Merry Christmas (Mariah Carey album)

Last updated

Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas Mariah Carey.png
Studio album by
Mariah Carey
ReleasedOctober 28, 1994 (1994-10-28) [1] [2]
RecordedDecember 1993 – August 1994
Studio The Hit Factory (New York City)
Genre Christmas
Length39:19
Label Columbia
Producer
Mariah Carey chronology
Music Box
(1993)		Merry Christmas
(1994)		 Daydream
(1995)
Singles from Merry Christmas
  1. "All I Want for Christmas Is You"
    Released: October 29, 1994
  2. "Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)"
    Released: November 1, 1994
  3. "Joy to the World"
    Released: November 27, 1995

Merry Christmas is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, and her first Christmas album. Released by Columbia Records on October 28, 1994, at the peak of the initial stretch of Carey's career, between Music Box (1993) and Daydream (1995), the album features cover versions of popular Christmas songs in addition to original material. Carey worked with Walter Afanasieff, with whom she wrote all of the original tracks, as well as producing Carey's interpretations of the covered material. Three singles were released from the album, of which "All I Want for Christmas Is You" went on to become one of the best-selling singles of all time and the best-selling Christmas ringtone in the United States.

Contents

Critical response to the album's Christmas theme was mixed. Some music critics complimented the "gospel and soul-inflected" vocals and even called it "Carey's best record" to date. Re-released on multiple occasions in various formats since its debut, the album has sold 5.7 million copies in the United States as of December 2019 and has been certified nine-times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. [3] Internationally, it reached number one in Japan, Latvia, and Lithuania. It achieved the top-ten in 20 additional countries including Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. Merry Christmas has sold 18 million copies worldwide, and stands as one of the best selling holiday albums in world history. [4]

Background

Carey has expressed her belief in God and the connection between music and spirituality, and felt the album was finally a way to portray her spirituality through music. [5] After the success of Carey's previous effort, Music Box, there was speculation of a new project in the works; however it was not until October 1994, only one month before the album's release, that Billboard announced Carey would be releasing an album for the Christmas season. [6] Initially, critics were shocked; they did not know how Carey would fare as an entertainer across genres, as she had previously only been viewed as a pop star. [5] Nevertheless, Carey, unaffected by the speculation, continued working on and promoting the album in high spirits, confident in her work. [5] The idea proved to be wise, earning Carey recognition in various markets including Christian radio and contemporary R&B stations, as well as extended her fame in Japan, where the album experienced much of its success. [5]

Conception and composition

Gnome-mime-sound-openclipart.svg
'All I Want for Christmas Is You'
The lead single from the album, the song became a holiday classic and has achieved many awards and accolades.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Throughout the album's development, Carey worked with Walter Afanasieff, with whom she collaborated on Emotions (1991) and Music Box (1993). [5] Together, they wrote all three of the album's original songs, as well as producing most of the traditional tracks at The Hit Factory, in New York. [5]

Merry Christmas boasted a variety of musical arrangements, sounds, and genres. Carey's goal was to provide an album that would have a "Christmas feel", providing a mixture of soulful tracks, as well as fun and joyous holiday treats. [5] The song "Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child", produced by Carey, Afanasieff, and Loris Holland, was described as an arrangement of a traditional gospel standard that "really took flight". The song was recorded in a church, with many live backup singers and children playing tambourines and other melodious instruments. [6] The goal was to produce a "real church flavored song", in which Holland played the keyboards and allowed Carey's voice to "cut loose". [6] According to Chris Nickson, Carey's love of gospel music came through on the track, writing, "[she] led the band without pushing herself forward, letting the song develop and work out, trading lines with the chorus until, after the crescendo, the musicians moved into a fast double-time to the end." [6]

"You have to have a nice balance between standard Christian hymns and fun songs. It was definitely a priority for me to write at least a few new songs, but for the most part, people really want to hear the standards at Christmas, no matter how good a new song is."

