Dec. 2, 2024
By Zana Lacka
Staff Writer
During the holiday season, people hear holiday music everywhere they go. Among these classic Christmas tracks is singer-songwriter Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” which turned 30 this year.
Regarded as a staple holiday song, “All I Want for Christmas is You,” debuted in 1994 as the lead single on Carey’s fourth studio album and first holiday album titled “Merry Christmas.”
Today, the song has over 1.89 billion global streams on Spotify and generated over $1.8 million for Carey and her label, Columbia Records.
Choir director Ms. Wise, who is also assistant director of LHS’ annual musical, said the song has maintained its popularity and impact because of its uplifting tone.
“Most [songs] that are positive tell a nice story [and give] people something to think about, especially around the holidays,” Wise said.
She said when she first heard “All I Want for Christmas Is You” she knew it was a great song.
“I heard it first… in my car driving,” Wise said. “And I did love it. I was like, ‘Oh, this is real. This is cool. It’s gonna be fun.’”
“It’s new to each generation but with the same feeling of joy.”
English teacher Mrs. Ruiz, who directs LHS’ annual musical, said the song brings back nostalgic memories.
“There was one year that me and my husband and my girls, we started dancing to it,” Ruiz said. “We paused on decorating the tree and we made up choreography…. It was a silly and fun [moment].”
Ruiz said the song remains popular because of its branding.
“It’s just become a thing, like the meme of Mariah defrosting,” Ruiz said. “I do think that just the fun of the song itself is what has helped it to last.”
Ruiz said high school students connect with the song because of the feeling it provokes.
“It’s new to each generation but with the same feeling of joy,” Ruiz said. “It makes you want to get up and dance.”
In recognition of the song’s 30th anniversary, Carey has released four new album covers. These include a 12-inch vinyl with Carey dressed festively on a sleigh, a 7-inch vinyl where she is dressed in the same type of outfit and posing in the same as on the original cover of the song, a cassette copy with Carey wearing a white gown and a CD single with Carey smiling in a Santa outfit by a Christmas tree.
Senior Gianna Scardino, who is vice president of the chorale, said Carey’s new covers pay tribute to the song’s release and add more magic to its anniversary.
“It shows how she’s grown as an artist,” Scardino said. “Christmas is important to her. It’s kind of her image, but she is rebranding herself. As a person or artist, she’s growing, [and] so is the song.”
COVERS FROM MARIAH CAREY’S OFFICIAL WEBSITE In celebration of the 30th anniversary of “All I Want for Christmas is You,” singer-songwriter Mariah Carey released these four covers for her cassette (right), CD (bottom left), 7-inch vinyl (center) and 12-inch vinyl (top left) singles.
Scardino said Carey has a great voice and is very talented.
“She’s recognized for this Christmas song, and it gives her the recognition she deserves,” Scardino said.
She said the song has special meaning to her and her friends in the choir, who are also part of the school musical.
“Christmastime is during the musical season, so we drive around screaming the songs in the car…. The energy in the songs, including ‘All I Want for Christmas is You,’ makes me happy,” Scardino said.
Sophomore band and jazz band member George Shekiladze said he grew up hearing the song.
“I first heard it in a Toys-R-Us as a little kid, but it’s hard to differentiate just one childhood memory because I’ve heard it all my life,” Shekiladze said.
He said “All I Want for Christmas is You” has advanced Carey’s career.
“This is one of her most popular songs that really expanded her reputation,” Shekiladze said. “The way she developed her music is really cool, [and] I’m sure that a lot of other people have realized her impact.”
