My Only Wish (This Year)

2000 promotional single by Britney Spears

"My Only Wish (This Year)"

Promotional single by Britney Spears
from the album  Platinum Christmas
Released| November 6, 2020
Recorded| August 2000
Genre|

* Christmas
* teen pop

Length| 4:15
Label| RCA
Songwriter(s)|

* Brian Kierulf
* Josh Schwartz

Producer(s)|

* Brian Kierulf
* Josh Schwartz

Audio video
"My Only Wish (This Year)" on YouTube

"My Only Wish (This Year)" is a teen pop Christmas song by American singer Britney Spears. It was written and produced by Brian Kierulf and Josh Schwartz. It was included on the Christmas compilation album Platinum Christmas (2000). In the song, Spears asks Santa Claus to find her a lover during the holidays.

On November 6, 2020, the song was re-released as a promotional single on streaming platforms, twenty years after the album's release.[1][2] On October 26, 2023, two versions were released for the song: a "Sped + Slowed" version as well as an "Instrumental + Karaoke" version.

"My Only Wish (This Year)" received positive reviews from contemporary music critics. However, close to a decade after its release, reviewers felt the song was considered a modern holiday classic. "My Only Wish (This Year)" has charted in various countries, mainly in Germany and on Billboard's Holiday Songs.[3]

## Background and composition

[edit]

"My Only Wish (This Year)"

A 25-second sample of the song's chorus features Spears singing about her only wish.

* * *

Problems playing this file? See media help.

On October 13, 2000, Forbes reported that Spears had plans to record a song called "My Only Wish (This Year)" for a Christmas album titled Platinum Christmas.[4] The song was included on the album, which was released on November 14, 2000.[4] "My Only Wish (This Year)" was written and produced by Brian Kierulf and Josh Schwartz.[5] It is a teen pop song[6] in the key of C major over a vocal range spanning from G3 to A5. It runs in a fast shuffle rhythm, a rhythm pattern used mainly in jazz-influenced music.[7] In the song, Spears laments her loneliness during the holidays and asks Santa Claus to bring her a lover,[8] in lines such as "He's all I want, just for me/Underneath my Christmas tree".[9] Since its release, the song has been included in more than eight Christmas music compilations, including Now That's What I Call Christmas! (2001), Super Christmas Hits (2006) and Christmas Top 100 (2009).[8][10]

## Critical reception

[edit]

"My Only Wish (This Year)" received comparisons to Mariah Carey's 1994 hit single "All I Want for Christmas Is You".

Michael Roberts of the Dallas Observer described the song as "an unobjectionable but generic retro bounce-fest".[11] Lori Reese of Entertainment Weekly called it "festive".[6] In her review of Now That's What I Call Christmas!, Melissa Ruggieri of the Richmond Times-Dispatch commented, "Thankfully, only a small portion of disc two is devoted to tween magnets including Britney Spears ('My Only Wish [This Year]') and 'N Sync ('You Don't Have to Be Alone [On Christmas]')".[8] Gabrielle Rice of Yahoo! called it one of Spears's best and most remembered songs, saying, however, that it only "made the Top 10 list because the lyrics [and] fast shuffle rhythm ... are just plain cute".[12] In his review of classic Christmas songs, The Sydney Morning Herald's Richard Jinman said that this track and Mariah Carey's 1994 single "All I Want for Christmas Is You" were "ho-ho-horrible singles",[13] and Adam Graham of The Detroit News also commented that the "sleigh bells and holiday cheer abound on this bouncy teen-pop ditty ... follows in the tradition" of Carey's single.[14]

Sam Lansky of PopCrush included the song on his list of Top 10 Original Christmas Pop Songs, writing, "another millennial teen pop jam, Britney Spears' 'My Only Wish (This Year)' follows the time-honored tradition of asking Santa Claus for love",[9] and finding it "a sweet throwback to the simpler days of [Britney]".[9] AllMusic editor Stephen Thomas Erlewine considered the song a "pop holiday classic."[15] Steve Leggett noted the song was "a nice and bright backdrop for that Christmas party or dinner".[16] MTV blogger Tamar Anitai praised it as "the absolute holy grail of 1990s pop Christmas songs".[17]

