Mariah Carey released her second Christmas album, Merry Christmas II You, on November 1, 2010. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 chart after selling 56,000 copies and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on January 11, 2011. Merry Christmas II You reached the top spot on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, making it the second Christmas album to ever reach number one.
The album features eight traditional holiday songs, four new original songs, a re-recorded version of Mariah's massive 1994 hit “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and the live version of “O Holy Night” at the Westminister Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles. For the album, Mariah collaborated with producers Randy Jackson, Jermaine Dupri, James Poyser and Marc Shaiman. “This album is a labor of love — a gift to those who share my excitement about the Christmas season and want to fill this special time of year with heartwarming, festive and uplifting music,” Mariah explained. “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. In the spirit of classic Christmas records made in the 1950s, we had a huge orchestra session, and I've never experienced anything so beautiful and rich in my musical career as being in the room listening to the lush orchestral moments.”
“Oh Santa!” was released as the album's first single on October 1, 2010. “‘Oh Santa!’ is a new song that I wrote with my friend Jermaine Dupri and also our friend Bryan Michael-Cox, who works with both of us, we sat in a room and I just came in with a basic idea for how I wanted the beat to be and I kinda knew I wanted it to be like writing a letter to Santa Claus,” Mariah said about the song. “It's hard when you've already written a Christmas ‘classic.’ It's weird for me to say it but it's true 'cause a lot of people have grown up with the song and feel really close to ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You.’ But ‘Oh Santa!’ is a different song, it's just got sort of a similar feeling but it's like a retro '60s type of feeling but still modern. We wanted to keep it really simple in terms of the music.” “Oh Santa!” debuted at number one on Billboard's Holiday Digital Songs chart and became Mariah's forty-third Hot 100 entry, peaking at number one-hundred during the week of January 1, 2011. “Oh Santa!” made its debut at number twelve on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Songs chart and reached the top spot the following week, marking the quickest ascent to the peak position in the chart's history.
Another original song on the album is “When Christmas Comes,” written with James Poyser of The Roots. “He's an incredible musician,” Mariah explained. “We got together and I wanted everything in this album to feel classic, to feel festive and timeless. It has a 1970s soul.” A new version of the song featuring singer John Legend was released on November 21, 2011. “The duet that I did with John Legend was so much fun, we had the best time,” Mariah told VEVO in 2011. “To hear his voice and the choices that he made, I feel that he really took it up several notches. I just love what he gave to the song, I feel like he gave so much of himself to the song.”
The album includes a duet with Mariah's mother Patricia on “O Come All Ye Faithful / Hallelujah Chorus.” “Many people already know that my mother is a trained opera singer, so I guess it was only a matter of time before we both got onto a record together,” Mariah explained in 2010. “Doing ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ and the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus seemed like a perfect vehicle for both of our voices, which are very different in terms of style. It was a lovely experience being in the studio together and I'm very happy that I have this documented for the rest of my life.”
The new version of “All I Want For Christmas Is You” was arranged by March Shaiman. “When I decided to re-do it. I realized that most people love the original. So I asked Marc to do something beautiful for the introduction of the song,” Mariah explained. “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 theres 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.”
| Track # | Song | Run time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town Intro
Written by J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Marc Shaiman. |
0:22 |
| 2 | Oh Santa!
Written by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox. |
3:31 |
| 3 | O Little Town Of Bethlehem / Little Drummer Boy Medley
Written by Phillips Brooks, Lewis H. Redner / Katherine Davis, Henry Onorati, Harry Simeone.
Produced by Mariah Carey, James “Big Jim” Wright, Randy Jackson. |
3:32 |
| 4 | Christmas Time Is In The Air Again
Written by Mariah Carey, Marc Shaiman.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Marc Shaiman. |
3:02 |
| 5 | The First Noel / Born Is The King Interlude
— Traditional —
Produced by Mariah Carey, James “Big Jim” Wright and Randy Jackson. |
4:32 |
| 6 | When Christmas Comes
Written by Mariah Carey, James Poyser.
Produced by Mariah Carey and James Poyser. |
4:46 |
| 7 | Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)
Written by Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox. |
3:29 |
| 8 | Charlie Brown Christmas
Written by Vince Guaraldi, Lee Mendelson.
Produced by Mariah Carey, James “Big Jim” Wright and Randy Jackson. |
2:49 |
| 9 | O Come All Ye Faithful / Hallelujah Chorus (feat. Patricia Carey)
— Traditional — / George Frideric Handel.
