A Definitive Guide to the Best Covers of Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'

Back in the golden days of Fifth Harmony (RIP), they brought us a version of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” that we never knew we needed. The video, which opens on a blue-haired Normani, showcases the five girls in a decked-out living room with stockings, a tree, Christmas lights, and plenty of presents. This cover embodies everything we love about the original—it’s fun, energetic, and festive!

Michael Bublé’s Christmas album, aptly titled Christmas, is my personal favorite to listen to during the holidays. The Canadian-Italian crooner has become so synonymous with the most festive time of year that it's hard to believe his holiday album came out within the last decade. The album features covers of several popular holiday tracks, including “Silent Night” and “Blue Christmas”—it’s only right that it features this reigning classic, too. Bublé does it justice, and I’m sure Mariah would be proud.

Backed by a gospel choir and clad in a Santa-esque dress, Grande performs the classic hit perfectly. Throughout her career, the 26-year-old pop star has garnered comparisons to Carey’s vocal style, particularly her whistle tones. This cover sounds super close to the original, but still unique to Grande.

Joined by The Roots and Jimmy Fallon, Carey covered her classic song with a twist. The band uses children’s classroom instruments, including multicolored keyboards and recorders from our elementary school days, to play along in perfect harmony with Carey. Fallon and a children’s choir also pitch in vocals, making for an adorably festive rendition of the song.

Unless you live under a rock or haven't had internet access for the past 24 hours, you probably heard that My Chemical Romance is reuniting after a nearly ten-year hiatus. Now, just in time for the holiday season and their December show in Los Angeles, check out their rendition of the track. Who would have guessed that they would be able to create a perfectly pop-punk version of Carey’s dramatic, dynamic classic? Well, they did, and you have to hear it to believe it. 

At the height of her Disney Channel show, Hannah Montana, in 2007, an angelic Cyrus took to the Disneyland stage to sing her version of “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” The pop star belted the notes into a microphone perched on a rhinestone-encrusted stand, and put her own Hannah Montana-esque twist on the track. The nostalgia is so real.

In 2016, Carey joined Carpool Karaoke host James Corden for a pretty funny (and now viral) performance of her famous song. The video features several clips of other celebs singing along, including Adele, Elton John, Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, and Lady Gaga. If this video proves anything, it’s that everyone knows this song and can’t resist a sing-a-long moment.

Kylie and the band take “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and flip it on its head. Performing using banjos and acoustic guitars, their version exemplifies country pop. Kylie’s sparkly minidress and falsetto notes still hold true to Carey’s original, but with a touch of twang.

Who could forget about the legendary covers from our faves at William McKinley High? Amber Riley, who plays Mercedes Jones on the show, is the perfect person to take on Carey’s classic. Watching Riley dance around the choir room with the rest of the club really puts me in the holiday mood.

Pop star Bieber teamed up with Carey for a remix of “All I Want For Christmas Is You,” which included a super festive music video. So far, this is the only official remix Carey has done on the song, but who knows—maybe we can get a Carey x Lizzo collab this year! Please, Santa, make it happen.