Mariah "Humbled" By Song's Longetivity
Posted by Jonny on Saturday, 17-Dec-2011, 6:05PM EST

You can't go anywhere at the moment without a Christmas song blaring out.

But one being played more than any other is the Mariah Carey smash "All I Want For Christmas Is You."

Since it was first released in 1994, the classic track has spent more than 50 weeks in the UK Top 40 and sold millions of copies worldwide.

And that's before you factor in Mariah's new version with Justin Bieber along with Michael Buble's reworking of the hit on his No1 Christmas album.

Luckily she doesn't get sick of the song as she is a massive fan of Christmas- and not just because it signals another huge payday.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Mariah, 41, said: "I start planning my Christmas in June.

"It's absolutely my favourite holiday and I've always loved everything about this time of year. I love cooking and I'm a smash-hit wonder in the kitchen.

"I'm going to be making the turkey, cranberry sauce and all the trimmings this Christmas. I cooked at Thanksgiving and it was a real success with everyone asking for seconds."

Mariah's love of festive anthems, including Bing Crosby's White Christmas, led her to write "All I Want."

And even she is surprised by its lasting appeal.

She said: "I'm amazed and humbled by its popularity, even all these years later. And I think it's great that people have the song as a ringtone.

"Who'd have thought, all those years ago when I wrote it, that it would still be having an impact today?"

This year the song has been kept in our heads- and charts- by the star's duet with teen sensation Justin Bieber who has released a Christmas album of his own this year.

It was a no-brainer for Mariah to work with him as it introduced an army of young Beliebers to her famous Crimbo track.

She said: "Justin's definitely a young phenomenon- fun, cute and very talented. That's why I wanted to work with him."

But it's not just pop stars who have added to the song's popularity this year.

Earlier this month sailors on the HMS Ocean warship uploaded a video of themselves miming to the track to celebrate their return home after serving seven-and-a-half months in Libya. The ship initially set off on a seven-week training exercise before being diverted to support the UN air mission during the uprising against Colonel Gaddafi. The now-famous sailors returned home last week.

Their video went viral on YouTube scoring the heroes over 2.5 million views.

Even an impressed Mariah is a fan of the clip.

She tweeted: "This is the best thing I've ever seen, you guys just made my day!"

She told us: "I love their take on it. I think it's the cutest thing ever. Very good lip-synching too.

"If I'd had more time, I would have liked to have gone down to Plymouth to meet the singing sailors and their families.

"Sadly, my trip to London is so short, I just don't have time. But I'm very glad that they've all made it home for Christmas." Mum-of-two Mariah, who has sold more than 200million records in the last 20 years, will spend the festive period with friends and family in snowy Aspen, Colorado.

Mariah, who has been married to TV presenter Nick Cannon, 31, for three years, said: "Luckily Nick is almost as over-the-top festive as me. One year we hired Santa Claus to come round with real reindeer who looked as if they were going to fly off into the snow at any moment. Everyone loved it."

This year the couple will spend their first Christmas with their eight-month-old twins, Monroe and Moroccan.

Monroe is named after superstar Marilyn and her brother's name comes from the Moroccan Room in Mariah's apartment where Nick proposed to her.

The children feature in the video for her new single When Christmas Comes, which is a duet with John Legend. She said: "I actually wrote that song when I was pregnant. There's a line in it that says, 'We can laugh together as the children play'. So it was special having the twins with me for the recording of the video."

During her pregnancy Mariah regularly posted pictures of her huge baby bump online and kept her fans updated about "dem babies" as she refers to them.

She explained: "I had a tough pregnancy. Because I was carrying twins, I was super-heavy and I think my bones just weren't used to holding up that much weight.

"I don't think I understood the enormity or the magnitude of what being pregnant does to your body. By the end I could hardly walk.

"But I don't want to dwell on that really, or sound as if I'm complaining, because I know I'm very blessed. I'm loving motherhood. It's a beautiful place to be and they're very good kids." Mariah credits her own mother, Patricia, for getting her interested in singing when she was a toddler.

The pair sang a duet last year, "O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus," which was released last year on Mariah's second festive album, Merry Christmas II You.

And she hopes she can pass a love of singing on to her kids, too.

She said: "I started singing at home with my mom when I was four. I've always talked about her influence on me for my whole life. And with our duet, I felt as if we had come full circle.

"I certainly can imagine singing with the children round the tree when they're older because they really respond to music and love me to sing to them.

"And I do feel that musical ability is something that's handed down. We shall see."

Mariah has quickly shed her baby weight and credits the Jenny Craig Diet Plan- a company which ships special healthy ready meals to you- for helping her to slim down.

She said: "I had a lot of weight to lose because I'd retained so much water. Someone recommended the "Jenny" programme to me and it was exactly what I was looking for.

"It's quick but also very nutritious. I also did gentle aqua exercise as often as I could."

Mariah was so impressed with the "Jenny diet" she has become its US ambassador.

She said: "I wanted to help create awareness about healthy eating and losing weight. My pregnancy and weight gain made me realise what some women grapple with all their lives. At one point I thought I would never see my bone structure again."

Mariah was in London to pick up a Noble Gift Humanitarian Award for her charity work.

The singer said: "Several years ago I co-founded Camp Mariah, which is part of the Fresh Air Fund. This enables inner-city kids to look at their educational and career opportunities while enjoying camping adventures outside of the city.

"I'm planning on going camping with the kids again next summer."

Source: The Sun

"When Christmas Comes" Video on VEVO
Posted by Jonny on Friday, 16-Dec-2011, 7:51PM EST

The official video "When Christmas Comes," with John Legend, is now available for streaming on Mariah's official VEVO channel.

Source: Marc | VEVO

BMI Holiday Countdown: "All I Want For Christmas Is You"
Posted by Jonny on Sunday, 11-Dec-2011, 12:36AM EST

Hall-decking, bell-jingling, holiday hysteria is upon us, and joining the party is so much more fun than grinching out on the sidelines. So count us in. Here at BMI, we're sharing eight of our favorite holiday songs- check back every Tuesday and Thursday on bmi.com until December 22, the week before Christmas.

Our first three songs debuted in the 1960s. The next entry in the countdown jumps ahead 30 years with Mariah Carey.

In the early 1990s, Mariah Carey was already well on her way to becoming the best-selling artist of the decade. With her powerful 5-octave vocal range and the finesse with which she scaled it, she was revered primarily as a singer and performer- not as a songwriter. But beginning with her career-launching debut album in 1990, Carey has co-written many of the songs that made her a superstar, including "Always Be My Baby," "Hero," "Vision of Love," "One Sweet Day," "I Don't Want to Cry," and "Dreamlover."

Released in 1993, "All I Want for Christmas is You" was also co-written and co-produced by Carey for her fourth studio album, Merry Christmas. The song is a slice of Christmas pop-soul perfection so infectious and heart-warming, it became an instant classic heard everywhere, every holiday season.

Merry Christmas has since sold more than 15 million copies around the world, and "All I Want for Christmas is You" is one of the best-selling holiday songs of all time, inescapable every Christmas in the U.S., Europe and Japan, and the first holiday ringtone to be certified double-platinum. From My Chemical Romance, Lady Antebellum and Michael Buble, to the cast of Glee and Justin Bieber- who made it a duet with Carey herself- a diverse and growing collection of artists have covered the tune. The New Yorker's Sasha Frere-Jones dubbed it "one of the few worthy modern additions to the holiday canon."

"All I Want for Christmas is You" starts off with 23-year-old Carey's trademark vocal command and then launches into a joyride that's sticky sweet as a candy cane but ingeniously constructed, echoing and updating the charm and passion and bittersweet hint of sorrow patented by the Ronettes and Darlene Love.

Carey released a remix of the hit last year on her Merry Christmas II You, which debuted atop the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart - only the second Christmas album ever to do so.

Source: Marc | BMI

Mariah Dominates iTunes Japan Holiday Chart
Posted by Jonny on Thursday, 08-Dec-2011, 10:01PM EST

Mariah currently holds the top 3 spots on the iTunes Japan Top 200 Holiday Songs chart!

1. "All I Want For Christmas Is You (SuperFestive!)" with Justin Beiber (From Under The Mistletoe: Japan Deluxe Edition)
2. "All I Want For Christmas Is You (Extra Festive)" (From Merry Christmas II You
3. "When Christmas Comes" With John Legend

Mariah also appears at #8 on the chart with "All I Want For Christmas Is You (SuperFestive!)" from Under The Mistletoe: Japan Edition.

Source: LoveLoveJack | MariahDailyJournal

"When Christmas Comes" Video Premiere
Posted by Jonny on Monday, 05-Dec-2011, 9:26PM EST

It's that time of year to spread Christmas cheer. Mariah Carey called on John Legend to revamp "When Christmas Comes," a song that was featured on her second holiday album Merry Christmas II You that was released this time last year.

We are excited to announce that the world premiere of the video for this holiday track will drop during A Very BET Christmas special, airing Sunday, December 11th, at 8P/7C.

The special will also include performances from Jacob Lattimore, Robin Thicke, Elle Varner, Monica, Mindless Behavior, Jawan Harris, Lloyd and Robin Thicke.

The whole world feels love when Christmas comes, so make sure you tune in so that BET can help you get in the holiday spirit!

Source: BET | Mariah on Twitter

At Your Request: "All I Want For Christmas Is You"
Posted by Jonny on Monday, 05-Dec-2011, 11:46AM EST

Idolator recently launched "@Your Request," a video series that lets viewers request their favorite song to be played on the site, along with commentary and fun facts about the song.

Today's featured song is "All I Want For Christmas Is You":

The holidays are officially in full swing, and is there any music that provides a better soundtrack to decking the halls, trimming the tree or dusting off the old menorah than that of Mariah Carey? Thanks to today's fabulous requester, Mimi is the focus of our show once again. Below, watch as we breakdown a modern Christmas classic.

Today’s request of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” comes by way of @Mari_Maud who called Mariah the "Queen Of Christmas" — and she’s not exaggerating. This 1994 track took the new Jenny spokeswoman from pop star to full-blown entertainer — exactly the way her then label, Columbia Records, intended. The song has been warming hearts over the holidays for 17 years, becoming the 19th highest digital download ever of songs recorded prior to 2000. Not only has the perennial favorite been given the Justin Bieber "Superfestive" treatment, the Grammy winner has remixed the song twice herself!

Check out the video here.

Source: Melissa | Idolator

New Christmas Special On The Way?
Posted by Jonny on Sunday, 04-Dec-2011, 2:04AM EST

Just hours ago, Mariah tweeted photos of herself taping a new Christmas special:

So many festive moments coming up... stay tuned!

Full shot of the teaser before... me taping a nice Christmas special for the lambs.. hint: "MC"



Mariah has made no secret that Christmas is her favorite time of year. Stay tuned for further details of Mariah's Christmas present for her lambs!

Source: Mariah on Twitter

Reminder: "Super Festive" Video Premiere Tonight!
Posted by Jonny on Wednesday, 30-Nov-2011, 6:46PM EST

Don't forget to tune in to "Christmas At Rockefeller Center" tonight at 8:00 PM EST on NBC to catch the world premiere of the music video for "All I Want For Christmas Is You (Super Festive!)," Mariah's duet with Justin Bieber!

Source: MariahDailyJournal

New Mariah Video To Premiere At Rockefeller Center
Posted by Jonny on Saturday, 26-Nov-2011, 12:57AM EST

Justin Bieber rocked around the Christmas tree with some special guests during a taping of "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" earlier this week. Busta Rhymes marched to the teen sensation's beat on "Drummer Boy," which they performed live for the first time. Biebs rapped his verse before throwing it to Bussa Bus, who put a new spin on the holiday classic. The camera phones came out when Usher hit the stage to duet with his protégé on "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)."

The annual Christmas special, which airs on November 30 at 8 p.m., will also feature the premiere of Justin's video with Mariah Carey for "All I Want for Christmas Is You."

Source: Rap-Up | Rob

"When Christmas Comes" Ringtone Out Dec. 6
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 25-Nov-2011, 3:38AM EST

Mariah's "When Christmas Comes" featuring John Legend will be available on Mastertone and Ringback Tone on Tuesday, December 6.

Source: MariahDailyJournal | Ritcher

"When Christmas Comes" Duet Now Available!
Posted by Jonny on Monday, 21-Nov-2011, 9:05PM EST

"When Christmas Comes," Mariah's duet with John Legend, is now available for digital purchase!

iTunes
Amazon mp3


Mariah and John blend their soulful voices into one beautiful harmony in the revamped version of "When Christmas Comes." -AceShowbiz

Mariah Carey has an obvious talent for writing festive songs for the season. On "When Christmas Comes," she joins John Legend for a sultry duet about giving the gift of love... It's hard to find fault with the holiday duet from two of pop music's most powerful vocalists.-PopCrush

It isn't Christmas without Mariah Carey... (who) has joined forces with John Legend for the cozy tune "When Christmas Comes"... Mariah and John sound just right together. We definitely plan to curl up next to a blazing fire with some hot cocoa to this one come December! -Idolator

Source: MariahDailyJournal | PopCrush | AceShowbiz | Idolator

"When Christmas Comes" Digital Download on Monday
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 19-Nov-2011, 11:40AM EST

The e-single for "When Christmas Comes" featuring John Legend has been delivered to radios yesterday (Radio 4:17 + Main 4:45), and will be available commercially to all digital retailers (Main 4:45) on Monday, November 21, 2011.

Source: MariahDailyJournal | Ritcher

Merry Christmas II You SoundScan Update
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 14-Mar-2011, 12:35PM EDT

Below you will find the SoundScan sales for Merry Christmas II You as of week ending March 6, 2011.

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Billboard Update
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 13-Jan-2011, 5:09PM EST

Below, find Mariah's chart positions in Billboard magazine issue dated January 22, 2011.


Mariah mention in this week's Chart Beat and Ask Billboard:
Britney Spears, who, with the debut of her new song "Hold It Against Me" on Pop Songs, will up her count to 25 chart entries, a sum bested only by Mariah Carey (29) and Madonna (26) in the chart's 18-year history.

With 31.6 million albums sold, Spears ranks as the 16th-best-selling album artist since SoundScan began tracking sales in 1991. In that span, Spears places fourth among women, trailing only Mariah Carey (53.2 million), Celine Dion (51.1 million) and Shania Twain (34 million).

Merry Christmas II You 1/22/11 SoundScan Sales
Here are the 10 top seasonal sets released in 2010, according to SoundScan (Billboard magazine dated 1/22/11):

Sales to date, Title, Artist
1,857,000, "The Gift," Susan Boyle
1,013,000, "O Holy Night" (EP), Jackie Evancho
918,000, "Glee: the Music, the Christmas Album," "Glee" cast
432,000, "Merry Christmas II You," Mariah Carey
279,000, "A Merry Little Christmas" (EP), Lady Antebellum
240,000, " NOW That's What I Call Christmas! 4," various artists
179,000, "Christmas Cornucopia," Annie Lennox
136,000, " Joy to the World," Pink Martini
108,000, " Sleigh Ride: Side By Side," various artists
90,000, "Christmas," Celtic Thunder

Source: Billboard

Billboard Update
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 06-Jan-2011, 9:44AM EST

Below, find Mariah's chart positions in Billboard magazine issue dated January 15, 2011.

Source: Billboard | MariahDailyJournal | BrainDamage

Merry Christmas II You 1/8/11 SoundScan Sales
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 05-Jan-2011, 12:26PM EST

From Billboard magazine issue dated January 8, 2011 (last week's issue). Merry Christmas II You, in its 8th week, moved 65,122 copies, that's 8,726 less copies or a 12% drop from previous week's.


Below are the weekly Billboard 200 rankings and SoundScan sales for Merry Christmas II You, release to date.

Source: Billboard | OldBloke | MariahDailyJournal

Billboard: 5 Great 'Auld Lang Syne' Performances
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 04-Jan-2011, 10:16AM EST

At the stroke of midnight on January 1, revelers around the world wearing ridiculous hats will join arms with their loved ones and try to sing "Auld Lang Syne." We say "try" because, despite the fact that the Scottish song was composed more than 200 years ago, no one really seems to know the words. (Which makes sense, as most of us only attempt to sing it only once a year, in intoxicated states where remembering our own names is enough of a challenge.)

In an effort to start 2011 off on the right notes, Billboard has assembled videos of a few artists who do know the words to the song, and sing them well. Check out five of their favorite "Auld Lang Syne" performances, and listen as Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand and more wish you a happy new year!


1. Mariah Carey (2010) — The diva starts off the way mom and dad remember it, but then quickly takes us to the club.

2. Aretha Franklin & Billy Preston (1987) — The Queen of Soul and the "Fifth Beatle" give the tune a soulful twist.

3. Barbra Streisand (2000) — Babs reinterprets the song and leads a duet with 13,000 fans.

4. The Beach Boys (From the 1983 album "Beach Boys Rarities") — Brian Wilson & the Boys flesh out the simple tune with their distinctive, dizzying harmonies.

5. Jimi Hendrix (1970) — The guitar god proves you don't even need lyrics to ring in the new year right.

Source: Billboard

MDJ-Exclusive: Full Audio - ABC Christmas Special Taping
Posted by Lynn on Sunday, 02-Jan-2011, 11:22PM EST

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
Listen to the full audio of the ABC Christmas Special Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas To You show taping at The Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, California on Saturday, November 6, 2010. This MDJ-exclusive audio includes all of Mariah's performances (plus retakes) and behind-the-scenes moments.

Below is the sequence of songs as Mariah performed them. You can either download each song individually, or the entire show at once.

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Fan Video: Best of Mariah 2010
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 01-Jan-2011, 10:43AM EST

Regina from the Lambs Go Hard team created this wonderfully done video highlighting the best of Mariah moments in 2010. You can leave your comments about her video here.

Source: Regina

"Auld Lang Syne" World TV Premiere on FOX
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 01-Jan-2011, 4:32AM EST

Check out the world TV premiere of Mariah's "Auld Lang Syne (The New Year's Anthem)" on FOX's New Year's Eve Live tonight!


[ Download a video file here ]

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Mariah's "Holiday Mashup" Makes Billboard's 2010 Faves
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 31-Dec-2010, 8:30PM EST

Gary Trust in his weekly Billboard column Ask Billboard names his picks for Best of 2010. Mariah and the Jump Smokers' "Oh Santa! All I Want for Christmas Is You (Holiday Mashup)" makes it onto his list of Favorite New Holiday Songs.

Favorite New Holiday Songs
5, "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day," Wilson Phillips
4, "Your Holiday Song," Indigo Girls
3, "Oh Santa! All I Want for Christmas Is You (Holiday Mashup)," Mariah Carey
2, "All I Really Want for Christmas," "Family Guy" cast
1, "Deck the Rooftop," "Glee" cast

Source: Billboard

"Auld Lang Syne" Premiering Tonight on FOX
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 31-Dec-2010, 10:21AM EST

The ultimate year-end bash "New Year's Eve Live" hosted by Nancy O'Dell and filming on-location at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and New York City's Times Square will feature the broadcast premiere of Mariah's music video of the New Year's classic, "Auld Lang Syne," from her new album, Merry Christmas II You.

The year-end special is airing tonight, December 31 at 11:00pm-12:30am ET live (CT/MT/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

Source: FOX

"Auld Lang Syne" #5 on 1/1 Billboard Dance Singles Sales
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 30-Dec-2010, 3:44PM EST

"Auld Lang Syne (The New Year's Anthem)," Mariah Carey
Thanks to a comprehensive radio edit featuring clips of historic news events of the 20th century, Kenny G's rendition of the holiday's most recognizable song soared to No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2000. Carey's version from her new album, "Merry Christmas II You," bowed last week at No. 5 on the Dance Singles Sales chart.

