"Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)" is the fifth track from Mariah's first holiday album "Merry Christmas."[1] The song was released on November 1, 1994[2] through Columbia Records and was written and produced by Mariah and Walter Afanasieff.[3]
Additionally, the track was sent was sent to R&B stations on November 14, 1994 making it the album's second single.[1]
Background[]
Miss You Most (At Christmas Time) is one of the three original compositions for Carey's first Christmas album "Merry Christmas," alongside "Jesus Born on This Day" and "All I Want For Christmas is You".[4] ‘Miss You Most’ is a very kind of a sad, reflective Christmas song, 'cause not everybody is happy during the holidays,” Mariah explained in 1994. “A lot of people get very mellow thinking about people that have passed or aren't with them anymore. That was kind of my point of view on that song.”
Composition[]
The song is composed in the key of D Major, with a modulation to F Major after the third verse.[5] it is recommended to be played at a tempo of 72 beats per minute (BPM).[6] Carey's Vocals extends from the low note A3 to F5.[7]
Critical reception[]
In his unauthorized biography about Mariah, author Chris Nickson states “Miss You Most (at Christmas Time)” was a sad ballad, very much in line with the work Mariah had produced in the past, the type of tune that had provided most of her hits. Over keyboards and a synthesized orchestra, courtesy of Walter, Mariah sang of a long-gone lover, crystallizing the way that Christmas brought memories of the past into focus.[8]
The website "JW Pepper" list the following description for the song:
| “ | "Everybody's laughing, the world is celebrating and everyone's so happy except for me tonight, because I miss you most at Christmas time." This hit song from Mariah Carey will warm the hearts of everyone in your audience that may be feeling lonely during the holidays. This tender song of remembrance could be a special holiday tribute to military families or to those who have lost loved ones. | ” |
– JWPepper.com [9] | ||
Music video[]
The music video for the song was directed by Diane Martel.[10] It features a collage of Mariah in Christmas clothing, snow, children playing and Christmas decorations.[11] The music video contains home video footage from the 1993 Christmas season. As of November 2024, the video has accumulated 10.5 million views on YouTube.[11]
The music video also features a different version of "Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)," with an electric piano replacing the regular piano, backed by extra synthesizers and a harpsichord during the chorus. A remaster of this version, previously exclusive to the promo CD single # CSK 6647, will be released on the new "All I Want for Christmas Is You" 30th anniversary 12" and CD singles, as well as on Merry Christmas: 30th Anniversary Edition as part of #MerryChristmas30.
Live performances[]
A snippet of the song was performed on the third Las Vegas show and in Brussels during the All I Want for Christmas Is You: A Night of Joy and Festivity concert.[12] Another snippet of the song was performed in Detroit during the Merry Christmas to All! Tour on December 1, 2023. During the Mariah Carey's Christmas Time tour, Carey also performs a snippet of the song as a part of the main set list.
Covers[]
In 2013, singer Glennis Grace covered the song. A music video for her cover was released on December 22, 2013[13] In 2018, singer JoJo also covered the song. A music video for her cover was released on December 16, 2018.[14] The description of JoJo's music video states:
| “ | Wanted to sing one of my favorite Christmas songs and pay homage to the QUEEN Mariah Carey. Imagine being so dope that you single handedly own an entire holiday season!!!?! Her voice and writing has enchanted and inspired me since I was a little girl, so when she started following me on Twitter, I ABSOLUTELY let out a loud shriek and shared the screen shot with every group chat in my phone. Thank you to this amazing string trio (Jasmin, Stephanie and Isaiah) for adding so much beauty and depth (and teaching me about "sympathetic resonance"), and to Stevie Mackey for helping me bring my Christmas vision to life. Dedicating my version of "Miss You Most" to everyone who gets sentimental and emotional particularly around the holidays....like me. Love, Jo. | ” |
– JoJo - Miss You Most (At Christmas Time) [Cover] Youtube video description | ||
In 2020, Mariah's friend Billy Eichner covered the song on The Late Late Show with James Corden.[15]
Videos[]
Gallery[]
"Paint pretty pictures of what I'd do if you were mine" To view the Miss You Most (At Christmas Time) gallery, click here.
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Trivia[]
- This song was released on November 1, 1994
- This song is about Mariah Carey missing her beloved most during Christmas.
- Patricia Carey once said that "Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)" was the "saddest Christmas song ever."[16]
Lyrics[]
Ooh
[Verse 1]
The fire is burning
The room's all aglow
Outside the December wind blows
Away in the distance
The carolers sing in the snow
Everybody's laughing
The world is celebrating
And everyone's so happy
Except for me tonight because
[Chorus]
I miss you
Most at Christmas time
And I can't get you
Get you off my mind
Every other season
Comes along and I'm alright
But then I miss you
Most at Christmas time
Ooh, yeah, mmm
[Verse 2]
I gaze out the window
This cold winter's night
At all of the twinkling lights
Alone in the darkness
Remembering when you were mine, yeah
Everybody's smiling
The whole world is rejoicing
And everyone's embracing
Except for you and I, baby
[Chorus]
I miss you
Most at Christmas time
And I can't get you, no, no, no, no
Get you off my mind
Every other season
Comes along and I'm alright
But then I miss you, oh
Most at Christmas time, oh
[Verse 3]
In the springtime
Those memories start to fade
With the April rain
Through the summer days
'Til Autumn's leaves are gone
I get by without you
'Til the snow begins to fall and then
[Chorus]
I miss you
Most at Christmas time
And I can't get you, no, no, no, no
Get you off my mind
Every other season
Comes along and I'm alright
But then I miss you
Most at Christmas time
Ooh
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Merry Christmas album Wikipedia page - retrieved 6/21/2020
- ↑ Mariah Carey – Miss You Most (At Christmas Time) (1994, CD) - retrieved 10/24/2004
- ↑ Genius Page: Miss You Most (At Christmas Time) - retrieved 6/21/2020
- ↑ Mariah Carey Network - Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)
- ↑ Music Notes - Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)
- ↑ Note Discover - Miss You Most (At Christmas Time)
- ↑ Singing Carrots - Mariah Carey - Miss You Most (At Christmas Time): Vocal Range & Original Key
- ↑ Mariah Carey Revisited: The Unauthorized Biography - retrieved 6/21/2020
- ↑ https://www.jwpepper.com/Miss-You-Most-at-Christmas-Time/10737933.item#/submit JWPepper.com retrieved 6/22/20
- ↑ Mariah Carey Network: Gallery - retrieved 6/22/20
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Miss You Most At Christmas Time Music video via Youtube - retrieved November 1, 2024
- ↑ All I Want for Christmas Is You: A Night of Joy and Festivity Wikipedia
- ↑ Glennis Grace - Miss You Most (At Christmas Time) - Youtube retrieved June 22, 2020
- ↑ JoJo - Miss You Most (At Christmas Time) [Cover - Youtube] retrieved 6/22/20
- ↑ Twitter @jamescorden - Billy's cover
- ↑ Wood, Mikael. (2024, October 30). Mariah Carey is (almost) ready to bring Christmas to you. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 30, 2024.