—Carey, describing Merry Christmas during an interview with CD Review [6]

"All I Want for Christmas Is You", the album's lead single was described as an "up-tempo love song, one that could have easily been written for Tommy Mottola". [6] "Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)", another one of the album's original tracks, was very different from its predecessor. The song was described as a "sad ballad", in line with many of Carey's previous hit singles. [6] The song featured a synthesized orchestra, including keyboard notes courtesy of Afanasieff, during which Carey would sing to her "long-gone lover, crystallizing the way that Christmas brought memories of the past into focus." [6] According to Nickson "Jesus Born on This Day" was the most impressive original track on the album. It was described as a "full-blown production number", which again featured synthesized orchestra, as well as a live children's choir. [6] The song's tune was described as "solemn and hymn-like, but the arrangement, oddly, made it less religious and rather more glitzy, behind the lyrics that overtly praised Jesus." [6]

In addition, Carey recorded a cover of "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by Darlene Love, as well as classics such as "Silent Night", "O Holy Night" and "Joy to the World". [6] The latter song, which was used as a promotional single, was remixed several times and sent to various clubs; adding to the album's range of listeners. [6] Record producer and composer Holland also co-produced some of the albums gospel flavored tracks, including "Silent Night", where he arranged the backing vocals and synthesizers. [6] Carey's rendition of "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town", was deemed as "one of the more playful tracks on the album", alongside "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)". [6]

Promotion

Carey performing "All I Want for Christmas is You" at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, on December 3, 2010. Mariahparade1.jpg
Carey performing "All I Want for Christmas is You" at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, on December 3, 2010.

In the United States, Carey started promotion for Merry Christmas with a live concert at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine on December 8, 1994, performing for the first time several tracks from the album, including "All I Want for Christmas Is You", [7] which was later performed on several of her concert tours, including the Japanese shows of Carey's Daydream World Tour (1996), Butterfly World Tour (1998), Rainbow World Tour (2000), Charmbracelet World Tour (2003) and The Adventures of Mimi Tour (2006), due to the massive success of the song in Japan, which became her best-selling single in the country. On December 25, 2001, she appeared on the Christmas special BET Christmas Remembrances Special, where she performed "Joy to the World" and her hit "One Sweet Day" with Boyz II Men. Three years later, she appeared in 2004 Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade, where she performed "Joy to the World" and "All I Want for Christmas is You". [8]

On December 3, 2008, she performed "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" at the 2008 Grammy Nomination Concert. [9] A year later, Carey sang the So So Def remix version of "All I Want for Christmas is You" at the opening night of her Angels Advocate Tour on New Year's Eve. [10] Other live performances of "All I Want for Christmas is You" includes the 2010 Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade, [11] Christmas In Rockefeller Center (in 2012, 2013 and 2014) and Late Night with Jimmy Fallon in 2012, where she performed the song alongside Jimmy Fallon and The Roots. Carey also performed "All I Want for Christmas is You" with Michael Bublé for his third Annual Christmas Special in December 2013. She also performed the song at the 91st Annual National Christmas Tree Lighting on December 16, 2013.

During The Late Late Show with James Corden on December 15, 2016, Carey sang "All I Want for Christmas is You" on the feature Carpool Karaoke. Fellow singers Adele, Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, Elton John, Selena Gomez, Gwen Stefani, Coldplay's Chris Martin and the band Red Hot Chili Peppers were featured in the video. [12] Carey also performed the song at The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration , VH1 Divas Holiday: Unsilent Night and Disney Parks Magical Christmas Celebration in 2016. In December 2019, Carey returned to The Late Late Show to perform the song for its 25th anniversary. [13]

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Merry Christmas, Carey embarked on her first Christmas concert residency, All I Want For Christmas Is You, A Night of Joy & Festivity, which began on December 15, 2014, at the Beacon Theatre in New York City, and ended on December 15, 2019, after completing eight legs and fifty-six shows in North America and Europe. On December 1, 2020, Carey performed a medley of "Heroes", "Hero", and "Joy to the World" at Good Morning America , two days prior to her Christmas special Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special , where she re-recorded and performed several songs from the album. [14] [15] The following year, she performed "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" and a new song, "Fall in Love at Christmas", during her 2021 Christmas Special Mariah's Christmas: The Magic Continues . [16] She also performed "All I Want for Christmas is You" at the 2022 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. [17]

Produced by Live Nation Entertainment, this tour marks Carey's grandest holiday spectacle to date and is the first of many surprises she has in store to celebrate the 30th anniversary of her legendary album Merry Christmas and its record-shattering single "All I Want For Christmas Is You". The show will feature the global superstar’s timeless holiday classics alongside fan-favorite chart-toppers, promising an unforgettable festive experience.