Source: Billboard

Flashback: "Jesus Oh What A Wonderful Child" A Capella
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 28-Dec-2010, 3:08PM EST

You may or may not have heard this before. In the audio below, Mariah does an amazing impromptu a capella snippet of "Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child" live on-air with her background singers Kelly Price, Shanrae Price and Melonie Daniels during a radio promo for Merry Christmas in 1994.


[ Download an audio file here ]

Source: MariahDailyJournal | Allan

Mariah on Billboard's Chart Highlights This Week
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 27-Dec-2010, 7:25PM EST

Chart Highlights offers a weekly sneak peek at a select group of Billboard charts with their respective top songs, Greatest Gainers and debuts. This week, Mariah has once again topped the Adult Contemporary and Holiday Songs charts.

Adult Contemporary
*** No. 1 *** "Oh Santa!" Mariah Carey
Greatest Gainer No. 8 "September" Daughtry
Debut No. 23 "Secrets" OneRepublic

Holiday Songs
*** No. 1 *** "All I Want For Christmas Is You" Mariah Carey
Greatest Gainer "O Holy Night" Celine Dion

Source: Billboard

Video: Mariah on "NBA Christmas Special"
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 27-Dec-2010, 1:13AM EST

Just like last year, Mariah helped make the "NBA Christmas Special" this year fun and festive with her "All I Want For Christmas Is You" NBA-exclusive video as well as clips from her "Oh Santa!" video. Mariah kicked off each of the 5 basketball games, and would again appear at first and third quarter-ends while game highlights were being shown. We've captured all of Mariah's appearances on this year's "NBA Christmas Special" in the video below.


[ This video may not be viewed in some countries but you can still
see it by downloading a video file here. ]

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Chinese Fans Celebrate the Release of MCIIY
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 27-Dec-2010, 1:04AM EST

The Chinese fans celebrated the release of Mariah's new holiday album Merry Christmas II You in a party hosted by UMG China at the Tango Club in Yonghegong, Beijing on Friday, December 24th. The first 50 fans who arrived at the venue received their special Mariah Carey gift packages that included a Merry Christmas II You poster, a Mariah Carey Christmas Card and iPod skin. Mariah's songs/remixes and music videos were played and fans had a festive time dancing and singing along to the Mariah tunes. Congratulations to UMG China and the Chinese fans on a very successful event! Check out some pictures from the party below.

Source: AMC11

Audio: "Mariah's Holiday Heat" on Sirius XM The Heat
Posted by Lynn on Sunday, 26-Dec-2010, 12:17PM EST

Mariah hosted her own Christmas show called "Mariah Carey's Holiday Heat" on Sirius XM's The Heat playing and talking about some of the songs from her new Christmas album Merry Christmas II You as well as some songs from her first Christmas album Merry Christmas. This one-hour Mariah Carey special was broadcast on December 24 and 25.


[ Download an audio file here ]

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Videos: Mariah on ABC's Disney Christmas Parade
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 25-Dec-2010, 4:16PM EST

Mariah Performs "Oh Santa!"
Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade - ABC, Dec. 25, 2010
Download: HD | DVD | iPod Video | MP3


Mariah Performs "All I Want For Christmas Is You"
Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade - ABC, Dec. 25, 2010
Download: HD | DVD | iPod Video | MP3
Before the TV broadcast of "Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade," Radio Disney aired an hour-long special that featured behind-the-scenes interviews and sneak previews of performances by stars of the parade. Listen to Mariah's interview below. It is actually an excerpt from her interview with Ernie D that originally aired on Nov. 23. Also included in the audio below is Sean Kingston's interview in which he says "All I Want For Christmas Is You" is his favorite Christmas song.

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Mariah Carey: Queen of Christmas 2010
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 25-Dec-2010, 3:10PM EST

If there's any celebrity who deserves the title of Queen of Christmas 2010, it's got to be Mariah Carey. In the last few months, she released a new Christmas album and scored a bona fide, chart-topping Christmas hit with "Oh Santa."

The festive diva also starred in her own ABC Christmas special and sang on NBC's Christmas in Rockefeller Center special. On top of that, she performed for President Obama and his family on the annual TNT special Christmas in Washington.

Oh, and her song "All I Want for Christmas Is You" continues to be one of the most popular holiday tunes ever, topping Billboard's chart of the 100 Most Popular Seasonal Songs.

Carey said that she believes "All I Want for Christmas Is You," which first came out in 1994, continues to be so popular, year after year, because its sound truly is timeless.

"It didn't really seem like, 'OK, this is done in the 1990s,'" she said. "It almost felt like an older song, like from the fifties or sixties. And to me, part of the success of the song is because I wasn't trying to be current. I was trying to do sort of a retro thing."

In past years, Carey has celebrated Christmas by taking hubby Nick Cannon and a bunch of friends to Aspen, Colo., where they enjoy sleigh rides, jumping into hot tubs and literally rolling in the snow. That won't be happening this year, though, since Carey is pregnant with twins.

But she says that's not her favorite Christmas activity anyway. "One of the things we really like to do is go to church on Christmas and have, like, a candlelight moment," Carey told ABC News Radio. " That's been a really kind of intimate, real Christmas tradition that we have, as well as all the other silly stuff that I do."

There's one tradition she will definitely miss this year due to her pregnancy, though — drinking hot chocolate with butterscotch schnapps.

Source: ABC News

Mariah's Holiday Treat on XM Radio Tomorrow!
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 24-Dec-2010, 7:22PM EST

Be sure to tune in! You can register for a Free 30-Day Pass here (credit card required). Thanks to Mariah for alerting us on Twitter!

Source: Mariah | MariahDailyJournal

Mariah's Christmas TV Special Airing Around The World
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 24-Dec-2010, 12:01PM EST

Here are the airing schedule for Mariah's ABC Christmas Special Merry Christmas To You around the world. If your country is not listed below and you know when the TV Special is showing in your country, e-mail us at contact@mariahjournal.com.


Asian fans, check our previously-posted airing schedule for Mariah's TV Special here.

In conjunction with the premiere of "Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas To You" on Asian TV, the "Team Asia" Facebook group is holding a contest for a chance to win a pair of exclusive Mariah Carey pins. Contest details here.

Source: MariahDailyJournal | Stamos | Ray | Hairul | Tenille | Acairo | Persa | Victory

Mariah Carey Loves Christmas II
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 24-Dec-2010, 11:56AM EST

Mariah Carey decided to release a new Christmas album because she was unhappy with her first effort.

The "All I Want for Christmas Is You" singer who is currently pregnant with twins, her first children with husband Nick Cannon, says she wanted to release Merry Christmas II You because she can't listen to her first festive release Merry Christmas, which came out in 1994, without being critical of it.

She said: "Merry Christmas II You is like the sequel to my first Christmas album. Every Christmas, I listen to it and I love certain songs, but on some of them I'm like, 'I hate this vocal performance.' So I decided to do this album."

The pop star is due to give birth to her babies in spring 2011 but she still intends to release an LP next year.

She told Britain's HELLO! magazine: "I'll start writing songs at some point soon, because that's a creative process and I think this is a creative time in my life."

Source: ContactMusic UK

Mariah Interview in Paris Match, France
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 23-Dec-2010, 6:08PM EST

A Perfectly Happy Christmas Mother
Paris Match (France) - December 29, 2010 Issue
Paris Match: Why another tribute to the Christmas season?
Mariah Carey: I love Christmas. It's the period of the year I love listening to songs with my family, with my friends. Doing another Christmas album sounding different was one of my dreams. So for the first time I recorded everything live with 100 musicians.

The 13 songs are both classic and completely modern.
I wanted a classic Christmas album like Nat King Cole's, but also an album for the younger generation and for all generations to enjoy. With one of my studio engineers, Marc Shaiman, we wanted to put the synth sound aside without being too cheesy.

The great surprise on the album is the duet with your mother Patricia who was a singing teacher and an opera singer.
We wanted to work together for many years. My mother is an amazing singer. This album was the opportunity to collaborate, even though it wasn't easy. We had to mix our two worlds: my mum's opera vocal range and my R&B sound. What was funny is that for a change it was me who told my mother what to do.

She was your singing teacher. Was she harsh?
She never imposed anything on me. At home, my brother, my sister and I, we were into R&B. Stevie Wonder was a God for us, not Mozart's operas.

On the pictures we can see a dog. Is that your beloved Jack Russell terrier?
Yes, it's JJ. Our dog Cha-Cha gave birth to 8 puppies not so long ago and we kept all of them. It's out of control. We have been advised to neuter her but Nick and I didn't want to.

With this album, your twins will have songs made especially for them, "made in mummy," to celebrate their future Christmas.
I recorded the album this past summer. It's only when I started recording "One Child" that I found out I was pregnant. I sang the song with a children's choir behind me. I felt inspired, like I was connected.

When your children are born, how are you going to manage the fits of jealousy of Cha-Cha, your dog.
Cha-Cha loves swimming. I'll throw her into the pool.

You look stunning as a Christmas mother immortalized by David LaChapelle.
I wanted the same pose, the same artwork as the first album. By the way, I wore the same dress. David LaChapelle gave a very traditional, very 1940s touch to it.

Source: Paris Match | Scan & Translation: Sam

Download "Oh Santa!" For Free!
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 23-Dec-2010, 12:41PM EST

Amazon is offering a FREE MP3 music download credit of $2.00, and you can apply this credit to download "Oh Santa!" for free!

Click here and follow the directions to apply the code GIVEMP3S. Your Amazon account will automatically receive a $2.00 credit. Then find "Oh Santa!" ($0.99), also add any one of the "Oh Santa!" Remixes ($0.99) and download!

Amazon's promotional offer is valid from Dec. 23, 2010 12:00am PST through Dec. 26, 2010 11:59pm PST. Don't snooze!

Source: Amazon | Roland

Billboard Update
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 23-Dec-2010, 7:14AM EST

Below, find Mariah's chart positions in Billboard magazine issue dated January 1, 2011.

Source: MariahDailyJournal | Billboard

"Oh Santa!" Debuts at #100 on Hot 100
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 23-Dec-2010, 7:11AM EST

Mariah's festive holiday song "Oh Santa!" makes its first appearance on Billboard Hot 100 at #100 this week and becomes her 43rd career entry on the chart.

1. Vision of Love #1, 4 weeks 2. Love Takes Time #1, 3 weeks 3. Someday #1 - 2 weeks 4. I Don't Wanna Cry #1, 2 weeks 5. Emotions #1, 3 weeks 6. Can't Let Go #2 7. Make It Happen #5 8. I'll Be There #1, 2 weeks 9. Dreamlover #1, 8 weeks 10. Hero #1 - 4 weeks 11. Without You/Never Forget You #3 12. Anytime You Need A Friend #12 13. Endless Love #2 14. Fantasy #1, 8 weeks 15. One Sweet Day #1, 16 weeks 16. Always Be My Baby #1, 2 weeks 17. Honey #1, 3 weeks 18. My All #1, 1 week 19. When You Believe #15 20. I Still Believe #4 21. Heartbreaker #1, 2 weeks 22. Thank God I Found You #1, 1 week

23. Crybaby #28 24. All I Want For Christmas Is You #83 25. Loverboy #2 26. Never Too Far/Hero Medley #81 27. Through The Rain #81 28. I Know What You Want #3 29. U Make Me Wanna #21 30. It's Like That #16 31. We Belong Together #1, 14 weeks 32. Shake It Off #2 33. Don't Forget About Us #1, 2 weeks 34. Say Somethin' #79 35. Touch My Body #1, 2 weeks 36. Bye Bye #19 37. Migrate #92 38. I'll Be Lovin' U Long Time #58 39. My Love #82 40. Obsessed #7 41. I Want To Know What Love Is #60 42. Up Out Of My Face #100 43. Oh Santa! #100

Source: MariahDailyJournal | Chris

Annie Lennox Fire For Mariah Carey
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 22-Dec-2010, 11:27PM EST

Scottish powerhouse Annie Lennox admits All I Want For Christmas Is You warbler Mariah Carey is still her favourite fellow songbird.

Despite having her own festive album A Christmas Cornucopia in the shops, Annie still loves hearing Mariah's biggest selling Christmas song.

The 55-year-old told Magic 105.4: "Whatever you feel about Mariah Carey, when you hear her sing, ohh my God! I've never heard a voice like that!"

Source: Daily Star UK

"Oh Santa!" Makes "Best" Lists
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 22-Dec-2010, 9:06PM EST

Billboard's Best Of 2010


E! Online's Best Christmas Music of 2010

Source: Billboard | E! Online

"Auld Lang Syne" to Premiere on "New Year's Eve Live"
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 21-Dec-2010, 9:40PM EST

The ultimate year-end bash "New Year's Eve Live" hosted by Nancy O'Dell and filming on-location at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas and New York City's Times Square will feature the broadcast premiere of Mariah's music video of the New Year's classic, "Auld Lang Syne," from her new album, Merry Christmas II You.

The year-end special is airing on Friday, December 31 (11:00pm-12:30am ET live; CT/MT/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

Source: FOX TV

"AIWFCIY" #4 on RS' Greatest Rock&Roll Christmas Songs
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 21-Dec-2010, 7:33PM EST

Mariah's classic holiday jingle, "All I Want For Christmas Is You" makes Rolling Stone's Top 15 "Greatest Rock and Roll Christmas Songs" at No. 4.

Source: Rolling Stone | Marc

Mariah on Billboard's Chart Highlights This Week
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 21-Dec-2010, 12:21PM EST

Chart Highlights offers a sneak peek at a select group of Billboard charts with their respective top songs, Greatest Gainers and debuts. In this week's report, Mariah dominates both the Adult Contemporary and Holidays Songs charts.

Adult Contemporary
*** No. 1 ***/Greatest Gainer "Oh Santa!" Mariah Carey
Debut No. 28 "The Most Wonderful Day Of The Year" Glee Cast
Debut No. 30 "Christmas Lights" Coldplay

Holiday Songs
*** No. 1 *** "All I Want For Christmas Is You" Mariah Carey
Greatest Gainer "Oh Santa!" Mariah Carey

Source: Billboard

News Tidbits
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 21-Dec-2010, 10:59AM EST

• Mariah's "Auld Lang Syne" is played in the background of the TV commercial for the Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve With Ryan Seacrest special. You can view the commercial here.

• More Mariah surprises in 2011, and possibly a DVD release of her ABC special "Merry Christmas To You," as revealed by Mariah on Twitter.

• Fuse TV is airing "Mariah Carey Takeover" all day on Friday, December 24. "Oh Santa!" will be featured on the 12/24 takeover along with "All I Want For Christmas Is You" and several of Mariah's biggest recent hits. Be sure to tune in!

• Mariah is competing in the Grand Finale of Hello! Magazine's "Most Elegant Woman 2010." Vote for Mariah here!

• Mariah is featured in the new book "1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die: And 10,001 You Must Download" with her 1997 song "Breakdown." Also listed are "Anytime You Need A Friend," "Emotions," "Fantasy," "Honey," "Vision Of Love," and "One Sweet Day."

• "All I want for Christmas Is You" was played during the holiday episode of Warehouse 13 on Syfy.

• More pictures have been added to our Merry Christmas II You Fan Photo Gallery.

INTERNATIONAL NEWSBITS
• Attention Singaporean Fans: Here's your chance to win a Merry Christmas II You Limited Edition Deluxe Collector's Box Set! Universal Music Singapore via the Mariah Carey - Team Asia Facebook page is giving away this amazing collector's box set to one lucky winner who will "In 50 words, creatively tell us how you would celebrate Christmas with Mariah Carey." Simply post your answer in the comments section here. Contest ends on Friday, December 24.

• The Jump Smokers' mashup remix of "Oh Santa!/All I Want For Christmas Is You" has now been released in Germany. German fans can download the song at Amazon.de for €0,97.

• Sieraaj sends us this very nice review of Merry Christmas II You, written by his friend Tauhir Swart ("who's not even that big a fan!") for one of South Africa's top portals, iAfrica. In Croatia, web magazine Sound Guardian gives Merry Christmas II You a rating of 4 out of 5 stars in its review of the album.

• HMV UK has listed a new 2-discs "The Essential: Mariah Carey" album, priced at £11.99, that's scheduled for release on January 10, 2011. Track listing not currently available. Update: This album is actually a repackaged re-release of the Greatest Hits CD. You can see the track listing at Amazon UK. Thanks to Mike!

• Wojtek sent us a photo of the Merry Christmas II You display at the Polish music store Media Market in Wroclaw. Allan sent in a scan from the 12/13 Philippine Daily Inquirer's credit cards special section. The text reads: "I used my credit card to buy eight copies of Mariah Carey's 'Merry Christmas II You' holiday album last month. I also used it to order a couple of more copies from the United States and Singapore." --Bianca, life insurance agent.

• Northern Ireland hockey team Belfast Giants made a music video for Christmas to Mariah's "All I Want For Christmas Is You." The video starts with a few players lip-syncing and then breaks out into the team dancing. Also, check this flash mob to Mariah's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" at Flatlron Crossing's food court in Boulder, CO.

• Popular radio station Rock Detente in Montreal, Canada wants to know what the best Christmas song is. Vote for "All I Want For Christmas Is You" here!

• Click here to view the promo spot for Merry Christmas II You on Finnish TV.

• To the right are pictures of life-size Mariah Carey photo displays for Merry Christmas II You at Astroplus-SM City The Block and Astrovision-Trinoma in Manila, Philippines.

• Mariah's Barretos show was voted the Best Show of 2010 in a poll conducted by the Brazilian site R7 Entretenimento. Mariah garnered 27.6% of the total votes, followed closely behind by Eminem with 26.6%, Jonas Brothers at #3 with 15.4%.

• Merry Christmas II You is this week album of the week on Radio Otvoreni, the biggest Croatian radio station. On the radio station's Airplay chart, "All I Want For Christmas Is You" is at #15 while "Oh Santa!" is a new entry at #17.

MARIAH MENTIONS
• Rapper Asher Roth names his 3 favorite holiday songs and one of them is a Mariah song, he says: "I'd say Mariah Carey's... that Santa Claus song where she's all sexy in her Santa Claus outfit. That's pretty special." Alison Sweeney (Biggest Losers and Days Of Our Lives) has "All I Want For Christmas Is You - Extra Festive" on her Holiday Tunes playlist.

MARIAH COVERS
• Rising Contemporary artist Jafar Idris plays saxophone cover versions of Mariah's H.A.T.E.U., Angels Cry and Mine Again. Singer/songwriter Bradley White-Dale from London, UK did a cover of "Vision Of Love" in his live show at Shadow Lounge in London's Soho.

FANS' CORNER
• Fan Videos: 1) Joseph covers Mariah's "Angels Cry" here. 2) Aaron created this "vocal range" video for Merry Christmas II You. 3) The Italian Glittering Mariah members Alessio, Giorgia, Alessio and Valentino get festive in this music video they created for "Oh Santa!" 4) Carol and some Brazilian fans send their Christmas wishes to Mariah in this video. 5) San Francisco's drag queen troup, The Rice Rockettes perform a festive Mariah Carey tribute with their "All I Want For Christmas Is You" number in this video (2:20 mark). 6) Alei hits all the high notes in his rendition of Mariah's "O Holy Night" here. 7) A male version of "Oh Santa!" by Ryan here. 8) Kevin with his acoustic guitar cover of "Oh Santa!" here. 9) Teck and his band perform "All I Want For Christmas Is You" in this video. 10) Rocky performs "O Holy Night" MC-style in this video. 11) Marcos created this music video for "H.A.T.E.U." Jump Smokers Remix. 12) Patrick covers Mariah's "O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus" here.