In 2021, the song was ranked as one of the 100 Best Christmas Songs of All Time, by Billboard.[18] In 2023, Forbes listed it as one of the 15 Most Iconic Christmas Pop Songs.[19]

## Chart performance

[edit]

In the United States, the song made its first appearance on Billboard Holiday Airplay on December 8, 2001, debuting and peaking at number 7.[20] Later in 2010, it debuted on the Billboard Holiday Digital Songs Sales component chart at number 49, as a result of digital downloads, and up until 2020 peaked at number 12.[3][21] In 2015, the song reached number 81 on the Billboard Holiday 100.[22] On the Billboard Global 200 chart, the song peaked at number 68.[23]

"My Only Wish (This Year)" appeared for the first time in the Danish Singles Chart on December 26, 2008, as a result of digital downloads, debuting at number 34 before dropping off the chart in the following week.[24] In the following year, it came back at number 37.[24] A few years later, in 2014, it returned with a new peak at number 29, and spend two additional weeks on the charts in 2016. Since 2017, it charted yearly for multiple weeks per year, where it also reached its current peak at number 14. It is Spears' longest-running single in the country with 39 weeks on the charts and has since been certified double platinum by IFPI Danmark.[25][26]

It charted in Slovakia, on December 28, 2009, at number 54.[27] On December 8, 2011, "My Only Wish (This Year)" debuted at number 170 on South Korea's International Download Circle Chart, following digital sales of 3,671 copies.[28] On December 17, 2011, it sold 13,670 copies.[28] On the International Comprehensive Tracks component chart, it peaked at number 34.[28]

In 2015, the song had its first appearance on the German Singles Chart, debuting at number 90. Up until 2022, it charted yearly and reached its peak at number 29 in 2021.[29] In 2022, it was certified gold by the Bundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI) for selling 250,000 units.[30] In the United Kingdom, the single entered the UK Singles Chart on December 24, 2021 for the first time at number 97. A week later, it peaked at number 82, boosted by popularity during the 2021 holiday season. This marked Spears' first entry on the chart since "Make Me" in July 2016, which peaked at 42.[31] Also in 2021, it was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for selling 200,000 units.

## Cover versions and usage in media

[edit]

In 2009, Brazilian singer and TV host Xuxa released a Portuguese version of "My Only Wish (This Year)", titled as "Papai Noel Existe", on her Christmas album Natal Mágico. In 2019, NCT's Jaehyun and April's Lee Na-eun covered the song on an Inkigayo special.[32] In 2020, Meghan Trainor covered the song for her Christmas album A Very Trainor Christmas.[33] RuPaul's Drag Race finalists Tia Kofi and Priyanka released a duet version of the song in 2022.[34] Thai singer Lisa released a cover of the song in 2023, along with a music video.[35]

The song is featured in the 2021 Christmas Netflix film, Single All the Way.[36]

## Track listings

[edit]

* Digital download and streaming

1. "My Only Wish (This Year)" – 4:15

* Digital download and streaming (Sped + Slowed)

1. "My Only Wish (This Year)" (Slowed & Reverb) – 4:50
2. "My Only Wish (This Year)" (Sped Up) – 3:43

* Digital download and streaming (Instrumental + Karaoke)

1. "My Only Wish (This Year)" (Instrumental) – 4:15
2. "My Only Wish (This Year)" (Karaoke) – 4:15

## Credits and personnel

[edit]

* Britney Spears – lead vocals, background vocals
* Brian Kierulf – songwriting, production
* Josh Schwartz – songwriting, production
* Jennifer Karr – background vocals

## Charts

[edit]

