The decorations are up, presents are under the tree and Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is on constant rotation. More than three decades on from its release, the holiday classic remains synonymous with the festive season — and rightfully so.
Not only is it the best-selling Christmas song of all time in the US, but it also set a record this week as the longest-running number-one single on the Billboard Hot 100.
Following its release in 1994, Mariah went on to release a children’s book based on the song in 2014 and an animated film in 2017. Several musicians have also recorded their own renditions of “All I Want For Christmas Is You”, from fellow Christmas icons Michael Bublé and Dolly Parton to homegrown artists Jessica Mauboy and Samantha Jade.
So, in case you’re sick of hearing Mariah’s version (impossible) or simply want to add something new to your holiday playlist, here’s how I would rank the most popular covers of “All I Want For Christmas Is You”.
And look, I know there are plenty more, but they’re much less popular and this ranking is solid enough, okay?
17. Miranda Sings
Before she was singing about a toxic gossip train, Colleen Ballinger released an off-key cover of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” as her alter-ego Miranda Sings. Literally the only reason you’d add this version to your holiday playlist is if you wanted to sing along and sound like a classically trained vocalist in comparison.
16. KIDZ BOP Kids
Honestly, props to the insanely talented kids for belting out this vocally challenging song. But once you get over the thought of “wow, these children are really good”, you start wondering why you’re listening to a bunch of pre-teens singing about wanting to be held so tight.
15. Dolly Parton & Jimmy Fallon
This duet is cute and all, but a spoken intro taking up the first 46 seconds of a song is never what you want to play in the background on Christmas Day.
Dolly Parton and Jimmy Fallon’s cover features them going back and forth reacting to the other singing, with Dolly at one point saying, “Kiss me, baby!”. I’m glad they had fun recording it, but it’s a skip for me.
14. Morgan Evans
I’m sure someone, somewhere, asked for a country version of Mariah’s holiday classic. Morgan Evans’ cover gives off local busker performing at the RSL Christmas raffle and I’m not mad about it.
13. My Chemical Romance
The perfect cover for the angsty teen who’d rather be locked in their bedroom on December 25 than socialise with their family, who simply don’t understand them!
The intro could very easily turn people off, with Gerard Way’s signature vocals clashing with the familiar piano instrumental. But once the drums and guitar kick in, this pop-punk cover will make you forget it’s even a Christmas song — which could be a good or bad thing, depending on who you ask.
12. She & Him
From her starring role in Elf to her cover of “All I Want For Christmas Is You”, Zooey Deschanel has cemented herself as a certified Christmas queen.
This folk cover, which is from She & Him’s second Christmas album, is perfect background music for a holiday party that’ll impress both your mainstream and indie music-loving friends.
11. Idina Menzel
Have you ever wondered what Elsa from Frozen would sound like singing this song? Well, now you know. Idina Menzel’s cover is much brassier than the OG, but her vocal abilities remain unmatched.
At five minutes, this is also one of the longer versions of the song and features a saxophone solo from the legendary Kenny G, because why not?
10. Samantha Jade & Nathaniel
Samantha Jade and Nathaniel’s 2015 cover served as a reunion for the two X Factor contestants after they met on the singing competition three years earlier.
It’s a fun, bouncy cover where Samantha gives her all and serves as yet another reminder that she is one of Australia’s greatest vocalists.
9. CeeLo Green
A couple of years after his breakout hit “Forget You”, CeeLo Green released an entire Christmas album in 2012 that I guarantee you had no idea about. The soulful collection includes collaborations with Christina Aguilera, Rod Stewart and… The Muppets?
It might not have made a huge cultural impact, but his version of Mariah’s song — retitled “All I Want For Christmas” — is actually pretty good.
8. The Girl and The Dreamcatcher
The Girl and The Dreamcatcher, the pop duo formed by ex-Disney co-stars/former couple Dove Cameron and Ryan McCartan, is exactly what “All I Want For Christmas Is You” would sound like if it were written for High School Musical.
The uber-poppy instrumental and music video filmed in front of a projector screen will make you incredibly nostalgic for 2015, aka the year many internet users have declared as “the last good year”.
7. Big Time Rush
One Direction might never have released a Christmas album, but fellow boy band Big Time Rush dropped a holiday EP in 2010 alongside their hour-long Nickelodeon special.
Their cover puts a boy band twist on Mariah’s classic, and who doesn’t love that?
6. Fifth Harmony
When you divide the vocal parts amongst five people, it’s no wonder why each member of Fifth Harmony was doing the absolute MOST in this cover — starting with Normani attempting to show off her entire vocal range in the first four seconds.
Honestly, all I want for Christmas is to know what went down when it was decided Ally Brooke would sing Mariah’s high note in the final chorus.
This cover is pure chaos and I wouldn’t expect any less from one of the messiest girl groups of our time.
5. Glee Cast
You don’t have to be a Gleek to be obsessed with Amber Riley’s cover on Glee. This cover switches up the instrumental with heavier drums and, of course, a signature Mercedes Jones high note.
I’m glad Amber was given a solo moment on the show, but a song as iconic as this, it would’ve been even better if all of New Directions were involved.
4. Jessica Mauboy
Dare I say Jessica Mauboy is Australia’s Mariah Carey when it comes to vocal abilities? The Aussie songstress effortlessly belts out the same notes as Mimi and even adds her own riff-off in the final chorus.
This cover not only makes you wonder why Jessica hasn’t released her own Christmas album, but also how she could’ve possibly lost Australian Idol back in 2006. Sorry, Damien Leith.
3. The Cheetah Girls
This one might shock you, but trust me when I say The Cheetah Girls’ sultry R&B cover of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” from 2005 deserves to be on everyone’s holiday playlist this year. Outside of their killer vocals, the Disney trio added a post-chorus hook that might even be more catchy than the actual chorus: “Baby, baby, you know I love you so, baby baby.”
A guaranteed Cheetah-licious Christmas indeed.
2. Michael Bublé
Did this song rank number two simply because Michael Bublé once called me “an incredibly handsome man”? No. Did I just bring that up to give myself an ego boost? Maybe.
Regardless of how the Canadian crooner feels about me, his slowed-down rendition of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is a mainstay in my holiday playlist. Michael’s delivery of “standing right outside my door” in the final chorus scratches my brain perfectly and he fully made this song his own.
1. Justin Bieber & Mariah Carey
Now, is it considered cheating that my fave cover features Mariah herself? Well, technically, this song was included on Justin Bieber’s 2011 Christmas album, so I think it counts.
Titled the SuperFestive! version, the song has 10 times more tambourine action than the OG and plenty of chorus ad-libs that are perfect for carpool karaoke. There’s an extended intro complete with Justin and Mariah going back and forth in a scat-off as if they’re competing in Pitch Perfect, as well as an outro filled with the songbird’s iconic whistle tones.
Of course, nothing will top the original, but this version comes pretty damn close.
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