Singles

Merry Christmas was supported by three commercial singles and two promotional singles, with different releases depending on the country. The album's lead single, "All I Want for Christmas Is You", was released on October 29, 1994, in Japan, [18] and in other countries the next month. [19] [20] While it was not initially commercially released in the United States, [21] Billboard described Columbia's level of promotion as unprecedented for a Christmas album. [22] On November 14, 1994, the label released three songs to US radio stations as promotional singles: "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (top 40 and adult contemporary radio stations), "Jesus Born on This Day" (Christian and gospel stations), and "Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)" (R&B stations). [5] [22] [23] The latter was also commercially released that year, [23] including in the Philippines where it served as the lead single in that country. [24] Originally released in 1994 as a 12-inch promotional single of dance remixes, [5] [23] "Joy to the World" was released in Australia as the album's third single on November 27, 1995, [25] becoming a top-forty hit there. "O Holy Night" was released as a promotional single in 1996 [23] [26] and 1998, [27] and later peaked at number 70 on the US Holiday 100 chart, and entered the charts in France, Italy and Iceland; later being certified Platinum in the United States and Canada; and Gold in Italy.

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" is Carey's biggest international hit of her career, breaking several records worldwide and topping the charts in over 25 countries, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the UK Singles chart and the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the best-selling Christmas song by a female artist and one of the best-selling singles of all time, selling over 16 million copies worldwide. The song was certified 16× Platinum in the US, becoming the first holiday song to achieve this and the highest-certified song by a female artist in the country. It is also Carey's best-selling single in the UK, where it was certified eight-times Platinum, becoming the highest-certified song of all time by a female artist in the country. It is also her best-selling single in Canada, Australia and Germany, where it was certified Diamond, 13× Platinum and 2× Platinum, respectively. [28]

Other songs from the album also achieved success worldwide:

Editions

Reception

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [29]
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [30]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [31]
Entertainment Weekly C [32]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [33]
Philadelphia Daily News Star full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [34]
Pitchfork 7.3/10 [35]
The Province Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [36]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [37]
The Tampa Tribune Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [38]

In the Los Angeles Times , Chris Willman wrote that Carey "attempts her share of girl-group pop amid the quasi-gospel melisma, though still not evidencing as much personality as talent in either style". [33] The New York Times journalist Jon Pareles was more critical in his review. "Regardless of backup, Ms. Carey oversings, glutting songs with her vocal tics—like sliding down from the note above the melody note—and turning expressions of devotion into narcissistic displays." [39] Chris Dickinson from the Chicago Tribune called the singer a "trilling songbird" and "over-the-top irritant" throughout the album, particularly on "All I Want for Christmas Is You", where she "sounds like a bush-league Petula Clark". [40] The newspaper later named it the seventh worst Christmas album ever. [41]

J. D. Considine was more enthusiastic in The Baltimore Sun . In his opinion, Merry Christmas "may look like just another attempt to cash in on Christmas cheer, but is actually the work of someone who genuinely loves this music". Considine said while Carey's gospel and soul-inflected vocal exercises worked well with the traditional songs, "the album's real strength is the conviction she brings to otherwise corny fare like "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town", while the way she augments "Joy to the World" with a bit of the Three Dog Night hit is pure genius." [42] Steve Morse from The Boston Globe argued that it was perhaps Carey's best record, on which she abandoned the overly polished sound of her previous albums and "cut loose with unbridled soul". [43]

Retrospective reception

In a retrospective review, Barry Schwartz of Stylus Magazine believed Merry Christmas may have been "the definitive Mariah Carey album", finding the singer at "her absolute creative and commercial peak, her voice still a marvel, her songs and performances still undeniably brilliant". [44] AllMusic editor Roch Parisien deemed "All I Want for Christmas Is You" the record's highlight while lamenting Carey's "high opera" pretensions on "O Holy Night" and her dance/club rendition of "Joy to the World". [29]

Commercial performance

Carey performing "All I Want for Christmas Is You" at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony near the White House on December 6, 2013. Mariah Carey - All I Want for Christmas Is You (2).jpg
Carey performing "All I Want for Christmas Is You" at the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony near the White House on December 6, 2013.

