Mariah Carey, DJ Suss One

An internet meme argued that the lyrics to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” served a backhanded compliment (“I don’t want a lot for Christmas” – just you). But Queen Carey is so much more direct. Dozens of hits she’s penned and shot up the charts over 15 studio albums and a couple of soundtracks tell us the pop diva and dazzling vocalist would rather purr than sting. Her emotional, sultry pop, R&B, and gospel goodness keeps us singing along (if failing to match her astonishing range). New music cometh. The Christmas Time tour readies fans, her “lambs.” – Christina Garcia