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Top Christmas Hit Songs
Christmas Hit Songs - 2007 survey
Christmas Hit Songs - 2005 survey
Top 25 Christmas Hits
White Christmas (sung by Bing Crosby, 1947)
A few years ago, ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) published the 30 most performed holiday songs -- click here.
Here are other lists of most popular Christmas songs between 2005 and 2010:
1. WHITE CHRISTMAS (1942/ 1947) -- words & music by Irving Berlin
Best known recording: Bing Crosby with Ken Darby Singers and John Scott trotter Orchestra - first recorded 29 May 1942; and the version heard today was recorded on 19 March 1947 for Decca Records/ Elvis Presley (RCA Victor)2. SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN (1934) --
words & music by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie
Best known recording: Bing Crosby and The Andrew Sisters (Decca/ MCA)3. THE CHRISTMAS SONG (1946) --
words: Robert Wells/ music: Mel Torme
Best known recording: Nat King Cole (Capitol)
4. WINTER WONDERLAND (1934) --
words: Dick Smith/ music: Felix Bernard
Best known recording: Johnny Mathia (Columbia)5. RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER (1949) --
words & music by Johnny Marks
Best known recording: Gene Autry with The Pinafores (Columbia6. SLEIGH RIDE (1950) --
words: Mitchell Parrish/ music: Leroy Anderson
Best known recordings: Johnny Mathis (Columbia)/
The Boston Pops (RCA)7. HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS (1944) --
words & music by Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin.
From musical film, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS.
Best known recordings: Judy Garland (Decca)/ Frank Sinatra (Columbia)8. SILVER BELLS (1950) --
words: Ray Evans/ music: Jay Livingston
From the comedy film, THE LEMON DROP KID with Bob Hope
Best known recording: Bing Crosby and Carole Richards (Decca)9. LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! LET IT SNOW! (1945) --
words: Sammy Cahn/ music: Jule Styne
Best known recording: Vaughan Monroe (RCA Victor)10. THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY --
words & music: Katharine K. Davis (1940)/arranged by Henry Onerati and Harry Simeone (1958)
Best known recording: The Harry Simeone Chorale (RCA Victor)11. JINGLE BELL ROCK (1957) --
words & music by Joseph Beal & James Boothe
Best known recording: Bobby Helms (Decca)12. I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS (1943) --
words & music by Kim Gannon, Walter Kent, and Buck Ram
Best known recordings: Bing Crosby (Decca)/ Elvis Presley (RCA Victor)13. FROSTY THE SNOWMAN (1950) --
words: Walter E. Rollins/ music: Steve E. Nelson
Best known recording: Gene Autry
14. BLUE CHRISTMAS (1948) --
words & music by Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson
Best known recordings: Ernest Tubb and Elvis Presley (RCA Victor)15. CAROL OF THE BELLS --
music by M. Leontovich/ arranged by Peter J. Wilhousky
Best known recording: The Harry Simeone Chorale16. IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS (1951) -- words & music by Meredith Willson
Best known recording: Perry Como and The Fontaine Sisters (RCA Victor)17. HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS (1947) --
words & music by Gene Autry and Oakley Haldeman.
From THE COWBOYS AND THE INDIANS (1949)
Best known recording: Gene Autry18. (THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE) HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS (1954) --
words: Robert Allen/ music: Al Stillman
Best known recording: Perry Como (RCA Victor)19. ROCKIN' AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE (1958) -
words & music by Johnny Marks
Best known recording: Brenda Lee (Decca)20. I SAW MOMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS (1952) --
words & music by Tommie Connor
Best known recording: Jimmy Boyd (Columbia)21. WE NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS (1966) --
words & music by Jerry Herman
From Broadway show, MAME
Best known recording: Angela Lansbury and cast22. THE CHRISTMAS WALTZ (1954) --
words: Sammy Cahn/ music: Jule Styne
Best known recordings: Franck Sinatra/ Guy Lombardo23. THE CHIPMUNK SONG (CHRISTMAS DON'T DELAY)(1958) -- words & music by Ross Bagdasarian (aka: David Seville]
Best known recording: The Chipmunks24. FELIZ NAVIDAD (1970) --
words & music by Jose Feliciano
Best known recording: Jose Feliciano (RCA Victor)25. A HOLLY JOLLY CHRISTMAS (1962) --
words & music by Johnny Marks
Best known recording: Burl Ives (MCA)
Christmas Hit Songs of the Decade
ASCAP ANNOUNCES TOP 25 HOLIDAY SONGS OF THE DECADE
"Winter Wonderland" Tops Most Performed Song List
New York, NY, November 23, 2009:
Even as the digital music generation embraces the latest technological innovations, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) reports that traditional favorites still rule the holiday airwaves -- and the iPod. Interpreted over the years by each decade's most popular artists, these Holiday favorites remain timeless classics appealing to young and old alike.
