The Contenders is a midweek column that looks at artists aiming for the top of the Billboard charts, and the strategies behind their efforts. This week, for the upcoming Billboard Hot 100 dated Dec. 13, we look at the chances of Mariah Carey to claim her record-tying 19th week at No. 1 with her holiday perennial.

Mariah Carey, “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (Columbia): “Christmas” came early to the Hot 100’s top 10 last month, with Carey’s holiday staple setting a record for its earliest visit in the calendar to the chart dated Nov. 15. In the weeks since, “Christmas” has continued to bound up the Hot 100, and ranks at No. 5 on this week’s chart (dated Dec. 6), the highest of the four holiday titles now ranking in the top 10.

The song will undoubtedly jump on next week’s chart, with T

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