Merry Christmas was released in the United States on November 1, 1994, and debuted at number thirty on the US Billboard 200 with 45,000 copies sold in its first week. [5] [45] In its fifth week, the album peaked at number three, with sales of 208,000 copies, but experienced its highest sales in its sixth week (when it was at number six), with another 500,000 copies sold. The album was the second best-selling holiday album that year with a total of 1,859,000 copies sold. [46] It remained in the top twenty for eight weeks and on the Billboard 200 for thirteen weeks, reentering the chart three times; peaking at number 149 the first time, 115 the second and at 61 the third (it has spent a total of 124 weeks on the chart). [47] On December 8, 2023, Merry Christmas was certified nine-times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipment of nine million copies in the US. [3] As of December 2019, the album has sold 5.7 million copies in the US [48] and is one of the best-selling holiday albums in the United States. In 2021, the album was named by Billboard as the third Greatest Holiday Album of All Time. [49]

Merry Christmas became Carey's first number-one album in Japan, where the album experienced its highest sales, where it sold 2.8 million copies and became the fourth best-selling album by a non-Asian solo artist. [50] [51] [52]

In Europe, Merry Christmas experienced success, peaking at number one in Latvia and Lithuania; at number two in Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands; at number three in Italy; at number four in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland; and at number five in Hungary and Estonia. It also reached the top-ten in Finland, Greece, Portugal, and the European Top 100 Albums. To date, Merry Christmas was certified 4× Platinum in Denmark; 3× Platinum in Norway; 2× Platinum in Italy; Platinum in the Netherlands; and Gold in Austria, Germany, Iceland and Switzerland. In the United Kingdom, Merry Christmas peaked at number 32 on the UK Albums Chart, and it was certified Platinum. Additionally, Merry Christmas became the first Christmas album to reach number one on the UK R&B Albums chart, as the album topped the chart during the week of November 8, 2019, becoming Carey's eleventh number-one album on the chart, replacing Kanye West's Jesus Is King , and being replaced by Post Malone's Hollywood's Bleeding . [53]

In Australia, the album peaked at number two, and was certified seven-times Platinum, denoting shipments of 490,000 copies and finishing 11th on the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) 1994 End of Year Chart. [54] [55] Merry Christmas has sold 18 million copies worldwide, and stands as one of the best selling holiday albums in world history. [56]

Track listing

All tracks are produced by Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey, except where noted.

Original US edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Silent Night"
3:39
2."All I Want for Christmas Is You"
  • Carey
  • Afanasieff
 4:01
3."O Holy Night" Adolphe Adam  4:27
4."Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"
 2:33
5."Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)"
  • Carey
  • Afanasieff
 4:32
6."Joy to the World"
 4:18
7."Jesus Born on This Day"
  • Carey
  • Afanasieff
 3:41
8."Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town"
 3:24
9."Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" / "Gloria (In Excelsis Deo)"First title: Cummings after Mendelssohn / Second title: Traditional
  • Afanasieff
  • Carey
  • Holland [c]
2:59
10."Jesus Oh What a Wonderful Child"Traditional
  • Afanasieff
  • Carey
  • Holland [c]
4:26
Total length:38:00
International edition / Vinyl editions / 2019 deluxe anniversary edition (disc one) [57] [58] [59]
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
11."God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen"Traditional1:19
Total length:39:19
DualDisc — CD side bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
11."God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen"Traditional 1:19
12."Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" (Anniversary Mix)
  • Coots
  • Gillespie
2:45
Total length:42:04
DualDisc — DVD side
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" (Anniversary Mix)
  • Coots
  • Gillespie
 
2."All I Want for Christmas Is You"
  • Afanasieff
  • Carey
 
3."Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)"
  • Afanasieff
  • Carey
 
4."All I Want for Christmas Is You" (J.D. remix animated)
  • Afanasieff
  • Carey
 
5."Joy to the World" (Celebration Mix)
  • Handel
  • Mason
  • Axton
 
6."O Holy Night"Adolphe Adam 
7."All I Want for Christmas Is You" (black & white version)
  • Afanasieff
  • Carey
 
8."Joy to the World" (live at St. John the Divine)
  • Handel
  • Mason
  • Axton
 
