Mariah Carey (/məˈraɪə/; born March 27, 1969)[a] is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Referred to as the "Songbird Supreme" by Guinness World Records, she is noted for her songwriting, five-octave vocal range, melismatic singing style and signature use of the whistle register. An influential figure in popular music, Carey is credited for impacting the vocal style in contemporary music, merging hip-hop with pop music through her collaborations and popularizing the use of remixes. She has also been dubbed the "Queen of Christmas" for the enduring popularity of her holiday music, particularly the 1994 song "All I Want for Christmas Is You", which is the best-selling holiday song by a female artist."All I Want for Christmas Is You" is a song by American singer Mariah Carey from her fourth studio album and first holiday album, Merry Christmas (1994). Written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff, the song was released as the lead single from the album on October 29, 1994, by Columbia Records. The track is an uptempo love song that includes bell chimes, backing vocals, and synthesizers. It has received critical acclaim, with The New Yorker describing it as "one of the few worthy modern additions to the holiday canon".[1] The song has become a Christmas standard, with a significant rise in popularity each DecemberThe Ringer writer, Rob Harvilla, stated that "December belongs to Mariah Carey".[125] He went on to say that "the very first time you [hear the song, it sounds] classic [...] timeless, like it was playing in the manger when Jesus Christ was born."[125] Critics also noted the song was reminiscent of the works of Judy Garland, Nat King Cole, the Jackson 5 and Stevie Wonder.[17] Slate's Ragusea conceded that "All I Want For Christmas Is You" "sounds like it could have been written in the '40s and locked in a Brill Building safe."[17] In a piece on the song in Vogue, a writer felt the song's lyrics helped solidify its status over two decades later: "those lyrics could have been sung by Frank Sinatra—well, maybe not Frank, but another singer back then. I think that's what gives it that timeless, classic quality."[19]Due to the song being internationally popular during the Christmas season, it has been covered multiple times by various artists[141] including Fifth Harmony,[142] Michael Bublé,[141] My Chemical Romance,[141] Tori Kelly,[143] Justin Bieber,[141] Idina Menzel,[144] Dolly Parton,[145] Amber Riley,[141] Shania Twain,[146] Miley Cyrus,[147] Demi Lovato,[148] Ariana Grande,[149] The Rock Alchemist and Kelly Clarkson.[150]