Mariah Carey, the 'Queen of Christmas,' discusses the rise of her iconic Christmas anthem 'All I Want for Christmas Is You.' The podcast explores the origins, success, and significance of the song, including its sudden and exponential rise in popularity and the financial impact it has had. Carey reflects on the journey of the song and expresses her gratitude for its enduring popularity.
Mariah Carey's involvement in 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' goes beyond her vocal performance, as she also composed, co-wrote, and co-produced the song with a timeless sound reminiscent of 1960s productions.
The rise of streaming platforms and the accessibility they provide have played a significant role in the continued success of 'All I Want For Christmas Is You', with exponential growth in streams every year and estimated annual earnings in the millions from streaming alone.
Deep dives
The Rise of 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'
The podcast explores the surging popularity of Mariah Carey's holiday hit 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'. Despite initial skepticism about releasing a Christmas album early in her career, the song quickly gained momentum and is now considered a Christmas classic.
The Journey of the Song
Mariah Carey's involvement in the song goes beyond her vocal performance. She composed, co-wrote, and co-produced the song, which incorporates a timeless sound reminiscent of 1960s productions. The song's structure, with a minute-long buildup and catchy verses, creates a sense of anticipation and allows listeners to harmonize along with the chorus.
Streaming and Seasonal Boost
The rise of streaming platforms in recent years has played a significant role in the song's continued success. Streaming has made it easier for listeners to access and add the song to their holiday playlists, resulting in exponential growth in streams every year. Additionally, streaming algorithms and curated playlists further amplify the song's popularity. While the exact earnings from the song remain unclear, it is estimated to bring in millions of dollars annually from streaming alone, not including other revenue streams like radio play and licensing.
We are off for the holidays, but still have a great episode for this Christmas weekend.
Mariah Carey released "All I Want for Christmas Is You" in 1994 to moderate success. Today, the song is a megahit and Christmas playlist staple. What happened? WSJ's John Jurgensen called up the "Queen of Christmas" to find out. This episode was originally published on December 11, 2020.