Topping ASCAP's holiday songs list of the decade is one of the oldest songs on the list: "Winter Wonderland." It was written in 1934 by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith, and was an instant hit for legendary bandleader Guy Lombardo And His Royal Canadians who took it to the #2 spot on the Billboard charts the same year. Recordings by the Andrews Sisters and Perry Como, in 1946, established the song as a Yuletide favorite. Versions by the Eurythmics, Jewel and Air Supply are frequently heard on radio today.
ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams knows something about holiday songs, having received an Emmy nomination this year for "I Wish I Could Be Santa Claus" from A Muppets Christmas: Letters To Santa, an original Christmas special with both story and songs by the renowned songwriter. He commented: "This is a tough list for any of us to break into. There's a sense that people tend to gravitate towards tradition, especially at the holidays, and our top 25 list confirms this. So, whether you're listening to holiday music on an iPod or a vintage record player, these time-honored favorites are sure to evoke the magic of the season and memories of holidays past."
The Top 25 most performed ASCAP holiday songs of the decade are listed below. Each song includes songwriter credits, and cites the most popular artist version played on radio today. The data was compiled with the help of Mediaguide, the most comprehensive digital audio performance tracking technology in the world.
1. Winter Wonderland
Written by: Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith
Performed by: Eurythmics2. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
Written by: Mel Tormé, Robert Wells
Performed by: Nat "King" Cole3. Sleigh Ride
Written by: Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish
Performed by: The Ronettes4. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Written by: Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin
Performed by: The Pretenders5. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Written by: Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie
Performed by: Bruce Springsteen
Bing Crosby: The Voice of Christmas
6. White Christmas
Written by: Irving Berlin
Performed by: Bing Crosby7. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Written by: Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne
Performed by: Michael Bublé8. Jingle Bell Rock
Written by: Joseph Carleton Beal, James Ross Boothe
Performed by: Daryl Hall & John Oates9. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
Written by: Johnny Marks
Performed by: Gene Autry10. Little Drummer Boy
Written by: Katherine K. Davis, Henry V. Onorati, Harry Simeone
Performed by: The Harry Simeone Chorale & Orchestra11. It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Written by: Edward Pola, George Wyle
Performed by: Andy Williams12. I'll Be Home For Christmas
Written by: Walter Kent, Kim Gannon, Buck Ram
Performed by: Josh Groban13. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
Written by: Johnny Marks
Performed by: Brenda Lee14. Silver Bells
Written by: Jay Livingston, Ray Evans
Performed by: Anne Murray15. Feliz Navidad
Written by: José Feliciano
Performed by: José Feliciano16. Frosty The Snowman
Written by: Steve Nelson, Walter E. Rollins
Performed by: The Beach Boys17. A Holly Jolly Christmas
Written by: Johnny Marks
Performed by: Burl Ives18. Blue Christmas
Written by: Billy Hayes, Jay W. Johnson
Performed by: Elvis Presley19. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
Written by: Meredith Willson
Performed by: Johnny Mathis20. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Written by: Tommie Connor (PRS)
Performed by: John Mellencamp21. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)
Written by: Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman
Performed by: Gene Autry22. (There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays
Written by: Bob Allen, Al Stillman
Performed by: Perry Como23. Carol Of The Bells
Written by: Peter J. Wilhousky, Mykola Leontovich
Performed by: David Foster (instrumental version)24. Wonderful Christmastime
Written by: Paul McCartney (PRS)
Performed by: Paul McCartney25. Do They Know It's Christmas? (Feed the World)
Written by: Midge Ure (PRS), Bob Geldof (PRS)
Performed by: Band AidSome facts about the Top 25 ASCAP Holiday Songs:
Oldest songs:
"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "Winter Wonderland" (both 1934)Newest song:
"Do They Know It's Christmas? (Feed the World)" (1984)Most recorded Holiday song:
"White Christmas" with well over 500 versions in dozens of languagesSongs introduced in Film and Television:
"White Christmas" in Holiday Inn (1942)
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" in Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
"Silver Bells" in The Lemon Drop Kid (1950)
"A Holly Jolly Christmas" in TV special Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1962)Writer with most top Holiday songs:
Johnny Marks with three - "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," and "A Holly Jolly Christmas""Sleigh Ride" is the only holiday song on the list written originally as an instrumental piece for a symphony orchestra. The Boston Pops Orchestra gave the first performance in a concert conducted by Arthur Fiedler at Symphony Hall in Boston, May 4, 1948. Mills Music published it that same year. The Boston Pops Orchestra recorded it in June of 1949. Mitchell Parish added lyrics in 1949.