Produced by Mariah Carey, James “Big Jim” Wright and Randy Jackson. |
3:38 |
| 10 | O Holy Night - Live From WPC In South Central LA
— Traditional —
Produced by Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey. |
5:00 |
| 11 | One Child
Written by Mariah Carey, Marc Shaiman.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Marc Shaiman. |
4:25 |
| 12 | All I Want For Christmas Is You - Extra Festive
Written by Mariah Carey, Walter Afanasieff.
Produced by Mariah Carey, James “Big Jim” Wright and Randy Jackson. |
4:02 |
| 13 | Auld Lang Syne - The New Year's Anthem
Written by Robert Burns.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson and Johnny “Sev” Severin. |
3:47 |
| Bonus | Oh Santa! - Jump Smokers Remix
Written by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox.
Produced by Jump Smokers. |
3:53 |
In The United States, Merry Christmas II You was available on CD. A Limited Edition Collector's Box Set was also released in a special holiday gift box containing Mariah's Christmas photo album — with photos of Mariah's personal Christmas memories, a butterfly Christmas ornament and special Mariah gift tags.
Europe got two editions of Merry Christmas II You, the standard CD edition and a CD + DVD combo with behind the scenes of the making of the album, candid interviews and Christmas video footage. The Japanese edition of Merry Christmas II You, available on both CD and CD+DVD, includes the Jump Smokers remix of “Oh Santa!” as a bonus track.
A special edition of the album was sold exclusively by HSN on October 20, 2010, including a bonus 30-minute DVD with behind-the-scenes footage of the recording of the album, candid interviews, footage of the album photo shoot with photographer David LaChapelle, interviews with Mariah's mother Patricia and composer Marc Shaiman, and pictures from Mariah's personal photo holiday collection. US retailer Target released an exclusive edition of the album which includes four Mariah-themed Christmas cards, a butterfly Christmas ornament and a free sample of Mariah's fragrance, Forever.
Merry Christmas II You was released on vinyl for the first time on September 27, 2017. A new red pressing variant was released in December 2020.
Oh Santa's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas
Santa's gonna come and make him mine, mine (Oh Santa!)
Santa's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas (Oh Santa!)
Santa's gonna come and make him mine, mine
Santa, if you get this letter won't you help me out
I know you're kinda busy with your elves right now
And I don't know how
You do the things you do while I sleep on Christmas Eve
But it's amazing
And I bet that you could bring me back my baby
Because every time I see Christmas lights
I feel this void inside and I just can't take it
I saw them shopping last week
And his new girl was so bleak
And then I swore to myself
Santa's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas night
Ho, ho, ho
Santa's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas
Santa's gonna come and make him mine, ho, ho, ho
Santa's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas
Oh Santa, I heard that it's really gonna snow this year
So I hope Rudolph and them other eight reindeer
Get you safely here
So you can scoop him up and swoop him right down my chimney
I've been really, really, really good this year
So put on that red suit and make him appear
Because Christmas cheer just ain't the same without my baby
Come on, oh Kris Kringle, send me help
They say it's unrealistic
But I believe in you, Saint Nick
So grant this wish for me right quick
Santa won't you come and make him mine this Christmas night
Ho, ho, ho
Santa's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas
Santa's gonna come and make him mine, ho, ho, ho
Santa's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas
Oh Santa!
Oh Santa!
Oh Santa! (Come on Santa)
Santa's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas
Santa's gonna come and make him mine, mine
Santa's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas
Santa's gonna come and make him mine, mine
Oh Santa Claus, if you get this letter please don't make me wait
Cause all December I'll be counting down the days
So hop on your sleigh
I promise that I won't forget the milk and cookies
The trees are sparkly and gold
But inside I feel so cold
So soon as you leave the North Pole
Santa won't you come and make him mine this Christmas night
Santa's gonna come and make him mine Ho, ho, ho (Oh Santa is gonna come and make him mine)
Santa's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas
Santa's gonna come and make him mine Ho, ho, ho
Santa's gonna come and make him mine, mine (Santa)
Santa's gonna come and make him mine Ho, ho, ho (I know he will)
Santa's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas
Santa's gonna come and make him mine Ho, ho, ho (Santa)
Santa's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas (Santa's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas)
Santa's gonna come and make him mine Ho, ho, ho
Santa's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas
Santa's gonna come and make him mine Ho, ho, ho
Santa's gonna come and make him mine, mine
Santa's gonna come and make him mine this Christmas
Written by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox.
