Is Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” the Best We Can Do for Christmas?
It’s a sad reality that until another song about Christmas comes along Mariah Carey will remain more popular than Santa and Jesus during the Thanksgiving & Christmas season
Is Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” the Best We Can Do for Christmas?
It seems to me that Christmas music is being played earlier and earlier every year. I myself consider the Christmas season to begin on Black Friday but I’m old school. Due to Christmas creep — the slow encroachment of the holiday season — some businesses start playing Christmas music as soon as November 1st.
We should enjoy Halloween and enjoy Thanksgiving while building anticipation for Christmas. Then we can finally celebrate and play Christmas music. I enjoy listening to Christmas music, but only after Thanksgiving. After all, the title of the English Christmas Carol is the “Twelve Days of Christmas,” not the twelve weeks of Christmas.
Part of Christmas music is to have fun and enjoy getting into the holidays spirit. If we enjoy Christmas songs for only three to four weeks, they stay joyful and not annoying or repetitive. Waiting to hear the classics and the not yet to be classics also helps build the anticipation for Christmas. This brings me to a Christmas song I love to hate: “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
Mariah Carey’s AIWFCIY has become synonymous with the holiday season. It’s for some people the defining moment when the Christmas season begins. It’s been dominating airwaves, malls, and Spotify playlists since its release in 1994. While people love the joyful energy and catchy tune, some things need to be examined through a critical lens.
As for me, I like the song for what it is, a sugary, saccharin-infused pop gem. But as far as contemporary Christmas songs go, I enjoy The Pogue’s “Fairytale of New York.” It showcases the duet between The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan, with his raw, alcohol-laced voice, and Kirsty MacColl’s soaring alto voice.
The song follows a bickering couple who fell in love in America on Christmas Eve. When MacColl realizes their plans for a bright future are dashed, she accuses Shane of her broken dreams and abandoned hopes. But, her feeling of discontent is overshadowed by the warmth and romance of Christmas. It’s loved because it feels more emotionally “real” than the homesick sentimentality of AIWFCIY.
The duet between MacGowan and MacColl is only second to the duet between Meatloaf and Ellen Foley on “Paradise by the Dashboard Light.”
I also enjoy Tom Wait’s “Christmas Card from A Hooker in Minneapolis” I claim matter-of-factly. Only Wait’s whiskey-soaked, gruff-voiced growl can do justice to the kind of characters who have peopled his songs: the underfed, seedy underbelly of American lowlife.
One recurring critique of AIWFCIH centers around the song’s simplicity. Critics say that AIWFCIY uses a simple, repetitive structure. The chorus, which expresses a strong desire for love during the holidays, has received mixed reviews. People appreciate its catchy tune but find it lacking in depth. Alexis Petridis of The Guardian comments, “The song is undeniably catchy, but its lack of lyrical depth might limit its lasting impact.”
The vocal acrobatics, a hallmark of Mariah Carey’s style, have also faced scrutiny. Although impressive, some critics argue that the intricate vocal runs might be excessive and overshadow the song’s simplicity. Richard S. He of Pitchfork notes, “Carey’s vocal gymnastics, while impressive, can sometimes overshadow the song’s simplicity. It feels like a showcase for her voice rather than a genuine exploration of the Christmas theme.”
Thematic predictability is another facet that critics have honed in on. The song relies on a heavy tradition of Christmas tropes, lacking the nuanced exploration found in other holiday classics. Chris Willman of Varietysuggests, “While the song captures the joyous side of Christmas, it doesn’t offer a fresh perspective or delve into more nuanced emotions associated with the holiday. It follows a predictable formula.”
During the holidays, the extremely popular song AIWFCIY raises concerns about its impact on other Christmas songs.
Some critics say that it’s everywhere and takes attention away from other holiday songs. They think this makes the music during the festive season less diverse. Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone comments, “The song’s constant presence on holiday playlists is undoubtedly influenced by its commercial success, raising questions about whether its popularity is solely based on musical excellence or if there’s a marketing strategy at play.”
The commercialization of the song itself hasn’t escaped scrutiny.
People are wondering if its success is because of the music or other factors like marketing and timing. Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine observes, “The song’s constant presence on holiday playlists may raise questions about its success being tied to its commercial appeal.”
Amidst the critiques, there have been whispers of potential plagiarism surrounding AIWFCIY. Some music enthusiasts have drawn parallels between the song’s melody and that of older holiday tunes. Although there have been no major lawsuits, these comparisons have sparked debates. Inspiration and imitation are no strangers to the music industry, all one needs to do is look at Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven.” In May 2023 Ed Sheeran won two lawsuits filed against him alleging similarities between his song “Thinking Out Loud” and Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.” Critics question if AIWFCIY is original, making the discussion about its success more complex.
Although the song has been criticized, it’s important to recognize its impact on popular culture and shoppers.
Pop songs are designed to be accessible to a broad audience. They’re crafted to be instantly catchy, and sometimes that means keeping things simple. The goal is to hook listeners from the first beat and keep them engaged throughout.
According to music critic Simon Reynolds, “Pop music has a unique ability to distill complex emotions into a simple, catchy format. The so-called ‘blandness’ might be a deliberate choice to create a canvas for listeners to imprint their feelings. It’s a kind of emotional shorthand that allows for mass appeal.”
Now, let’s talk about the power of a catchy melody. A simple chord progression can pave the way for a memorable tune that sticks in your head like glue. Have you ever caught yourself humming a pop song, even if you didn’t like the lyrics? A strong melody has a way of etching itself into your brain, and that’s a key ingredient for a pop song’s success.
Pop songs may often have an element of relatability that resonates with listeners. These songs tap into universal themes like love, heartbreak, or just having a good time. Sometimes, simplicity in lyrics allows for broader interpretation, making it easier for a diverse audience to connect with the song.
Reflecting on the simplicity of some pop lyrics, Rolling Stone’s Joe Levy adds, “There’s an art in crafting words that resonate with a wide audience. The simplicity can be deceptive — it’s about finding the right words to capture a sentiment that millions can relate to, and that’s no easy task.”
Many critics agree that AIWFCIY brings joy during the holidays. Rob Harvilla of The Ringer remarks, “While it may have its critics, there’s no denying the sheer exuberance and infectious energy that the song brings. It has become a cultural touchstone and an integral part of the holiday experience.”
The critiques surrounding Mariah Carey’s AIWFCIY offer a multifaceted view of a song that has become a holiday phenomenon. The song is viewed as a catchy celebration of the season. Some think it’s overexposed. Others question its commercial strategy and inspiration. Still, it’s undeniably part of holiday celebrations.
Will AIWFCIY stay popular, like other Christmas classics, even after thirty years? Forty years? Fifty years? There’s a lot of tough competition in the Christmas song longevity category such as:
“Jingle Bells” which was written in 1857 and originally titled “One Horse Open Sleigh,” it’s one of the most beloved and ubiquitous Christmas carols in existence.
The version of “O Tannenbaum” which most of us are familiar with today was written in 1824 and based on a 16th-century German folk song. Readers may be more familiar with the song’s English title, “O Christmas Tree.”
“God Rest You, Merry, Gentlemen” (1760); “We Three Kings” (1863); “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” (1850); and “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (1751) are honorable mentions of long-lasting Christmas carols.
It’s a sad reality that until another song about Christmas comes along — or our culture and society change — Mariah Carey will remain more popular than Santa, Frosty, Rudolf, and even Jesus.
Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
2023© ElbyJames. This work is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0