Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ Shatters All-Time Billboard Record

Record-Breaking Achievement in December 2024

Mariah Carey’s timeless holiday classic has once again proven its enduring appeal. The 1994 hit ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ has now become the longest-running number one single in Billboard Hot 100 history, achieving its record-breaking 20th week atop the chart. This remarkable milestone surpasses previous records held by Shaboozey’s ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)’ and Lil Nas X’s ‘Old Town Road’, which both topped the charts for 19 weeks.

The Power of Streaming and Seasonal Success

The song first reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2019 — 25 years after its release, demonstrating the transformative impact of music streaming on the charts. It has returned to the top spot every year since, making it a reliable December phenomenon. The 1994 hit makes its sixth annual return on the singles charts with 38 million streams and 24 million radio airplay audience impressions this holiday season.

Streaming Milestones and Cultural Impact

The song continues to break records beyond chart positions. The song reached one billion streams on Spotify in December 2021 and two billion streams in December 2024, making it the first holiday song to achieve both milestones. In November 2021, Billboard named ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ the Greatest Holiday Song of All Time, cementing its status as a modern Christmas standard.

Financial Success and Legacy

The song has sold over 20 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling digital singles of all time. Beyond commercial success, the song has earned cultural recognition: in 2023, the song was selected by the Library of Congress for inclusion in the National Recording Registry. For Carey herself, this achievement represents her second time holding the Billboard Hot 100 longevity record, having previously dominated with ‘One Sweet Day’ in 1995-96.

Significance for Music Lovers

As Christmas approaches, ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ shows no signs of slowing down. The song’s ability to captivate new generations whilst maintaining its appeal to longtime fans demonstrates the timeless quality Carey aimed for when writing it. With the festive season in full swing, this record-breaking achievement reminds us why Mariah Carey has truly earned her title as the ‘Queen of Christmas’. The song’s continued dominance suggests this record will only grow in the years to come, making it potentially untouchable in pop music history.