• Fan Art: Thanks to the following for sharing their work with us: Nicole (drawing), Anthony (drawing), Christian (MC collage), Christopher ("Breakdown" tattoo), Diego (MC & Mom collages), Victor ("When Christmas Comes" cover), Vahe (MCIIY card).


• Fan Sites: 1) Our good friend Celine has launched her new French Mariah Carey site called Mariah Carey Cannon. 2) Benjamin created a Facebook group called Mariah Carey Puerto Rico for all the Puerto Rican fans. 3) Crystal re-launched her Mariah Collection site with a new name: A Hint Of Mariah. 3) The Lambs Directory's "Lil' Lambie" is embarking on a worldwide tour come January 2011 to visit as many fans as it can. Visit The Lamb Directory to find out how you can be a part of their fan project.

• Fan Photos: Kevin recently made a special trip to Clarendon Plantation in Beaufort, SC where the "Butterfly" video was shot. "It was private property and not open to the public but I snuck in anyways and started taking pictures. It was cool to be in the same place as the legendary video."


And here are photos by Anna Beatriz from the Merry Christmas II You Fan Party held at Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Dec. 11.


And more fan pictures: Brendan's little Molly in Walmart, Maurie & Matthew's Merry Christmas II You holiday card, Josue's Mariah card and cake that he received from his co-workers on his birthday.


• Reina is organizing a baby shower in honor of Mariah and her upcoming new babies. If you are in Los Angeles and would like to join her party and create a fan book of "baby shower lamb moments," e-mail her at reinacreole@netzero.net.

Source: MariahDailyJournal | Hairul | UMG Singapore | Jeremy | Joshua | Carol | Laura | Sieraaj | Stevyy | Pascal | Marc | Fuse TV | Ricky Ken | Brendan | Vitor | Hello Marketing | Patrick | Tiina | Rap-Up | Andrew | Kevin | Ben | Can | Wojtek | Allan | Crystal | Anna Beatriz | Bradley | Celine | Christian | Christopher | Ila | Joseph | Maurie | Victor | Josue | Ryan | Vahe | Reina | Kex520 | Maxriah | Bob | Alexandra | Bojan | Reinaldo | Rocky | Mike | Marcos | Patrick | Bojan | Randy

"Christmas Time Is Here" Writer Happy with Mariah's Cover
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 20-Dec-2010, 2:14PM EST

When word that Mariah Carey was doing a cover to the classic Peanuts tune "Christmas Time Is Here" for her new holiday album "Merry Christmas II You," not only did fans of Charlie Brown and Friends do a Snoopy dance, but the writer of the timeless song was thrilled as well.

Almost 45 years after it was first heard as part of the "A Charlie Brown Christmas" special, Lee Mendelson still marvels at how it came to be and has endured for generations.

Chicago Now: First off the news is that Mariah Carey has her new Christmas album out now and she decided to cover "Christmas Time is Here." Did that come as a surprise to you or were you aware that she was going to do that?
Lee Mendelson: Of course they called ahead to check because they were also thinking of doing it on her television special, which she did. But we've been very honored over the years and have had over a hundred people cover it. Last year it was Tony Bennett, Sarah McLachlan, Kenny Loggins; way back, Mel Torme and Rosemary Clooney, so it's been quite a thrill to have all these great artists, particularly Mariah Carey who's been one of my favorites forever. So it's always special when somebody wants to do the song, particularly since the song almost never happened. When we finished "A Charlie Brown Christmas" it was just an instrumental. You know the skating in the opening scene? I said maybe we should try and put some words to it, and I called songwriters I knew in Hollywood and they were all busy. So there was an envelope at my kitchen table and just sat down and put dots and dashes for the short notes and the long notes, and the poem just came to me, "Christmas Time is Here." I wrote it in about ten minutes. So we changed it, gave it to Vince Guaraldi who happened to be working with the children's choir at the time. They recorded it at the very last minute, and that's how it got on the show. That's how it happened 45 years ago.

CN: Looking at how these specials have been received over the decades by different generations, and the song keeps finding different voices of expression, what are your hopes for the future of the song and these characters?
LM: Well, to quote "our cup runneth over." It just seems to go on and on. I think Mariah singing it on her show, and Johnny Mathis sang it on Oprah a couple of weeks ago, which is a thrill. With Mariah singing it, with an artist of her stature, we hope some other artists will pick it up. Hopefully it will go on for quite a while, and the characters I think will live forever. I think they'll be a part of our culture forever. And all of this, whether it's the music, or the animation or the actors, the stories, it all goes back to the genius of Charles Schulz. It all goes back to the comic strip, his brilliance, his genius. As a wonderful artist, a philosopher, comedian if you will. So it all comes right down to the philosophy of Charles Schulz that make all of us as successful as we were. So we're very grateful to him, his family and to their long association.

Source: Chicago Now

Mariah's ABC Christmas Special Airing in Asia
Posted by Lynn on Sunday, 19-Dec-2010, 9:43PM EST

Mariah's Christmas TV special Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas To You which was shown recently on ABC in the U.S. featuring songs from her classic holiday album, Merry Christmas, and her new album, Merry Christmas II You is scheduled to air on Asian TV!

Asian Cable channels Star World Asia and Channel [V] will broadcast the "Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas To You" special on Friday, December 24 and Saturday, December 25. To find out when Mariah's Christmas special is airing in your country, check the TV listings at Star World Asia and Channel [V].

Hong Kong
on Channel [V]
Friday, Dec. 24 at 10:00pm HKT
Saturday, Dec. 25 at 11:00am HKT

India
On Zee Cafe
Saturday, Dec. 25 at 9:00am & 5:30pm IST

Indonesia
On Star World
Friday, Dec. 24 at 11:15pm JKT
Saturday, Dec. 25 at 5:10pm JKT

Philippines
On Star World
Saturday, Dec. 25 at 7:10pm PHT

Singapore
On Star World
Friday, Dec. 24 at 12:15am SGT
Saturday, Dec. 25 at 5:10pm SGT

Taiwan
On Star World
Friday, Dec. 24 at 12:15am TWT
Saturday, Dec. 25 at 6:10pm TWT
On MTV
Saturday, Dec. 25 at 8:00pm TWT
Sunday, Dec. 26 at 3:00am TWT

Source: Star World Asia | Channel [V] | Hairul | Pieter | Varun

Mariah on NBA's Christmas Day Coverage
Posted by Lynn on Sunday, 19-Dec-2010, 12:07PM EST

It's that magical time of the year and ESPN has teamed up with Mariah Carey again to make ESPN's NBA Christmas coverage extra festive! 5 great games featuring the biggest superstars in the league and Mariah's hit singles, "All I Want For Christmas Is You" and "Oh Santa!"

Source: MariahCarey.com

Videos: Mariah on "Christmas In Washington"
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 18-Dec-2010, 2:27AM EST

Mariah Performs "One Child"
Christmas In Washington, TNT, Dec. 17, 2010
Download: HD | DVD | iPod Video | MP3 Audio


Mariah Performs "O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus"
Christmas In Washington, TNT, Dec. 17, 2010
Download: HD | DVD | iPod Video | MP3 Audio


Pres. Obama Christmas Message & "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"
Christmas In Washington, TNT, Dec. 17, 2010
Download: HD | DVD

Source: MariahDailyJournal

New "When Christmas Comes" Fan Video
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 17-Dec-2010, 10:59PM EST

Watch the new Fan Video for "When Christmas Comes" here!
The video was created from footage submitted by Mariah fans from around the world creating a truly festive video for Mariah's new original song "When Christmas Comes" from her new holiday album Merry Christmas II You.

Congratulations to the following fans whose footage was included in the "When Christmas Comes" video: mcbob8sky, BlanketXtheXworld, Brittney939, DJK185, FanMC24, glitterman, ibrahimlovesmariah, meo4356, powmirage, Simply Shaun, tazirishlamb, thepepecruz, xxxMATVlxxx, YoBoiNewnue

According to Mariah's message at the end of the video this may be the start of a new holiday tradition so get out those video cameras this Christmas and record your festive moments for next year!

Source: MariahCarey.com

MCIIY Gets a Release Date in China, Finally!
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 17-Dec-2010, 2:06PM EST

After a long-drawn wait, the Chinese fans will finally get their hands on Mariah's holiday album, Merry Christmas II You! Universal Music China has announced today the release date for Merry Christmas II You in China. It is slated to hit record stores all over China on Christmas Day, December 25.

To celebrate the release of Merry Christmas II You, UMG China will be hosting a Release Premiere party at Tangguo Club in Yonghegong, Beijing at 10:00pm on Friday, December 24th.

The Merry Christmas II You release party is free for all the fans. The first 50 to arrive at the event will receive special Mariah Carey gifts. Lots of fun and surprises are in store for the attendees. Mariah's Christmas songs/remixes and music videos will be played during the event. There will be dance routines, singing, and sampling of Mariah's Christmas cookies! What more? Be one of the first to own Mariah's #1 Holiday album in China before it hits the stores as Merry Christmas II You will be on sale at the party venue.

Photos of the poster and invitation for the UMG China Merry Christmas II You release party are below.

Source: UMG China | MariahDailyJournal

Get Merry Christmas II You For Only $2.99
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 17-Dec-2010, 12:41PM EST

Download Merry Christmas II You from Amazon for only $2.99! This exclusive offer is for a limited time only so download your copy now!

Source: MariahCarey.com

Mariah Covers Malaysia's Life & Times
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 17-Dec-2010, 9:31AM EST

Carey's New Christmas Jam
Life & Times, New Straits Times (Malaysia) - December 17, 2010
Her first Christmas album was an instant hit. Sixteen Christmases on, Mariah Carey looks set to repeat her success with the follow-up

When Mariah Carey first released the 1994 holiday album Merry Christmas, it became an instant classic, with the song All I Want For Christmas Is You becoming the best-selling holiday ringtone in the United States with total sales of over 10 million copies worldwide.

Naturally, a second Christmas album is in order. Enter Merry Christmas II You, the diva's 13th studio album.

Produced by industry bigwigs such as Antonio L.A. Reid, Bryan-Michael Cox, Jermaine Dupri, Randy Jackson, James Poyser, Marc Shaiman, James "Big Jim" Wright and Carey's longtime collaborator Walter Afanasieff, it has already spawned the hit single Oh Santa!, which Carey co-wrote.

Rolling Stone is full of praises of the album: "Half of the disc's originals are ballads (and) thick with gooey orchestration, but Mariah bops to a schoolyard-chant beat on Oh Santa! and digs out a retro groove for When Christmas Comes", adding that the album's "warm heart is in the right place".

Here Carey, who has earned the title as the world's best-selling recording artiste of the 1990s, gives a lowdown of her new album, courtesy of Island Def Jam Music/Universal Music.

Tell us about this new album
I wrote my first Christmas album when I started my career. The song All I Want For Christmas Is You was written in a little room with a Casio keyboard. So when I decided to do this new Christmas album, I did use the first album as sort of a template, but I wanted to make it even more sophisticated musically.

I was inspired by the traditional tunes of Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby. I really love those albums. I also enjoyed the festive-sounding ones like those by The Jackson 5. As a result, there are different influences in this album.

I also wanted it to be like "Part 2" of the Merry Christmas album. I wanted to keep it classic, traditional, festive and happy and have a warm feeling for the holidays so people will love it.

The first single Oh Santa! came from the same musical inspiration I had with All I Want For Christmas Is You.

Tell us about Oh Santa!
Oh Santa! is a new song I wrote with my friend Jermaine Dupri. We did We Belong Together, Always Be My Baby and a lot of others over the years. We worked on this album with our friend Bryan-Michael Cox.

I knew that I wanted the song to be something like writing a letter to Santa Claus. It is hard once you've already written a Christmas classic with All I Want For Christmas Is You. A lot of people have grown up with that song, but Oh Santa! is different.

Oh Santa! has a similar feeling, but it has a 1960s feel and at the same time is still contemporary. We wanted to keep it very simple in terms of the music.

We also put in a beautiful orchestra in the intro, which is written and arranged by Mark Shaiman. He wrote the symphonic intro of Santa Claus Is Coming To Town for Oh Santa! before going into the song. He also added a new intro for (the new version of) All I Want For Christmas Is You.

This is your second holiday album in 16 years. Why this year?
It's been a long time since my first Christmas album and I really loved making that album. It just felt right in my life now to create this type of music and I was fortunate enough to be able to work mostly from home.

There are many traditional songs on the album, and I did a lot of arranging, too. I took a classic like Little Drummer Boy and mixed it with O Little Town Of Bethlehem.

Every year, I look forward to Christmas, and I want to make sure that with the new album I will do something that I would love to listen to for the rest of my life. I want to feel like this is something that you can put on from the beginning all the way to the end.

You re-recorded All I Want For Christmas Is You for this album. How did you make it different?
When I decided to re-do it, I realised that most people love the original. So I asked Mark to do something beautiful for the introduction of the song. We cut the entire track and put it on live instrumentation as opposed to programmed music.

It's essentially the same track, but we re-did it from scratch so there's a bit more soul because live music cuts everything from the beginning. Even the piano is more "sober" towards the end.

I even brought back some of the girls who sang backup in the original. One of them is Melonie Daniels, who is a fantastic singer. I'm glad I re-did All I Want For Christmas Is You because I think it really enhanced this album.

The main focus in the new album for me are the opening track Oh Santa! and the last track Auld Lang Syne — The New Year's Anthem, which everybody sings at midnight on New Year but nobody really knows the words, so nobody really sings along. This song begins in a slow mood and then goes into this party beat. This is the excitement that the New Year should have — with a celebration of life, not with an old, sad, mellow song where everybody wants to cry.

Tell us a little about the rest of the songs on the album.
I really wanted to turn the classics into soulful party music. There's also a bit of classical and gospel, like the duet I recorded with my mother on Oh Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus.

For Hallelujah Chorus, the idea came from Eric, a very good friend of mine. We thought it would be cool for my mother to sing that part because she sings in an operatic way. And it was important to me that the classical section is supportive of my mother's vocals. It's one of my favourites.

You did O Holy Night with the Westminster Presbyterian church choir. How was that experience?
I did an impromptu performance that we later added into the album. It was filmed a while ago, and this song has a nice way of sequencing the album after a heavy song like O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus. O Holy Night is a favourite for many on the first Christmas album and having this new live version is wonderful.

What was your vision for the packaging of the album?
I was inspired by the first album cover where I was freezing cold in the middle of the snow with my hair completely frozen in a little outfit. When I told David Lachapelle, a talented photographer and a close friend, that I was doing this album, he got really excited. I told him that I wanted it to have a continuation from the first album.

So the cover now captures a night setting. It's more edgy and urban, but still feels like a Christmas fantasy.

The CD photos capture the retro feel and have more texture. If you put my two Christmas albums side-by-side, you will see how these elements go together. It shows that I've been through a lot as an artiste and a person since the last time, yet I'm still that little girl who loves Christmas.

Are you working on a Christmas musical movie?
We're still putting together a musical movie with HBO for Christmas and I'll probably be doing some new songs. Now that I have this album, we have the option of choosing from so many sources, not to mention those I have yet to cover, so it's fun for me to think about.

How do you plan to spend Christmas this year?
I hope to be with my husband Nick (Cannon) and friends whom we call our Christmas family — you know, people from different parts of the world who come over to spend Christmas with us.

Are there any special performances planned soon for these new songs?
I'll be promoting and singing different songs on different TV shows, but at Christmas we're going to sleigh-ride in the woods and sing.

TRACK BY TRACK

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (Intro), Oh Santa!
This is the intro to the album and it sort of stirs up a festive mood. It starts with a symphonic version of the classic tune and takes you right into my new song.

O Little Town Of Bethlehem/Little Drummer Boy Medley, Christmas Time Is In The Air Again
The third song was inspired by the 1940s and 1950s in the mould of tunes by Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole. As for the fourth track, I approached it from the standpoint that I wanted it to be a classic.

The First Noel/Born Is The King Interlude, When Christmas Comes
The sixth song is written with James Poiser of The Roots, and he's an incredible musician. We got together and again I wanted everything in this album to feel classic, to feel festive and timeless. It has a 1970s soul.

Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)/House Top Celebration
This track is done with Jermaine Dupri. We tried to merge a couple of songs and so we called it Here Comes Santa Claus. The bass intro is done by Randy Jackson and it's kind of a very celebrative moment.

Charlie Brown Christmas
A lot of people told me this is their favourite in the album. I worked on it with (producer) James "Big Jim" Wright playing the piano. Many grew up watching Charlie Brown year after year and so we went with an intro where I had my dogs barking and friends laughing in the background before it went into the song.

O Come All Ye Faithful/ Hallelujah Chorus (featuring Patricia Carey)
When I decided to do a Christmas album again, one thing that I had always wanted to do was to do a duet with my mother Patricia. She has been very supportive of me, telling me to stay with my dreams and believe in myself.

O Holy Night — Live From WPC In South Central Los Angeles
We went to do a show there a while ago. I'm glad that I was able to sing at the venue. There's a video of that performance, too. I like the ending with the applause which keeps going.

One Child
I wrote this with Mark Shaiman. I wanted to make this a story about the beginning of Christmas. It's very traditional and we're inspired by the older classic Christmas songs.

All I Want For Christmas Is You
We re-cut the song and put a beautiful orchestra intro instead of doing it exactly like the original. I just added a little bit of stuff that only a fan or musician will know.

Auld Lang Syne — The New Year's Anthem
Every time the new year comes, everybody will start to sing this song. I started it slow and took it into a big uptempo, fun, celebratory moment.

Source: Life & Times | Scans: Alson Lee

HDD Prediction: Mariah to Sell 70-80K Copies
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 16-Dec-2010, 7:38PM EST

WEAKEND CHART PREVIEW: At this point, it's too close to call for #1 next week as Taylor Swift and Susan Boyle battle it out for the final chart before the holidays. However things play out over the weekend, it looks pretty certain that Sony Music will have five in the Top 6 and six in the Top 10. Here's how it's shaping up headed into the weekend.

Taylor Swift (Big Machine) 225-250k
Susan Boyle (Columbia) 225-250k
*Michael Jackson (Epic) 210-225k
Jackie Evancho (Columbia) 210-225k
*R. Kelly (Jive/JLG) 155-170k
Glee Cast Christmas (Columbia) 155-170k
Kid Rock (Atlantic) 90-100k
Glee Cast Vol. 4 (Columbia) 80-90k
Justin Bieber My Worlds Acoustic (Island/IDJ) 70-80k
Nicki Minaj (YM/Cash Money/Universal Motown) 70-80k
Mariah Carey (Island/IDJ) 70-80k
Justin Bieber My World 2.0 (Island/IDJ) 65-75K
Katy Perry (Capitol/EMI) 65-75k
Rihanna (Def Jam/IDJ) 60-70k
Black Eyed Peas (Interscope) 60-70k
*Diddy Dirty Money (Bad Boy) 60-70k

Source: Hits Daily Double

ET Sneak Peek: Mariah on "Christmas in Washington"
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 16-Dec-2010, 1:14PM EST

Mariah Carey, Miranda Cosgrove, Annie Lennox, Maxwell and Matthew Morrison are scheduled to sing in the holidays with host Ellen DeGeneres on TNT's 12th annual "Christmas in Washington" and ET has a sneak peek!

The holiday musical celebration, attended by President and Mrs. Obama and other Washington VIPs, takes place at the National Building Museum in the nation's capitol. "Christmas in Washington" premieres Friday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. on TNT.


