All I Want For Christmas Is You
Ernie Halter Lyrics


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I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
Baby, all I want for Christmas is you

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need, and I
Don't care about the 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
Baby, All I want for Christmas is you, you, ooh ooh baby, oh oh

I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow, and I
I just want to 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 up late
To hear those magic reindeer click

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Ernie Halter's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" describe the singer's Christmas wish, which is a simple one: all they want is to be with their loved one. Unlike the traditional Christmas songs that are focused more on the presents, decorations, and Santa, Halter's song focuses on the emotional aspect of the holiday. The singer emphasizes that they don't need any presents, and that seeing their loved one is all they want.


The song describes the singer's romantic desire to spend time with their loved one in a cozy and intimate setting, surrounded by the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree and under the mistletoe. The lines "I just want to keep on waiting, Underneath the mistletoe" emphasize the romantic atmosphere of the holiday season. The singer reinforces their wish by stating that they won't write a traditional letter to Santa Claus, or even wait for Santa's arrival on Christmas Eve.


The song's slow and tender melody conveys the singer's sense of longing and strong desire to be with their loved one at Christmas time. The song overall is a beautiful and romantic ballad that reminds us that spending time with those we love is the most meaningful aspect of the holiday season.


Line by Line Meaning

I don't want a lot for Christmas
I don't have a long list of things I want for Christmas


There is just one thing I need
All I really want is one thing


I don't care about the presents
I'm not interested in receiving physical gifts


Underneath the Christmas tree
Even if there are wrapped presents under the tree, they don't matter to me


I don't need to hang my stocking
I don't even care about the traditional Christmas stocking


There upon the fireplace
I don't care where the stocking is, either


Santa Claus won't make me happy
Even Santa bringing me gifts won't make me truly happy


With a toy on Christmas day
Even if Santa brings me a toy, it won't be as meaningful as the one thing I really want


I just want you for my own
The only thing I really want is to be with you


More than you could ever know
You may not realize how much you mean to me


Make my wish come true
I'm hoping you can make my wish for us to be together come true


Baby, all I want for Christmas is you
I'm talking about my love for you being the only Christmas gift I want


I won't ask for much this Christmas
I'm not making any big requests or demands this holiday season


I won't even wish for snow
Not even snowfall will make my holiday complete


I just want to keep on waiting
As long as I'm waiting for you to be with me, I'm content


Underneath the mistletoe
I'll happily wait beneath the mistletoe for a chance to be with you


I won't make a list and send it
I'm not making a list of desired gifts to send anyone


To the North Pole for St. Nick
Not even Santa will receive a wish list from me


I won't even stay up late
I'm not even that concerned with keeping late hours on Christmas Eve


To hear those magic reindeer click
Listening for Santa's reindeer won't be what makes my holiday special




Writer(s): John B. Miller, Afrika Bambaataa, Ralf Hutter, Emil Schult, John Robie, Ellis Williams, Robert Durrell Allen, Arthur Baker

Contributed by Lila S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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