Mariah Carey Sets New Billboard Record with “All I Want for Christmas Is You”
Christmas came early for Mariah Carey as she celebrated another career-defining moment with her timeless holiday classic, “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” The track has now topped the Billboard Hot 100 for a record-breaking 17 weeks, surpassing her previous milestone of 16 weeks with “One Sweet Day” featuring Boyz II Men in 1995-96.
Sharing the exciting news on Instagram Stories, the Queen of Christmas expressed her gratitude to fans. “This is incredible!!!! Forever grateful,” she wrote, acknowledging the song’s enduring magic.
A Song That Rarely Was
Originally released in 1994, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” wasn’t initially intended to be a holiday anthem. At the time, Mariah was married to Sony Music’s Executive Chairman Tommy Mottola and riding high on the success of her hit album Music Box.
Mottola suggested she record a Christmas album, an idea Mariah was firmly against. She felt such projects were reserved for artists later in their careers, not for someone at the peak of their stardom.
However, Mottola persisted, insisting the album include at least one original Christmas song alongside classic covers. Reluctantly, Mariah teamed up with producer and co-writer Walter Afanasieff, and together they crafted the iconic track in less than 15 minutes.
Crafting a Holiday Masterpiece
In the summer of 1994, Mariah and Walter began working on the album “Merry Christmas.” By August, inspiration struck as they played with a “boogie-woogie, rock-and-roll” riff. Mariah quickly jotted down lyrics and melodies that would become the foundation of the song.
Within minutes, they had composed the festive anthem that now defines the holiday season. Despite the eventual bitterness of her divorce from Mottola, Mariah has credited him for his vision, which ultimately shaped one of the most lucrative parts of her career.
A Financial Gift That Keeps on Giving
The success of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” extends far beyond its chart dominance. Every December, the song generates royalties of $600,000 to $1.2 million, depending on its reach. Annually, it brings in an estimated $2 to $4 million for Mariah and Walter.
To date, the song has amassed over $80 million in royalties, with the co-writers enjoying the bulk of this staggering revenue.
Record-Breaking Legacy
This year, the track has held the Hot 100’s top spot for three consecutive weeks, adding to its total reign of 17 weeks—the third-longest in the chart’s 66-year history. Its enduring popularity cements Mariah’s status as the Queen of Christmas and ensures the song’s place as a beloved holiday classic for generations to come.
A Star-Studded Christmas Season
Mariah’s latest triumph came as she was spotted holding hands with singer Anderson.Paak, adding a dash of intrigue to her festive celebrations. While details remain unclear, her focus remains on sharing joy through her music.
With “All I Want for Christmas Is You” once again dominating playlists worldwide, Mariah Carey continues to prove that her holiday magic is truly timeless.