Ellen DeGeneres tells Extra's Mario Lopez: "We were singing 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing' and at the end of the show, we were all standing up there, and the President and the First Family, and when it got to the 'a newborn king is born,' I kept trying to put my hand on Mariah's stomach and she kept knocking it away."

Source: Entertainment Tonight | Extra

Billboard Update
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 16-Dec-2010, 9:55AM EST

Below, find Mariah's chart positions in Billboard magazine issue dated December 25, 2010.

Source: MariahDailyJournal

"Oh Santa!/AIWFCIY" Holiday Mashup Now on iTunes!
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 16-Dec-2010, 8:56AM EST

The Jump Smokers' mash-up remix of Mariah's holiday hits, "Oh Santa!" and "All I Want For Christmas Is You" is now available on iTunes! Download it here!

Source: MariahDailyJournal | Marc

Video: Mariah on UK's 4Music
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 16-Dec-2010, 2:34AM EST

UK's music channel 4Music aired a Mariah Carey special entitled "Mariah's Christmas Hits!" last Sunday, December 12th. The 30-minute show featured an interview with Mariah in which she talked about her new holiday album Merry Christmas II You, its influences and the process of making it. Snippets of "O Little Town Of Bethlehem/Little Drummer Boy," "O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus" and "The First Noel;" and the full music videos to "All I Want For Christmas Is You," "Miss You Most (At Christmas Time),"Joy To The World," and "Oh Santa!" were played during the broadcast.


Mariah's Christmas Hits! - 4Music UK, Dec. 12, 2010
[ Download here ]

Source: MariahDailyJournal | Kerry

How Mariah Makes Goats Produce More Milk
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 15-Dec-2010, 7:22PM EST

What do goats want for Christmas? Mariah Carey music, it seems.

A farmer has discovered that by repeatedly playing her festive favourite All I Want For Christmas Is You to his herd he can increase milk production by 20 per cent.

Whenever US pop diva Mariah's 1994 record pipes up the goats immediately relax and produce around an extra pint each a day.

Angus, 57, who runs St Helen's Farm in Seaton Ross, near York, said: "We are absolutely dumbfounded by the difference playing this song has made to the goats. Our milk maids started listening to the radio when they were milking them. They immediately noticed the animals were more relaxed and started producing more milk as a result. When one of the girls brought in a CD of Christmas classics they seemed to perk up when the Mariah Carey song came on. It's really upbeat and they seem to love it. I think the staff here are sick of it now but unfortunately it works for the goats."

Angus, who runs the farm with wife Kathleen, 55, has tried treating the goats with different Christmas-themed songs. The goats like carols but Wizzard's I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday actually slowed down production and The Christmas Song by The Chipmonks brought it to a halt.

St Helen's Farm milks 2,000 goats. Each produces about three litres a day...or three and a half litres if Mariah is playing.

Source: Express UK

"Auld Land Syne" Video Now on iTunes
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 15-Dec-2010, 6:05AM EST

The music video to "Auld Lang Syne (The New Year's Anthem)" has been released on iTunes today, just as we reported previously. The video, called the "Fireworks" version, can be downloaded for $1.99 from iTunes here. You can watch the video by logging on to the MariahCarey.com home page.

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Mariah Carey's Christmas Special: 5 Highlights
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 14-Dec-2010, 6:35PM EST

The holiday spirit was in full swing last night as Mariah Carey debuted her Christmas special on ABC, "Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to You." Featuring both old favorites from her now classic 1994 holiday album, Merry Christmas, and her new album, Merry Christmas II You, the special also boasted a special duet between the singer and her mother. Taped at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles in November, the show was more than just an entertaining holiday romp; it was an affirmation of five major things:

1.) The diva belt is back
That famous five-octave range? What seemed like a distant memory surfaced yesterday as if not a day had passed since she'd last busted out the ol' whistle register. We got glimpses of her trademark vocal runs over the years, but they were hard-earned and rare—bits of her old voice shining through on "Through the Rain" and "We Belong Together." Just as you could feel the momentum building, preparing yourself for her to burst into her strong, full-bodied belt, she'd slip back into the husky, sexy, hushed coos and whispered singing that had become her M.O. post-Tommy Mottola (or post-Butterfly, if you prefer). So rare were these bits of Mariah Carey: The Voice, you began to wonder whether she'd lost it and didn't have the heart to break it to us.

But last night, Carey—looking the happiest that she possibly ever has—belted her huge heart out. Her voice was fuller and stronger than ever, giving fans the unbridled voice she'd been keeping away—voluntarily or not, we're not quite sure—for the last ten years.

2.) We meet the woman who gave life to Mariah Carey
Mother Patricia Carey, an opera singer, joined her daughter onstage for their duet of "O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus." Anyone curious about the woman who helped create and give Mariah Carey to the world might have been half-expecting an over-the-top, flamboyant, glamorous caricature of a woman, but Patricia Carey is in fact just a really classy lady with a huge voice. While sometimes Mariah is criticized for valuing vocal acrobatics and the physicality of singing rather than emotion, it's easy to see where her controlled and precise technical prowess comes from after seeing her powerhouse showdown with her mother. That last note was everything.

3.) Her new Christmas album is actually good. Really.
On "O Holy Night," one of the diva's personal favorites, she brought the crowd to its feet cheering. THIS is Mariah; the same Mariah the public marveled at in the early 90s—the curly-haired beauty who took our breath away with "Emotions." Now, almost 20 (!) years later, we see the once famously-controlled young talent singing onstage, married and with child at 40, performing with the veteran ease that probably comes from knowing that no other solo artist has produced more No.1 singles than you. Carey also performed some of her new original holiday songs, including the silky smooth "When Christmas Comes," a fun and simple R&B joint fit for a holiday party soundtrack. Other highlights included "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and the (expectedly) joyful "Joy to the World," as well as American Idol judge Randy Jackson joining the singer onstage for "Here Comes Santa Claus/Housetop Celebration."

While her live rendition of Merry Christmas II You far surpasses its studio incarnation, the album is a thankfully safe, but wholly enjoyable and fun collection of new material and old favorites.

4.) She does crazy right
GLITTER! No MC holiday special would be complete without a shining, glimmering set; her hair lightly blowing in the fabricated wind!

During "Joy to the World," Mariah was in top diva form: pinky up as she clutched her crystal-encrusted microphone, walking around stage in her black glimmering trademark baby-doll dress, head-tilted as she belted. She produced the mixture of her classic dainty , innocent angel and the old-school strength and pain we used to see. Mariah's always had a taste for excess, but not in the same way other celebrities do. Her crazy manifests itself in the true sense of what one would imagine a prima donna to be: crazy tour riders, lying on a couch on the Home Shopping Network, glitter everywhere, complaining about sporting a moustache in her (critically acclaimed) portrayal of a social worker in Precious. She likes champagne, and she's done some crazy things like make Glitter and push out an ice cream cart in her hot pants on TRL. But she's not known for drug abuse or promiscuity or any of the truly ugly, sad byproducts of being a successful star.

5.) She reminds us of what a diva is, and why she's the last one standing
What's a diva? Lady Gaga is not a diva. Rihanna is not a diva. A diva is a larger-than-life personality, yes; a woman with charisma beyond measure, but more than anything, she's a voice, and above all, THE voice. She doesn't need fancy stage setups, props, pyrotechnics, elaborate costumes, or statement music videos. She doesn't need to be racy or controversial or reference obscure art scenes and design influences. For the true diva, it's just her and the microphone, standing on stage, singing her heart out and in turn making yours jump right out of your chest. Mariah is not by any means the only diva, but she's definitely the only still-relevant, functional diva. Dear Whitney's been in and out of rehab and reality television, while Cher and Celine have (for the most part) been hiding out in Vegas. Meanwhile, the young crop of power voices are busy running around with their heads chopped off trying to rule the word. By the way, Lady Gaga may have created a strong army of loyal "Little Monsters," but Mariah Carey had given her fans a pet name way before it was cool, affectionately referring to her following as her "lambs."

For now, though, Mariah Carey sits happily atop the Diva throne, reminding everyone that not many people can captivate and command an audience without moving an inch quite like her and that sometimes less is more. Except when it comes to glitter, bling and falsettos. In that case, more is always more.

Source: The Atlantic | Anthony

EW Reviews Mariah's Christmas TV Special
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 14-Dec-2010, 3:03PM EST

Mariah Carey's 'Merry Christmas' special last night:
Three highlights worth watching
By Tanner Stransky, Entertainment Weekly

You know who's super-fun around Christmastime? The grand dame of "All I Want for Christmas is You," Mariah Carey, duh! Last night, the very pregnant pop diva premiered her ABC holiday special, Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas To You, and it did not disappoint in the anti-Scrooge category. It very successfully put me in the holiday spirit! The highlights were many but here's a guide to the three most important moments from the Carey Christmasfest:

• The diva's special-opening rendition of sleigh-bell and school yard-chant happy new single "Oh, Santa!" was the perfect kick-off for the evening. This thumpy, joyful tune proves: Mariah just wants to have fun!

• The launch of Mariah Carey's duet of "O Come All Ye Faithful" with her opera-singer mother Patricia Carey. It becomes a diva-off, with both reaching the rafters for the highest note in history. Who wins? You can be the judge of that.

• Mariah closes out the night with her Christmas standard, "All I Want for Christmas Is You." If that doesn't put you in the spirit, then nothing will. There's simply few things out there that are this joyful.

Source: Entertainment Weekly

Auld Lang Syne Remixes Now Available!
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 14-Dec-2010, 9:46AM EST

The new Mariah Carey "Auld Lang Syne (The New Year's Anthem) The Remixes" EP Single is now available for digital download! You can get the full 9-track EP Single from Amazon for $5.99 or iTunes for $7.99.

Source: MariahDailyJournal

VIDEO: Mariah's ABC Special Merry Christmas To You
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 14-Dec-2010, 9:18AM EST

MARIAH CAREY: MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU
ABC - December 13, 2010



PART 1 - "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" Intro and "Oh Santa!"
Download: HD | DVD

PART 2 - "O Little Town of Bethlehem/Little Drummer Boy" Medley
and "O Holy Night"
Download: HD | DVD

PART 3 - "Here Comes Santa Claus" (ft. Randy Jackson) and
"When Christmas Comes"
Download: HD | DVD

PART 4 - "Charlie Brown Christmas" and "Joy To The World"
Download: HD | DVD

PART 5 - "Christmas Time Is In The Air Again" and
"O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus" (Ft. Patricia Carey)
Download: HD | DVD

PART 6 - "All I Want For Christmas Is You"
Download: HD | DVD

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Mariah Interviews with Advocate
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 13-Dec-2010, 2:50PM EST

Mariah, Unwrapped
In high spirits with another hit holiday album, Merry Christmas II You, Mariah Carey remembers her guncles, addresses bisexual rumors, and considers the possibility of a miraculous gay birth. By Brandon Voss

To use her words, Mariah Carey is having a Christmas music moment. Merry Christmas, her 1994 holiday album, yielded the seasonal staple "All I Want For Christmas Is You." Merry Christmas II You, Carey's successful new yuletide sequel, contains first single "Oh Santa!" which is perched atop Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart like a perfect angel. On December 13, the 40-year-old Grammy-winner stars in Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas to You, a music special that features an appearance by Mimi's mother, former opera diva Patricia Carey. On December 17 she'll be seen in TNT's Christmas in Washington special, and she'll also join the festivities for ABC's broadcast of the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade. Now Carey, who's expecting her first child with husband Nick Cannon, regifts the love of her loyal gay fans — and stuffs our stocking with the truth about her night with Lindsay Lohan.

The Advocate: No one does contemporary Christmas pop like you, Mariah. Do you really love the holidays, or are you just faking it?
Mariah Carey: You can't really fake that. I don't think people who don't love Christmas could translate that into a great Christmas song. People ask me, "How do you make these songs feel like they're already classics?" The point is that I do love the holidays so much, and I love writing songs and making records, so it seems like a natural fusion for me. I did the first Christmas album so long ago, and then every year I'd listen to it and pick it apart. So I needed to make a new Christmas album for myself as well as for the fans. I wanted an album that I could listen to during the holidays.

I've read reports that your holiday repertoire might be made into a Broadway musical about your life as early as next year. What's the real story?
It definitely wouldn't be about my life; start that rumor and they'll never lose it, so make sure people know it's not about my life. Right now we're working on finding a script. We've been in discussions with HBO for over three years now. Everybody's been very supportive of the project, but nobody wants to accept a script that's not amazing. Anybody out there reading this who's a writer or writer-in-training, we're definitely accepting different ideas right now. Because it's so important to me, I don't want to make a mistake and have the script not be as good as the music. I want the script to be better than the music.

You'd rather debut your musical on TV than on Broadway?
A long time ago, the first idea I had was for it to be on Broadway and hopefully become a perennial. Then we spoke with HBO and got into discussions about making a movie musical. So it wouldn't be a TV movie, because it's not TV, it's HBO.

Marc Shaiman, who worked as a writer-producer on Merry Christmas II You, would certainly be an asset on that musical project.
I love Marc Shaiman. He's amazing, and I'd love to work with him again. Randy Jackson introduced me to him. When we sat down to write at the house in L.A., it was an amazing experience. After that, I was like, "He has to do the orchestrations for the entire album, because nobody else is coming close to what he's doing, even in his demos." And he's hilarious. Being with him in person is almost as good as his e-mails.

Last year you made magic with filmmaker Lee Daniels in Precious, and now you've created another holiday miracle with Marc Shaiman. Not to detract from their talent, but is there something special about gay men that makes them a perfect creative match for you?
I mean, how could I say that there's not? I can't generalize too much because straight people I work with will be like, "Well, what does that say about me?" But it is true that there's a certain chemistry there. Yes, their talents are gigantic, but they're also open-minded, and it's all about the shared references. I really clicked with Marc when we wrote our first song together, "Christmas Time Is in the Air Again," because our references were so similar. His are way deeper than mine in terms of standards and older Broadway stuff, but he was surprised that I knew old standards that most people don't know, because my mom would sing them when I was really little. And Lee's another one that you just can't help but love. He's got his own unique personality, and we share so many of the same references as well. I can't even think of all the crazy things we quote and laugh about.

Whether it's those surprised concertgoers on Oprah last year or the "Party in the FIP" boys who just made a YouTube video for "All I Want for Christmas Is You," your gay fans aren't shy about expressing their love. When did you first feel that support from the gay audience?
I've never really categorized it like that. But I've always been able to connect with different kinds of people, because whoever connects with me realizes that I do truly appreciate and care about them. And ... wait, what was I saying? You touched on something I wanted to discuss ... Sorry, when you're pregnant you don't remember things from one second ago.

Your connection with gay fans.
Yeah, maybe part of the connection is that I do write songs from an outsider perspective. A lot of my die-hard gay fans don't just know my singles, but they also know all the album cuts. I have songs about feeling different and alienated, because I grew up with my own issues, being biracial and not having money. Some of those lyrics can apply to anybody who feels different. My die-hard gay fans listen to songs like "Outside" and "Close My Eyes," songs that most people wouldn't know, and these songs have become anthemic for them for their own personal reasons.

Do you have any words of encouragement for the young victims of antigay bullying?
It's horrible that it's almost 2011 and this is still going on, but I don't want to get on my podium and say, "Just keep believing!" — I know that's cliche, and it would be typical of me to say something like that. It's almost impossible to say anything, really, except you must be aware that dealing with that in high school is a passing place. You have to stay strong, rely on your true friends, and try to get through it, as opposed to drowning in it. Look at how many people suffered during high school and came out of it a better, stronger adult. That's the thing to focus on.

You also returned the support from gay fans last year when you invited a young gay couple onstage at a Las Vegas concert to help facilitate their marriage proposal.
If two people want to get married, it's their prerogative — we hope. Everybody should be able to do what they want to do and be in the pursuit of happiness. Ever since I was a little girl, my mother was very open-minded and had many different types of friends, so being gay never seemed wrong or strange to me. Her best friends were a gay couple, Ernie and Mort, and they kind of co-raised me. They were the nicest guys ever, and they would watch my little shows when I'd sing. Today, I guess they'd be called my guncles. Sometimes they'd put us up when we didn't have a place to go. I couldn't wait to go stay at their house because it was so beautifully done.

Are they still in your life?
One of them passed away. They weren't together at the very end, but they were together for a long, long time.

Back to your gay fans, Marc Jacobs's ex-boyfriend Jason Preston got a big tattoo of your name on his stomach a few years ago. Isn't that a bit much?
I've seen it. How can I say it's a bit much? No, it's amazing. I mean, it is very surprising when you see something like that, but he's a fun guy, so I thought it was adorable.

How might you and Nick handle it if your child turned out to be gay?
I guess we'd handle it as best we could in terms of being supportive.

You strike me as one of those people who might secretly hope for a gay son.
[Laughs] I just hope for whoever's going to be happy and that I can be a great mother to.

What if you have a little lesbian who won't wear your tight hand-me-down dresses and butterfly jewelry?
No comment. [Laughs] No, the thing is that you can't try to make somebody something they're not. Everybody's like, "Oh, if she has a girl, everything's going to be pink, blah, blah, blah." But I don't think you should go totally overboard on that. You should wait and see what the child wants.

What do you think about today's female artists like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, Ke$ha, and Christina Aguilera, who flirt with bisexuality in their lyrics, videos, and in the press? Many view it as a disingenuous marketing strategy.
Maybe it's more a reflection of society becoming more accepting. Some of those different artists might really be expressing themselves, but yes, some might just be looking for a little more attention. You never know.

Bisexual rumors have surrounded you for years.
If it makes somebody happy to say that, then whatever, but that's not the reality. I don't have a discriminatory policy of who I'm friends with, so yes, I'm friends with women who are gay — gay, straight, it doesn't matter to me. So I don't get upset when I hear that, because it is what it is. I guess I could lie about it to seem more exciting.

Is Nick comfortable around your gay friends?
He's fine. Honestly, he does his own thing and doesn't really care what anybody else is doing. He's just living his life and being happy.

Is it true that Lindsay Lohan has tried to seduce you?
No, but I have hung out with her at a club. She was with Sean Lennon, and they came over. I remember he was playing my Hello Kitty guitar, and we were all just singing, laughing, and making up songs. It really couldn't have been more innocent.

Some reviews have referred to Burlesque as the new Glitter. Have you seen it?
I haven't seen it, and I don't feel like sitting in a movie theater right now. I can barely lie in bed and be comfortable. First I'm going to go see Elf, the Broadway musical, because I'm very focused on my Christmas music moment. But maybe I'll see it when it comes out on DVD.

Source: Advocate | Jeremy

Video: Mariah Performs "One Child" in D.C.
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 13-Dec-2010, 9:10AM EST

In this Associated Press video footage from Sunday's "Christmas in Washington" taping, a clip of Mariah performing "One Child" with a choir can be seen at about 00:42 into the video.

Source: Associated Press

Listen to "Oh Santa!/AIWFCIY" Remix!
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 13-Dec-2010, 7:55AM EST

The Jump Smokers' remix mash-up of Mariah's holiday hits, "Oh Santa!" and "All I Want For Christmas Is You," is now playing at the official Mariah Carey site. It includes an amazing intro with new vocals! Check it out here!

Source: MariahCarey.com

Watch Mariah's ABC Christmas Special Tonight!
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 13-Dec-2010, 7:31AM EST

The wait is almost over! We're hours away from our most anticipated Mariah Carey Christmas special, Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas To You - airing TONIGHT at 9:00pm ET/PT on ABC!

