A songwriter claims in a lawsuit that he co-wrote the Mariah Carey classic “All I want for Christmas is You” years before the Diva recorded and released her own version, which became an instant holiday hit.
The 1994 song is a modern day staple for the holidays, receiving bountiful airplay and enjoyed by millions.
In case filed in New Orleans Federal Court, Vince Vance is seeking $20-million dollars in damages from Carey, her co-writer, and Sony Music Entertainment.
Vance is a songwriter and performer with country-pop group Vince Vance & the Valiants.
Published reports say Vance’s suit claims Carey and the defendant of illegally exploiting his ‘popularity and unique style’ and caused confusion by recording the song without permission.
Vance says his version of the song was written in 1989 and has different lyrics and a different melody.
Carey’s version of the song has topped charts for years since its debut in 1994.
The suit claims lawyers for Vance contacted the defendants in April of last year about Carey’s alleged misuse of the song, but that the sides were ‘unable to come to any agreement.’