Additionally, the song served as a closing number on Carey's Music Box and Daydream World Tours, and was featured on her compilation albums, Greatest Hits (2001) and The Ballads (2008).

The video was filmed in black-and-white fashion, and features Carey's first image makeover, where she appears with a straightened hairstyle for the first time in her career.

Additionally, the music video showcases scenes of Carey singing by a large church choir in a foyer, as well as several people, ranging from a small child to an elderly man, who are alone and depressed.

For her third studio effort, Columbia Records decided to market Carey in a similar fashion to that of her debut, only having her produce a more commercial and radio-friendly album.

"[4][5] The only song that was not subject to the common criticism was "Anytime You Need a Friend," which some called the album's only real glimpse of Carey's upper vocal registers, and one of the only passionate and gospel moments on Music Box.

[6] In an interview, Carey described that although the album's main goal was to be more commercial and radio-friendly than her previous release, she felt the need to include at least one song that featured a church choir and traces of the music that influenced her growing up as a child.

[8] Author Chris Nickson explains on the song's switch in relationship, as the lyrics change to If you just believe in me / I will love you endlessly / Take my hand / Take me into your heart / I'll be there forever baby / I won't let go / I'll never let go.

[8] "Anytime You Need a Friend" was generally well received by contemporary music critics, many of whom praised the song's gospel influence as well as Carey's vocal range.

"[11] Larry Flick from Billboard described the song as "a sweet and spiritual vow of support woven into a melodic pop ballad."

He added, "Displaying soulful finesse and earnest warmth, Carey continues to prove her growth as a vocalist, soaring over a grand gospel choir with ease.

"[12] Troy J. Augusto from Cash Box declared it as "a potent mix of spirituality and faith (long-running themes for Mariah, of course) and radio-driven pop.

"[14] While calling it "undeniably strong", David Browne from Entertainment Weekly gave the song a mixed review, writing "'Anytime You Need a Friend' feature gospel-inflected choirs seemingly intended to demonstrate that Carey has soul — which she doesn't — but they're beautifully arranged, and they serve as a nice counterpoint to Carey's own lapses into show-offy vocal gymnastics.

"[19] A writer from Portland Press Herald called the song one of Carey's "original classics", and felt it earned a place on her compilation album #1's, even though it did not top the Billboard Hot 100.

[20] Suraya Attas from The Straits Times described the singer's voice as husky, and felt it "exploited her vocal range to the fullest.

"[21] Christopher John Farley from Time noted the song as "gospel flavored" and wrote that it "demonstrates Carey's vocal power, although too fleetingly.

"Anytime You Need a Friend" was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), denoting shipments of over 35,000 units.

[30] In Switzerland, "Anytime You Need a Friend" peaked at number 15, however spending 17 weeks fluctuating in the Swiss Singles Chart.

Following a live performance of the song by Eoghan Quigg on the fifth series of the British talent show The X Factor, "Anytime You Need a Friend" re-surged onto the singles chart at number 96 on November 22, 2008.

"[34] He concluded his review with "It made for a topnotch dancefloor number, and stands as an excellent example of early- to mid-'90s dance music, not to mention being one of the singer's most compelling, underrated, and forgotten efforts.

[36] The accompanying music video for "Anytime You Need a Friend" was directed by Danielle Federici and filmed during the early summer of 1994.

[6] It was filmed in black-and-white, and features Carey walking along the streets of New York, watching several people, ranging from a small child to an elderly man, lonely and in need of a friend.

Consecutively, during the song's bridge, Carey watches as the small child's mother carries her to a nearby playground where her friends are frolicking and playing.

During the song's climax, Carey joins the choir, flailing her hands wildly towards the sky, and smiling and gazing into the cloudy morning.

In March of the year 2020, Entertainment Tonight released behind the scenes footage from a scrapped version of the original music video on their YouTube channel.

This version has Carey in a floor-length gown with her hair styled into her signature curls and was to feature a medieval structure as well as a gospel choir.

[39] Carey promoted "Anytime You Need a Friend" on several live televised performances throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.

[citation needed] Carey performed the song during a live appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman, which was followed by an interview regarding the album.

[citation needed] Prior to beginning the song, Carey urged the crowd to "never be lonely" and "always try and find that special person in your life.

[citation needed] In a review done by Digital Spy for Leona Lewis' debut album, Spirit, Nick Levine felt the song "Footprints in the Sand" borrowed heavily from Carey's track, writing "'Footprints In The Sand' seems hellbent on revisiting Mariah Carey's schlock-pop masterwork 'Anytime You Need A Friend.

On the fifth season of the British talent program The X Factor, contestant Eoghan Quigg performed a live cover of the song during a "Mariah Carey" themed week.