Idina was born on Long Island, New York, to a Jewish family. Her mother, Helene, is a therapist, and her father, Stuart Mentzel, worked as a pajama salesman. She was raised in Syosset, New York, with her younger sister Cara, and later changed the spelling of her last name (Mentzel) because of constant mispronunciation.
When Menzel was 15 years old, her parents divorced and she began working as a wedding and bar mitzvah singer. A job she continued throughout her time at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. She earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in Drama at NYU.
In 1995, Menzel auditioned for Rent, which became her first professional theater job and her Broadway debut. Rent opened off-Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop on January 26, 1996. The show moved to Broadway's Nederlander Theatre due to its popularity. For her performance as Maureen Johnson in the original cast, Menzel received a Tony nomination as Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Her final performance in the musical was on July 1, 1997.
Following the success of Rent, Menzel released her first solo album entitled "Still I Can't Be Still" on "Hollywood Records," Menzel also originated the role of Dorothy in Summer of ’42 at Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut, starred as Sheila in the New York City Center Encores! production of Hair, and appeared on Broadway as Amneris in Aida. Menzel earned a Drama Desk Award nomination for her performance as Kate in the Manhattan Theatre Club's 2000 off-Broadway production of Andrew Lippa's The Wild Party. Her other off-Broadway credits include the pre-Broadway run of Rent and The Vagina Monologues.
In 2003, Menzel starred with actress and singer Kristin Chenoweth on Broadway in Wicked, a musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman loosely based upon the popular 1995 Gregory Maguire novel. Menzel received the 2004 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. On her third-to-last performance of Wicked on January 8, 2005, she fell through a trap door and cracked a lower rib. The injury prevented her from performing in the January 9 show. Menzel did, however, make a special out-of-costume appearance at that performance, performed her final song, and received a 5 minute long standing ovation. Menzel was replaced by Elphaba standby Shoshana Bean.
Following Wicked, Menzel appeared off-Broadway in the Public Theater's production of See What I Wanna See, a Michael John LaChiusa-penned musical whose run ended in December 2005, for which she received Drama Desk Award and Drama League Award nominations. She reprised her Tony Award-winning role as Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked when it opened at London's Apollo Victoria Theater on September 7, 2006. During the run, she joined the ranks of highest paid female performer in the West End at $30,000 per week. Menzel finished her West End run on December 30, 2006. She was succeeded by Elphaba standby Kerry Ellis.
Menzel played the role of Florence in the 21st Anniversary concert of Chess at the Royal Albert Hall, London from May 12–13, 2008, alongside Kerry Ellis, Adam Pascal and Josh Groban.
In 2008, Menzel headlined the Powerhouse Theatre's reading of Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik's musical Nero from July 1–11. She performed the role of Nero’s mistress Poppea.
Menzel's film roles include appearances in Just a Kiss, Kissing Jessica Stein, Tollbooth, Water, Ask the Dust, Enchanted, and Rent, in which she and five other original cast members reprised their stage roles. As a singer Menzel is known for her wide vocal range, and her use of the 'belt' technique.
Menzel performed at the 1998 Lilith Fair summer concert festival and continues to write and perform original music. She has toured extensively and frequently performs in various venues throughout New York City. She produced and released her debut album, Still I Can’t Be Still, for Hollywood Records in 1998. One single from the album, "Minuet," made the Radio & Records CHR/Pop Tracks chart at #48 in October 1998.
Her second album, Here, was released independently by Zel Records in 2004. Menzel has contributed to soundtracks, including those for the film The Other Sister and the ABC television dramedy Desperate Housewives. In 2007, she appeared on the Beowulf soundtrack singing the end credits song, "A Hero Comes Home." Also in 2007, Menzel's powerful singing voice lead her to be asked to accompany the baritone British X-Factor runner-up Rhydian Roberts on his debut album, duetting on the song "What If."
Her third solo album, I Stand, was released on January 29, 2008. The CD includes many new songs, including the lead single, "Brave," the title track "I Stand," and a song released on EP, "Gorgeous." The album debuted at #58 in the Billboard 200 making it the first solo album by Menzel to make the charts. There are five versions of this album: the original version, the special limited edition, the iTunes version, the Barnes & Noble edition, and the Borders edition.
On April 1, 2008, Menzel kicked off her "I Stand" tour in support of her new album.
On November 11, 2008, Menzel released a new single in conjunction with Major League Baseball. The single is entitled "Hope" and all proceeds go to Stand Up 2 Cancer.
On November 27, 2008, Menzel performed "I Stand" on the M&M Candies float as part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
On December 10, 2009, it was confirmed that Menzel was in negotiations to have a recurring role on Glee. In Spring 2010, Menzel began playing the role of Shelby Corcoran, the coach of the opposing Glee club, Vocal Adrenaline. She was also revealed as Rachel Berry's biological mother.
When asked about 'Defying Gravity' being sung on Glee, Idina was asked about her musical future. She said that the long-rumored movie version of 'Wicked' would probably not be green-lit until there's a dip in its Broadway grosses.
Idina also said that she had met with Andrew Lloyd Webber about taking the role of Betty Schaefer in his much delayed Sunset Boulevard film adaptation. As of February 2010, it is widely believed that Idina is no longer part of Sunset Boulevard as she wanted the role enlarged, to the refusal of Lloyd-Webber.