Source: MariahDailyJournal

A capital Christmas celebration descends on Washington
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 13-Dec-2010, 6:03AM EST

It was Christmas caroling to the max as Mariah Carey, Andrea Bocelli and Annie Lennox got into the songs of the season on Sunday at a star-studded holiday concert at the National Building Museum.

Matthew Morrison, Miranda Cosgrove and Maxwell also were part of this year's Christmas in Washington, an annual special which will air at 8 p.m. ET/PT Friday on TNT. Ellen DeGeneres hosted.

President Obama and Michelle Obama showed up, along with Sasha, Malia and Marian Robinson, the first lady's mother.

A very pregnant-looking Carey, who was the first to perform, said in an interview before the show that the invitation was "an honor." Last month saw the release of her Christmas album, Merry Christmas II You, and this "seemed like the perfect way to highlight this holiday season." The mom-to-be, fittingly, belted out her new Christmas song One Child. Carey, dressed in a festive red sparkling dress with a large bow tied right above her burgeoning baby bump, sang against the backdrop of a group of singers made up of the Washington Youth Choir and the American Family Choir.

DeGeneres followed Carey's number. The host began by welcoming "the president, Mrs. Obama, family, friends and security that patted me down too much." She continued, "I think we all know why I am here — because Oprah is in Australia."

DeGeneres kept the jokes rolling between performances, making sure to cater to the inside-the-Beltway crowd. "I have some bad news... I've just been told that Santa's naughty-and-nice list has shown up on WikiLeaks."

For the concert's finale, all of the stars and both choirs returned to the stage to sing a medley of revered classics including Joy to the World, Away in a Manger, Angels From the Realms of Glory, O Holy Night and O Come All Ye Faithful.

"What a wonderful show," the president said in closing the special and reflecting on the reason behind the season. "It's a message that guides my Christian faith... We hold in our hearts those who have fallen on hard times this holiday season." Obama wished the audience a happy holiday and, along with his family, joined everyone in a rendition of Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

The TNT telecast marks the network's 12th presentation of Christmas in Washington, which is in its 29th year overall and benefits the Children's National Medical Center.

Source: USA Today

HQ Photos: Mariah at "Christmas in Washington" Taping
Posted by Lynn on Sunday, 12-Dec-2010, 6:21PM EST

Below are photos of Mariah, with Ellen DeGeneres, on stage during the "Christmas in Washington" taping earlier today, December 12th at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. The Christmas spectacular will air on Friday, December 17th at 8pm ET/PT on TNT.

Source: MariahDailyJournal | Celine

Fan Review: Mariah at "Christmas In Washington"
Posted by Lynn on Sunday, 12-Dec-2010, 6:16PM EST

Below is Jacob's review of the "Christmas in Washington" dress rehearsal that he got to go to today at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Also included are photos and a video clip of Mariah performing "O Come All Ye Faithful."


PHOTOS


VIDEO CLIP: Mariah Performing "O Come All Ye Faithful"

Source: Jacob

"Oh Santa!/AIWFCIY" Remix to Premiere Tomorrow!
Posted by Lynn on Sunday, 12-Dec-2010, 12:46PM EST

Catch the premiere of the Jump Smokers' remix mash-up of Mariah's holiday hits "Oh Santa!" and "All I Want For Christmas Is You" tomorrow, December 13th at 3:00pm Central time (1:00pm PT/4:00pm ET) on JumpSmokers.com and B96.com.

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Sneak Peek: Mariah & Mom Duet on ABC Christmas Special
Posted by Lynn on Sunday, 12-Dec-2010, 12:10AM EST

Here's a sneak preview from Access Hollywood of Mariah and mom Patricia performing "O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus" on the ABC Special "Mariah Carey: Merry Christmas To You" that's airing on Monday, December 13th at 9:00pm. Truly an amazing show you won't want to miss!


And here's All I Want For Christmas Is You" courtesy of E! News.

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Auld Lang Syne Remixes Out Tuesday
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 11-Dec-2010, 10:28AM EST

Amazon has just listed a Mariah Carey "Auld Lang Syne (The New Year's Anthem) The Remixes" EP Single that's available for digital download on Tuesday, December 14th. Log on to Amazon now to listen to samples for each track!

Source: Amazon | Bernard

"O Come All Ye Faithful" Video Now on iTunes
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 10-Dec-2010, 3:57PM EST

The "O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus" music video which Mariah premiered on HSN on Nov. 29th is now available on iTunes for download, finally! Get it now!

Source: MariahDailyJournal

New Oh Santa!/AIWFCIY Remix Mash-Up Out Soon
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 10-Dec-2010, 8:15AM EST

A remix mash-up of "Oh Santa!" and "All I Want For Christmas Is You" is currently in the works and will be coming out soon, as revealed by Mariah and the Jump Smokers on Twitter earlier today!

Source: Mariah on Twitter | Jump Smokers on Twitter/FB

Billboard Update
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 10-Dec-2010, 6:51AM EST

NOTE: Updated to now include SoundScan figures.

Below, find Mariah's chart positions in Billboard magazine issue dated December 18, 2010.

Source: MariahDailyJournal

In Praise Of... A Very Mariah Christmas
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 10-Dec-2010, 6:46AM EST

Bing Crosby may well be turning in his grave, but no child of the 1980s will be surprised to see Mariah Carey's sublime All I Want For Christmas Is You bounding up the charts after being named the nation's top festive song.

Certainly, Mariah herself recognises that no December dancefloor is complete without merry revellers pointing at each other and wailing: "Yooo-oooo-oooh!" Accordingly, she's released a new CD, modestly billed as The Ultimate Christmas Album, that features a new version of the jingle-bell-tastic classic.

It's debatable whether any traditional carol is improved by the incorporation of a whistle-register descant part, but there's no denying AIWFCIY is in a league of its own. Why is this?

On the one hand, Mariah and Christmas go together like turkey and cranberries. This is the season of extravagance and excess, so who better to celebrate it than a woman who, by all accounts, would take one look at the stuff her true love sent to her over a week and a half and still demand a dressing room full of puppies and three thousands white lilies?

On the other hand, AIWFCIY isn't about any of that. The Mariah of that song isn't bothered about champagne and diamonds – indeed, she was content to run around in a snowsuit hugging reindeer for the video. Perhaps what makes the song such a huge hit is the fact that it's for absolutely everyone. Tradition is all very well, but not every household has a heteronormative yule with mum, dad and the kids.

The "you" of the chorus could be directed at a long-term partner, a brand new love interest, a best friend or even a pet cat.

It's a song of optimism and joy that maybe, just maybe, hints at the real meaning of Christmas.

Source: Herald Scotland

Audio: Mariah Calls In to UK's BBC Radio 1
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 10-Dec-2010, 6:31AM EST

Mariah made a surprise call to BBC Radio 1 in the UK on Thursday afternoon (12/9) and chatted with Scott Mills about her new album Merry Christmas II You, her holiday plans this year. She also retells the story of how she suprised her mother with a new house as a Christmas present ("It is one of the best experiences of my life.").

Listen to the audio below!

[ Download an MP3 file here ]

Source: BB Radio 1 | Spencer for MariahConnection UK

HDD Prediction: Mariah to Move 70-75K Copies This Week
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 09-Dec-2010, 7:24PM EST

WEAKEND CHART PREVIEW: Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records hip-hop star T.I.'s new album, No Mercy, is the week's top debut, cracking the Top 5, with Columbia's Susan Boyle still holding forth at the top of the chart. Walt Disney's Daft Punk Tron: Legacy soundtrack is also showing some surprising strength, with a projected total of 60-65k. The rest of the chart shapes up as follows:

Susan Boyle (Columbia) 250-270k
Taylor Swift (Big Machine) 190-210k
Glee Cast Christmas (Columbia) 160-170k
Jackie Evancho (Columbia) 160-170k
* T.I. (Grand Hustle/Atlantic) 135-145k
Josh Groban Illuminations (Reprise) 80-85k
Nicki Minaj (YM/Cash Money/Universal Motown) 75-80k
Andrea Bocelli My Christmas (Decca) 75-80k
Mariah Carey (Island/IDJ) 70-75k
Glee Cast Vol. 4 (Columbia) 65-70k
Rihanna (Def Jam/IDJ) 65-70k
Justin Bieber My Worlds Acoustic (Island/IDJ) 60-65k
*Daft Punk Tron: Legacy soundtrack (Walt Disney) 60-65k
Kanye West (Roc-a-Fella/IDJ) 60-65k
John Groban Noel (Reprise) 55-60k
Black Eyed Peas (Interscope) 55-60k
Katy Perry (Capitol/EMI) 55-60k
*Charlie Wilson (Jive/JLG) 50-55k
Keith Urban (Capitol Nashville/EMI) 50-55k

Source: Hits Daily Double

Mariah Covers Also Chart on Billboard
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 09-Dec-2010, 4:39PM EST

CAREY-OKE
As Mariah Carey's "Oh Santa" vaults 12-1 in its second week on Adult Contemporary, two covers of her 1994 carol "All I Want for Christmas Is You" arrive on Billboard charts.

(Random merry musing: When Carey sends her holiday wish list to "St. Nick," is she addressing Santa Claus or her husband, Nick Cannon?)

On Holiday Digital Songs, Big Time Rush's version of "All I Want for Christmas Is You" enters at No. 9.

On Country Songs, Lady Antebellum's interpretation bows at No. 57, in between the trio's "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow," new at No. 56, and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (60-58). The songs appear on the group's Target-exclusive EP, "A Merry Little Christmas."

Carey had visited Country Songs twice before as a writer. Prior to Whitney Duncan's cover of "All I Want for Christmas Is You," penned with Walter Afanasieff (No. 60, 2009), Faith Hill's "Where Are You Christmas?" reached No. 26 in 2001. Carey wrote the ballad with James Horner and Will Jennings. (The pair earned Academy and Grammy Awards for authoring Celine Dion's 1998 Hot 100 No. 1 "Titanic" theme song "My Heart Will Go On," which Afanasieff co-produced).

Source: Billboard

Audio: Mariah Calls in to 102.7 KIIS FM, Los Angeles
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 09-Dec-2010, 1:39PM EST

Mariah called in at about 8:20am this morning for a brief chat with Ryan Seacrest on his On Air with Ryan Seacrest show on 102.7 KIIS FM in Los Angeles, California. In the short, 7-minutes-or-so interview, they talked about Mariah's first holiday album and her best-selling holiday song of all time, 'All I Want For Christmas Is You,' her new holiday album Merry Christmas II You and her collaborators, pregnancy, and the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade which they are both a part of.

Ryan Seacrest, in introducing Mariah, called her the 'Night Light.' He says: "Her songs during the holidays make me feel safe. It's like I'm getting a night light. You cannot get frightened when you hear Mariah Carey's voice surround the holidays." To which Mariah was very appreciative. "I like that description. I'm very appreciative and grateful to be that night light."

Listen to the audio below!

[ To download an MP3 file, right-click this and then Save Target As ]

Source: KIIS FM | MariahDailyJournal

Mariah on Ryan Seacrest's Radio Show Today!
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 09-Dec-2010, 2:56AM EST

Mariah will be live on-air with Ryan Seacrest on his 102.7 KIIS FM radio show On Air With Ryan Seacrest today, December 9th. Ryan's morning show airs from 5am-10am PT (8am-1pm ET). It can be streamed live here. Be sure to tune in!

Source: MariahCarey.com

Mariah Has #1 Best-Selling Holiday Song in Digital History
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 08-Dec-2010, 6:13PM EST

Mariah Carey's zesty "All I Want For Christmas Is You" has sold more copies than any other holiday song in digital history. The song has sold 1,715,000 downloads since she introduced it in 1994.

Below are the 30 holiday songs that have sold the most digital copies, as calculated by Nielsen/SoundScan.

The oldest song in the top 30 is the traditional "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen." The oldest song whose authorship is known is "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town," which has been a holiday perennial since 1934. (Bruce Springsteen, whose version ranks #14, recorded the song in 1975.) The oldest song in the top 30 that was recorded by the original artist is Bing Crosby's "White Christmas," which he introduced in 1942.

In addition to co-writing "All I Want For Christmas Is You," Carey shares the writing credit on the Faith Hill hit "Where Are You Christmas?" Only one other songwriter has two songs on this list. Johnny Marks wrote both Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" and Burl Ives' "A Holly Jolly Christmas."

Top 30 Holiday Songs

1. Mariah Carey, "All I Want For Christmas Is You," 1,715,000. Carey was 24 in 1994 when she introduced this song on her album Merry Christmas. A remix featuring Jermaine Dupri and Lil Bow Wow was released in 2000.

2. Trans-Siberian Orchestra, "Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24")," 721,000.
3. Alvin & the Chipmunks, "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)," 719,000.
4. Trans-Siberian Orchestra, "Christmas Canon," 553,000.
5. Brenda Lee, "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree," 536,000.
6. Adam Sandler, "The Chanukah Song," 535,000.

7. Faith Hill, "Where Are You Christmas?," 504,000. Hill was 33 in 2000 when she sang this song on the soundtrack to Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Mariah Carey is credited with co-writing the song with James Horner and Will Jennings.

8. Jose Feliciano, "Feliz Navidad," 452,000.
9. Bobby Helms, "Jingle Bell Rock," 436,000.
10. Bing Crosby, "White Christmas," 431,000.
11. Nat "King" Cole, "The Christmas Song," 408,000.
12. Eartha Kitt, "Santa Baby," 405,000.
13. Wham!, "Last Christmas," 375,000.
14. Bruce Springsteen, "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town," 367,000.
15. Elvis Presley, "Blue Christmas," 356,000.
16. Josh Groban, "Believe," 354,000.
17. Burl Ives, "A Holly Jolly Christmas," 339,000.
18. Trans-Siberian Orchestra, "Wizards In Winter," 309,000.
19. Dan Fogelberg, "Same Old Lang Syne," 302,000.
20. Thurl Ravenscroft, ""You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch," 301,000.
21. Michael Buble, "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow," 301,000.
22. Dean Martin, "Baby, It's Cold Outside," 292,000.
23. U2, "Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)," 280,000.
24. Newsong, "The Christmas Shoes," 278,000.
25. Vince Guaraldi Trio, "Christmas Time Is Here," 276,000.
26. Andy Williams, "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year," 267,000.
27. Barenaked Ladies with Sarah McLachlan, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen"/"We Three Kings," 253,000.
28. Gayla Peevey, "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas (Hippo The Hero)," 239,000.
29. Chris Brown, "This Christmas," 238,000.
30. Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five, "Baby, It's Cold Outside," 235,000.

Source: Paul Grein - Chart Watch

"O Come All Ye Faithful" Video Now on VEVO
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 08-Dec-2010, 2:00PM EST

The music video to "O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus," a fan-favorite track from Mariah's new holiday album Merry Christmas II You featuring her mom Patricia Carey can now be viewed in HQ on VEVO.


Note: The "O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus" video did not get released on iTunes as originally scheduled. We will get you a download link if it ever becomes available on iTunes.

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Win A Fuji Camera From Mariah!
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 08-Dec-2010, 8:50AM EST

Source: MariahCarey.com

Sneak Peek: Mariah Plays Santa on Extreme Makeover
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 08-Dec-2010, 8:19AM EST

When there is a fan in need, you can count on a Christmas angel like Mariah Carey to bring some relief. Especially when the person in need is a cheerleading coach who left college to care for his family after the death of his mother.

On this Sunday's holiday episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Mimi travels to Pensacola, Fla., to help out Ty Pennington & Co.-and to surprise homeowner Finis Gaston, who's a huge fan. So how does he react?

Happy would be an understatement. Finis jumps around like, well, a cheerleader. "Meeting Mariah Carey was a dream come true," he gushes. "I've got every one of her albums...and I got a hug from her now."


Finis–a scholarship student at Alabama A&M until his mother died his senior year–left school and returned home to raise his niece and nephews so they would not be sent to foster care. Mariah sits down with Finis to talk about his dreams and to remind him they're still in his reach. Santa's little helper, indeed.

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition airs Sunday at 8 p.m. on ABC.

Source: E! Online

Two Mariah Videos Out on iTunes this December
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 07-Dec-2010, 4:18PM EST

Two Merry Christmas II You music videos are scheduled for release on iTunes this month! Make sure to be on the look out for them on the following release dates:

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Vote for "Oh Santa!" on 106 & Park
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 07-Dec-2010, 2:28PM EST

"Oh Santa!" has just been added to 106 & Park's video roster. We can now start to vote online or call 1-800-617-LIVE (5483) between 5:30 and 6:00pm ET to help it make the Top 10 video countdown!

Source: MariahDailyJournal | Bobby

Video: MTV's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" Contest
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 07-Dec-2010, 2:01PM EST

Here's a treat for everyone! It's the MTV promo for its "All I Want For Christmas Is You" video contest back in 1994. Some of you may not have seen this before.


[ Download this video here ]

Source: Rafael | MariahDailyJournal

"Oh Santa!" Remixes EP Now on iTunes
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 07-Dec-2010, 9:54AM EST

Just as we reported here on the site, "Oh Santa! (The Remixes) EP" can now be downloaded from iTunes starting TODAY. You can purchase the entire EP album for $5.99 here or download the tracks individually for $1.29 each below.

1. Oh Santa! (Jump Smokers Edit) 3:53
2. Oh Santa! (Low Sunday Edit) 4:09
3. Oh Santa! (Jump Smokers Extended) 4:08
4. Oh Santa! (Low Sunday Club) 6:16
5. Oh Santa! (Jump Smokers Instrumental) 3:53
6. Oh Santa! (Low Sunday Instrumental) 6:18

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Audio: Mariah Takes Over AT40
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 06-Dec-2010, 5:52PM EST

This past weekend, Mariah guest-hosted Ryan Seacrest's American Top 40 (AT40) where she counted down the week's top 40 hits, talked about her new holiday album Merry Christmas II You, her upcoming shows; and answered some fans' questions on the air.

During her AT40 hosting stint, she also talked briefly about the unreleased Angels Advocate, a Remixed edition of Memoirs of An Imperfect Angel, after she played a song by Trey Songz and Nicki Minaj - the two being some of the featured artists on the said album. She said she's considering to release the tracks gratis for the fans! Here's what she said:


Mariah, of course, played her latest single during the broadcast. Here's her introduction to "Oh Santa!," #5 on AT40.




Mariah Hosts AT40 (From #29 Song) - Dec. 4, 2010
[ Download an MP3 File here ]
And here are the fan questions, and Mariah's answers.

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Mariah Carey's 'Oh Santa!' Tops Adult Contemporary
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 06-Dec-2010, 2:34PM EST

Mariah Carey's new holiday track "Oh Santa!" dashes all the way from No. 12 to No. 1 in just its second week on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart, to be refreshed on Billboard.com Thursday (Dec. 9).

The coronation is the quickest by any title since the survey adopted Nielsen BDS-monitored radio airplay data in 1993. In that span, eight previous songs soared to the summit in as little as three chart weeks. (Seven of those songs were holiday-themed, as a majority of adult contemporary stations segue to yuletide fare each holiday season).

"Oh Santa!" is the lead single from Carey's second holiday album, "Merry Christmas II You," which debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 dated Nov. 20 and has sold 165,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Carey's prequel holiday set, 1994's "Merry Christmas," has totaled U.S. sales of 5.1 million. That collection's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" peaked at No. 6 on the Jan. 7, 1995, Adult Contemporary chart and has sold 1.6 million downloads. The cut additionally crowns Billboard's tally of the 100 top-selling and most-played holiday songs last year.

"Oh Santa!" had previously topped Billboard's Holiday Digital Songs list, where it debuted at No. 1 the week of Oct. 30.

