Do you hear that, darling? Just off in the distance? It’s the sound of Mariah Carey coming to save Christmas.
2020 has been kind to approximately no one, but if there’s anyone with the ability to provide a crucial retro moment of festive whatever during a holiday season in quarantine, it could only be the Queen of Christmas™ herself: Mariah – and she’s bringing a few friends along with her on the (sleigh) ride.
On Wednesday (November 18), Mariah revealed that the guesses were true: Ariana Grande and Jennifer Hudson are indeed collaborating with the Grammy Award-winning vocal powerhouse – on a special remix of “Oh Santa!”, the joyful lead single and certifiable bop from 2010’s Merry Christmas II You – due out on December 4.
It’s all part of her upcoming Apple TV+ Christmas special, Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special, debuting on December 4 with a ton of guest stars, including Tiffany Haddish, Billy Eichner, Snoop Dogg, Jermaine Dupri, Misty Copeland and Mykal-Michelle Harris – and Dem Babies, Moroccan and Monroe, of course.
Here’s more, via THR: “The new version of ‘Oh Santa!’ will be distributed by Sony Music and released on Apple Music and other platforms to coincide with the special on Dec. 4. Meanwhile, the companion soundtrack is said to be full of new interpretations, and will also feature Snoop and Dupri as additional musical guests, in addition to a new version of ‘Sleigh Ride.’ The soundtrack will be available exclusively on Apple Music also on Dec. 4, and all other platforms a week later, on Dec. 11.”
The plot of the special is, well, perfect: “Faced with a holiday cheer crisis, the North Pole knows there’s only one person who can save the day: Santa’s great friend, Mariah Carey.”
Expect a Mimi-media blitz as well: “To promote the special, Carey will join Apple Music flagship anchor Zane Lowe for a Dec. 7 special during which they will run through Carey’s curated playlist of holiday songs while dishing on her latest music and recent memoir, The Meaning of Mariah Carey. Then on Dec. 25, Carey will appear on Apple Music Hits for a six-hour Holiday Hits special, featuring festive songs including her holiday phenomenon ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You.'”
It’s a full festive overload, but we can’t lose sight of what this actually means: Mariah’s got a very good shot of securing her 20th (!) No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with this forthcoming superstar remix of “Oh Santa!” In fact, considering the way that “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is beginning its annual ascent, the only competition she actually faces to sleigh her way to the top is, well, herself. (Legends Only, truly.)
.@MariahCarey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" is expected to re-enter next week's Hot 100. It hit #1 for the first time last year.
— chart data (@chartdata) November 18, 2020
In one of the bleakest years, Mariah managed to deliver – much like her friend, Santa! – all year ’round, from #MC30 to The Rarities to The Meaning of Mariah Carey. Closing out the year with yet another hit under Mariah’s glittery belt would certainly make for one gorgeous, sparkling tree-topper.
Let’s all watch Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special, and then Make It Happen.
The Merry Christmas LP is available in red vinyl.
