Grammy-winning artist Mariah Carey delighted her Filipino fans when she performed "All I Want for Christmas Is You" for the first time during her one-night-only concert, "Mariah Carey: The Celebration of Mimi", at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on October 14.
This marked Mariah's fourth performance in the Philippines, but until now, she had never had the opportunity to sing her biggest Christmas hit. Despite staging Christmas concerts every year since 2014, Mariah had been hesitant to include the holiday song in her setlist.
However, during her concert in Manila, Mariah surprised the audience by performing "All I Want for Christmas Is You" as her finale song. Fans erupted with joy as soon as they heard the intro to the beloved Christmas classic - this was the moment every Filipino fan had been eagerly awaiting. "Thank you! Merry Christmas!" Mariah told the audience before she left the stage.
"All I Want for Christmas Is You" now holds the record for the biggest Christmas song of all time in terms of sales, streaming, and radio airplay. In December 2024, the song set a record for holiday music by surpassing two billion streams on Spotify.
Additionally, in early December 2024, the song made a historic return to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, achieving a total of 16 non-consecutive weeks at the top. By the end of that year, "All I Want for Christmas Is You" became the first holiday song to reach No. 1 for an unprecedented 18 weeks.
Released in 1995, the song written by Mariah and Walter Afanasieff first appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in January 2000. After 19 years, the song finally hit No. 1 for the first time in November 2019. The popular tune was lifted from Mariah's Christmas album "Merry Christmas".
For the past two years, Mariah has fully embraced the joyful tradition of the Philippines, where the festive spirit begins to blossom as soon as the unforgettable BER months roll in. She has officially encouraged her devoted fans in the Philippines - affectionately known as Lambs - to kick off the holiday season by playing her beloved Christmas songs starting in September.
Mariah, 56, kicked off her sold-out concert in Manila with her song "Type Dangerous", the lead single from her latest album "Here For It All". Then she followed it with her mega-hits "Emotions", "Can't Let Go", "Vision of Love", "Dreamlover", "Hero", "Without You", "Fantasy", and "Honey".
Surrounded by an ensemble of talented dancers, Mariah often seemed lost in a world of her own, rarely engaging with her fans during intermissions. Her attention was wholly devoted to the stage, where she poured her heart into every note, captivating the audience with each mesmerizing performance.
Yet, despite the lack of direct interaction, her fans remained unwavering in their devotion, always ready to erupt in applause, celebrating every electrifying moment she delivered. Every time Mariah gracefully ascends to her stunning five-octave vocal range in her songs, her fans are captivated, their hearts soaring with delight at her extraordinary vocal artistry.
Each note she hits resonates with power and emotion, leaving them mesmerized by the sheer beauty of her talent. Other Mariah hits in the setlist include "My All", "Always Be My Baby", "I Know What You Want", "Shake It Off", "It's Like That", "We Belong Together", among others.
Produced by Wilbros Live, the concert had an electrifying atmosphere that resembled a spirited karaoke night, as fans passionately belted out the lyrics to Mariah's iconic hits, filling the air with joyful melodies. Thirty-five years after she first dazzled the music world, Mariah still showcases her astonishing vocal prowess, irresistible charm, and an array of timeless songs that resonate deeply with her audience.
It's no wonder that as fans filed out of the concert venue, their faces were illuminated with genuine smiles and a sense of elation that lingered long after the final note had faded.
(Manila Bulletin)
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