Mariah Carey’s iconic Christmas song, “All I Want For Christmas Is You ”, has generated million-dollar revenues since its launch in 1994. With a significant impact on the artist’s finances, royalties from copyrights and digital reproductions become a constant source of income each holiday season.
According to estimates by the law firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, the song has accumulated approximately 103 million dollars at a global level. In 2022, Carey earned at least $2.7 million from downloads and on-demand streams alone, not counting additional income from live performances and television specials.
‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’: a phenomenon in streaming and sales in the United States
The popularity of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is reflected in its success on streaming platforms. Spotify announced that the song was the first Christmas song to surpass 2 billion streams worldwide. In 2023, US streams reached 249 million, a 49% increase from 2019, according to data from Luminate. However, by 2024, transmissions had decreased by 8% compared to the previous year, due to a shorter Christmas period.
In addition to its streaming success, the song has been used in numerous films, television shows and advertisements, increasing indirect income sources for Carey. This constant exposure ensures that royalties continue to flow each year, cementing “All I Want For Christmas Is You” as one of the most profitable songs in Christmas history.
In 2022, Carey earned at least $2.7 million from downloads and on-demand streams alone. The song exceeds 2 billion views on Spotify, consolidating itself as a Christmas phenomenon. Photo: Los Angeles Times
Royalties and the financial impact for Mariah Carey
George Howard, a professor at Berklee College of Music, estimates that the song generates between $2 million and $4 million in annual gross revenue. The firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips calculated a similar figure of $3.4 million annually. From its Spotify streams alone, the song would have generated approximately $9.8 million, according to Billboard’s royalty calculator.
The music industry’s royalty system involves the distribution of income between songwriters, producers and record labels. Carey, as co-writer and co-producer, increases her share of the profits. This triple function is unusual and contributes to increasing the singer’s income.
Mariah Carey live performances and themed tours
Live performances during the Christmas season also represent an important source of income. Carey’s themed tours, such as the “Merry Christmas Tour,” continue to attract large audiences and generate additional revenue from both tickets and spin-offs. Music royalties are divided into two categories: musical composition and sound recording, allowing Carey to receive income from both.
In 2022, the master recording of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” generated $5.3 million, while publishing royalties accounted for $3.2 million. Carey earned approximately $1.9 million from the recording, while her record label Sony Music received $3.4 million. As for the publication, Carey received about 1.6 million, assuming an equal split with his co-author.
The popularity of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is reflected in its success on streaming platforms. Photo: The New York Times
The legacy of “All I Want For Christmas Is You”
The song also generates additional income from covers performed by other artists, benefiting songwriters and publishers when performed in public. Over 150 artists have covered the song, ensuring royalties continue to flow. Carey continues to benefit from the copyright, which in the US remains in effect for the life of the author and 70 years after his or her death.
Continued streaming and remakes ensure that “All I Want For Christmas Is You” will remain a significant revenue stream for years to come, cementing its iconic status in global Christmas music.
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