Podcast Summary: The Journal – "Happy Holidays! An Interview with the Christmas Queen"

Release Date: December 24, 2024

Introduction

In the festive rerun episode of The Journal, hosted by Kate Linebaugh and Ryan Knutson alongside Jessica Mendoza, the spotlight shines brightly on Mariah Carey and her iconic holiday anthem, "All I Want for Christmas Is You." This episode delves into the creation, enduring popularity, and the significant business impact of the song, offering listeners an in-depth exploration of its place in the music industry.

The Pervasiveness of "All I Want for Christmas Is You"

Kate Linebaugh opens the discussion by highlighting the omnipresence of Mariah Carey's holiday classic during the festive season. She introduces John Jurgensen, a Wall Street Journal colleague who has extensively covered Christmas music, setting the stage for an engaging conversation about the song's remarkable journey.

Interview with Mariah Carey

Creation of the Song

John Jurgensen initiates the interview with Mariah Carey, focusing on the song's meteoric rise. Mariah reflects on her initial skepticism when her label proposed creating a Christmas album in the early '90s, a time when releasing a Christmas record was often seen as a sign of an artist's decline.

Mariah Carey [06:06]: "Cause when I first did it, I was like, am I really doing a Christmas song right now, this feels very premature to me and I really have to say it was such a smart decision to do it."

She elaborates on the song's genesis, describing the creative process that led to its composition. Contrary to popular belief, Mariah co-wrote and co-produced the track, showcasing her multifaceted talent beyond her vocal prowess.

Mariah Carey [07:06]: "I go over the top. Yeah, it's an over the top thing. I'm sitting here with Christmas trees in my house. Like there's eight trees here, whatever. It's completely over the top."

Mariah's Relationship with Christmas Music

Mariah emphasizes her genuine love for the Christmas season and music, stating that her goal every year is to spread festivity and joy. She admits that while she can create a festive atmosphere, it's up to listeners to embrace it fully.

Mariah Carey [04:24]: "Every Christmas, my goal is to be festive and to celebrate."

Mariah's Magical Christmas Special

The conversation transitions to Mariah's latest venture, "Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special" for Apple TV. She discusses her aspirations for the special to enhance the holiday spirit among viewers, reflecting her dedication to making Christmas a joyous time for everyone.

Mariah Carey [04:24]: "I can't create like festiveness for people if they, I mean, I can try, I do try, but if they're not into it, I can't make them have as much fun as I do with it."

The Rise of the Song to Number One

Role of Streaming and Playlists

John delves into the factors contributing to the song's explosive popularity, particularly the advent of digital streaming platforms like Spotify and Pandora. Mariah notes the significant increase in streams, especially after the song became available as a standalone single on platforms like iTunes.

John Jurgensen [14:21]: "In 2012, All I Want for Christmas had 3 million audio streams. In 2019, it had 166 million."

He explains how playlist algorithms amplify the song's reach, placing it prominently in holiday playlists generated by user behavior and platform recognition of seasonal trends.

John Jurgensen [14:33]: "You also have the algorithms of a site like Spotify that are recognizing that that song is popular around Christmas. The algorithm says that's a smart song to be putting on our automatically generated playlists."

Fan Efforts

Mariah attributes the song's chart-topping success to her dedicated fanbase, who have been instrumental in organizing efforts to propel the song to the number one spot.

Mariah Carey [13:33]: "Fans really, really tried to make it happen for me for this as my 19th number one."

The Business Side: Revenue and Impact

Streaming and Licensing Revenue

The discussion shifts to the financial implications of the song's enduring popularity. Mariah candidly admits her limited knowledge of the exact revenue figures but acknowledges the substantial earnings from streaming and licensing.

Mariah Carey [16:48]: "Oh, I have no idea. I have no idea. I know that it's like at like a billion streams or something at this point."

John estimates that the song generates at least a million dollars annually from streaming alone, not accounting for additional revenue streams such as global radio play and licensing deals.

John Jurgensen [17:06]: "These days the song makes at least a million dollars a year on streaming alone. But that estimate is low because it doesn't include other even bigger sources of revenue, like radio play around the world and licensing."

Economic Impact of Holiday Music

Kate draws attention to the broader economic ecosystem surrounding holiday music, where various forms of media and entertainment contribute significantly to revenue flows during the Christmas season.

Kate Linebaugh [18:35]: "But every time you hear any Christmas song, baby, it's cold outside. Jingle bell rock, like all I want for Christmas is you. That's money going into someone's pocket."

Mariah's Perspective on Success

Despite the song's monumental success, Mariah maintains humility and emphasizes her commitment to creating music beyond her Christmas repertoire. She expresses gratitude for the song's ability to bring her joy and connect with fans worldwide.

Mariah Carey [19:01]: "Yes. I'm always gonna make other music. And of course, I love the Emancipation of Mimi. We could talk about Butterfly all day long."

She appreciates the song's role in her career but remains focused on diversifying her musical endeavors.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a heartfelt exchange between John and Mariah, affirming the song's significance in both her career and the broader cultural landscape. Mariah reiterates her gratitude towards her fans and the organic nature of the song's triumph.

Mariah Carey [19:28]: "Thank you. Appreciate you. Merry Christmas."

The Journal successfully captures the essence of Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You," offering listeners a comprehensive understanding of its creation, sustained popularity, and substantial economic impact. This episode not only celebrates a holiday classic but also provides valuable insights into the interplay between music, business, and fan engagement in the modern streaming era.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Mariah Carey [06:06]: "Cause when I first did it, I was like, am I really doing a Christmas song right now, this feels very premature to me and I really have to say it was such a smart decision to do it."

• John Jurgensen [14:21]: "In 2012, All I Want for Christmas had 3 million audio streams. In 2019, it had 166 million."

• Mariah Carey [13:33]: "Fans really, really tried to make it happen for me for this as my 19th number one."

• Mariah Carey [19:01]: "Yes. I'm always gonna make other music. And of course, I love the Emancipation of Mimi. We could talk about Butterfly all day long."

Final Thoughts

For those who haven't listened to the episode, this summary provides a thorough overview of the key discussions surrounding Mariah Carey's holiday anthem. From its humble beginnings and creative process to its unprecedented rise in the streaming age, The Journal offers a compelling narrative on why "All I Want for Christmas Is You" remains a beloved and profitable staple in the festive music repertoire.