Identifying the Most Perennially Played Christmas Track Throughout History
In terms of Holiday cheer, Mariah Carey reigns supreme with a whopping 16 million copies of 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' sold globally.[1] This modern classic is undeniably one of the most beloved and enduring Christmas songs, sending listeners into a festive frenzy since its release.
Next on our list, Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' has kicked its way into second place, with over 7 million copies sold worldwide, boasting nearly 2 million sales from the UK alone! If you've ever attempted to make it through December without hearing this holiday hit, you might know about the quirky phenomenon called 'Whamageddon.' It's a tradition that started in 2010, challenging music enthusiasts to survive the entire month without hearing the song until Christmas Eve.[2]
In third place, we find ourselves in the heart of the '80s with Band Aid's 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' The groundbreaking charity single was released in 1984 to raise awareness and funds for famine relief in Ethiopia.[3] 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' has been re-recorded and re-released several times since its original release for different charitable causes, most recently for the 35th anniversary of the song in 2019.
The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl's 'Fairytale of New York' make a dramatic appearance in fourth place. Despite never hitting the number one spot on the UK Singles Chart, the song has become a cherished holiday classic. With its raw, gritty lyrics, and emotive melody, it has resonated with listeners, selling over 2 million copies worldwide.[4]
Rounding out our top five is Shakin' Stevens' 'Merry Christmas Everyone,' which reached the top spot on the UK Singles Chart for Christmas week in 1985. This iconic Christmas tune was written by Bob Heatlie, who also penned successful songs for Stevens, like 'Breaking Up My Heart' and 'Japanese Boy.'[5]
Did your favorite Christmas track make our list? Let us know your favorite holiday tunes and revisit our entire Christmas collection here!
Fun Fact: Notable mentions include "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby, often considered the best-selling single in music history, but specific total sales figures aren't universally agreed upon.[6] Another honorable mention is "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by Darlene Love, a highly regarded holiday song that lacks clear total sales figures.[7]
'The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl's 'Fairytale of New York' and 'Shakin' Stevens' 'Merry Christmas Everyone' make a dramatic appearance in the pop-culture realm of music, being cherished holiday classics selling over 2 million copies worldwide.'
'This wide range of seasonal music, from Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' to Shakin' Stevens' 'Merry Christmas Everyone', offers an array of popular entertainment to help create a festive atmosphere during the holiday season.'
