Today’s holiday Musical Monday celebrates a modern Christmas standard. At the height of her career, Mariah Carey and Walter Afansieff wrote and produced the smash hit All I Want for Christmas is You.
In 1994, recording artists in their prime did not release Christmas music. Mariah’s then husband, Tommy Mottola, was the head of her music label and insisted on the project even making a cameo appearance in the accompanying video.
All I Want for Christmas is You still tops holiday song lists twenty-three years later, and is the biggest selling digital holiday song of all time. The New York Times dubbed Mariah’s festive tune a “bona fide modern holiday classic song.”
The overwhelming success of Mariah’s album Merry Christmas set a new tone for Christmas music releases from top artists. Now each year we have covers of Christmas classics and new holiday music from our favorite artists to enjoy.
"I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just wanna see my baby
Standing right outside my door"
--Mariah Carey, All I Want for Christmas is You
The universal nature of the lyrics in this new classic truly reflects Christmas love. It’s a heartfelt Christmas wish that applies to all types of loved ones.
As we look back at the end of year, it is usually time spent with loved ones that we value most. The ability to connect with those who are important to us is far more significant than the number of new “things” we collected over the year.
Valuing experiences with loved ones as we set goals for 2018 will help establish our priorities for the year. Who would you like to see outside your door this Christmas and throughout the New Year?