Mariah Carey boasts of having the best selling Christmas album and her signature classic, ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ is seen on the charts, every year around the time of the Holidays, repeatedly.
The diva clearly realizes her appeal as the ‘Queen of Christmas’ and banks on it, with revamped versions and remixes of her classic Christmas tunes, and season specials released nearly every year. But her 1994 released Holiday album ‘Merry Christmas’ stands just fine on it’s own, as it is.
Out of her string of Holiday-fever inducing hits, some originals and some covers of Xmas standards, the diva has no dearth of cheery-tunes for the holidays to choose from.
Here are her 10 best Christmas songs released thus far:
10) Jesus Oh What A Wonderful Child
If there’s any song from Mariah Carey’s discography that can truly take you to church, and perhaps also make you jump into a praise-dance, then it is this. The traditional tune with a high-octane production and an amped-up choir in the background, topped with the delicious sound of Mariah Carey’s early 90’s voice, as she totally goes-in shouting in praise – would certainly make you wanna clap along. (at least!)
9) Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
A classic written by John Frederick and CootsHaven Gillespie, the earliest recording of which dates back to the 1930’s, has been covered by several Holiday-favorite voices – with the most popular and loved version coming from, perhaps – The Jackson 5. But Mariah Carey is right-up there with her flawless and very ‘churchy’ rendition, tailor-made to induce the Holiday vibes across your room and into your heart.
8) Joy To The World
Another traditional Christmas carol about the birth of Christ. Yet again the song has been covered by different singers through the decades, but Mariah perhaps boasts of one of the most popular renditions of this standard. The juicy production and a pristine vocal delivery, make it a ‘definitive’ addition to you Xmas playlist.
7) Hark! The Herald Angels Sing/Gloria
With Carey’s voice in front-and-center, this classic tune transforms into a vocal juggernaut, that you won’t be able to help but sing along to. The massive Choir sound, accompanying nearly every note Carey harmonizes – raises the roof every time you hear it. And the whole ‘carol-y’ vibe to it, makes it a great addition to your Xmas playlist.
6) Christmas Time Is In The Air Again
Mimi’s whispery falsetto in the beginning of this sweeping vocal delivery, carries the serenading production through the end. An original tune written by Mariah Carey and Broadway composer Marc Shaiman for her 2010 released second Christmas album, the song has the potential to stand on it’s own amidst a string of 100 year old standards.
5) Oh Santa
The original version released in her second Christmas album – Merry Christmas II You (2010) was beautiful as is, but when she brought-in Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson into the mix in the year 2020, it became all the more special.
4) Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
Although it’s hard to top the version sung by Darlene Love (the ‘original’ Queen of Christmas), Mariah Carey does a fine job retouching the classic without making it lose it’s original charm. Nothing beats the choir singing ‘Christmas’ in the background, as Carey asks her baby to ‘please come home’. You can’t help but feel that may be this is where she got the inspiration to write her own hit ‘All I Want For Christmas’ taking-forward the same theme.
3) O Holy Night
With her high-octane vocal delivery, this rendition of the Holiday standard – that has been sung and covered by a vast range of singers over the years, truly takes you to church. Her jaw-dropping belting abilities when she reaches for the climax are sure to induce tingles and goosebumps.
2) Silent Night
A beautiful rendition of an age old classic. Mariah does not fail to deliver with her whispery tones, bringing in the warmth of whatever makes-up the holiday season. A calm serenading masterpiece.
1) All I Want For Christmas Is You
An original from Carey that has single-handedly turned her into a Christmas icon. This was her 19th #1 hit, and actually ascended to the top 25 years after it’s release, due to it’s constantly building iconic status. A repeat on every Christmas playlist every year, this joyful ode to falling in love in Christmas, serves as a perfect backdrop to your bright snow-clad mornings and cold, lit-up evenings.
Honorable mention:
Jesus Born on This Day