Probably the last thing you want to think about right now is Christmas music. And, I would have to agree with you. But, I think its worthy of mentioning just what kind of a holiday season Mariah Carey is having on the charts, again!

Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You” topped the Billboard Hot 100 this week. And, you guessed it — she rewrites all the record books. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” has now topped the Hot 100 each of the four past Christmas seasons. Mind you, this song was released 28 years ago. It had never reached No. 1 until this week in 2019. It now racks up nine non-consecutive weeks in the No. 1 spot.

This song is so huge for Carey that it’s now her biggest hit to date, and that’s saying a lot considering her incredible track record. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” was penned by the star for her first Christmas album, “Merry Christmas.”

Mariah was a major hit-maker there for a while and anything she touched was golden. She had a great way of recording an album that had already had a ‘classic’ feel to it then. And, to see and hear it’s reception grow with each new holiday season was fun to witness. I loved watching young people grab onto the song, too. Several other artists have taken a stab at the iconic song, but none have even remotely come close to capturing her magic.

The history-making song did more than just rewrite a couple of the music history record book, when it hit No. 1 it became only the second time ever that a holiday song ever topped the Hot 100. The first was back in 1958-59 when The Chipmunks with David Seville did so for four weeks with “The Chipmunk Song.”

Now, for those keeping score, this puts Carey’s total No. 1 singles at 19, which extends her record for the most among solo artists. However, it now puts her within one of tying The Beatles all-time record.

“All I Want For Christmas Is You” continues Carey’s record run for total weeks occupying the No. 1 spot overall to 88 weeks. The song also makes her the new record holder for longest span between Hot 100 No.1’s for any artist. Her new record is 32 years, four months and two weeks. She first hit No. 1 on Aug. 4, 1990, with debut single, “Vision Of Love.”

Carey’s track record of hits includes such smashes as “Vision,” “Love Takes Time,” “I’ll Be There,” “Dreamlover,” “Fantasy,” “One Sweet Day,” “Hero,” “Honey” and “We Belong Together” to just scratch the surface. So, how is it that “All I Want For Christmas Is You” is the biggest?

To answer that is easy — it’s a recurring favorite every year. People get caught up in the magic of the holidays and no other song puts that feeling into your heart quite like this one does. She was brilliant for coming up with such an iconic and classic sound that transcends the times.

“All I Want For Christmas Is You” has earned upward of $80 million in royalties over the past 28 years. That’s just insane! But, then again, we’re talking about Mariah Carey.

I feel it also important to note that Mariah isn’t the only one breaking records with her Christmas hit. “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” (Brenda Lee), “Jingle Bell Rock” (Bobby Helms), “A Holly Jolly Christmas” (Burl Ives) and “Last Christmas” (Wham!) are all in the Top 10 right now.

— David T. Farr is a Journal correspondent. Email him at farrboy@hotmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Sturgis Journal: The Farr Side: Mariah Carey still the queen of Christmas