | December 11, 2001 | |||
| Recorded | 2001 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:48 | |||
| Label | Virgin | |||
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| Mariah Carey singles chronology | ||||
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"Never Too Far/Hero Medley" is a medley recorded by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, released as a charity single on December 11, 2001 by Virgin Records in the US. It is also included as a bonus track in the Japanese release of Carey's Greatest Hits (2001). The medley combines the first verse and chorus of "Never Too Far", written by Carey and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, with a re-recorded version of the first verse, chorus and bridge of "Hero", written by Carey and Walter Afanasieff. The song was produced by Carey, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, and Randy Jackson. The single was meant to express a message of unity and love in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.
Though Carey did not promote Glitter (2001), due to her hospitalization, she embarked on a short promotional tour for the single, and attended several charitable events. Carey performed the medley live at the 2001 Radio Music Awards, British music program Top of the Pops, the United We Stand: What More Can I Give concert benefit, and her own special titled, At Home For The Holidays With Mariah Carey. Following the single's release, the song managed to attain a peak position of number eighty-one on the Billboard Hot 100, in light of all of Carey's live appearances. Though promoted throughout Europe, the single was never given an official release outside the United States, therefore failing to chart in any other significant global music market. This would be Carey's last single with Virgin.