Christmas 2020: Where is Mariah Carey now? 5 interesting facts about 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'
With Christmas arriving in a few hours, you've probably already got your playlists ready in celebration and chances are likely that Mariah Carey is included. The songbird's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' has become almost synonymous with Christmas music but have you ever wondered where it all started and why all the buzz? We've got five facts about Mimi's famous Christmas song for you below.
Biggest hit
First off, 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' is Carey's longest-running hit and her biggest international success, taking the crown at No. 1 on international charts in countries such as Australia, Canada, France and Germany. Last year, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 for the first time with 45.6 million streams and 27,000 digital sales sold, 25 years after its release. The song was ineligible for inclusion on the sought-after US chart during its original release because it was not released commercially, initially, as a single in any physical format. The song also topped the charts in the United Kingdom for the first time, becoming Carey's first number one on the UK Singles Chart in 20 years.
Record-breaker
With an estimated sales of over 16 million copies, 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' is the best-selling Christmas single by a female artist and one of the best-selling singles of all time. By 2017, it had earned $60 million in royalties. In the United States, the song has been certified platinum an impressive eight times by the RIAA while in the UK, it has been certified platinum five times by the BPI. Numerous other countries have certified it platinum to various amounts.
Music videos
Those who've loved Carey's home-movie-themed original music video over the years can also enjoy several other versions if not already. While the original, directed by Carey herself, currently has over 685 million views on YouTube, newer versions are also significantly picking up in views. You can watch them below.
The song's alternate video was also directed by Carey and takes inspiration from The Ronettes. The black-and-white video sees Carey dancing in a 1960s-influenced studio surrounded by go–go dancers with the singer in white boots and teased up hair.
In December 2019, Mariah Carey brought along her kids, nine-year-old twins Monroe and Moroccan, to light up the music video stage, along with 'Mixed-ish' star, Mykal-Michelle Harris, for the 'Make My Wish Come True Edition’ video of the song.
The 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' expansion
Carey has also turned the song into various family-friendly iterations. As a children's book, the song's lyrics bring the holiday spirit to readers of all ages and is about a young girl's Christmas wish for a new puppy. The yuletide book features a special letter from Carey plus sweet illustrations by Colleen Madden of family, friends, presents and Santa Claus.
The book's story also has an adorable animated film with Carey narrating the tale of little Mariah's Christmas wish for a furry friend.
Additionally, there's a coloring book featuring a series of festive, fun illustrations from the 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' film that can be colored in with pencils, pens, crayons, markers or paints without bleed-through.
Covers
Carey's song is such a globally popular modern take on the festive holiday, that it has been covered or performed live multiple times by some of the biggest names in music. Artists such as Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Fifth Harmony have all delivered their cover renditions of the song. Additionally, it has been covered by Michael Bublé, Idina Menzel, Samantha Mumba, Dolly Parton, Amber Riley, Shania Twain, Kelly Clarkson, and even hardcore group My Chemical Romance.
Carey was recently given a plaque from her label in recognition of the single's international multi-platinum success as well as for her first-holiday album, 'Merry Christmas', on which the song is featured. She said, "I am freaking out! This is amazing. I have not seen this until this moment, okay?" after being presented the honor by her twins. In the caption for the video of the plaque's unveiling, Carey wrote, "I'm so so thankful to every fan in every country around the world for your never-ending love and support. Thank you @legacyrecordings for this incredible surprise commemorating the global success of Merry Christmas and All I Want For Christmas Is You! ❤️❤️❤️." Check it out here.
'All I Want For Christmas Is You', is currently topping the Billboard Global 200 chart. 'Merry Christmas' has achieved the same.