Mariah Carey - Merry Christmas
Mariah Carey’s fourth studio album, Merry Christmas, was released in October 1994 and has since become one of the most iconic holiday records of all time. We’re counting down the top four tracks from the album, led by Carey’s unmistakable love for Christmas and Holiday Spirit. A gospel and soul-inspired vocalist, Carey approaches her voice like an instrument — she’s the Jimi Hendrix of singing — where anything feels possible and every note carries emotion, power, and joy.
4) O Holy Night
This rendition of “O Holy Night” would make Thomas A. Dorsey proud — the man who essentially helped create gospel music. Carey delivers an incredibly emotive and moving performance, stretching her vocals across the song’s wide range. She leans into a cool, restrained lower register before rising into soaring passages, showcasing both control and power. Near the end, she reaches one of her signature, one-of-a-kind notes, giving the finale a breathtaking, reverent feel that elevates the entire performance.
3) Miss You Most At Xmas
“Miss You Most (At Christmastime)” is one of the few original songs on Mariah Carey’s Merry Christmas album. A beautifully bittersweet ballad, the song captures the quiet loneliness that can surface during the holidays. Carey’s lyrics say it all: “And then I miss you most at Christmastime / And I can’t get you off my mind / Every other season comes along and I’m all right.” It’s a tender, slow ballad that adds emotional depth to her Christmas record.
2) Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Mariah Carey’s “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” opens with a gospel-tinged rendition of “Brahms’ Lullaby” before bursting into the classic Christmas favorite. Sleigh bells and a simple, fast-paced piano part —similar in feel to “All I Want for Christmas Is You” — drive the song forward. Layered bell sounds add to the festive energy, while Carey and her backing singers deliver a joyful, spirited performance. A playful boogie-woogie piano solo ties it all together, giving the track extra swing and holiday charm.
1) All I Want For Xmas
It’s almost unbelievable that this was the first song Mariah Carey wrote for her Christmas album — and that she wrote it in just 15 minutes. Her tone alone channels the true spirit of Christmas, but it’s the wishing at the heart of the song that made it timeless. Every year, we’re all hoping for something — our own Christmas miracle. A great deal of credit also belongs to producer Walter Afanasieff, who kept the original MIDI-programmed arrangement intact, reserving the song’s pure, classic Christmas feel. From start to finish, it’s a perfect song — and quite possibly the greatest Christmas song ever written.