2005 7-Eleven limited edition [60]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Silent Night"Gruber
  • Carey
  • Holland
3:39
2."All I Want for Christmas Is You"
  • Carey
  • Afanasieff
 4:01
3."O Holy Night"Adam 4:27
4."Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"
  • Spector
  • Barry
  • Greenwich
 2:33
5."Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)"
  • Carey
  • Afanasieff
 4:32
6."Joy to the World"
  • Handel
  • Mason
  • Axton
 4:18
7."Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" (Anniversary Mix)
  • Gillespie
  • Coots
  • Carey
  • Dupri
2:46
Total length:26:16
Google Play 2015 exclusive version [61]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
11."All I Want for Christmas Is You" (Mariah's New Dance Mix Edit 2009)
  • Carey
  • Afanasieff
3:35
2019 deluxe anniversary edition — Disc two [58] [59]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Sugar Plum Fairy Introlude" Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky [t] Carey0:44
2."All I Want for Christmas Is You" (live at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine)
  • Afanasieff
  • Carey
 5:06
3."Silent Night" (live at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine)
  • Gruber
 3:44
4."Joy to the World" (live at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine)
  • Traditional
 5:40
5."Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" / "Gloria (In Excelsis Deo)" (live at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine)
  • Traditional
 3:03
6."Jesus Born on This Day" (live at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine)
  • Afanasieff
  • Carey
 3:46
7."Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" (live at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine)
  • Traditional
 3:27
8."Oh Santa!" (from Merry Christmas II You , 2010)
  • Carey
  • Dupri
  • Cox
3:31
9."Christmas Time Is in the Air Again" (from Merry Christmas II You)
  • Carey
  • Shaiman
3:02
10."When Christmas Comes" (with John Legend) (from Merry Christmas II You)
  • Carey
  • Poyser
4:46
11."The Star" (from The Star , 2017)
  • Carey
  • Shaiman
  • Carey
  • Shaiman
4:01
12."Lil Snowman" (from All I Want for Christmas Is You , 2017)
  • Carey
  • Mason Jr.
3:19
13."Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" (Anniversary Mix)
  • Coots
  • Gillespie
  • Carey
  • Dupri
2:46
14."All I Want for Christmas Is You" (So So Def remix) (featuring Jermaine Dupri and Bow Wow)
Dupri [r] 3:44
15."All I Want for Christmas Is You" (Mariah's New Dance Mix Extended 2009)
  • Carey
  • Afanasieff
  • Carey
  • Afanasieff
  • Low Sunday [r]
6:42
16."Joy to the World" (Celebration Mix)
  • Handel
  • Mason
  • Axton
8:00
17."Joy to the World" (Flava Mix)
  • Handel
  • Mason
  • Axton
  • Carey
  • Afanasieff
  • Morales [r]
7:06
18."Sugar Plum Fairy Introlude" (acapella)TchaikovskyCarey0:41
2019 deluxe anniversary edition — Disc two Japanese bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
19."All I Want for Christmas Is You" (live at the Tokyo Dome)
  • Carey
  • Afanasieff
4:55
Total length:78:02
30th anniversary edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
12."All I Want for Christmas Is You" (live at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine)
  • Carey
  • Afanasieff
5:05
13."Silent Night" (live at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine)
  • Gruber
3:43
14."Joy to the World" (live at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine)
  • Handel
  • Mason
  • Axton
5:39
15."Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" / "Gloria (In Excelsis Deo)" (live at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine)
  • Traditional
3:03
16."Jesus Born on This Day" (live at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine)
  • Afanasieff
  • Carey
3:40
17."Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" (live at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine)
  • Coots
  • Gillespie
2:48
18."Hero" (live at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine)
  • Carey
  • Afanasieff
4:24
19."Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)" (video version)
  • Carey
  • Afanasieff
4:31

Notes

Sample credits

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes. [62]