Chart performance for "My Only Wish (This Year)"  Chart (2000–2024)  | Peak
position

|

Australia (ARIA)[37] | 63
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[38] | 28
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[39] | 49
CIS (TopHit)[40] | 125
Croatia (HRT)[41] | 11
Croatia Christmas Airplay (HRT)[42] | 9
Denmark (Tracklisten)[43] | 14
Finland Airplay (Radiosoittolista)[44] | 23
France (SNEP)[45] | 133
Germany (GfK)[46] | 23
Global 200 (Billboard)[47] | 68
Greece International (IFPI)[48] | 79
Hungary (Single Top 40)[49] | 32
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[50] | 35
Ireland (IRMA)[51] | 47
Lithuania (AGATA)[52] | 44
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[53] | 36
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[54] | 20
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[55] | 43
Portugal (AFP)[56] | 100
Slovakia (IFPI)[27] | 54
South Korea International Singles (Gaon)[28] | 16
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[57] | 41
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[58] | 29
UK Singles (OCC)[59] | 59
Ukraine Airplay (TopHit)[60] | 35
US Holiday 100 (Billboard)[22] | 81

## Certifications and sales

[edit]

Certifications and sales for "My Only Wish (This Year)"  Region  | Certification | Certified units/sales

|
|

Australia (ARIA)[61] | Gold  | 35,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[62] | 3× Platinum  | 270,000‡
Germany (BVMI)[63] | Gold  | 250,000‡
South Korea  | —  | 39,344[64]
United Kingdom (BPI)[65] | Gold  | 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[66] | Gold  | 500,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

[edit]

Release dates and formats for "My Only Wish (This Year)"  Region  | Date  | Format(s)  | Version(s)  | Label  | Ref.

|
|
|
|
|

Various  | November 6, 2020  |

* Digital download
* streaming

| Original  | RCA | [67]
United States  | November 12, 2020  | Vinyl (Urban Outfitters exclusive) | [68]
January 15, 2021  | Vinyl (Green Marble Amazon exclusive) | [69]
Various  | October 26, 2023  |

* Digital download
* streaming

* Sped
* slowed

| [70]

