If you want more Mariah Carey holiday music than “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” start with her 1994 album Merry Christmas. It pairs Carey-and-Walter Afanasieff originals with familiar seasonal songs, ranging from the wistful “Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)” to the choir-backed “Joy to the World.” Then move on to Merry Christmas II You (2010) and the 2020 Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special soundtrack for later-era picks.
Start with Merry Christmas (1994)
Carey’s first Christmas album is the best place to explore beyond its signature single. Apple Music lists the original edition as 10 songs and 38 minutes, dated October 28, 1994. The Library of Congress essay about the song gives October 29, 1994, as the release date for “All I Want for Christmas Is You”; those are different dates from different source listings, so they should not be treated as one definitive date for the whole album.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Merry Christmas | $6.15 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Merry Christmas Deluxe Anniversary Edition | $14.87 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Merry Christmas II You | $13.29 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | $10.60 | Buy on Amazon |
The album’s alternatives are not all the same kind of holiday song: it includes original material as well as interpretations of seasonal standards. Pick by mood rather than treating these tracks as a ranking.
For a wistful original: “Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)”
Apple Music identifies this as one of the album’s two original songs and credits Carey and Walter Afanasieff as co-writers. Its reflective premise makes it a natural choice when you want an original holiday song that feels more wistful than the exuberance associated with the album’s best-known track.
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For a choir-backed carol: “Joy to the World”
Apple Music describes Carey’s version as choir-backed elation. Choose it for a big, celebratory take on a traditional carol rather than a quieter seasonal mood.
For soulful old-school holiday pop: “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”
Apple Music characterizes Carey’s interpretation as Motown-flavored soul. It is a strong pick if you want the album’s more groove-oriented, classic-pop side.
Rank #2
- Merry Christmas Deluxe Anniversary Edition
- Product type: ABIS MUSIC
- Brand: COLUMBIA/LEGACY
For a devotional original: “Jesus Born on This Day”
This is the other Merry Christmas original specifically identified by Apple Music, which credits Carey and Afanasieff as co-writers. Its subject and framing make it the album’s devotional choice.
Continue with the 2010 album
“Christmas Time Is in the Air Again”
For another Carey holiday release, try Merry Christmas II You, listed as a 2010 album. “Christmas Time Is in the Air Again” is a useful next listen if you want to explore beyond the 1994 record. The cited album listing confirms the release identity and year but does not establish track-by-track songwriting credits, so this recommendation does not assign it a specific writing credit.
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- Merry Christmas II You is Mariah Carey's second Christmas album, released in 2010
Try the 2020 Christmas-special soundtrack
For guest-star holiday pop: “O Santa!”
The soundtrack to Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special includes “O Santa!” featuring Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson. Apple Music identifies it as an original and names both guest vocalists, making it the pick here for a contemporary collaboration.
For a gentler listen: “Christmas Time Is Here” or “O Holy Night”
Apple Music describes both soundtrack performances as mellow fireside ballads. Try either when you want a softer contrast to the choir-backed lift of “Joy to the World” or the guest-pop energy of “O Santa!”
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Which song should you play first?
| If you want… | Start with | Release | What the cited listing establishes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A wistful Carey/Afanasieff original | “Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)” | Merry Christmas (1994) | Apple Music identifies it as an original co-written by Carey and Afanasieff. |
| A choir-backed traditional carol | “Joy to the World” | Merry Christmas (1994) | Apple Music describes the sound as choir-backed elation. |
| Soulful classic holiday pop | “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” | Merry Christmas (1994) | Apple Music characterizes Carey’s version as Motown-flavored soul. |
| A devotional original | “Jesus Born on This Day” | Merry Christmas (1994) | Apple Music identifies it as an original co-written by Carey and Afanasieff. |
| A later-album listen | “Christmas Time Is in the Air Again” | Merry Christmas II You (2010) | The cited album page confirms the album and year; it does not surface this track’s songwriting credits. |
| A guest-star original | “O Santa!” | Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special soundtrack (2020) | Apple Music identifies the song as an original featuring Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson. |
| A mellow ballad | “Christmas Time Is Here” or “O Holy Night” | Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special soundtrack (2020) | Apple Music describes both as mellow fireside ballads. |
Why “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is still the reference point
The song remains the unavoidable gateway to Carey’s holiday catalog, but it is not the only reason to play Merry Christmas. The Library of Congress selected it for the National Recording Registry in 2023. Its essay credits Carey and Afanasieff with writing and producing the song. That recognition explains its stature; the contrasting moods and arrangements above are the reason to keep exploring the surrounding catalog.
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