The new carol is Carey's seventh Adult Contemporary chart-topper and first in more than 14 years. She reigned with her debut single "Vision of Love" and follow-up "Love Takes Time" in 1990 and again ruled with "I Don't Wanna Cry" (1991), "Can't Let Go," "I'll Be There" (1992) and "One Sweet Day," with Boyz II Men (1995-96).

Carey ends the longest gap between Adult Contemporary No. 1s since the Eagles waited 20 years between the commands of "Best of My Love" (Dec. 14, 1974) and "Love Will Keep Us Alive" (Dec. 17, 1994).

Source: Billboard

"When Christmas Comes" Video Contest
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 06-Dec-2010, 2:28PM EST

Create your own video to Mariah's new song "When Christmas Comes" for a chance to win some very festive prizes including the opportunity to have your video footage included in Mariah's upcoming Official Video for "When Christmas Comes."

This is your opportunity to express yourself in your own unique way. Your videos can be as simple as holiday snap shots, animation, home holiday footage, anything that best represents you during the holiday season set to the music of Mariah's new song "When Christmas Comes" featured on her new holiday album Merry Christmas II You.

Post your "When Christmas Comes" video as a response to B. Scott's video on Youtube, then tweet "Please watch my #WCC video! I hope I win!" and include link to view your video to @MariahCarey.

Good luck!

Source: MariahCarey.com

HQ Photos: Mariah at Disney Christmas Taping, Dec. 3
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 04-Dec-2010, 12:14AM EST

Source: Celine | MariahDailyJournal

Photos/Video: Mariah at Disney Christmas Parade Taping
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 03-Dec-2010, 12:34PM EST

As we previously announced here on the site, Mariah would tape her performances for the "Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade" at Disney World in Orlando, Florida today, December 3rd.

To the right is a photo of Mariah performing her first song, "Oh Santa!" this morning at around 10:30am.

Mariah is scheduled to perform "All I Want For Christmas Is You" later today as another segment is being recorded at the Main Street right now. Stay tuned for more pictures!

PHOTOS


VIDEOS
Here's a video clip of Mariah performing "Oh Santa!"


And Mariah performing "All I Want For Christmas Is You" (full video).


FAN REVIEW
KATHRYN (Orlando, FL): Having just moved to Orlando a month ago, I was ecstatic to hear that Mariah would be performing at my new hometown! I was very fortunate to receive a free Disney park ticket (for volunteering with their Give A Day. Get A Day. program) that I was able to redeem and use for the taping today. After hearing several stories online about having to register to get tickets to the event (and it being sold out!), I was relieved to find out - from a Disney cast member - that they were all false, and that it is actually open to the public.

I arrived at Cinderella's castle shortly after 10am and they had actually started taping Mariah's first performance for "Oh Santa!". I had never been to a taping [of any event] before so I really had no idea what to expect. I never realized how much goes into such tapings. They have to inform the audience of everything that's happening, and position us accordingly; and then there are a few rehearsals to make sure everybody is doing what they're supposed to do. Not long after my arrival, Mariah entered the stage and started singing. The crowd was great, the performance was amazing and Mariah looked absolutely flawless in her red and white "Santa" dress! And yes, she was actually singing! Apparently, the performances the day before were all lipped, so a lot of people were pleasantly surprised to hear Mariah singing and belting out those high notes! After this performance, they headed over to Main Street to tape the parade segment; some of us remained at the castle to ensure that we were as close to the stage as possible! It was worth it as I ended up right in front of the stage - the best "seat" in the house if you ask me!

The second performance ("All I Want For Christmas Is You") was scheduled to start taping at 2, but didn't start until about 3:00pm... and it wasn't Mariah's fault they started late either! This portion of the taping would have Mariah enter in a horse-drawn carriage before hitting the stage. During the rehearsals, I must admit it was weird cheering as the carriage arrived WITHOUT Mariah! There were a few parts of this performance that were lipped, but for the most part she sung live; I didn't mind at all... seeing Mariah in person always puts me in a good mood, especially during Christmas time!

This day will forever be one of my most memorable days EVER, as well as my best Mariah moment ever!

Source: Kathryn | MariahDailyJournal | Steph & Adnan | Meski | Orlando Attractions

Mariah Headlines "Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade"
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 03-Dec-2010, 12:13PM EST

STAR-STUDDED ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP AND MAGICAL PARADE FLOATS
MAKE THE SEASON BRIGHT DURING THE 27TH ANNUAL
'DISNEY PARKS CHRISTMAS DAY PARADE' TELECAST ON ABC-TV
Disney Parks has pulled out all the (silver) bells and whistles for the 2010 "Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade" TV special - including performances from five-time GRAMMY Award-winning artist Mariah Carey, country music chart-topper Darius Rucker, singer/actress Amber Riley, Disney Channel stars Selena Gomez and Debby Ryan, young soprano sensation Jackie Evancho, "American Idol" Lee DeWyze, swing band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, professional dancers from ABC-TV's "Dancing with the Stars" and R&B sensation Sean Kingston.

The 27th Annual "Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade" airs Christmas Day on ABC-TV. The show is scheduled to air at the following times:

• Eastern Time Zone: Noon - 2 p.m.
• Central Time Zone: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
• Mountain Time Zone: 10 a.m. - noon.
• Pacific Time Zone: 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
• Los Angeles: 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Chart-topping celebrities ring in the magical holiday spirit from start to finish, the 2010 "Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade" is packed with festive musical performances from Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California.

Global pop superstar Mariah Carey gives fans a tuneful taste of her brand-new holiday album, "Merry Christmas II You," with a new song, "Oh Santa" and her perennial holiday smash, "All I Want For Christmas Is You"

Ryan Seacrest leads the fun as the show's host at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and Nick Cannon hosts from Disneyland Resort in California. Maria Menounos serves as a special co-host at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, and Samantha Brown checks in as the show's travel correspondent.

Fans are invited to join the parade mobile text alert program to get fun information about the parade as well as submit holiday greetings, which may appear on the "Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade" broadcast! To sign up, send an SMS message with PARADE to 37275 (DPARK). Msg. & data rates may apply.

The parade magic continues on Radio Disney. Radio Disney will air a one-hour special on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25 (9 a.m., ET/6 a.m., PT and 3 p.m., ET/Noon, PT) hosted by on-air personalities Ernie D and Jake Whetter. The "2010 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade Special on Radio Disney" will feature behind-the-scenes interviews and sneak previews of performances by stars of the parade including Mariah Carey, Selena Gomez, Sean Kingston, and Debby Ryan.

Source: Disney Parks

The Costco Connection: "A Very Carey Christmas"
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 02-Dec-2010, 6:44PM EST

This article appears on page 37 in the Arts & Entertainment section of the December 2010 issue of The Costco Connection, a free magazine for members of the warehouse club Costco.

A VERY CAREY CHRISTMAS
Mariah Carey's Christmas album aims for retro sensibilities with a modern twist By Will Fifield

This month R&B artist Mariah Carey releases Merry Christmas II You, her second Christmas album and 13th studio recording. Her career stats are staggering.

If you measure success by music sales, Carey is golden. Since she began recording as a solo artist in 1990, she's sold more than 200 million albums, singles and videos, making her the top-selling female recording artist in history.

If acclaim is the mark of artistic achievement, she has a myriad of music awards that certify her place in the industry, including five Grammys and 28 Billboard Music Awards.

If talent were the litmus test, Carey's five-octave-plus vocal range and impressive technical skill would be evidence enough. Even casual listeners recognize her mastery of melisma, the ornamental and often incredibly high string of fluttering notes that dresses up many of her songs.

"I think of myself as a songwriter, first and foremost," Carey recently told The Connection via phone from her New York apartment. For her, the process of capturing the melodies she hears in her head and the song concepts that come to her is what makes her successful. She says writing is a huge priority for her because her songs serve as the structure in which her voice operates.

Carey, who sometimes works out song ideas on piano or guitar, or, on occasion, simply sings vocal hooks into her cellphone, took a very collaborative approach in writing new songs for Merry Christmas II You.

The first person she enlisted was Randy Jackson, her longtime musical director. Other producers include Jermaine Dupri; James Poyser, who has worked with the likes of Aretha Franklin, the Roots and Lauryn Hill; and five-time Oscar nominee and multi-award-winning composer Marc Shaiman.

"With this record, the through line is retro classic yet modern, a hard line to walk. We wound up marrying the traditional and modern. I've worked with rap artists, so that's kind of become my sensibility. I lean that way. But I also grew up listening to traditional jazz standards. On this album, I didn't want to do anything that would take listeners back to the '90s," Carey says.

The new album contains a new recording of "All I Want For Christmas Is You," the featured single from Merry Christmas, her first Christmas album, recorded in 1994, which has sold more than 12 million copies to date. It also includes "Oh Santa!," a very upbeat single. She co-wrote "Christmas Is In The Air Again" and "One Child" with Shaiman.

"With Marc Shaiman, I had to alter the way I normally write, which is pretty much off the cuff," Carey says. "We went back and forth on lyrical concepts. He's genius. He's Broadway. But he's also fun to work with. While we worked on 'One Child,' which tells the story of the Nativity, it was funny because Marc is Jewish and kept saying things like 'What's going on? There's a king involved?' We started laughing and had a really great time." She says Shaiman's string arrangements are stunning, but the album explores another side of retro classic as well.

"Sometimes I will come up with a piano line or a horn line," Carey says. She says she sang a horn line to James Poyser, who was able to develop it into what became "When Christmas Comes." "It has a kind of '70s R&B feel," Carey says. "It evokes a Minnie Ripperton-Donny Hathaway vibe."

Other Christmas songs on the album include "The First Noel," a medley of "Little Drummer Boy" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem," and a medley of "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Hallelujah Chorus," a duet she sings with her mother, Patricia, a vocal coach and opera singer. Carey says the entire album was produced with Nat King Cole in mind, even where it departs from his timeless style.

Source: The Costco Connection | Joseph | Text: MariahDailyJournal

Videos: Mariah on HSN
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 02-Dec-2010, 2:42PM EST

12:00am-1:30am Show - Mariah on HSN, Nov. 29, 2010
Download: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5

2:00pm-2:30pm Show - Mariah on HSN, Nov. 29, 2010
Download: Part 1 | Part 2

9:00pm-12:00am Show - Mariah on HSN, Nov. 29, 2010
Download: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7

Source: MariahDailyJournal

New York Times Reviews Merry Christmas II You
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 02-Dec-2010, 2:05PM EST

MARIAH CAREY: 'MERRY CHRISTMAS II YOU'
(Island Def Jam, $13.98)
By Jon Caramanica, New York Times

"Oh Santa!" doesn't sound like anyone's idea of a Christmas standard, but maybe it should. From Mariah Carey's new holiday album, "Merry Christmas II You," it's peppy and buoyant, moving along at reindeer-quick speed, a hybrid of girl-group harmony and lightweight Atlanta bass music. Ms. Carey's vocals are slippery, and she's naughty things in a nice way: "I saw him shopping last week/And his new girl was so weak." Santa as home wrecker? Why not? The rest of this album intersperses originals (a surprisingly modest neo-soul "When Christmas Comes") with classics – a respectful "First Noel," an aptly baby-making take on "O Little Town of Bethlehem," and "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)" as routed through a strip club. But nothing beats "All I Want for Christmas Is You," from her 1994 album "Merry Christmas," one of the great modern holiday albums. So she updates it, ever so slightly, in a version dubbed "Extra Festive," giving herself the gift of resting on laurels.

Source: NY Times | Jason

Mariah in Santa Dress at San Francisco's Wax Museum
Posted by Lynn on Thursday, 02-Dec-2010, 12:31AM EST

Check out this video showing a new wax sculpture of Mariah wearing a sexy Santa dress at the Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, California. Also shown in the video is President Barack Obama.

Source: David | MusicFrenzy

"When Christmas Comes" Video Out Monday
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 01-Dec-2010, 7:14PM EST

The 'Holiday Exclusive' video of "When Christmas Comes" which Mariah first revealed on Nov. 17th will finally be seen on Monday, Dec. 6th, as she announced on her Twitter page minutes ago.

Source: Mariah on Twitter

Billboard Update
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 01-Dec-2010, 5:27PM EST

From Billboard magazine issue dated December 11, 2010.

Source: Billboard | MariahDailyJournal | Melody | Diego

"All I Want..." Crowns Billboard's Holiday Songs
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 01-Dec-2010, 5:14PM EST

Like a star shining bright atop a Christmas tree, Mariah Carey's 1994 carol "All I Want for Christmas Is You" tops Billboard's list of the 100 most popular seasonal songs.

The special holiday recap is based on a formula blending sales and airplay data for the period of Oct. 5, 2009, through Jan. 3, 2010, as measured by Nielsen SoundScan and Nielsen BDS, respectively.


Wham!'s 1984 holiday single "Last Christmas" (No. 9) is the second-youngest song in the top 10 after Carey's chart-topping title.

Mariah's "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" from her 1994 Merry Christmas album also appears on Billboard's 100 Hot Holiday Songs chart at #69. And the Mariah Carey-penned "Where Are You, Christmas?" (2000) as sung by Faith Hill also makes the list at #14.

Source: Billboard | MariahDailyJournal

Video: Mariah Performs "Oh Santa!" at Rockefeller Center
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 01-Dec-2010, 12:25AM EST

Mariah kicked off the 78th Annual "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" tree lighting ceremony tonight by performing her Holiday hit "Oh Santa!"


Mariah Performs "Oh Santa!" at Rockefeller Center - NBC, Nov. 30, 2010
[ Download here ]

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Audio: Mariah in Studio at 106.7 Lite FM, New York
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 01-Dec-2010, 12:03AM EST

Mariah stopped by the 106.7 Lite FM studios in New York City and chatted with host Delilah about the Rockefeller Center tree lighting tradition and her holiday plans. She also played 'One Child' for the listeners.


Mariah in Studio at New York's 106.7 Lite FM, Nov. 30, 2010
[ Download an MP3 file here ]
Delilah: Good evening, New York City. I've got a special treat for you. Look who stopped by the Lite FM studios this evening. Hello, Mariah.
Mariah: Hey, Delilah. Hi, New York City!

Delilah: Thank you for stopping by the studios. I'm glad you're here. I'm glad we're spending time. You were a part, a big part, of the 78th Annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony. Such a great tradition. What was that like? How did that feel?
Mariah: Amazing. I've never been to the tree lighting before so I really, really wanted to be a part of this especially this year. So many people come to New York at the holidays just to experience the whole thing. I think that this is definitely one of those places that if you love Christmas you have to come at least once.

Delilah: At least once. At least it is awesome. So because you got to participate in the tree lighting you didn't have to fight your way through the crowd, did you?
Mariah: No, that's the great thing [laughs]. It's like doing that and doing the... I've done the New Year's Eve show one time before and that was amazing as you get to be on stage without actually experiencing the crowd drama but it feels like everybody who's there, they're, 'cause they wanted to be there, they know it's going to be crowded and stuff like that. Everybody has sort of like this unified feeling of goodwill. So it's nice.

Delilah: Have you heard the great story behind the tree that was selected? This is such a beautiful story. The tree that was selected, the man who owned the farm that it was growing in his yard was the first responder on 9/11. He was one of the first people that responded, that got those who got out of the towers alive on 9/11.
Mariah: Really? That was amazing.
Delilah: And he was actually... Isn't that amazing? But it gets better. He was actually at a memorial service for his comrades that were lost this past September on 9/11. While he was at a memorial service, there was a knock at his front door. His wife, his family answered the door and it was the tree spotter - the person that goes out looking for the perfect tree for Rockefeller Center who said, 'Hey, could we talk you out of this beautiful tree in your yard?'
Mariah: Wow! So they actually didn't know?
Delilah: They had no idea. Isn't that a miracle?
Mariah: That is awesome. That's incredible.
Delilah: That's one of those God things where everything just comes together and as much as they loved the tree, they said, 'To be able to bless millions of people in New York at this time of year? What an honor.'

Mariah: Absolutely. Incredible. That's really amazing. That's a great story. I'm so glad I know that.
Delilah: So the tree that you got to participate with was a miracle tree in many, many ways.
Mariah: Wow.
Delilah: I know you're going to play one song for us tonight. What have you got for us, Mariah?
Mariah: Yeah! I think now is the perfect time for me to share my new Christmas song with New York. What do you think?
Delilah: I think let's play the whole CD!
Mariah: [Laughs] Okay, this is from my new album Merry Christmas II You called 'One Child' that I wrote for this Christmas album. And it's got a really special message so I hope you enjoy it. You're listening to Delilah on Lite FM. ['One Child' plays.]

Delilah: 106.7 Lite FM. What a night. The Rockefeller Christmas tree, the miracle tree, has been lit. The holiday season in the city is in full swing. Don't you love the city during the holidays?
Mariah: Amazing. It's the best, really.
Delilah: Now, Nick's not going to let you skate this year, is he?
Mariah: [Laughs] No.
Delilah: He's not going to let you do anything until the baby comes, is he?
Mariah: [Laughs] Nope! No.
Delilah: I heard he even nixed your annual going-away for Christmas 'cause he doesn't want you to stress or be at high altitudes.
Mariah: Well, that was more the doctor than him 'cause [laughs] I could have lied to him if I wanted to and said, 'No, they didn't say it was a problem.' But I don't need to be up there and honestly, if I would go there I'd be staying in the bed most of the time anyway 'cause I'll be tired and sleepy; and wanted to rest. So this year we'll just do something else. We're still figuring it out though.

Delilah: I'd like to thank Mariah Carey for stopping by our studios tonight.
Mariah: Yes. Thank you so much, everybody. Stay warm. It's always great to see you, Delilah. Thank you so much. Happy Holidays, New York!

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Video: Mariah on Extra TV, Nov. 30
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 30-Nov-2010, 10:57PM EST

Mariah Talks Baby, Cravings & Holiday Plans - Extra TV, Nov. 30, 2010
[ Download here ]

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Here Comes "Oh Santa!"
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 30-Nov-2010, 2:57PM EST

Mariah Carey logs the highest debut among her 29 career Adult Contemporary chart entries, as "Oh Santa!" dashes in at No. 12.

The start is the chart's highest since deSoL bowed at No. 6 with "Little Drummer Boy" the week of Dec. 17, 2005.

Carey's previous loftiest start belonged to "Dreamlover," which began at No. 17 in 1993.

"Oh Santa!," which introduces Carey's second holiday album, "Merry Christmas II You," has already topped Billboard's Holiday Digital Songs chart.

Source: Billboard

Mariah Has UK's #1 Christmas Track of the Decade
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 30-Nov-2010, 2:43PM EST

The desire of the public to go back year after year to the same favourites is illustrated by a comparison of last year's 20 biggest Christmas downloads based on OCC sales and a chart compiled by PPL of the 20 festive songs earning the highest number of plays on radio, TV and across business over the last decade. Fourteen of the songs in each chart are identical.

While Fairytale Of New York led All I Want For Christmas Is You as the OCC's top festive seller last year, on the decade-long PPL chart it is Mariah Carey who comes out on top followed by Last Christmas and then the Pogues hit. Slade are fourth and Wizzard's I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday fifth on a chart that contains few surprises and nothing new. Incredibly the Carey hit, which originally reached number two in the UK in 1994, is its newest track.

PPL director of PR and corporate communications Jonathan Morrish says all the tracks on the chart are simply great recordings. "Stop somebody in the street and ask them what is their favourite Christmas song and, pretty much, they would choose one from the PPL Top 20," he notes. "Christmas is a time of tradition so while it's no surprise to see standards in there, it is worth noting that it is the most recent recording – Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You – that is at number one. At Christmas we embrace tradition and music is a very powerful and engaging way to enforce that feeling. Music really helps define this time of year – be it songs that radio broadcasts because that's what people want to hear or the songs retail use in store because of their mood-enhancing power."