Produced by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox.
O little town of Bethlehem
How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight
Pa, rum, pa, pum, pum
Rum, pa, pum, pum
Rum, pa, pum, pum
Then he smiled at me
For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep
The angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
All morning stars together
Proclaim the Holy birth
And praise and sing
To God the King
And peace to men on Earth
“O Little Town Of Bethlehem” written by Phillips Brooks and Lewis H. Redner (Public domain).
“Little Drummer Boy” written by Katherine Davis, Henry Onorati and Harry Simeone.
Produced by Mariah Carey, James “Big Jim” Wright and Randy Jackson.
Christmas time is in the air again
Christmas chimes reminding me of when
We fell like the snow so deep in love
High above us the evergreens
Sparkle with lights and feel the breeze
As we made future Christmas memories
Christmas shoppers glance at us and smile
Cause the mistletoe is occupied
And the dream is to share
This Christmas cheer with you all year
And not wait till the morning
When Christmas time is in the air again
Mean Mr. Grinch simply can't resist
Warming up when he looks our way
Even Old Scrooge makes a Christmas wish
For a honey to hold Christmas day
And to feel love like ours always
And the dream is to share
This Christmas cheer
With you all throughout the year
And not wait till the morning
When Christmas time is in the air
Christmas time is everywhere
Christmas time is in the air again
Again and again
Written by Mariah Carey and Marc Shaiman.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Marc Shaiman.
The First Noel
The angels did say
Was to certain poor shepherds
In fields as they lay
In fields where they lay
Keeping their sheep
On a cold winter's night
That was so deep
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
They looked up
And saw a star
Shining in the East
Beyond them far
And to the earth
It gave great light
And so it continued
Both day and night
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel
Born is the King of Israel
Israel
Born is the King
Born is the King of Israel, Israel
Israel, Israel (Israel)
Born is the
Born is the King, born is the King
Born is the King, born is the King
Born is the King, born is the King
Our finest gifts we bring
To the King of Israel
King of Kings
The First Noel the
Angels did say
Born is the
Born is the King, born is the King
Born is the King, born is the King
Born is the King, born is the King
Of Israel
Public domain.
Produced by Mariah Carey, James “Big Jim” Wright and Randy Jackson.
The whole world
Feels a little bit more love
When Christmas comes
When Christmas comes
And everywhere that you go
There's people singing “Let It Snow”
And hanging up
That mistletoe
And me, and you gonna have ourselves
A holiday
And we don't need nobody else
To celebrate
And we're gon' kiss our worries
And our cares away
I can't wait
Because this Christmas time
Get together
It's gonna be so nice
Better than ever
And baby, you're the one
Special treasure
I can't wait to unwrap your love
Until Christmas comes
So many souls hurt
So many don't have enough
When Christmas comes
When Christmas comes
But baby, if you spread love
Someday it might be enough
To heal each other
One by one
And we gon' get together
And rejoice and pray
And we gon' help the world
Become a better place
And we gon' sing and shout
Because the Savior reigns
So don't dismay
Because this Christmas time
Get together
It's gonna be so nice
Better than ever
Because this gift of love
Lasts forever
The Lord makes our hearts open up
Soon as Christmas comes
It's gon' be alright
When Christmas comes
Oh, jingle all the way
Oh what fun
And we gon' reminisce about
The good old days
And we gon' laugh together
As the children play
And through the years it's always
Gonna be this way
Come what may
Because this Christmas time
Get together
It's gonna be so nice
Better than ever
And baby, you're the one
That I treasure
I can't wait to unwrap your love
When Christmas comes
Written by Mariah Carey and James Poyser.
Produced by Mariah Carey and James Poyser.
Here comes Santa Claus
Here comes Santa Claus
Right down Santa Claus Lane
Vixen and Blitzen, and all his reindeer
Pulling on the reins
Bells are ringing
Children singing
All is merry and bright
Hang your stockings with Christmas cheer
Cause Santa Claus comes tonight
Oh ho ho
Who wouldn't go
Oh ho ho
Who wouldn't go
Up on a house top
Click click click
Cause Santa Claus comes tonight
So gather 'round, gather 'round
Until night becomes the day
Gather 'round, gather 'round
We're gonna have a good time and celebrate
So gather 'round, gather 'round
Until night becomes the day
Gather 'round, gather 'round
We're gonna have a good time and celebrate
Oh ho ho
Who wouldn't go
Oh ho ho
Who wouldn't go
Up on a house top
Click click click
Cause Santa Claus comes tonight
Here comes Santa Claus
Here comes Santa Claus
Right down Santa Claus Lane
Vixen and Blitzen, and all his reindeer
Pulling on the reins
Bells are ringing
Children singing
All is merry and bright
Hang your stockings with Christmas cheer
Cause Santa Claus comes tonight (Santa Claus is coming tonight)
Santa Claus is coming tonight
Santa Claus is coming tonight
Santa Claus is coming tonight
"Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)" written by Gene Autry and Oakley Haldeman / "Up On The Housetop" written by Benjamin Hanby (Public Domain).