* Instrumental
* karaoke

| [71]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Britney Spears; Various Artists, My Only Wish - Exclusive Limited Edition Green Marble Colored Vinyl LP, Jive., retrieved November 14, 2023
2. ^ My Only Wish (This Year), November 5, 2020, retrieved November 14, 2023
3. ^ a b "Holiday/Seasonal Digital Songs — Subscription Required". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. November 27, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2011.
4. ^ a b Schiffman, Betsy (October 13, 2010). "Forbes Faces: Britney Spears". Forbes. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
5. ^ Platinum Christmas (Liner notes). Jive Records. 2000. `{{cite AV media notes}}`: Unknown parameter `|people=` ignored (help)
6. ^ a b Reese, Lori (October 13, 2000). "Very Warm Suit". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 27, 2009. Retrieved March 9, 2010.
7. ^ "Digital Sheet Music Britney Spears - My Only Wish (This Year)". musicnotes.com. Universal Music Publishing Group. December 10, 2007. Retrieved March 10, 2010.
8. ^ a b c Ruggieri, Melissa (December 13, 2001). "Do you hear what I hear? ; give a listen to these holiday sounds". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Thomas A. Silvestri. ISSN 1941-0700.
9. ^ a b c Lansky, Sam (December 9, 2011). "TOP 10 ORIGINAL CHRISTMAS POP SONGS". PopCrush. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
10. ^ "Britney Spears - My Only Wish (This Year)". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved March 10, 2010.
11. ^ Roberts, Michael (December 21, 2000). "Holidaze". Dallas Observer. Stuart Folb. Archived from the original on June 11, 2010. Retrieved March 10, 2010.
12. ^ Rice, Gabrielle (March 29, 2010). "Top 10 Songs by Britney Spears: The Best and Most Remembered". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved December 8, 2011.
13. ^ Jinman, Richard (December 22, 2003). "Seasons gratings". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved March 10, 2010.
14. ^ Graham, Adam (December 8, 2011). "My Christmas tunes". The Detroit News. Jonathan Wolman. Retrieved December 8, 2011. [dead link‍]
15. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (October 23, 2001). "Now That's What I Call Christmas! by Various Artists". AllMusic. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
16. ^ Legget, Steve (July 10, 2010). "Do You Hear What I Hear? Women of Christmas by Various Artists". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
17. ^ Anitai, Tamar (December 22, 2011). "Our Favorite Holiday Songs That Aren't Totally Mortifying + A Few That Definitely Are". MTV. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on December 7, 2013. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
18. ^ "The 100 Best Christmas Songs of All Time: Staff List". Billboard. November 29, 2021.
19. ^ Alvarez, Lauren. "15 Iconic Christmas Pop Songs To Get You In The Holiday Spirit". Forbes. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
20. ^ "Britney Spears Holiday Airplay History". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
21. ^ "Britney Spears". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
22. ^ a b "Holiday 100 - Jan 10, 2015". Billboard. Retrieved February 9, 2018.
23. ^ Cabral, R. J. (January 2, 2024). "Billboard Global 200". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
24. ^ a b "danishcharts.dk - Britney Spears - My Only Wish (This Year)". Tracklisten. Hung Medien. Retrieved November 30, 2010.
25. ^ "danishcharts.com - Britney Spears - My Only Wish (This Year)". danishcharts.dk. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
26. ^ "Britney Spears "My Only Wish (This Year)" | IFPI". ifpi.dk. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
27. ^ a b "Radio Top 100 Oficiálna - Spears Britney - My Only Wish". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 26, 2011.
28. ^ a b c d 가온차트와 함께하세요 (in Korean). Gaon. Archived from the original on June 11, 2012.
29. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
30. ^ "Datenbank: BVMI". www.musikindustrie.de. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
31. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
32. ^ "NCT's Jaehyun and April's Naeun pose for Christmas selfies with photo of 'Inkigayo' co-MC Monsta X's Minhyuk".
33. ^ "Meghan Trainor anuncia álbum natalino. Confira a tracklist" [Meghan Trainor announces Christmas album. Check out the tracklist]. Terra (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020. "From the new Christmas album, Trainor has already released the singles My Kind of Present and Last Christmas."
34. ^ "Drag Race stars Tia Kofi and Priyanka release new holiday single My Only Wish (This Year)". GAY TIMES. December 3, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
35. ^ Aditi Srivastava (December 25, 2023). "'YG's another exit?', BLACKPINK's Lisa releases Christmas cover for Britney Spears' My Only Wish This Year". Hindustan Times. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
36. ^ "Single All the Way Soundtrack: Every Featured Song in the 2021 Netflix Movie". December 2, 2021.
37. ^ "The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 2 January 2023". The ARIA Report. No. 1713\. Australian Recording Industry Association. January 2, 2023. p. 4.
38. ^ "Britney Spears – My Only Wish (This Year)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
39. ^ "Britney Spears Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 3, 2024.
40. ^ Britney Spears — My Only Wish (This Year). TopHit. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
41. ^ "ARC 100 - Week 1 (01.01.2024.)". HRT. January 1, 2024. Archived from the original on January 2, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
42. ^ "ARC Christmas 2018 - Službena Božićna lista :: Hrvatski radio". radio.hrt.hr (in Croatian). Archived from the original on December 31, 2018. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
43. ^ "Britney Spears – My Only Wish (This Year)". Tracklisten. Retrieved June 25, 2022.
44. ^ "Britney Spears: My Only Wish This Year" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
45. ^ "Top Singles (Week 52, 2023)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
46. ^ "Britney Spears – My Only Wish (This Year)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
47. ^ "Britney Spears Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
48. ^ "Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International) - Week 51/2021". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on January 3, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
49. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
50. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Stream Top 40 slágerlista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
51. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
52. ^ "Savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. December 28, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
53. ^ "Britney Spears – My Only Wish (This Year)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
54. ^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video". Polish Airplay Top 100. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
55. ^ "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 22.12.2023–28.12.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
56. ^ "Britney Spears – My Only Wish (This Year)". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
57. ^ "Britney Spears – My Only Wish (This Year)". Singles Top 100. Retrieved December 1, 2014.
58. ^ "Britney Spears – My Only Wish (This Year)". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
59. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
60. ^ "Ukraine Airplay Chart for 2022-12-30." TopHit. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
61. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2022 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
62. ^ "Danish single certifications – Britney Spears – My Only Wish (This Year)". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
63. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Britney Spears; 'My Only Wish (This Year)')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
64. ^ "Circle Monthly Download Chart - December 2011 (See #45)". Circle. Korea Music Content Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 11, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
65. ^ "British single certifications – Britney Spears – My Only Wish (This Year)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
66. ^ "American single certifications – Britney Spears – My Only Wish (This Year)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
67. ^ My Only Wish (This Year), November 5, 2020, retrieved November 14, 2023
68. ^ "Britney Spears - My Only Wish (This Year) Limited LP | Urban Outfitters". November 3, 2020. Archived from the original on November 3, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2023.
69. ^ Britney Spears; Various Artists, My Only Wish - Exclusive Limited Edition Green Marble Colored Vinyl LP, Jive., retrieved November 14, 2023
70. ^ My Only Wish (This Year) (Slowed & Reverb), October 26, 2023, retrieved November 14, 2023
71. ^ My Only Wish (This Year) (Instrumental), October 26, 2023, retrieved November 14, 2023

