CHRISTMAS albums are usually reserved for the end of an artist’s career – but not in the case of Mariah Carey.
In the peak of her career, following her 1993 album Music Box, she and writing partner Walter Afanasieff decided to take the risk and her collection ‘Merry Christmas’ began to form in early 1994.
Much like many Christmas projects, recording took place during the summer, with All I Want For Christmas Is You the highlight of the sessions.
It’s topped charts across the world and soon became a modern festive classic – much to the creators’ surprise.
“The crazy thing about it is, every year it tends to increase in popularity,” Carey told Billboard last month.
After the success of the song, she now performs an annual series of Christmas concerts, with her own line of holiday cookies and even a holiday movie.
A second Mariah Carey Christmas album was launched in 2010, with a third due next year.
When writing the song in 1994, Carey decorated her home to get into the festive spirit, and it seemed to work.
In a musical analysis of the song for Slate, journalism professor and musician Adam Ragusea highlights the song’s chord structure for having a ‘cozy’ Christmassy feel.
The melody harks back to classic songs of the 60s and 70s in a feelgood festive smash.
It’s a karaoke favourite and, of course, famously features in the film Love Actually.
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