When imagining the holiday season, some people can’t go without hanging up a tree or decorating gingerbread houses. But for most, the holiday cheer cannot begin without listening to the Christmas anthem “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” Mariah Carey’s festive masterpiece of a song does not deserve to be played just once, but repeated for decades to come.

Now on its 28th anniversary of its release, the song has been a staple longer than I have been alive, and I can’t imagine a Christmas without it. Remaining unrivaled by any other holiday song, Carey soars to the top of charts on music platforms worlwide right as the year rolls into December.

Her popular remakes of the song with pop star Justin Bieber in 2011 gained just as much popularity to the point where I believed this song was the original when I was growing up. Despite Carey not needing the extra fame, the original racks in around $60 million dollars overall according to The National News.

 But many years of glory cannot hide some of Carey’s more questionable recent performances of the classic song. Like this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, when Carey was found in a lip-synch battle for the notes of her own song. Although common for live performances, the moment did feel like a let down watching from the TV screen as her vocals did not match the pace of the backtrack.

Although “All I Want For Christmas Is You” holds its place as the top Christmas song, Carey constantly regains the title of the Queen of Christmas with her other songs as well. I recommend checking out Missing You Most (At Christmas Time) and Oh Santa to get hooked on Carey’s voice.

After getting over the Thanksgiving debacle the willpower to continue the two week period until the winter break is a struggle. All I Want For Christmas Is You is the perfect melody to uplift you and the iconic discography Carey brings seems like the only way to ring in the New Year right.