The most Won on time of year

THE SINGER REFLECTS ON 30 YEARS OF ‘ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU’

- Sally James

She’s the unofficial Queen of Christmas, her inimitable vocals ringing out everywhere come December. Not many people can claim the kind of success from one single song that Mariah Carey has – her beloved festive tune ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ reaches the top of the charts year after year without fail. “It still makes me happy to sing it as I know it makes so many people happy to hear it,” Carey tells WHO. “It’s a song that has become part of so many people’s lives.”

It may come as a surprise to know Carey had to have her arm twisted to make a Christmas album. Just 25 when she recorded Merry Christmas, she feared she was too young for such a release. Now, as the release celebrates its 30th anniversary, WHO sits down with the 55-year-old Grammy winner for a walk down memory lane.

How does it feel to know that you have become an essential part of Christmas for so many?

I feel very grateful. The holidays are a wonderful time, but they can also be a difficult time for some people. I just try to do my best to make people happy and to feel festive, no matter what is going on in their lives. I like to see myself as a festive friend for anyone who needs one for the holidays.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ and the release of your album Merry Christmas. Does it seem like that long ago to you?

It really does not. I usually don’t like to think about numbers like that, but we have a 30th anniversary of the Merry Christmas album out, which I am really excited about. I’m so happy people still love to listen to it.