NOTE: "All I Want For Christmas Is You" climbs 96-48 on the official UK Singles chart as of week of Monday, Nov. 29, 2010.

Source: Music Week UK

Mariah on Billboard's Chart Highlights This Week
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 30-Nov-2010, 12:33PM EST

Chart Highlights offers a sneak peek at a select group of Billboard charts with their respective top songs, Greatest Gainers and debuts. In this week's report, Mariah appears twice with her holiday songs, "All I Want For Christmas Is You," and "Oh Santa!"

Adult Contemporary
*** No. 1 *** "Mine" Taylor Swift
Debut/Greatest Gainer No. 12 "Oh Santa!" Mariah Carey
Debut No. 23 "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" Katharine McPhee Featuring Chris Botti
Debut No. 24 "Shake Up Christmas" Train
Debut No. 25 "Do You Hear What I Hear?" Susan Boyle Featuring Amber Stassi

Holiday Songs
*** No. 1 ***/Greatest Gainer "All I Want For Christmas Is You" Mariah Carey

Source: Billboard

MCIIY Tops EW's Holiday Albums
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 30-Nov-2010, 9:43AM EST

Mariah's Merry Christmas II You receives the highest rating of 4 Trees in Entertainment Weekly's "Christmas Roundup" review of new Holiday albums.

Source: EW 12/3 Issue | MariahDailyJournal

Video: Mariah & Patricia Carey Duet
Posted by Lynn on Tuesday, 30-Nov-2010, 9:25AM EST

Here's the video to "O Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus" which premiered on HSN on Monday, November 29, 2010. It includes behind-the-scenes footage of Mariah and her mom Patricia in the studio.


[ Download this video here ]
Full HSN videos will be posted soon. Stay tuned!

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Audio: BBC Radio 2's "In Search of Mimi"
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 29-Nov-2010, 7:58PM EST

A brand-new Mariah Carey documentary entitled "In Search of Mimi" aired earlier today on UK's BBC Radio 2. In the full-hour special, DJ Trevor Nelson takes a look at the life and times of Mariah Carey, as she celebrates 20 years in the music business. Contributors include friends, colleagues, and Mariah herself.


"In Search of Mimi" - BBC Radio 2 UK, Nov. 29, 2010
[Download an MP3 file here]
EXCERPTS:
Mariah Carey is amongst the biggest-selling female artists of all time. She's winner of five Grammy awards and famous not only for her voice but for her diva demands. But what's behind the tabloid tales and glossy image? We'll hear from the people who know her best and who call her Mimi.

Trey Lorenz: We met as teenagers in New Jersey. She just has a thing for handsome men and I fit in that category. And we became friends and hit it off [laughs]. Well, it was a mutual thing with the music. We both like a lot of the same artists.

Beyonce: "Vision of Love" was one of the first songs I heard when I was a kid where I heard all of these rifts and I was like, "How does she do that?" In this little short amount of time, the amount of notes she could squeeze in in that one little bar, two bars, was fascinating to me! And that's kind of when I started trying it and it's something that I love to do in my music but she completely inspired me. It's a classic love song.

Mariah Carey: That ("Vision of Love") stemmed from me feeling thankful, like a lot of things I do stem from me being thankful to God moreso than a love song. It's merged in there. That's how I feel when I sing that song... It was more of an R&B songtress kind of song than the normal release especially up like someone coming out, making a record at nineteen, doing that whole kind of thing at that point in time. And that was not a safe decision so I have to commend the label in putting that song out and letting me be showcased as a vocalist.

Trey Lorenz: I love "Can't Let Go." I remember hearing it when she was first working on it and I actually got to see it just blossom into this incredible work which I think has stood the test of time. Technically, "Can't Let Go" should be Mariah's 6th consecutive #1, but Sony wanted to sell more records instead of singles - that's how it was working at that time and they pulled the single from the stores in order for people to buy the album. And the song just missed going to #1. It stalled at #2. I remember saying, "This is a #1, this is a #1." I think Sony was trying to prove a point, and keep her in line, and what not, which only made her rebel more. So...[laughs].

Steve Ripley (Sony UK): For me, MTV Unplugged took her to the next level of stardom without a shadow of a doubt. For the first time people really saw that talent, and what she was all about. And I think that really catapulted her into the stratosphere of uber stardom.

Jasmine Dotiwala: I expected her to be a real diva that was out of touch from the rest of the world. I thought we wouldn't have anything in common. She realized that I was a big Hip-hop lover and a fan, and I realized she was actually a huge Hip-hop lover and a fan. Afterwards, she invited me to leave my number for her, and she said, "Come into my bedroom I will show you something" and proceeds to show me millions of CDs all by real urban, Hip-hop, gangster rappers that people hadn't even heard of. So I was really impressed.

Mariah Carey: You can take that song ("Anytime You Need A Friend") as a spiritual song if you want. When I did the backgrounds on that song, we stacked those vocals, about 30 tracks of us and made it into a choir.

Mariah Carey: "Underneath The Stars" has always been one of my favorite songs that I've done. I just took a long time writing the lyrics and I felt like it was painting a picture sort of a thing. To me I wanted it to be a timeless record. I think I could still, if I could put it out tomorrow, I would. Back in that time of my life, I wasn't really allowed or didn't realize the power that I had to say, and I still sometimes don't, in terms of like being really demonstrative about, "Okay, I want this song to come out now. I want such and such. I believe in it and you guys have to listen to me because that's in my contract" but back then I sort of like let people walk all over me a little bit too much. I don't know that it would have been a #1 song but I think it was a very good song, and it still is.

Mariah Carey: That ("The Roof") was sort of a true life experience. Very much poetically enhanced. And also left open to the imagination so I'm sure people are like, "What happened exactly?" But it was just sort of a play by play of the exact moment of what happened in that particular night in my life.

Mary Anne Tatum: Meeting her for the first time was her multi-tasking as she always does. It was some big function that she was going to that night and she had to get hair and makeup done. She had to do wardrobe change, all of that and literally we were recording the song and she was sitting behind the booth producing, getting hair and makeup done and telling me what to do. At one point where she was kind of really rushing, they were like putting pressure on her to hurry up 'cause she had to leave, and she literally stopped the session to say, "Listen, please don't take this personal, I don't mean to rush you but they're rushing me 'cause I have to leave." She wanted me to get the stuff done, and I had to get it done quicker than usual but she was so cool. We clicked.

Brett Ratner: My first girlfriend I ever had in my entire life when I was 16 years old was a singer by the name of Brenda K. Starr. And Brenda K. Starr would send the limousine and pick up myself and all my friends and put me in the front row of her concerts and sing "I Still Believe" to me. And Mariah was her backup singer. And Mariah went on to become Mariah, of course. She called me and asked me to do that ("I Still Believe"). She was smart. She just knew it was a personal song for me and it was such an incredible collaboration.

L.A. Reid: I'm very hands-on with Mariah in selecting the material and sort of giving my vote of confidence on performances. I will find producers and match them with her, or find collaborative songwriters and match them with her and when they're done, I sort of sit and tell her what I think is strong, what I think works and what maybe doesn't work.

Mariah Carey: I decided to redo it ("All I Want For Christmas Is You"). I wanted to keep it so people are listening to what they remember. I don't want to go too far on a tangent with it. So we just sort of orchestrated the beginning, resang the vocals but we did it in the same spirit as the original, only everything's like live instrumentation and stuff like that. People might know me better for that song than any song after I'm not here anymore, who knows? Because Christmas songs outlast everything, pretty much.

Source: BBC Radio 2 | Recording: MariahDailyJournal

"In Search of Mimi" on UK's BBC Radio 2 Tonight!
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 29-Nov-2010, 1:00PM EST

A brand-new documentary about Mariah Carey entitled "In Search of Mimi" is airing tonight at 10pm (5pm ET/2pm PT) on UK's BBC Radio 2. Hosted by DJ Trevor Nelson, "In Search of Mimi" will give us a detailed and intimate look at the life and times of Mariah Carey whose career has so far spanned twenty years - from the moment she got signed, her first single "Vision of Love," her career's ups and downs, to her latest holiday offering Merry Christmas II You. The documentary will include commentaries from Mariah's colleagues and close friends including L.A. Reid, Brett Ratner, Lee Daniels, Jasmine Dotiwala, Trey Lorenz and Mary Ann Tatum; as well as an exclusive intimate interview with producer Sarah Thompson.

The show will air in 4 hours, be sure to tune in! BBC Radio 2 can be streamed live here.

Source: Sarah Thompson | MariahDailyJournal

Mariah Celebrates 'Christmas in Rockefeller Center'
Posted by Lynn on Monday, 29-Nov-2010, 1:36AM EST

However many celebrities have a good holiday season, Mariah Carey appears destined for one of her best.

Not only are she and husband Nick Cannon ("America's Got Talent") celebrating their status as parents-to-be, but she's making the rounds to promote her second CD of seasonal tunes, "Merry Christmas II You." One of her stops — a most appropriate one — is NBC's 13th annual edition of "Christmas in Rockefeller Center" Tuesday, Nov. 30.

"I've never done this before, so I'm really looking forward to it," the friendly Carey says. "When I had my first Christmas record a while ago, I would have thought somebody would have tried to make that merger, but this is going to be fun for me. I do love all those kinds of very Christmas-y events... and hopefully, it won't be too cold."

The lighting of the Christmas tree in New York's Rockefeller Center is a traditional highlight of the NBC special, which Al Roker and Natalie Morales of "Today" will host. Sheryl Crow, Josh Groban, Jessica Simpson, Annie Lennox, Kylie Minogue, Internet sensations Susan Boyle and Charice, Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins, and young soprano Jackie Evancho (who competed on "America's Got Talent") also are on the musical bill.

Carey certainly has enough Christmas songs from which to choose for the show. "Merry Christmas II You" includes an "Extra Festive" version of "All I Want for Christmas Is You," her holiday standard that she also co-wrote. Also on the CD are "Here Comes Santa Claus," "The First Noel," a medley of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" and "The Little Drummer Boy," and several more songs Carey co-authored.

One of those — "Oh Santa!" — is what Carey expects to perform on "Christmas in Rockefeller Center." It's also slated to be the theme song of the new ABC Family movie "Christmas Cupid" Dec. 12.

Carey says the Rockefeller Center show's producers want the tune, "and it's already been No. 1 on the (Billboard magazine) holiday chart, which is amazing. It's pretty festive, but it depends. If they decide they want something slow, I'll do something slow."

The No. 2 slot on that Billboard chart also went to Carey, for "All I Want for Christmas Is You," as "Merry Christmas II You" was being released at the start of this month.

Included as well on the CD is "O Holy Night," which Carey recorded live with a choir in the South Central district of Los Angeles. "I actually did it a while ago," she says, "and I held onto it. I kept the idea of another Christmas album afloat by doing new stuff every year, and that song was done at a time when I was sort of in between labels. I decided I would do something different, so I did that version with a video and everything."

One of the producers of "Merry Christmas II You" is Randy Jackson, the one judge who's lasting into the new season of "American Idol" that begins in January on Fox. Carey maintains that he "absolutely" is still the Randy Jackson she always has known, even when he was more of a presence in recording studios than on television screens.

"That's one of the things that I think is so special about him as a person," Carey confirms of Jackson, who also has served as musical director for several of her concert tours. "He is exactly the same guy. People wouldn't believe it. I can't even believe it sometimes."

Expect Carey to make many more television appearances in the weeks before Christmas, a main one being her own ABC special Dec. 13. That hour will merge performance sequences, taped at Los Angeles' Orpheum Theatre, with segments in which Carey will surprise several of her fans by making their holiday wishes come true... literally.

"I've spoken with my mother about coming in and doing our version of 'O Come All Ye Faithful,' " Carey reveals of the ABC show. "We have never performed it live together, so I'm really excited about it. That'll be a nice moment."

Carey also believes there are many such moments on "Merry Christmas II You," which is why she's pleased to embark on a heavy media schedule for it, even while well along in her pregnancy.

"I just feel I'm in a different place in terms of being comfortable with my creative freedom," she says. "I love a lot of stuff from the first (Christmas) album, but every year, I will want to skip certain songs. I won't be happy unless I fast-forward through them, so I figured that if I did a new album that I felt good with all the way down, I could make my own playlist. This is like the sequel to a first movie."

And in Carey's view, there's no better time than Christmas for such a sequel: "No matter what else is happening in my life, everything else stops at that time, and it's time to do something really fun. However the rest of the year has been, I never let the holidays go by with me in a bleak, glum mood. I just won't do it."

Source: Zap2it

Mariah Kicks Off NTT Countdown, May Perform "One Child" in DC
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 27-Nov-2010, 4:46PM EST

Twitter got extra festive today as Mariah kicked off her "Merry Christmas and Merry Christmas II You NTT Countdown to Christmas"! She told us: "NTTs are fun at Christmastime! The lambs festiveness is unparalled!!!!: )" Today's NTTs were:


And of course, all fans gave the correct answers! Be sure to catch all the fun playing NTTs with Mariah on Twitter, daily until Christmas!

Mariah was also replying to some fan questions, one asked: "Will u ever perform 'One Child'?" Her response:


Hope she does! Mariah will be performing at Christmas in Washington, to be recorded live from the National Building Museum on Dec. 12; and aired on Friday, Dec. 17 at 8:00pm ET on TNT.

Source: Mariah on Twitter | MariahDailyJournal

Mariah Interviews with Australia's Herald Sun
Posted by Lynn on Saturday, 27-Nov-2010, 10:53AM EST

Get ready for a very Carey Christmas
Mariah Carey is a happy diva, writes Tiffany Bakker.

Whatever you do, don't mention the baby. Indeed, Mariah Carey might have tried to deny it for months, but there's an undeniable baby bump in the room.

When I meet the singer in New York, Carey is a few days away from publicly announcing news of her impending parenthood the baby is due in the northern spring but it's obvious to all and sundry that, well, she's eating for two. She said later she had conceived naturally and she and her husband were yet to find out the sex of the baby.

From her mother ("the greatest influence on my life") to Nick Cannon, her husband of 2 1/2 years ("he's given me the confidence to stop worrying, to stop being cautious"), Carey declares that she's "the happiest I've ever been".

It wasn't always so. Over the years, the 40-year-old pop superstar has been branded everything from difficult to downright odd, an unapologetic diva, who still has no qualms admitting, "I do what I want".

There has been amazing success (200 million albums sold, second only to the Beatles for US number ones) and a few disappointments (Glitter) along the way, but she remains one of the biggest pop stars in the world she redeemed herself post-Glitter with 2005's The Emancipation of Mimi a bona fide superstar with a five-octave vocal range the world still seems intrigued by.

Carey will tell you she's not a diva, but occasionally her actions suggest otherwise. (For this interview I was kept waiting in a hotel lobby for close to five hours. She finally decided to talk at midnight.)

"Look, I'm very regimented and I work let's not get it twisted," she says forcefully when questioned on her reputation. "I really do go to work and I understand the value of money and I've kind of come full circle in terms of that whole thing. People don't think that what I do is work but it is. I mean, I'm here talking to you at midnight."

Indeed, the reason she's talking is to promote her latest album Merry Christmas II You, a collection of Christmas favourites mixed with a handful of new tracks. This is Carey's second crack at a Christmas album. The first, released in 1994, and featuring All I Want For Christmas Is You, proved one of the singer's biggest successes.

"I had one of the greatest musical experiences of my career doing this," she says. "You get to tap into all of those emotions and feelings that you may not necessarily tap into on a regular release."

True, there's no denying Carey has Yuletide joy down pat. (The night before, assorted minor celebrities Oprah's BFF Gayle King held court had gathered in a swanky space overlooking Central Park to listen to the album while a slideshow played on repeat.) Think Mariah and Nick in Santa outfits, Mariah and puppies wearing Christmas collars, Mariah and friends snow sledding.

"I love Christmas, it's my favourite holiday," says Carey. "I'm very festive, I plan Christmas really far in advance and I get to be around all of my family, which is pretty rare."

Indeed, for the album, she roped in her mother, Patricia, an opera singer, to join her on a spine-tingling rendition of Oh Come All Ye Faithful.

Carey says singing with her mother is one of her proudest moments: "I think it's nice because everybody gets to hear her," says Carey. "She's properly trained, she knows how to protect the voice, how to breathe. I take liberties, I go with the flow, I don't like being restricted or regimented."

But this flexibility has meant Carey is comfortable singing with everyone from Jay-Z to Luciano Pavarotti to Olivia Newton John ("a highlight"). Even as a child she knew that she would be a singer.

"There was never a moment," she says, "when I didn't think it would happen. I think it's about loving music and about the choices you make -- good or bad. Even if it's an acting project, you make your choice, it may be a mistake, but you live with it and you deal with it. It's all about exploring and I put everything of myself into everything that I do because my work is what's going to be here long after I'm gone."

Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas II You is out now.

Source: Herald Sun Australia

Merry Christmas II You Updates
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 26-Nov-2010, 4:15PM EST

USA
• Mariah has recorded this video message for the Universal Music site. She says: "Hi, I'm Mariah Carey. Welcome to the Universal Music website. My new album, Merry Christmas II You is coming in November. Hope you enjoy it."

• US fans, Merry Christmas II You digital album is on sale for $4.99 at Amazon but you can download it for ONLY $1.99 by applying the free MP3 music download credit of $3.00 from promo code: GET3MP3S! For instructions on how to get the $3 credit, click here. This promo offer is valid through Nov. 29th. Don't snooze!

• Mediabase Airplay Update: "Oh Santa!" at Adult Contemporary Radio as of week ending 11/25:


• Mariah posted this exciting news on her Twitter: "Coming soon: video clip for "Oh come all ye faithful/Hallelujah chorus"(duet w/my mom) moments in the studio,recording etc..lym!"

• Merry Christmas II You is also being sold at Whole Foods supermarket. To the right is a photo taken by Gilbert of Mariah's new Christmas album conspicuously displayed at the checkout counter of Whole Foods in Las Vegas.

• Send a Merry Christmas II You e-card from Mariah! Choose from 4 different card designs, 5 different Mariah holiday songs, 2 choices of a bit of sparkle & add your own personal message to create an extra festive holiday greeting to send to everyone on your holiday card list this year.

• You can view the nice Mariah pictures from the photo album that's included in the Merry Christmas II You Collector's Box in this video by Nueng. You can get this collector's set from ShopMariah.com for $49.99.

• VJ Tre is inviting everyone in the Washington, DC area to an IDJ-sponsored Merry Christmas II You album release party that he's hosting at Omega DC on Saturday, Dec. 4th. Check out the party flyer to the right for more info.

AUSTRIA & GERMANY
Finally! Merry Christmas II You gets released in Austria and Germany today! Austrian and German fans, get your copies now! Send us your photo holding your Merry Christmas II You CD so we can include in our Gallery.

HONG KONG & TAIWAN
Check out the official Merry Christmas II You promo mini sites at Universal Music Hong Kong and Universal Music Taiwan. The Taiwanese site includes a promo e-card featuring "Oh Santa!" that you can send out to promote Mariah's new Christmas album.

HUNGARY
Photos of the "Made for Hungary" version of Merry Christmas II You. It only comes with the CD and does not include a full booklet.


ITALY
The Italian blog site RnB Junk, in cooperation with Universal Music Italy, is holding a contest for a chance to win the Merry Christmas II You Deluxe Edition. Five (5) winners will be selected. Contest ends on Thursday, Dec. 2nd. Check the contest details here!