Musicians

Production

Charts

Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales for Merry Christmas
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [149] 7× Platinum490,000‡
Austria (IFPI Austria) [150] Gold25,000*
Canada (Music Canada) [151] 3× Platinum300,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [152] 4× Platinum80,000‡
Germany (BVMI) [153] Gold250,000^
Iceland (FHF) [154] Gold2,500 [155]
Italy
1994-1995 sales 		—200,000 [156]
Italy (FIMI) [157]
sales since 2009 		2× Platinum100,000‡
Japan (RIAJ) [158] 2× Million2,800,000 [52] [51]
Netherlands (NVPI) [159] Platinum100,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ) [160] 2× Platinum30,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway) [161] 3× Platinum60,000*
Singapore (RIAS) [162] Platinum10,000*
South Korea—523,503 [163]
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland) [164] Gold25,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [165] Platinum320,000 [166]
United States (RIAA) [3] 9× Platinum9,000,000‡
Summaries
Europe (IFPI) [167] Platinum1,000,000*
Worldwide—18,000,000 [168]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Release history and formats for Merry Christmas
RegionDateFormat(s)VersionDistributor(s)Ref.
EuropeOctober 28, 1994CD (Compact disc)International Columbia [169]
United StatesStandard [1]
JapanOctober 29, 1994International Sony Music Japan [170]
AustraliaNovember 7, 1994InternationalColumbia [171]
United StatesOctober 17, 1995 CD Plus Standard [172]
United KingdomNovember 20, 1995
  • Cassette
  • CD
  • LP
International [173]
United StatesOctober 25, 2005International + bonus track Sony BMG [174]
CanadaDecember 5, 2005CD 7-Eleven limited edition [175] [176] [177]
United States
EuropeNovember 3, 2008International [169] [178]
VariousOctober 23, 2015Vinyl (red) Legacy [169] [179]
November 1, 201925th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
 [180]
United StatesOctober 30, 2020Vinyl (Target exclusive clear with white, red, and green splatter)InternationalLegacy [181]
December 18, 2020Vinyl (Urban Outfitters exclusive transparent red/green) [182]
December 13, 2024
  • CD
  • Cassette
  • Vinyl
  • Vinyl-2LP
30th Anniversary Deluxe EditionColumbia [183]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" Hits No. 1 25 Years After Its Initial Release". Grammy Awards. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  2. ↑ Carey, Mariah (October 28, 1994). "Merry Christmas". Apple Music . Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 "American album certifications – Mariah Carey – Merry Christmas". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  4. ↑ Delkic, Melina. "'It's Time!' Mariah Carey Reflects on 30 Years as Queen of Christmas". The New York Times . Retrieved November 14, 2024. The album, "Merry Christmas," has sold 18 million copies and would become synonymous with the season
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Nickson 1998 , p. 133
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Nickson 1998 , p. 134
  7. ↑ Torres, Alejandra (November 21, 2019). "You can now watch Mariah Carey's first performance of 'All I Want for Christmas' on repeat". Hola!. Archived from the original on December 30, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  8. ↑ "The Stars Are Heading Down Santa Claus Lane". Disney. December 21, 2004. Archived from the original on June 22, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  9. ↑ "Mariah Carey "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"". GRAMMY.com. December 20, 2018. Archived from the original on April 23, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Mariah Rings In 2010 at Madison Square Garden, NY". Mariahcarey.com. January 1, 2010. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  11. ↑ "Mariah Performs at Disney Christmas Day Parade". Mariahcarey.com. December 4, 2010. Archived from the original on December 7, 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  12. ↑ "Watch Adele, Chris Martin, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mariah Carey and more in 'Carpool Karaoke' Christmas special – NME". NME. December 16, 2016. Archived from the original on September 27, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Watch Mariah Carey Perform 'Oh Santa' on 'Corden'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  14. ↑ "Watch Mariah Carey's Moving 'Hero' Medley Dedicated to New York's Frontline Workers". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 18, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
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Daydream is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, released on September 26, 1995, by Columbia Records. The follow-up to her internationally successful studio album Music Box (1993), and the holiday album Merry Christmas (1994), Daydream differed from her previous releases by leaning increasingly towards urban music. Throughout the project, Carey collaborated with Walter Afanasieff, with whom she wrote and produced most of her previous albums. With Daydream, Carey took more control over the musical direction as well as the album's composition. Carey considered the album to be the beginning of her musical and vocal transition, a change that would become more evident in her sixth studio album Butterfly (1997). During the album's production, Carey endured many creative differences with her label and then-husband Tommy Mottola. On Daydream, Carey collaborated with Jermaine Dupri, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and R&B group Boyz II Men. With Afanasieff's assistance and the addition of a few contemporary producers, she was able to make a subtle transition into the contemporary R&B market, after previously only pursuing pop, adult contemporary and traditional R&B music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mariah Carey singles discography</span>

