According to Carey , writing " Ca n't Take That Away ( Mariah 's Theme ) " helped her get through rough emotional moments with her label 's management , and even times when she felt overwhelmed by others . During the early stages of the album , Carey said she felt pressured to complete the '' Rainbow '' album as quickly as possible , due to the fact that it was the last album under her contract with Columbia . During troubled times for the singer , as well as her divorce from record executive Tommy Mottola , she claimed writing and singing the song helped her get through troubled times and hoped her listeners would get the same message out of it . Carey thought it would become an anthem for fans and listeners who were going through difficult times in their life and could relate to the song . Additionally , during the taping of the '' Mariah Carey Homecoming Special '' , Carey told audience members that after the Columbine High School massacre in 1999 , she felt the song would help family members and friends of the victims during the tragedy , and hoped it would give them strength to get by the tragic event . For that reason , Carey included the song on the album , and campaigned for its radio release in mid-2000
Columbine High School massacre
Columbine High School massacre
Can't Take That Away (Mariah's Theme)