Menzel married actor Taye Diggs, her co-star from the original Broadway production of Rent, on January 11, 2003 after 7 years of dating. They have a Yorkshire Terrier named Sammy Davis Jr. and two cats named Ella and Coltrane, whom they call their "Jazz Cats" because they were named after famous jazz performers. On December 6, 2004, it was reported by the New York Post that Menzel and Diggs were threatened with harm in a series of letters because of their interracial marriage. Their son, Walker Nathaniel Diggs, was born on September 2, 2009.
Menzel was an Honorary Chair of the Imperial Court of New York's Annual Charity Coronation Ball, Night of A Thousand Gowns on March 21, 2009. Other Honorary Chairs for the evening's charity event included Sir Elton John CBE, Patti LuPone, John Cameron Mitchell, Joan Rivers and Dame Robin Strasser.
All I Want for Christmas Is You
Idina Menzel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 is you, oh come on
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
All I want for Christmas is you
Yeah, you baby (Come on, hey)
Oh, I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
And I'm just gonna 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 awake to
Hear those magic reindeer click
'Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do?
Baby all I want for Christmas is you,
Yeah, you baby (Oh)
Oh, all the lights are shining (Lights are shining)
So brightly everywhere
And the sound of children's (Sound of children)
Laughter fills the air
And everyone is singing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
Santa, won't you bring me the one I really need?
Won't you please bring my baby to me?
I don't want a lot for Christmas
This is all I'm asking for
I just want to see my baby
Standing right outside my door
Oh, 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, yeah, you
Is you, wooh
All I want for Christmas is you (All I want for Christmas is you), eh, come on baby
All I want for Christmas is you (All I want for Christmas is you), wooh
Gimme one (All I want for Christmas is you), yeah alright
Gimme two now (All I want for Christmas is you)
I said all I want for Christmas is you, yeah
(All I want for Christmas is you) Oh yeah
I don't need nobody more than you
No, I don't need nobody else but you
I don't need nobody (I don't need nobody)
I don't need nobody but you (I don't need nobody)
All I want for Christmas is you, yeah
Say it, (All I want for Christmas is you)
(All I want for Christmas is you)
(All I want for Christmas is you) I don't need no stocking
(All I want for Christmas is you) I just want a little sweet loving
(All I want for Christmas is you)
The lyrics to Idina Menzel's version of "All I Want for Christmas Is You" express a desire for a loved one's presence and affection, rather than material gifts. The singer emphasizes that nothing else matters as long as she has this person by her side. She sets aside traditional holiday symbols, such as hanging stockings or sending wish lists to Santa, and instead focuses on the joy of being with the person she loves during the holiday season. The song acknowledges the warmth and magic of the season, with its twinkling lights, children's laughter, and the sound of sleigh bells ringing. However, the true spirit of Christmas, according to the lyrics, is found in the simple pleasure of being with the one you love.
Overall, the lyrics to "All I Want for Christmas Is You" convey a message of love and togetherness during the holiday season. The song emphasizes the importance of relationships over material possessions and highlights the joy of being surrounded by loved ones during the most wonderful time of the year.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't want a lot for Christmas
I have a simple wish for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
There is only one thing I really want
I don't care about the presents
Gifts do not matter to me
Underneath the Christmas tree
Even the ones under the Christmas tree
I just want you for my own
All I want is to have you with me
More than you could ever know
It means everything to me
Make my wish come true
Please make my Christmas wish happen
All I want for Christmas
This is the only thing I hope to receive this Christmas
Baby is you, oh come on
I just really desire you
I don't need to hang my stocking
I do not need any traditional Christmas things
There upon the fireplace
Even where stockings are usually hung
Santa Claus won't make me happy
The idea of Santa does not excite me
With a toy on Christmas Day
Even if I receive a toy on Christmas day
And I'm just gonna keep on waiting
All I can do is wait
Underneath the mistletoe
In the hopes of seeing you under the mistletoe
I won't make a list and send it
I will not bother with a list for Santa Claus
To the North Pole for Saint Nick
Or even attempt to send a letter to Santa
I won't even stay awake to
I am not even going to stay up late
Hear those magic reindeer click
In the hope of hearing the magic of Santa's reindeer
What more can I do?
I have no other options
All the lights are shining
Christmas lights illuminate the world
So brightly everywhere
It's like the world is shining brightly
And the sound of children's
Children's laughter fills the air
Laughter fills the air
The world is full of laughter and joy
And everyone is singing
People are so happy that they sing
I hear those sleigh bells ringing
I can hear the jingle of the sleigh bells
Santa, won't you bring me the one I really need?
Can you bring me the one thing I truly desire?
Won't you please bring my baby to me?
Can you please bring the one I love to me this Christmas?
This is all I'm asking for
I only want this one thing
I just want to see my baby
All I desire is to see the one I love
Standing right outside my door
Right here, just waiting outside for me
Gimme one (All I want for Christmas is you), yeah alright
I just want this one thing, okay?
Gimme two now (All I want for Christmas is you)
I do not need anything else but you
I don't need nobody more than you
There is nobody I want more than you
No, I don't need nobody else but you
In fact, I don't need anybody else but you
I don't need nobody (I don't need nobody)
I really don't need anyone else
I don't need nobody but you (I don't need nobody)
Except for you, I simply need you
Say it, (All I want for Christmas is you)
I'll say it again, all I desire is you
I just want a little sweet loving
All I hope for is a little affection
All I want for Christmas is you, yeah
The only thing I want this Christmas is you
(All I want for Christmas is you) Oh yeah
Oh, how I want you this holiday season
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Mariah Carey, Walter N. Afanasieff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind