Whether they’re playing on the radio or blasting through the speakers of a retail store, you’ve probably all heard those same Christmas songs, Wham!’s “Last Christmas”, Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”, and most notably, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You”. But while we’re getting these Yuletide tunes stuck in our heads, these iconic artists are making millions every year, causing their audience to wonder– what exactly sets their songs apart from others?
On November 1, 1994, singer and songwriter Mariah Carey’s key track “All I Want for Christmas is You” released with her Merry Christmas album. Since then, she’s made around 2.5 to 3 million dollars per year off her song made over 30 years ago. In its lifetime, “All I Want for Christmas is You” has earned Carey approximately $60 million from its royalties, making her one of the richest Christmas artists. Her song’s fame is also credited to her “It’s Time” videos, her elaborate tradition held on every November 1st since 2019, where the self- titled, “Queen of Christmas” declares the beginning of the holiday season
Many online discussions have criticized the fame of similar Christmas music artists, believing their songs to be outdated and unfitting for the modern festivities. Many disapprove of the widespread monetization of these songs, which still bring in wealth for their creators decades later. Many more have simply grown tired of how overplayed old Christmas classics and feel that there should be more variety when it comes to their winter music
While some argue about the lack of recent Christmas music, there have been many songs released in the past few years. Some of the latest Christmas songs have not gained the same amount of attention as these classics, such as Laufey’s “Winter Wonderland”, or Sabrina Carpenter’s “A Nonsense Christmas”. And while these songs are modern, many listeners feel that they just “don’t hit the same”. Despite the festive lyrics, relevant background instruments, and emotional resonance, it seems that the biggest reason these songs are still fitting for the holiday season is due to their nostalgia. But whether you’re listening to an old time classic or a cozy winter playlist, there will always be music out there to get into the Christmas spirit.
