There have been many versions and alternate versions, both official and unofficial, of this song, so here's a breakdown of which ones are worth your time, and which ones you should skip.
The Official Mixes
There are several official ones.
The first one is an urban mix by DJ Clue. It is also known as the Desert Storm Mix. In addition to Mariah's vocals, Styles P and Jadakiss rap on this song. Mariah has re-sung the vocals, and the lyrics are quite different from the downtempo original. This mix is essential. The new lyrics are fresh and give a whole new perspective to this already amazing song. The instrumental of this version is great on it's own too.
Then there's the dance mixes. Atlantic Soul, Peter Rauhofer and Tony Moran & Warren Rigg provide the mixes this time. The first two remixers' remixes are available on some import editions of the CD maxi single, and on the U.S. vinyl single. The Moran & Rigg one is only available on a CD promo directly from the label. There have been rumors circulating that these new mixes will be made available on the iTunes Music Store for purchase. It's only a matter of time. The sales would give "We Belong Together" an always welcome boost.
The Atlantic Soul mixes are house mixes and have a late night sound to them. The vocal loops of some lines and phrases from the song give it a whole new element. This mix is just okay. It feels like it's missing some synths and some pianos. There is a Club Mix, a Radio Mix and an Instrumental for this one.
There are two different Peter Rauhofer mixes, and not just the edit and the longer one. There's the Rauhofer Reconstruction Part 1. This is a minimal, dark track. It's built around a simple bassline that repeats over and over again. There are some blips and bleeps. The vocals here don't sound like they have been sped up enough. And the vocals just don't seem to go with the instrumental. The use of vocals is good though. There are some vocal loops in the longer one. Other than that, this mix is very plain and ordinary. Overall, this mix sounds very similar to the remix Rauhofer did a couple years ago of Murk vs Kristine W's "Some Lovin." There's an edit of this one too.
Then there is the Rauhofer Reconstruction Part 2. This is not just an extension to the first mix. This is a whole other mix. It is much darker and uplifting. It has these amazing synths and a different bassline. This mix calls to mind Rauhofer's mix of David Morales' "How Would U Feel." It has a similar sound, but this one is stil darker. The vocals sound much better over this one. The same set of vocal loops are used, but it sounds much better here. It's a bit hard to believe that this one and the other mix were done by the same person. This is a good choice for circuit clubs. This one has not been commercially released yet. However, it has leaked. This one should have been released.
Then there are the new Tony Moran & Rigg mixes. These are also quite dark and tribal. Done in the same vein of the second Rauhofer mix. The vocal loops used here are different as well. The vocals are used more effectively. The use of synths is excellent. This is more on the trance tip. This remix bears a small resemblance to some of Moran & Rigg's recent productions and remixes. This mix along with the second Rauhofer mix should have been released instead of the ones that were chosen. A Mixshow Edit and Radio Mix of this mix is also included on the CD promo.
The Unoffical Mixes
There are many of them. The first one that comes to mind is the TMC's Heartbroken Mix. This is done in the style of a mid 90's hi nrg song. A very fresh sounding mix. Of the unofficial mixes, this is a good one. The only problem is the vocals. A filtered acapella based on the original has been used instead of a true acapella. The clicking beat from the original can be heard in this remix. It gets really annoying after awhile. Aside from that, it's good.
OrangeFuZzZ has done a mix for this too. This one is a dark tribal mix also. This too has the same problem as the TMC one with the vocals. The beat also just sounds totally unnatural. This mix is a good attempt, but not good enough. Mixes done after this one by OrangeFuZzZ have been much better. Maybe a new mix might be a better idea.
Uplift N' Emotion's mixes are much better. Progressive trance/breakbeat is the style they chose for this one. It's very beautiful. They even synched up the original music video with the remix and the results are quite amazing. The vocals have the same problem. Other than that, it's a great mix.
Philly J's Soul Crunk mix is horrible. The vocal cannot be heard without turning the volume up, and even then it is still hard to hear it. This is an urban mix. The new instrumental added to it is just too loud.
Then there is the ZAX mix. This one doesn't sound that good either. It speeds up the original, adds a new beat, and adds some DJ scratching sound effects. It doesn't go with the song at all and just isn't that great. The scratching is very distracting.
And then finally, there is the EarKandi mix. This is a mashup. It utilizes Hex Hector's dub of "Love Don't Cost A Thing" by Jennifer Lopez. This one sounds pretty decent.