American singer Mariah Carey has released 88 official singles, 22 promotional singles, and has made 30 guest appearances. Her self-titled debut album in 1990 yielded four number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, the first being "Vision of Love", a song credited with revolutionizing the usage of distinguished vocal stylings, predominantly the practice of melisma, and effectively influencing virtually every female R&B performer since the 1990s. Subsequent singles "Emotions" (1991) and Carey's cover of the Jackson 5 track "I'll Be There" (1992) continued the singer's streak of US number-one singles, with the latter becoming her fourth chart-topper in Canada and first in the Netherlands. With the release of Carey's third studio album, Music Box (1993), the singer's international popularity surged upon release of "Hero" and the album's third single, her cover of Harry Nilsson's "Without You", which became the singer's first number-one single in several countries across Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All I Want for Christmas Is You</span> 1994 single by Mariah Carey

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her fourth studio album and first holiday album, Merry Christmas (1994). She wrote and produced the song with Walter Afanasieff. It was released as the lead single from the album on October 29, 1994, by Columbia Records. The track is an uptempo love song that includes bell chimes, backing vocals, and synthesizers. It has received critical acclaim, with The New Yorker describing it as "one of the few worthy modern additions to the holiday canon". The song has become a Christmas standard, with a significant rise in popularity every December.

<i>Number 1s</i> (Mariah Carey album) 1998 greatest hits album by Mariah Carey

#1's is the first greatest hits album by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, released by Columbia Records on November 17, 1998. The album contained Carey's then thirteen number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as four new songs. In Japan, the album also included her popular single, "All I Want for Christmas Is You", which was Carey's biggest selling single there. The album has sold 16 million copies globally.

<i>The First Vision</i> 1991 video album by Mariah Carey

The First Vision is the debut video album by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey, released by Sony Music Video on January 22, 1991. It is a collection of music videos, live performances, and film footage detailing the development and promotion of Carey's first studio album Mariah Carey (1990). Music videos of three Mariah Carey singles – "Vision of Love", "Love Takes Time", and "Someday" – are featured, as are snippets of the future singles "I Don't Wanna Cry" and "There's Got to Be a Way". The collection presents Carey performing at New York City's Club Tatou and behind-the-scenes footage of her rehearsing for appearances on Saturday Night Live and It's Showtime at the Apollo. During an interview segment, Carey answers questions about her life and music.

<i>Music Box</i> (Mariah Carey album) 1993 studio album by Mariah Carey

Music Box is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released by Columbia Records on August 31, 1993. The album comprises ballads primarily written by Carey and Walter Afanasieff, with whom she had previously worked on Emotions (1991), and a few urban dance tracks. During the course of the album's development, Carey wanted to broaden her audience, choosing a more pop/R&B oriented sound. During this time frame, she experimented with different musical instruments, leading the album's sound away from her more contemporary previous two efforts.

<i>Rainbow</i> (Mariah Carey album) 1999 studio album by Mariah Carey

Rainbow is the seventh studio album by American R&B singer Mariah Carey, released on November 2, 1999 in the United States, by Columbia Records. The album followed her previous album, Butterfly (1997), in which she adopted a new image and fully transitioned into the urban contemporary market. Rainbow contains a mix of hip hop-influenced R&B tracks, as well as a variety of ballads. Carey produced the album mainly with Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, who replaced Walter Afanasieff, the main balladeer Carey worked with throughout the 1990s. As a result of her divorce from Sony Music CEO Tommy Mottola, Carey had more control over the musical style of this album, so she collaborated with several hip-hop artists such as Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Master P and Mystikal as well as female rappers Da Brat and Missy Elliott. Other collaborations include Joe, Usher and boyband 98 Degrees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mariah Carey albums discography</span>

American singer Mariah Carey has released fifteen studio albums, two soundtrack albums, eight compilation albums, four extended plays, and one remix album. Carey is one of the best-selling music artists of all-time, having sold over 220 million records globally. She was presented with the Millennium Award at the 2000 World Music Awards for becoming the best-selling female artist of the millennium. According to the RIAA, she is the highest-certified female artist and tenth overall recording artist with shipments of 75 million albums in the US. She is also ranked as the best-selling female artist of the US Nielsen SoundScan era (1991–present) with album sales of 55.5 million.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)</span> 1963 single by Darlene Love

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" is a pop song originally sung by Darlene Love and included on the 1963 compilation album A Christmas Gift for You from Philles Records (later renamed A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector). The song was written by Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry, and Phil Spector.