* v
* t
* e

Britney Spears songs

* Discography
* Songs
* Unreleased songs

...Baby One More Time|

* "...Baby One More Time"
* "(You Drive Me) Crazy"
* "Sometimes"
* "Born to Make You Happy"
* "From the Bottom of My Broken Heart"
* "The Beat Goes On"

Oops!... I Did It Again|

* "Oops!... I Did It Again"
* "Stronger"
* "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction"
* "Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know"
* "Lucky"
* "You Got It All"

Britney|

* "I'm a Slave 4 U"
* "Overprotected"
* "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman"
* "Boys"
* "Anticipating"
* "I Love Rock 'n' Roll"

In the Zone|

* "Me Against the Music"
* "Toxic"
* "Outrageous"
* "Everytime"

Greatest Hits: My Prerogative|

* "My Prerogative"
* "Do Somethin'"

Britney & Kevin: Chaotic|

* "Someday (I Will Understand)"

Blackout|

* "Gimme More"
* "Piece of Me"
* "Radar"
* "Break the Ice"
* "Everybody"

Circus|

* "Womanizer"
* "Circus"
* "Kill the Lights"
* "If U Seek Amy"
* "Radar"

The Singles Collection|

* "3"

Femme Fatale|

* "Till the World Ends"
* "Hold It Against Me"
* "I Wanna Go"
* "Big Fat Bass"
* "Criminal"
* "Selfish"

Britney Jean|

* "Alien"
* "Work Bitch"
* "Perfume"
* "It Should Be Easy"

Glory|

* "Do You Wanna Come Over?"
* "Make Me"
* "Private Show"
* "Clumsy"
* "Slumber Party"
* "Mood Ring"
* "Swimming in the Stars"
* "Matches"

Other songs|

* "My Only Wish (This Year)"
* "We Will Rock You"
* "And Then We Kiss"
* "Scream & Shout"
* "Ooh La La"
* "Pretty Girls"
* "Hold Me Closer"
* "Mind Your Business"

As featured artist|

* "What's Going On"
* "Like a Virgin / Hollywood" (2003 MTV VMA performance)
* "S&M" (remix)
* "Tom's Diner"
* "Hands"

* Category

Authority control databases |

* MusicBrainz work

|

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