Mariah Carey says she will never retire

Los Angeles - Mariah Carey says she "will always make music".

The blonde pop star has insisted she has no plans to retire, and explained previous comments alluding to her next album being her "last" were simply a call to arms to make the most of every opportunity.

Speaking to Billboard magazine, she said: "I will always make music. When I said it could be my last, that's because tomorrow's not promised to anyone."

The singer also revealed she wants her next album to be a "body of work" instead of a few hit singles.

Mariah is planning a big surprise for the release of her next record and insisted she isn't being motivated by topping the charts with her individual tracks, instead choosing to focus on the record as a whole.

She added: "You would think I would be all about the singles-driven situation, and I am in a way, but with this particular album I want my fans to hear it as a body of work.

"This is my life since we last left off. Just picture a dot dot dot, and then here's the album."