Critic’s Notebook: Mariah Carey’s Christmas Tune Could Become the Greatest Song of All Time

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As a die-hard fan of music history and a proud owner of every single Mariah Carey album since her debut, I can confidently say that “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is not just a song, it’s a holiday tradition. This track has been part of my Christmas celebrations for decades now, and each year, it never fails to fill me with the same joy and festive spirit.

Christmas may be over, but Mariah Carey’s holiday tune is the gifting that keeps on giving — and it could become the greatest song of all time.

Initially released in 1994, Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ didn’t make it to the Top 10 of Billboard Hot 100 until 2017 due to changes in chart success calculations that included streaming numbers. It climbed to No. 1 in 2019 and has returned to the top spot every year since, remaining there for several weeks as Christmas approaches. This week, it spent its 17th week at No. 1 and is getting closer to tying the record of 19 consecutive weeks held by ‘Old Town Road’ by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus, as well as Shaboozey’s ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’. Carey’s Christmas hit could tie this record this year, and it’s likely to break it next year.

Year after year, there’s no other tune quite like it that manages to rise from the grave of past hits and claim the top spots on the charts – I’m talking about “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey, of course! Unlike most popular pop tracks, which usually have a shelf life of around a year, this holiday classic resonates deeply thanks to the festive season. By sheer numbers, it’s destined to become Billboard’s all-time best-performing song. And every year, she cleverly cashes in on the Christmas spirit with her tour, TV specials, and merchandise. You could say she’s reaping the rewards for blessing us with such an iconic Christmas anthem!

Besides Carey, this honor is equally fitting. For decades, musicians have been composing unique Christmas tunes, but “All I Want” stands out as one that’s transcended into a timeless classic. She’s undeniably among the greatest songwriters of all time (and I’m more than happy to discuss this if you doubt), and she has managed to create something that perfectly sets the festive tone, right after Halloween. If you find yourself tired of hearing it, it vanishes from the airwaves in January, leaving a gap for you to miss it when it returns 11 months later.

Carey’s song achieves this recognition as she reigns supreme on the music charts. Let’s review her impressive track record: She boasts an impressive 19 No.1 hits, trailing only The Beatles who hold the record of 20. It’s widely expected that she will surpass this milestone soon. Over the years, her songs have spent a total of 96 weeks at the top of the Hot 100 chart, with a significant lead of 36 weeks over the second-place artist. Although new songs often climb to the top of the charts each week, many fail to maintain their position. Some songs gain popularity due to the artists’ hype but quickly fade. Others benefit from marketing strategies like bundling, however, these “hits” are short-lived. In contrast, Carey’s songs have endured on the charts. There is a notable difference. Her statistics don’t deceive us.

Wow, it’s amazing to see Mariah Carey and “All I Want for Christmas Is You” breaking records and being crowned as the top-performing song ever. Even though Santa might not exist, Mariah and this festive classic certainly feel like the real deal during the holiday season!

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2024-12-26 20:54