"All I Want For Christmas Is You" #MusicMonday

Since I was a kid, I always felt like Thanksgiving was the official start of the holiday season. That’s when it was ok to start putting up decorations and playing Christmas music, at least to my eye and ear. At the time, “Feliz Navidad” was the first Christmas song that I thought should be played to kick off the season. It was my personal tradition. When I heard “Feliz Navidad” then I knew it was the holidays.

Then in 1984, I sort of changed my mind and “Do They Know It’s Christmas Time” became the first song to be heard every holiday season, at least for me. I think it may have been the first time I understood global impact and how we have to give back. Felt very novel at the time, at least for this kid.

But then again in 1994, the now crowned “Queen of Christmas” came out with “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” and suddenly I had a new first holiday song, and have ever since.

There have been numerous uploads and updates to this song over the years from Mariah herself …

This holiday season, Mariah started a holiday concert tour centered around her song and her Christmas albums. Here’s a teaser reminding us that “It’s Time.” Yes, it’s time to hear Mariah’s iconic Christmas song to kick off the holiday season. And by the way she also wrote the song so imagine the year after year of royalties!

Yes the holiday season is here. And as an adult I now know it’s not just Christmas but all holidays. All belief systems. All people. Hopefully united in the notion of celebrating what life can be and should be. Can be and should be.

And this just in … Victoria’s Secret has just declared the Holiday 2023 “Mariah Season” and is featuring a product line with her for the gift giving season. Once again upping her status as the “Queen of Christmas” and ultimately upping her brand.

Happy Holidays! What’s your “first” holiday song? What’s your experience? JIM