Produced by Mariah Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Bryan-Michael Cox.
Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of year
Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Of love and dreams to share
Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there
Christmas time is here
We'll be drawing near
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the years
Written by Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson.
Produced by Mariah Carey, James “Big Jim” Wright and Randy Jackson.
O come all ye faithful
Joyful and triumphant
O come ye
O come ye to Bethlehem
O come and behold Him
Born the King of Angels
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
And He shall reign forever and ever
And He shall reign forever and ever
For the Lord God, king of kings, reigneth
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah
O Sing
Choirs of angels
Sing in exultation
O sing all ye citizens (Sing Hallelujah)
Of heaven above
Glory to God
Him the Highest
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
O come, let us adore Him
Christ the Lord
And He shall reign forever and ever
And He shall reign forever and ever
“O Come All Ye Faithful” (Public domain) / “Hallelujah Chorus” written by George Frideric Handel (Public domain).
Produced by Mariah Carey, James “Big Jim” Wright and Randy Jackson.
O holy night the stars are brightly shining
It is the night of our dear Savior's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till He appeared and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine, O night
O night divine
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees
O hear the angels' voices
O night divine
O night when Christ was born
O night divine
O night divine
O night divine (Ooh yes it was)
O night divine (It is the night of our dear Savior's birth)
O night divine (Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, yeah)
O night divine (It was a holy, holy, holy, oh)
O night divine (Oh… yes it was)
Traditional.
Produced by Walter Afanasieff and Mariah Carey.
An angel appeared
Of the highest One
And Mary believed
The word she received of
God's only son
The Virgin rejoiced
Gave thanks to the Lord
And as Joseph dreamt
The angel was sent
With tidings of peace and joy
Of the blessed baby boy
They travelled for miles
To reach Bethlehem
Yet when they arrived
No one could provide
Place at the inn for them
But God kept them safe
From hurt, harm and danger
In His warm embrace
Away in a manger
Waiting for Jesus' birth
To glorify the Earth
Then He came
One child can change the world
Christmas Morn'
The King of all kings was born
He reigns forevermore
Let us worship and adore
Christ the Lord
A wondrous star
Led shepherds and wise men
Through valleys and mountains
Angels surrounded them
As they travelled far
As Heaven and Home
Rang out for the Savior
The Sweet Prince of peace
Lay majestically
Asleep glorious and pure
And His mercy endures for always
One child can change the world
Christmas Morn'
The King of all kings was born
He reigns forevermore
Let us worship and adore
Christ the Lord
One child can change the world
Christmas Morn'
The King of all kings was born
He reigns forevermore
Let us worship him
Let us worship him
Let us worship
Christ the Lord
This angel appeared
The angel appeared
Christ the Lord
On Christmas Morn'
Written by Mariah Carey and Marc Shaiman.
Produced by Mariah Carey and Marc Shaiman.
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true…
All I want for Christmas
Is you…
I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas day
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is you…
You baby
I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
I won't even stay awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
You…
All the lights are shining
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa won't you bring me the one I really need - won't you please bring my baby to me…
Oh I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh I just want him for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby all I want for Christmas is
You…
All I want for Christmas is you baby
(Repeat)
Written by Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff.
Produced by Mariah Carey, James “Big Jim” Wright and Randy Jackson.
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup of kindness, yes
For auld lang syne
For auld lang syne
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll take a cup of kindness yet
For auld lang syne
Happy New Year, baby
5, 4, 3, 2
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld land syne
Does anybody really know the words?
Might as well sing along
Happy New Year, baby
Happy New Year, baby
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind
Should old acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld land syne
Happy New Year to you and your friends
And have a drink for me
Happy New Year to you too
And have a drink for me
10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Happy New Year
Written by Robert Burns (Public domain).
Produced by Mariah Carey, Randy Jackson and Johnny “Sev” Severin.