MALAYSIA
A listening party for Mariah's Merry Christmas II You was held in Malaysia on Wednesday, Nov. 24. Universal Music Malaysia has partnered with Pensonic Malaysia (an electrical appliances company) and with every purchase of selected electrical appliances (audio and visual players mainly), customers will get a free copy of Merry Christmas II You! With the help of Pensonic, the album has reached gold status (7500 copies sold) in the first few weeks of the album release. To the right is a picture of the Mariah Carey cookie that was handed out to attendees at the album listening party.

NEW ZEALAND
Merry Christmas II You is now available in New Zealand in both the Standard and Deluxe editions. Below are photos of the Deluxe release with the DVD.


PHILIPPINES
In coordination with MCA Music Philippines, the Philippine Mariah Carey Fanclub (PMCF) recently concluded two successful "Lamb Raids" in two of Manila's biggest record stores, AstroVisionPlus and Odyssey. The two events were attended by PMCF members who flocked to the record stores to get their copies of the Merry Christmas II You CD; and at the same time promote the album at the said stores. Signed Mariah items were given as prizes for games and interactive plays. Below are pictures from the two fan promo events.



SINGAPORE
Hairul, Rohaishah and other Singaporean fans gathered in front of the HMV store at 313 @ Somerset to promote Mariah's new Christmas album Merry Christmas II You. Check out some pictures below! Universal Music Singapore is having a contest to further hype up the album. Contest details will be revealed soon.




Below are photos of the Singaporean version of Merry Christmas II You.



SPAIN
FNAC Spain is selling the Merry Christmas II You Collector's Box for ONLY €20.95 (US$28.48)! Get it here!

THAILAND
Photos of the Merry Christmas II You Deluxe edition, Thai release.


UK
Spencer has started a campaign on Facebook to get Mariah's "Oh Santa!" to be UK's #1 Christmas song. You can join his Facebook group by logging on here.

Source: MariahDailyJournal | Hairul | Ken | Mandy | Gilbert | Bernard | Donald | RunWitMe | Spencer | Mario | Giuseppe | Neung | Jeremy | Szilvia | Jevi | Jacques | MariahCarey.com | Immer

"Oh Santa!" EP Digital Release
Posted by Lynn on Friday, 26-Nov-2010, 2:09AM EST

An EP version of "Oh Santa!" is scheduled for digital release on Tuesday, December 7th. Below is the tracklisting.

Source: MariahDailyJournal

Audio: Mariah Interviews with Radio Disney
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 24-Nov-2010, 2:55AM EST

Mariah talked about her new Christmas album Merry Christmas II You, her upcoming performance at Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade, her plans for the Holidays now that she is pregnant, her mom Patricia, etc. in an exclusive interview with Radio Disney host Ernie D that aired Tuesday, November 23, 2010. Listen below!


[ Download an MP3 file here ]
Ernie D: She joins us on the phone. Mariah Carey. It's me, Ernie.
Mariah Carey: Hi. How are you? Hi, Ernie. Everything is good.

ED: That's good. I just want to say congratulations on the new album Merry Christmas II You. Were you surprised that it did so well the first few weeks of its release?
MC: Thank you. I actually was very surprised because I never expected it to come out bigger than the first Christmas album I had the first week.
ED: 'Cause it's a classic. I mean I know it's your album but I have to admit like I know it's Christmas time when I hear 'All I Want For Christmas Is You.'
MC: Thank you. It's one of those things where, that's why I remade that song for this album but in doing it, being that I wrote the song, it's really close to me so I know that people who listen to it every year feel that same way and they don't really want to hear it sound that different. But just I did kind of pretty much sticking to the traditional way that I wrote it originally and did this new orchestral intro which is really, really beautiful. Marc Shaiman did it. He is an amazing, amazing talent. And we called it the 'Extra Festive' version. So I have that and 'Oh Santa!' the new single and it's been really exciting to see 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' and 'Oh Santa!' kind of go back and forth for like #1 and #2 on the Holiday chart. It just feels good as a writer, you know what I mean? Christmas songs, you hear them every year if you're fortunate, and it's just different than other songs. Of course, we love all kinds of records but there's something special about holiday music for me.
ED: Well, you know what? Let's get your brand-new song on right now, 'Oh Santa!.' This is Mariah Carey, she's on Radio Disney right now.

ED: So we just played 'Oh Santa!' let's talk about the song real quick. I'm digging like the beginning sort of almost like a Hip-hop version of a Christmas song.
MC: No, I wouldn't go that far. I think the beat is very retro, if anything. It's not really, I wouldn't put in a genre. I think that it's got, like I said, a retro thing but it's also got this orchestral intro. That beginning is just like a chant. I wouldn't say it's a rap. It's sort of like kids doing that little chant on the front of the record.
ED: One thing that I was actually really surprised to see on the album was basically the Mariah Carey version of 'Charlie Brown Christmas.' Was that one of the more exciting songs you ever did? It is so widely-known, one of the Christmas classics.
MC: Yeah. It definitely is and I just grew up watching Charlie Brown every year and that was one of the things that made me say, 'Okay, it's Christmas time,' and so when I went to do this record I was sitting down with a couple people and I said, 'I can't believe nobody really redid 'Charlie Brown Christmas.'
ED: I know!
MC: And so when we did the intro that's an incredible piano player/writer/musician Big Jim Wright, he's actually Mo'Nique's musical director, and we wrote a song on The Emancipation of Mimi called 'Fly Like a Bird' which I performed at the Grammys that year, 2006. But he's trying the beginning do-do-do-do-doo that Charlie Brown part? And so I could have like sung something over that but I didn't think that was necessary. I just wanted to keep it really fun, and keep it simple and then we segued into the 'Christmastime is here' part of the ballad part. And I just wanted to do it like pay homage to the original 'Charlie Brown' record and it was really, really nice because the Schulz Estate called me and they said they loved the version and then they gave me all these Charlie Brown stuff. That was really sweet.

ED: On the phone, we're so excited to have the Mariah Carey. She's hanging out. We're talking all about her brand-new album, Merry Christmas II You, and since this album is coming out now, holiday time, you had to record this during the summertime, right?
MC: Hmhmm, in the summer and I had the house decorated, and the studio decorated with Christmas lights all through the summer but I did that when I made my first Christmas album so it wasn't like that bizarre to me. One thing I remember from doing that album is, actually I had Christmas stuff up all year. It doesn't have the same feeling when actually the holidays come around. So I've been trying to ween myself off of it. But I'm just, the way that I work is like you make the record, and you kind of listen to it, trying to live with it. I've been avoiding listening to it like cooking and stuff around the house and I'm like, 'Okay, I have to put something else on because I need to do this at Christmas.'
ED: So now what do you do with all the decorations you have? Do you take them down and now that it's getting ready for Christmas time you got to put them back up again? Or what do you do?
MC: I'm trying to think at where we're going for Christmas 'cause I usually go to Aspen. I'm not supposed to go there this year because I can't ski and I can't really do any of that stuff being pregnant so I'm just going to have to figure out where else we're going to go. But if we stay home, like stay in L.A., I definitely have to completely decorate the house, and possibly get a snow machine. I can't be in an unfestive environment. I can't.

ED: [Laughs] And there's no snow in California.
MC: I know. I know. So maybe we'll stay in New York. But I don't know. We're trying to figure it out.
ED: That's one of the things like when I moved here I was like, 'It doesn't feel like Christmas' really 'cause nobody really decorates their house a whole bunch and there's no snow...
MC: That's what I'm saying like I can't be in a bleak environment. I can't [laughs]. I can't allow that. I don't know what I'm going to do. Honestly, I'm not kidding about the snow machine. You think I'm joking? I'm really not.
ED: I have to go to your house for Christmas this year.
MC: Well, you might as well come by.
ED: [Laughs] Alright, this is Mariah Carey hanging out on Radio Disney. Another song from her album, her brand-new album Merry Christmas II You, the festive version, 'All I Want For Christmas Is You.'

ED: Radio Disney's Ernie D hanging out with Mariah Carey. She's on the phone right now. So Mariah, is Christmas going to be a lot different for you now with your baby-to-be and everything?
MC: Yeah. I'm trying to figure out how I can do some of the things, a lot of the things are just out.
ED: Some things are not out though.
MC: No. But ha. Yeah, I got to figure out where I'm going to do that depending on what city I'm in. I figured I got this really cute gift box that I was talking about before. It's like this gold box that got my Christmas album in there, it's got photo album, it's got a butterfly Christmas ornament, and gift tags, and I need to do it quick because it's really super-cute. I'm thinking that basically I'm going to take this and just going to give this as a gift 'cause it's really nice.

ED: Mariah, what's the most memorable Christmas gift you've ever gotten?
MC: Wow, it's hard to say because some things that could be like I could draw a picture for you, you know, that would an incredible gift that you keep for years. You could get something that is, you know, something that's I guess more materialistic, be valuable in that way but I think just having a great Christmas, a great holiday, and really being with people that you love, that's a gift. Just to have some rest; and relax and really enjoy being with family and friends.
ED: Is there a special song that you, like a special holiday song, that you're singing to the baby now that it is getting to be the holiday. Is there a song in general that you sing to the baby?
MC: The whole album [laughs]. Because I was recording this and that's what was going on so I have a feeling... well, I just hope they don't turn out like hating Christmas because...

ED: 'Cause you were recording the album...
MC: The whole time, yeah. Now I'm going to be, for the rest of the month, doing all these different Christmas moments. There's something really nice, as I was saying before, about doing this album right now. If this were any other type of album, it would have been really not easy but the fact that this is the holiday and stuff makes it nice.
ED: Mariah Carey on the phone right now. We're talking about her album, the brand-new one Merry Christmas II You. We're talking about the 2010 Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade in a minute but I wanted to find out 'cause I know everybody's parents did this, was there something your mom did to you that was just so embarrassing you like promised yourself, 'I'm never going to do that to my child.'
MC: One thing that's pretty funny, if you listen to the album, number track 9, there's 'Come All Ye Faithful/Hallelujah Chorus' featuring my mom. And she is an opera singer and people are like, 'Wow! It's so amazing. Your mom is such a good singer' and I'm like, 'Did you think she wasn't going to be good?' When I was little I wouldn't be, not even so little but if I wasn't home on time or something she would like sing my name like Mariah [sings in operatic voice] and sing my name really loud. In fact, you can hear it from all the way down the street. I would definitely not be doing that.

ED: So what does Nick want for the holidays this year? Probably just for you guys to be together, I would imagine.
MC: It's really tough because of his schedule and my schedule so we're just trying to figure it out what we're doing and how to have our best time ever 'cause I don't want to be like, 'Oh, I can't do anything and I have to stay inside' and bla-bla-bla. We have a really good time whatever we do so we'll just enjoy being together.
ED: You're also perfoming at the Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade on ABC at Walk Disney World.
MC: Yay, we love that. Disney is the best, most fun at Christmas time. The best. I'm very, very excited for that.
ED: And you know what? I promised you you're going to get snow even though it's Florida.
MC: I already know. You can never be disappointed being at Disney at Christmas ever.

ED: In the midst of doing all this holiday album - recording it, putting it together, promoting it - have you ever had the chance to have some time off, just relax, just kind of hang out a minute?
MC: The way I approached this record was very like in a relaxed manner. Something I'm glad about is that I got the art work out of the way before I really started working on the album. I had one song done and so at least I could have the album done before I gained so much weight, showing and all that stuff. So that's fun. The packaging is really cute with all the reindeer, the snow. I wore the same outfit from the first album but it's like an updated yet classic version. I got the chance to relax and stuff while making the record 'cause I don't look at it as such a stressful thing like making a regular album, which none of it is really stressful, if you love music it's what you do and you want to do it.
ED: I do have to admit that I'm very impressed that even though you are pregnant and you have a baby on the way that you're still wearing high heels and that's kind of important to you.
MC: Not today.

ED: You're not wearing high heels today?
MC: No. I have on like ugly-looking things.
ED: Just the boots? Why? Are the high heels starting to hurt your feet? Are your feet swelling like your ankles starting to swell?
MC: Hmm, a little. It's not festive. [laughs]
ED: [Laughs] Aren't you getting your feet rubbed at least?
MC: Yeah, Nick was doing that last night.
ED: It makes a difference, doesn't it? I'm glad that he's taking care of you. Congratulations on the album, Mariah. The best of luck to you this holiday season, and good luck with the baby. Anything you need. If you need a babysitter, if you need anything, I'm here for you. Have a Happy Holidays, Mariah.
MC: Thank you. Much appreciated. You too, Merry Christmas! Bye.

Source: MariahDailyJournal

MDJ's Merry Christmas II You Fan Photo Gallery
Posted by Lynn on Wednesday, 24-Nov-2010, 12:01AM EST

Here are some of the proud owners of Mariah's #1 Holiday album Merry Christmas II You! Thanks for purchasing this incredible, soon to be a classic album - a definite must-have for your Mariah Carey collection! If you want to be included in our Gallery and be counted, send us your photo with your Merry Christmas II You CDs at contact@mariahjournal.com. Please remember to indicate your location (City/State/Country) in your e-mail.

USA
JOSE Mesa Arizona	ROBERT Maumelle Arkansas	SHELTON Searcy Arkansas	CYNTHIA Concord California	CHRISTIAN Downey California
CHRISTIAN Downey California	JONATHAN El Monte California	JAIR Huntington P California	GICEL La Puente California	MIKE Los Angeles California
RUDY Los Angeles California	ADNAN Newbury Pk California	YOSSARIAN Sacramento California	JONATHAN Washington D.C.	TONY Largo Florida
ALPHONSO Miami Florida	SHAREEF Miami Florida	JOSHUA East Point Georgia	CHEN Carbondale Illinois	BOB Chicago Illinois
JOE JUAN Chicago Illinois	SCOTT Elgin Illinois	DAVID St. Charles Illinois	JEREMY B Alexandria Louisiana	JEREMY H Alexandria Louisiana
JOSHUA Baton Rouge Louisiana	JOSUE Chicopee Massachusetts	CHARIA Detroit Michigan	DERRICK Perth Amboy New Jersey	JOSH Brooklyn New York
JUSTIN Bronx New York	MATTHEW Manhattan New York	RENE New York City New York	BLANCA Queens New York	RIAH Durham N.Carolina
PAUL Avon Lake Ohio	ERNEST Manhattan New York	JANEL Laureldale Pennsylvania	JOSH Philadelphia Pennsylvania	MATTHEW Philadelphia Pennsylvania
TAZ Philadelphia Pennsylvania	PHILLIP Dallas Texas	ALEJANDRO Fort Worth Texas	MARIAH B Houston Texas	JEFF Virginia Beach Virginia
ERIC&LINDSEY Woodbridge Virginia	BRIDGETTE Sequim Washington

INTERNATIONAL
LAUREN Gold Coast AUSTRALIA	BOYET Sydney AUSTRALIA	MARJUN Sydney AUSTRALIA	MATTY Sydney AUSTRALIA	MOMAN Melbourne AUSTRALIA
MICHAEL Salzburg AUSTRIA	STIJN Antwerp BELGIUM	MICHIEL Ghent BELGIUM	DANIEL Curitiba BRAZIL	THIAGO Rio de J BRAZIL
ANA Sao Paulo BRAZIL	REINALDO Sao Paulo BRAZIL	RENATA&LOUIS Sao Paulo BRAZIL	DEENY Negara BRUNEI	NORDIA Calgary CANADA
MICHAEL Toronto CANADA	JUSTIN Vancouver CANADA	ERICK Santiago CHILE	JIRKA Brno CZECH REP	CAN Copenhagen DENMARK
ELIEZER Hato Mayor DOMINICAN R	NICOLAS Aubagne FRANCE	STEPHANIE Chalon FRANCE	ADELYNE Paris FRANCE	ISHAM Paris FRANCE
MALLORIE Paris FRANCE	ANTOINE Peymeinade FRANCE	SABRINA Les Epesses FRANCE	LISA Sallertaine FRANCE	JASMIN Hamburg GERMANY
DANNY Hessen GERMANY	DOMI Werl GERMANY	CHARLY Puerto Cortes HONDURAS	TIM Hong Kong HONG KONG	NATHAN Braemar Hill HONG KONG
ANDRAS Budapest HUNGARY	KATALIN Budapest HUNGARY	REKA Budapest HUNGARY	SAROLTA Budapest HUNGARY	CSABA Nagykoros HUNGARY
SZILVIA Szekesfehervar HUNGARY	ANDRU Bogor INDONESIA	HARTANTO Borneo INDONESIA	DIMAS Jakarta INDONESIA	DWI Jakarta INDONESIA
EDWIN Jakarta INDONESIA	JOHAN Jakarta INDONESIA	PIETER Jakarta INDONESIA	ZENDY Jakarta INDONESIA	SEAN Limerick IRELAND
PAOLO Bergamo ITALY	ALESSIO Florence ITALY	JAMES Milan ITALY	MARCO Napoli ITALY	DANIELE Rome ITALY
LEO Scafati ITALY	AUGUSTO Sorrento ITALY	ILA Traversetolo ITALY	MARCELLO Trieste ITALY	ALE Sardinia ITALY
SAMANTA Milano ITALY	HANNAH Kuala Lumpur MALAYSIA	MICKIE Jalisco MEXICO	GUSTAVO Merida MEXICO	PACO Mexico City MEXICO
JUAN LUIS Toluca MEXICO	MASJA Amsterdam NETHERLANDS	ANITA Drachten NETHERLANDS	ESTHER Haarsteeg NETHERLANDS	SUZANNE Spijkenisse NETHERLANDS
LESLIE Esteli NICARAGUA	GUIDO Asuncion PARAGUAY	YANNI Antipolo PHILIPPINES	KEN&LYNN Bulacan PHILIPPINES	IVAN Cavite PHILIPPINES
LIONEL Cebu City PHILIPPINES	ALON Manila PHILIPPINES	ATHAN Manila PHILIPPINES	ENZO Manila PHILIPPINES	FRANZEN Manila PHILIPPINES
FROCIE Manila PHILIPPINES	JP Manila PHILIPPINES	JUKIE Manila PHILIPPINES	KEN&RAYMOND Manila PHILIPPINES	MANDY Manila PHILIPPINES
MIMI Manila PHILIPPINES	PETALS Manila PHILIPPINES	RAYMART Manila PHILIPPINES	RONALD Manila PHILIPPINES	ROCKWELL Pampanga PHILIPPINES
JAMES Paranaque PHILIPPINES	JELO Tarlac PHILIPPINES	CARLO Valenzuela PHILIPPINES	GERARD Cracow POLAND	GRETA Czechowice POLAND
LUCAS Gdynia POLAND	DANIEL Swidnik POLAND	WOJTEK Wroclaw POLAND	BENJAMIN San Juan PUERTO RICO	PHILIP Perm RUSSIA
DANIELA Timisoara ROMANIA	MANUELA Timisoara ROMANIA	JEVI Singapore SINGAPORE	MARK Singapore SINGAPORE	ELKIN&KIKO Cantabria SPAIN
ZAKARIA Cantabria SPAIN	SPAIN FANS Jose Manuel SPAIN	DANIEL Gothenburg SWEDEN	LINDA Stockholm SWEDEN	JOSLIE Basel SWITZERLAND
TADDY Zurich SWITZERLAND	WAYNE Kaohsiung TAIWAN	DONALD Bangkok THAILAND	HUGO Bangkok THAILAND	NUENG Bangkok THAILAND
WASIN Bangkok THAILAND	WILL Ceredigion UK	MICHAEL Cheshire UK	LATOYA Huddersfield UK	CLARKE London UK
CHRIS London UK	IGA London UK	MARTYN London UK	G. FORD London UK