Who doesn’t associate Mariah Carey with the Christmas period? Since the iconic release of All I Want For Christmas Is You in 1994, she has become the undisputed queen of festivities.
In the 27 years since its release, the song has spent 70 weeks in the UK charts and finally reached number one for the first time last year.
But should we let her thaw again this Christmas?
There are many other songs under the radar which are equally as beautiful and deserve attention during the festive season. They too could become timeless classics if given the opportunity to shine like Carey’s anthem.
She has definitely earned her status in creating record-breaking songs, but it’s time to start paying attention to other classic Christmas songs – they too may feel like a warm hug with a mug of hot chocolate on Christmas Day. From Bobby Helms’ Jingle Bell Rock to Last Christmas by Wham!, we need to start defrosting the potential of these songs.
Giving Mariah Carey the spotlight every December risks gatekeeping the opportunity for new artists to release Christmas songs. Giving alternative tunes a try will make way for a more varied festive playlist and won’t feel like a repeat of last year – and the years before for that matter.
Everyone enjoys the occasional Mariah sing-song and listening to her album may be a tradition for many, but, let's face it, we are all in need of a change.
Edited by Jemma Snowdon