From joyful covers of Christmas classics to melancholic ballads that tug at the heartstrings, these songs deserve a place in Carey’s holiday canon, too.
Article published on December 22, 2024 in Rolling Stone, to read the original in English click here.
‘Tis the season to be merry, and no one brings joy to their fans — and yes, joy to the world — like Mariah Carey. The current Queen of Christmas has been dominating parties since the nineties, with the release of her festive hit, “All I Want for Christmas Is You”. First released in 1994, the song celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and has become a must-have on the radio, streaming services, and at holiday parties (it also reached number one on the charts again — a position it has held for the past five consecutive years).
But the Christmas catalog Carey It’s bigger than just one song. In fact, the singer-songwriter has recorded more than two dozen holiday tracks throughout her career, most of them appearing on Merry Christmas 1994 and Merry Christmas II You from 2010. Although some of the songs are covers, many are also original tracks written by the artist herself.
As we enter another holiday season, the Rolling Stone highlights some of the lesser-known Christmas songs from Carey. From joyful versions of classic Christmas songs to melancholic ballads that tug at your heartstrings, here are ten of the best Christmas songs from Mariah Carey in addition to “All I Want for Christmas“.
10. The Star
“Hero” may be the best-known inspirational ballad of Careybut the singer offered a hopeful tune for the 2017 holiday season with “The Star,” a soaring, piano-led track from the animated film of the same name. Inspired by the Star of Bethlehem from the nativity story, Carey encourages listeners to “follow that star above you in case the world tries to bring you down.”
With heartfelt delivery (and a cameo from the twins from Carey, Moroccan and monroe in the track’s final seconds), the song may have been released for Christmas, but it’s an uplifting anthem whose message resonates year-round. Critics loved the soundtrack single as well, with “The Star” nominated for Best Original Song at the 75th Golden Globe.
9. Lil Snowman
Carey co-wrote this song with Harvey Mason Jr. for the soundtrack of her 2017 animated Christmas film, which follows the little girl’s wish Mariah for a puppy on Christmas Day. Similar to the timelessness of “All I Want for Christmas Is You“, “Lil Snowman” exudes retro appeal, with its surf rock-inspired guitar line and jingle-style Little Richard on the keys. While Carey is best known for her R&B styles,”Lil Snowman” shows off a grittier side to her voice, which makes for a lively Christmas listen, while also making the singer’s not-so-secret alt-rock album all the more intriguing.
8. When Christmas Comes
An original song recorded for Merry Christmas II You, Carey later re-released the R&B track as a duet with John Legend. Backed by a live brass band and a lively bassline, the song settles into a soulful groove that brightens holiday dinners and gatherings while offering a reminder to “send our worries and cares away ” during this time of year. While not as instantly captivating as some of his other material,”When Christmas Comes” is a slow burn with timeless appeal and deserves a place in the holiday canon of Carey.
7. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
Darlene Love may have originally sung “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)“, but Carey was the one who took it to new heights after including the hit Phil Spector in Merry Christmasfrom 1994. Now a standard at all their holiday shows, the version of Carey amplifies the soulful rock melody’s pleading lyrics while showcasing her multifaceted voice.
And while Love originally pinned Carey for using the title of “Queen of Christmas“, the legendary singer later changed her tune after Carey revealed the inspiration behind recording “Baby Please Come Home“. “I heard this song every year, and it was a tribute to Darlene Lovethe Queen of Christmas ” said Carey, adding that “[Love] You can have that title forever.”
6. O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus
Carey joined his late mother, Patriciaon their second Christmas album for this devotional medley, which combines “Come All Ye Faithful” with “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel. Carey leads with the well-known Christmas carol before Patricia — a trained opera singer — enters with the sacred chorus of part II of “Messiah” from Handel.
Although Carey Although she wrote about a sometimes tumultuous relationship with her mother in her 2020 memoir, things are happy and bright in this duet, with both voices blending in perfect harmony. Need more proof of the mother-daughter bond? Review the Christmas special from Carey 2010 in ABCwhere the two sang this song together for the first — and only — time live. While Carey closes the track with its famous whistle, Patricia is seen standing next to her superstar daughter, beaming with pride.
5. Christmas Time Is in the Air Again
Carey he wrote “Christmas Time Is in the Air Again” with the famous Broadway and film composer Marc Shaimanand the result is a sparkling melody that’s perfect for soundtracks to snowy cabin days and moonlit city nights. Although it was released on his 2010 album, Merry Christmas II Yo“Christmas Time” is a sweeping and nostalgic ballad, thanks to its orchestral accompaniment and the honeyed vocals of Careyas sweet as pecan pie. As she sings on the brilliant track, “The dream is to share this Christmas joy with you all year long, and not wait until the morning when Christmas is in the air again.”
4. Jesus Born on This Day
Carey has never been shy about her faith — see “Fly Like a Bird ” by The Emancipation of Mimi (2005) or the overtly gospel stylings of “Heavenly (No Ways Tired / Can’t Give Up Now)” by Me. I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse 2014 — but her debut Christmas album marked one of the first times the powerful-voiced singer was able to truly let go and lean into her spiritual side. While the album’s closing “Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child” raises the chorus to the maximum, it’s the poignant “Jesus Born on This Day” which really drives home the reason for the season. Supported by a children’s choir and the passionate delivery of Careythe song begins as a modern hymn before ascending into a full-blown testament of praise. The Christmas story has never sounded so divine.
3. The Holy Night
‘The Holy Night‘ is one of those Christmas songs that many singers try but few can do justice to. Carey He somehow manages to not only conquer the song, but also make it his own. Here, the Queen of Christmas is also the Queen of Melismadiving into each note with abandon and zeal. An instrumental break gives the diva enough time to steady her vocals, before the song sweeps into a grand finale of whistling tones that take the anthem to the heavens. When it comes to ‘The Holy Night‘, the version of Carey rises above the rest.
2. Joy to the World
“We need joy more than ever,” Carey proclaimed at the Los Angeles parade of his Christmas Time Tour 2024, which occurred just days after donald trump win the election. Although she has largely stayed out of the political fray, she followed her statement with a rousing rendition of this classic Christmas song, which the singer transforms from a church classic into a club-ready anthem. Carey he grunts, growls and powers through the four-minute-long track, showcasing his multi-octave voice while a backing choir adds a touch of gospel appeal. Whether you’ve had a year to forget or you’re celebrating, the version of Carey from “Joy to the World” brings good news to us all.
1. Miss You Most (at Christmas Time)
In essence, “All I Want for Christmas” is a melancholic song, with Carey regretting the thought of another holiday spent alone. Although it’s often interpreted as a love song, the lyrics to the singer’s perennial chart-topper have more in common with a melancholic ballad, telling the story of someone who’s desperate for their love to come home. “I don’t care about the presents under the Christmas tree,” she laments, “Santa Clauswon’t you please bring my baby to me?”
The same sentiment echoes in “Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)”, a solemn and tender highlight of the hit album Merry Christmas of Carey. The confessional lyrics read like pages from a diary — “Everybody’s smiling, the whole world is rejoicing and everybody’s hugging each other except you and me,” the singer coos — and the singer’s delivery carries the words with emotional nuance instead. of bombast. It’s one of the most beautiful songs that Carey already wrote, with a heartfelt message that is very relatable this time of year. “All I Want for Christmas” may be her holiday anthem, but this downbeat Christmas song shows that the diva can be at the top of her game, whether festive or forlorn.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
