By GABRIEL MARTINEZ December 16, 2021
The true meaning of Christmas is a mystery that eluded humankind for centuries, until it was unlocked in 1994 by Mariah Carey. Decorations, presents, family time, cards, and snow - all of those are just incidental compared to the tremendous impact of her landmark song. So it is time for the greatest Christmas Tradition of all: the annual defrosting of Mariah Carey.
13 opening chimes, a slow build-up of musical elements, and the captivating beginning vocals. Christmas is arguably defined by this song, and it’s near impossible to escape hearing it during the holiday season. If you haven’t guessed, I’m talking about Mariah Carey’s holiday classic, “All I Want For Christmas Is You!” Many musicians have tried, and some have even done well, but there is only one uncontested heavyweight champion of the world, and that is Mariah Carey.
Unless you live as a hermit, it’s practically impossible to avoid the song during the holiday season. Every year since 1994, Mariah Carey’s holiday classic has been a key sound surrounding the Christmas season. It has become somewhat of a meme to younger generations, how we shift to not hearing Carey’s music in mainstream media, to having the entire population not go through the holiday season without listening to the song countless times. Whether it’s on the radio, in a clothing store, in a supermarket, as hold music on the phone, hell, I wouldn’t even be surprised if businesses used it as elevator music, it’s unavoidable. Now is this a bad thing? For some people it is, for some people it isn’t. The real question is why? How is it that Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You!” is the only modern day classic, and the most successful Christmas song in the last 50 years?
The answer is masterful songwriting, composure, and a sound that’s timeless. Once you analyze the song carefully, listen to each part together, and separately, you realize how much effort has been put into the song. The song embraces traditions in holiday songs ranging from the 19th century all the way to the 1960s. Those 13 opening chimes? They are played by a celeste, an instrument that is renowned for its festive sound, with it first being used for a holiday song from the 19th century Nutcracker ballet. The structure of the song? It boasts an AABA structure used mostly during the early 20th century, not a verse-chorus structure that most songs use today. The piano? 1960s rock of course. Layer this all on top of masterful musical techniques, wonderful background vocals, and a beautiful lead vocal? You get what is the only modern day holiday classic. “All I Want For Christmas Is You is a song deserving of its critical acclaim, and the reason Mariah Carey defrosts annually.