When Mariah Carey released “All I Want for Christmas Is You” in 1994, she likely didn’t anticipate its enduring reign as a holiday anthem. Thirty years later, the song has not only solidified Carey’s status as the “Queen of Christmas” but has also become a financial powerhouse, generating substantial income year after year.
Initially earning Carey $60 million in royalties, according to Forbes, the song’s value has only grown, adding millions to her wealth annually. Its popularity has led to numerous covers by artists like Ariana Grande and Michael Bublé and its inclusion in iconic movies like Love Actually.
Recently, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” achieved another milestone, becoming the first holiday song to surpass 2 billion streams on Spotify. Carey expressed her gratitude to Spotify listeners worldwide for embracing the song as a cherished holiday tradition. This accomplishment underscores Carey’s sentiment, shared with PEOPLE in 2021, that Christmastime is her favorite time of year. But just how much does this festive juggernaut earn for Carey each year? Let’s delve into the financial success of this Christmas classic.
The Annual Royalties of a Christmas Hit
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(472×192:474×194)/mariah-carey-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-christmas-time-tour-121724-2380bac8548841d6b7b047992921113e.jpg)
While Carey’s initial earnings from the song were a staggering $60 million, her current annual royalties are estimated to be around $2.5 million, according to Forbes, based on calculations from The Economist. However, The New York Post suggests an even higher figure, placing the annual earnings at $3 million.
“All I Want for Christmas Is You” was featured on Carey’s fourth album, Merry Christmas, and quickly became a global phenomenon, topping charts in 26 countries. Even three decades later, the song continues to ascend the Billboard Hot 100 and Spotify streaming charts each holiday season. Consistently ranked among the most-streamed holiday songs, according to Forbes, it achieved another historic feat in 2021 by becoming the first holiday single to receive the prestigious RIAA Diamond Award, signifying 10 million sales and streams.
Further cementing its legacy, the song was inducted into the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry in 2023. Carey expressed her disbelief and honor at this recognition on X (formerly Twitter), stating she never envisioned such an accolade when she created the song.
Is it the Most Popular Christmas Song Ever?
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(793×284:795×286)/mariah-carey-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-music-video-121724-fbe4d01c43874194aebeb46a65da10de.jpg)
Spotify data reveals a 120% global increase in streams for “All I Want for Christmas Is You” since 2019, solidifying its position as the most-streamed holiday song globally and in the US. While it hasn’t yet surpassed Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” in total sales (50 million copies worldwide), it’s undeniably a dominant force in the digital age.
On Spotify, Carey’s song has claimed the global No. 1 spot on Christmas Day every year since 2016. In 2024, its streams have shown remarkable growth, surging 860% globally and 1,100% in the US since November 1st.
Furthermore, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” achieved a 20-week reign atop Billboard’s streaming songs chart, matching Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” for the longest-running No. 1 streak. It also spent 16 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 list.
A Legacy of Covers
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(756×154:758×156)/mariah-carey-all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you-madison-square-garden-121724-920ca845951b417cb85066fad3c54565.jpg)
The song’s widespread appeal has resulted in numerous covers by renowned artists. Carey herself re-recorded the song with Justin Bieber for his 2011 Christmas album, Under the Mistletoe. Other notable artists who have covered the song include Michael Bublé, Barry Manilow, Fifth Harmony, Ingrid Michaelson, and even Dolly Parton with Jimmy Fallon.
Memorable renditions also extend to film, with Olivia Olson’s performance in the 2003 movie Love Actually garnering significant attention and even leading to record deal offers for the young singer. The enduring popularity of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” continues to inspire artists and delight audiences worldwide, solidifying its place as a timeless holiday classic.
