There is something about a tune that resides in your head rent free for an entire season! A song that is as popular as jingle bells, but routine as silent night, but for all those in love, a song that just feels right! Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You,’ is the official soundtrack of the start of the Holiday Season. From department stores, to elementary school recitals, ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ is an iconic timepiece that will be played and cherished for infinity.
‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’, was written by Mariah Carey and Walter (Baby Love) Afanasieff in 1994, and released later that year in late October. From there, the song has become the official start of Christmas, charting every year since.
Although covered by many in the industry, no one, and I do mean no one quite sings it like Mariah Carey. As a matter of fact, Mariah has been unofficially named the “Queen of Christmas,” by Industry professionals. To date, ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You,’ has raked in an astounding $72 million in royalties with that figure growing by an estimated $2.5 per year. On streaming platforms like Spotify, the single shatters its own single-day record every year. With just about every record set imaginable, ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’, is ranked as one of the most commercially successful songs ever written.
What makes Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ the “Holiday Standard”?
Every great song has a little something special about it that makes it a hit! ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ is the perfect constellation of ingredients dancing in unison. Walter Afanasieff’s use of bell chimes, violin, piano and drums created the track that reads like a symphony performing a sweet lullaby. Add in some cowbells, flute and turn the tempo to a feverish pitch, and what you have is a spread – fit for a Queen. After writing the lyrics, Mariah Carey took to the booth and laid some of the most powerful vocals ever sung. Mariah’s vocal ranges from a G3 to an A5 throughout, with the background layered to enhance the chorus.
‘All I Want for Christmas Is You,’ has become a timeless work of art. From listening to the song, the listener can’t help but feel the Christmas spirit! The song is universal on the way it ushers in love, both platonic and romantic. As a matter of fact, Mariah Carey released a children’s book in 2015, ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You,’ and an animated family film based on the book.
With Christmas just around the corner, many FM stations are switching their formats to accommodate the season. There is something to be said about listening to Christmas music in late November and December. To date, ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’, has become the staple of the unofficial holiday season, hitting No. 1 in 26 countries and No. 1 in the United States, finally in 2019. Mariah Carey’s classic is one of few songs to hit 1 billion streams on Spotify.
Throughout the years, there have been some Christmas Classics; however, it is unanimous that Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’, is the resounding number one holiday season song.
This Christmas season, we remind you to celebrate friends, family, life, joy and take inventory on the things we do have. The appreciation of these things should be met with thankfulness. Whatever your reason, just remember tis is the season to celebrate life, and those that make it possible.
- Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You
- Bing Crosby – White Christmas
- The Jackson 5 – “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”
- Bobby Helms – “Jingle Bell Rock”
- Dean Martin – Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