<i>Merry Christmas II You</i> 2010 studio album by Mariah Carey

Merry Christmas II You is the thirteenth studio album and second Christmas album by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey. It was released by Island Records on November 2, 2010. Recording began in April 2010 and continued while Carey became pregnant. She was the executive producer of Merry Christmas II You and worked with various record producers, including Bryan-Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri, Randy Jackson, James Poyser, Marc Shaiman, James "Big Jim" Wright and Johnny "Sev" Severin of RedOne. The album features Carey's mother Patricia Carey as a guest vocalist on "O Come All Ye Faithful" / "Hallelujah Chorus". The album serves as a sequel to her fourth studio album Merry Christmas (1994). It is composed of original songs and covers, ballads and uptempo tracks, incorporating R&B, soul, and house music in its composition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oh Santa!</span> 2010 single by Mariah Carey

"Oh Santa!" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her second Christmas album and thirteenth studio album, Merry Christmas II You (2010). Carey wrote and produced the song in collaboration with Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox. It was released as the lead single from the album on October 1, 2010 by Island Def Jam Records. It is an up-tempo R&B song about Carey making a plea for Santa Claus to bring back her partner in time for the Christmas holidays. It received a positive response from music critics, with many praising its composition and style.

<i>Under the Mistletoe</i> 2011 studio album by Justin Bieber

Under the Mistletoe is the first Christmas album and second studio album by Canadian singer Justin Bieber, released on November 1, 2011, by RBMG/Island Def Jam Music Group. The album features fifteen tracks, including seven original songs co-written by Bieber, along with cover versions of Christmas carols and standards. Fellow artists Usher, Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, and the Band Perry all make guest appearances on the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When Christmas Comes</span> 2011 single by Mariah Carey and John Legend

"When Christmas Comes" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her second Christmas album/thirteenth studio album, Merry Christmas II You (2010). Carey wrote and produced the song in collaboration with James Poyser. A soul song with influences of R&B, the lyrics are about giving the gift of love. In November 2011, Carey re-recorded the song as duet with John Legend, which was later released that month as a standalone single by Island Records. Both versions of the track were a hit in South Korea, with the duet debuting at number one with sales in excess of 80,000 copies. The song's accompanying music video features Carey and Legend hosting a Christmas house party. It has been performed by Carey at her ABC 2010 Christmas special and during her 2014 Beacon Theatre residency All I Want for Christmas Is You, A Night of Joy and Festivity in December 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christmas Time Is in the Air Again</span> 2012 promotional single by Mariah Carey

"Christmas Time Is in the Air Again" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her second Christmas album and thirteenth studio album, Merry Christmas II You (2010). It was written and produced by Carey in collaboration with Broadway composer Marc Shaiman. Lyrically, it is about finding love during the Christmas season. The track garnered positive reviews from critics, with one describing it as an outstanding performance and the only song on the album that could compare to one of Carey's previous Christmas singles, "All I Want for Christmas Is You". It was released as a promotional single in December 2012. An accompanying lyric video was released, and Carey has performed "Christmas Time Is in the Air Again" live on NBC's Christmas in Rockefeller Centre event and during her December 2014 Beacon Theatre residency called All I Want For Christmas Is You, A Night of Joy & Festivity.

<i>Mariah Careys Magical Christmas Special</i> 2020 television special

Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special is a Christmas special starring Mariah Carey that premiered on December 4, 2020, on Apple TV+. It was directed by Hamish Hamilton and Roman Coppola and executive-produced by Hamilton, Coppola, Carey, Ian Stewart, Raj Kapoor and Ashley Edens. The special centers around a holiday crisis in which the North Pole has to call Santa Claus's friend, Mariah Carey, to help.

<i>Billboard</i> Christmas Holiday charts Music rankings by the trade magazine Billboard of Christmas Holiday Music

Billboard magazine only charted Christmas singles and albums along with the other popular non-holiday records until the 1958 holiday season when they published their first section that surveys only Christmas music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cultural impact of Mariah Carey</span>

American singer Mariah Carey has received extensive recognition for her enduring popularity and impact on popular culture and the music industry. Widely considered one of the greatest singers in the history of popular music, Carey's career has left a profound legacy.

References

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