New York (AFP)

Mariah Carey's track "All I Want for Christmas Is You" rose for the first time to the top of singles sales in the United States on Monday, almost 25 years to the day after its release.

The song was originally released on November 1, 1994 with the Christmas album "Christmas", but was not released as a single and therefore could not be ranked at the time. .

Already popular during the 90s and 2000s, the title benefited from a boost thanks to its inclusion in the soundtrack of the film "Love Actually" (2003) but especially with the emergence of streaming.

On Monday, it thus appeared in third position in the world ranking established by the Spotify platform, and in first position in the United Kingdom.

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" has also benefited this year from a new promotional campaign, with a release from the album "Christmas" and a new video.

This short film used shots shot during the production of the original clip, but never seen since.

The arrival of Christmas, a tour of Mariah Carey in the United States and her skillful use of social networks did the rest, propelling the song to the top of the ranking established by Billboard, the first number one of the singer for over 11 years .

Although the United States has a long tradition of Christmas albums, it is only the second time in the history of the Billboard, which has published a hit parade since 1940, that a Christmas song comes first , 61 years after "The Chipmunk Song" by the Chipmunks.

With 19 titles ranked number one in sales in the United States since the start of her career, Mariah Carey is now only one length away from the Beatles, record-holder in the matter (20).

"We did it," tweeted the diva, who has always refused to give her year of birth (she would be 49 or 50), almost 30 years after her first number one, "Vision of Love" (the 4 August 1990).

"I used to criticize her every time I heard her, but at this point I feel like I can finally appreciate her," Mariah Carey told the New York Times about her co-written song. with composer Walter Afanasieff.

"I just love the holidays," she added. "I know it's stupid, but I don't care."

© 2019 AFP