For most people, the winter holidays get exciting the minute Halloween is over.
Once November 1st rolls around Christmas and other fun holidays of November/December fill shops and streets with decorations and music. Even with all the events going on everywhere they aren’t complete without holiday music setting the mood. Here’s the best of the best: holiday music starting at the most popular.
All I want for Christmas is You – Mariah Carey
This song makes millions every year as a trend has started of Mariah Carey “defrosting” every November 1st with her classic line “It’s timeeee” with an over exaggeratedly long “time.” The song first came out in 1994 and makes Carey a whopping $2.6 million+ yearly.
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee
In 1958 when Lee was only 13 years old she sang this Christmas tune heard by everyone since then. She achieved her first Billboard at age 12 and later on a yearly Billboard because of this song. This song is heard in movies, malls, and even school winter concerts. With over 1 billion streams per year on Spotify this song makes $4 million dollars in revenue per year.
Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms
Released in 1957 this song has been sung by many over the years, but no one does it like Helms. It is considered his signature song and is played every year during the holidays. This holiday classic has over 1.2 billion streams a year. It is Bobby Helm’s first song to reach this high of a milestone.
The Christmas Song – Nat “King” Cole
A soothing classic known by every christmas lover, The Christmas Song is an outstanding performance by Nat “King” Cole. This song was released in 1960 and has been a hit since with the famous Nat “King” Cole known for jazz at this time. In 1974 this recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Then, in 2004 this piece was found to be the most popular holiday song among women aged 30-49. This popularity places it at number 4 on the billboard charts.
A Holly Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives
Most famously heard in the holiday classic “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” this song by Burl Ives gets all of America in an upbeat mood for the holidays. Released in 1964, as many classics were around this time, Burl Ives had many classics, this being his most popular holiday. The song’s popularity is shown by it reaching Number 30 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in 1998, as well as Number 21 on the US Country Digital Songs chart and Number 5 on the Holiday 100 chart in 2011.
Feliz Navidad – Jose Feliciano
Feliz Navidad made its welcome 54 years ago in 1970. This hispanic song has appeared in many movies, TV shows and commercials. It’s been covered by musical artists as diverse as Celine Dion to BTS. It’s been heard on the radio by around 3.8 billion people, as claimed by Billboard, “Feliz Navidad” remains as one of the top 10 best-performing songs on its Holiday 100 chart.
It’s The Most Wonderful Time of The Year – Andy Williams
In 1963 everyone knew when the most wonderful time of the year was and that was because no one could get this holiday classic out of their head. Andy Williams is a famous pop singer from the 60s on and this holiday classic which every generation since then knows. It has made debuts in movies as well as been remixed by other pop singers and televised ads. This popular Christmas song has been in the top ten on Billboard for over 20 years which says enough as it is!
Last Christmas – Wham!
Wham! A very popular duo in the 80s with the hit holiday song Last Christmas was released on December 3rd, 1984 just in time for the start of the season. The song has claimed the Number 1 spot multiple times over the last 4 decades and has accumulated an outstanding 5 billion combined streams. The music video (mini-film) released on youtube 15 years ago, has just under a billion views and is within the top 25 music videos. The song topped the charts in fourteen countries and peaked within the top ten of the charts in several countries including Australia, Canada and the United States. Wham! was known to be the best and they really met the expectations with this unforgettable holiday tune.
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow! – Dean Martin
Dean Martin, known as one of the best singers of his generation, had many holiday classics. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow! Surpassed all of them as it made its way to the top ten on billboard charts after 50 years! Unlike other holiday songs this one has no mention of Christmas but describes the warm feeling you get during this time of year.
White Christmas – Bing Crosby With Ken Darby Singers & John Scott Trotter & His Orchestra
Last but not least, White Christmas released in 1947 has always been a fan favorite. Seen in dozens of movies from then to now and featured on every holiday playlist. White Christmas has been credited with selling over 50 million copies, which is the most by any release, therefore it is the biggest-selling single worldwide of all time.
Honorable Mentions:
Holiday Road – Lindsey Buckingham (National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation)
Mele Kalikimaka – Bing Crosby, The Andrew Sisters (National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation)
Do They Know It’s Christmas? – Band Aid
Please Come Home for Christmas – The Eagles
Underneath The Tree – Kelly Clarkson