Mariah Carey’s 1994 holiday classic, “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” remains a lucrative and cultural phenomenon three decades after its release.
The song earns Carey an estimated $2.5 to $3 million annually in royalties, contributing to over $60 million in lifetime earnings since its debut, according to Forbes.
Despite its initial ineligibility for the Billboard Hot 100 due to industry rules, the advent of streaming propelled the song to No. 1 in 2019, where it now returns every holiday season.
Hailed as the greatest holiday song of all time by Billboard, the track’s enduring popularity has cemented Carey’s status as the “Queen of Christmas.”
Beyond royalties, she capitalises on the song’s success through merchandise, sponsorships, concerts, books, and even an animated film. The song has been streamed over 1.8 billion times, adding to its legacy as a holiday staple.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Carey’s Merry Christmas album, celebrated with her third Christmas tour, Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time.
The 20-city extravaganza, featuring holiday classics and fan favourites, began on November 6 in California and concludes December 17 at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, continuing the festive legacy of her iconic hit. As Billboard’s Gary Trust noted, “It’s not going away.”
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