10 Best covers of Mariah's Christmas classic

Mariah Carey's holiday classic "All I want for Christmas is you" has been covered hundreds of times both by professional artists and aspiring singers alike. Every year, dozens of new renditions by people around the world give this inescapable hit song new flavors that keep it fresh year after year.

Thanks to YouTube, we can now watch those videos all night. But while attempts to impress is there, not everyone who covers this song actually give it justice. I mean, come on, when you're doing a Mariah song, you better have the chops to pull it through.

After watching several dozen clips of this song (and believe you me I watched a lot!), I was able to weed out the not-so-fun attempts and compile this list of the 10 best versions of this song by aspiring singers around the world. Enjoy! :)

10. Matt Cab
          - Uploaded on YouTube barely two weeks ago, this rendition takes inspiration from Michael Buble's version, slowing things down. The festive lyrics and the slower tempo breathes new life to the song. YouTube hits: 18,942

9. This Providence
           - It helps that the group members who redid this song look good. What's more, they sound even better. This Providence added some nice guitar rifts and hot vocals. It would be nice if they could, someday, actually make a video for the song. YouTube hits: 37,473

8. Jordan Pruitt
          - While this version didn't really change the key and arrangement too much (and her voice sometimes seemed too strong for parts that required some softness), Jordan did hit some impressive notes towards the song's climax which earned her this spot. YouTube hits: 19,966

7. Natalie Weiss
          - The live band's new arrangement is, without doubt, festive! Natalie's vocals are wicked and everybody in the video looked like they were having fun. I do believe Mariah herself would give a thumbs up for this version if she ever did see it (if she hasn't yet!). YouTube hits: 21,936

6. Sam & Kurt Schneider
          - Kurt's voice is packed with so much power that it is amazing how he seemed to have held back a little to make sure the song only gets whatever vocal pyrotechniques it required. It's a plus point that they play their own instruments, too. YouTube hits: 482,094

5. J Rice
          - The guitars-only take of J Rice is simply elegant--even romantic! His voice has that ability to pull you in and make sure you finish listening to the song till the end. Oh, and hello, the guitars and arrangements give the track a cool vibe that's just pure earcandy! YouTube hits: 44,101

4. Newsboys
          - This one's a rather unique take on the Christmas classic. One wouldn't be able to guess it's a cover by listening to the first 30 seconds of the track because the intro is an about face from the original. The cover takes a head-bobbing turn till the end. Festive! YouTube hits: 39,898 

3. Tori Kelly & AJ Rafael
          - Hands down--these two have the best voices in this list. Their take is so effortless and natural that I'd buy this song if it was available in iTunes! What I like about it is that they don't try to copy Mariah's vocal style, but instead serenades us with voices of angels. I can't help but wonder why these two have not been in any of the many talent shows yet. They'd win it easily! YouTube hits: 111,337

 2. Royal Pirates
           - This isn't the first time that an artist had turned the track into a rock song, but this group's rendition is easily the best. Listening to it seems like the song was originally meant to be sang in this genre by rock stars and not by the diva herself. A characteristic of an excellent cover. YouTube hits: 57,523

1. Kevin Lien
          - Strong vocals? Check. Sick arrangement (with lots of clapping)? It's there. Cute video? You bet. Kevin Lien's version is one that you'd like to listen to over and over (even when it's not Christmas!). I just can't find any fault in this rendition (except that I'm not in it and it's better than my own version, perhaps!). YouTube hits: 105,332

*** You think your version should be in this list? Leave us a comment below and perhaps we'll include it for next year's list! Enjoy! :) ***