Mediaguide, co-owned by ASCAP, monitors radio broadcast music in real-time and facilitates the accurate distribution of royalty payments to songwriters, composers and publishers. Its proprietary technology and network of over 2,500 radio stations currently tracks more stations and total airplay than any other monitoring service in the U.S.
Christmas Hit Songs - 2007 Survey
"White Christmas" (sung by Bing Crosby, 1947)
ASCAP'S TWELVE SONGS OF CHRISTMAS
KEEP SLEIGH BELLS JINGLING
New York , NY , December 13, 2007:
Twelve days left to Christmas may conjure for some people an image of a partridge in a pear tree. For the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), however, today marks the release of the top 12 most played holiday songs of 2007, tracked by radio airplay monitoring service Media guide from over 2,600 radio stations nationwide.
The top 12 most-played holiday songs in the ASCAP repertoire so far this holiday season are:Note: The above list represents an aggregation of all different artist versions of each cited holiday song.
- "Sleigh Ride" ( Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish) - played 133,264 times
- "Winter Wonderland" ( Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith) - played 126,638 times
- "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" ( Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin) - played 99,687 times
- "Jingle Bell Rock" (Joseph Carleton Beal, James Roth Boothe) – played 96,162 times
- "White Christmas" ( Irving Berlin) – played 90,434 times
- "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" ( Edward Pola, George Wyle) - played 90,030 times
- "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" (Johnny Marks) - played 82,308 times
- "A Holly Jolly Christmas" (Johnny Marks) - played 69,436 times
- "Silver Bells" ( Ray Evans, Jay Livingston) - played 68,665 times
- "Frosty the Snowman" ( Steve Nelson, Walter E. Rollins) - played 68,252 times
- "I'll Be Home for Christmas" ( Walter Kent, Kim Gannon, Buck Ram) - played 63,959 times
- "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" ( Mel Tormé, Robert Wells) - played 59,390 times
About ASCAP
Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 300,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. ASCAP has representation arrangements with over 90 music rights organizations such that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American Performing Rights Organization owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com
Christmas Hit Songs - 2005 Survey
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer and Other Christmas Classics
ASCAP Announces Top 25 Holiday Songs
"The Christmas Song" Tops ListNew York, NY, December 1, 2005:
As the year 2005 draws to a close and seasonal music fills the air, ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), the world’s largest performing rights organization, today announced its Top 25 most-performed Holiday songs for the first five years of the 21st Century based on their most recent performance data. Recorded over and over, and revived by each decade's most popular artists, these Holiday favorites remain timeless classics appealing to young and old alike.
The most performed ASCAP Holiday Song of the 21st Century is "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” written by Robert Wells and the singing great, Mel Tormé. The song, written when Tormé was 19 and Wells was 22, became a seasonal classic with the release of Nat “King” Cole’s 1946 recording. Cole's version remains the most popular on radio today. Other popular recordings include versions by Celine Dion, Luther Vandross and Natalie Cole.
"Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie, was a close second. This perennial, originally written in 1934, was recorded the same year by orchestra leader George Hall, and is frequently heard today in versions by Bruce Springsteen, and the Crystals.
"Santa Baby," written by Joan Javits, Philip Springer and Tony Springer and Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" have established themselves as seasonal favorites. Originally a hit for Eartha Kitt in 1953, "Santa Baby" was given new interest via the popular recording by Madonna. McCartney’s Holiday classic is of comparatively recent vintage, first recorded back in 1979.
A song on the move is “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year," by Edward Pola and George Wyle, written in 1963 and first recorded by Andy Williams. Other popular recordings include versions by Amy Grant, Garth Brooks, and Peabo Bryson.
Marilyn Bergman, ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board said: “More than anything else, music sets the mood for the Holidays, evoking the magic of the season and memories of Holidays past. These timeless classics have been recorded by artists in every genre, yet each song retains the original stamp of its creators.”
Some facts about the Top 25 ASCAP Holiday Songs:
- The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) -
Mel Tormé, Robert Wells- Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie
- Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin
- Winter Wonderland - Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith
- White Christmas - Irving Berlin
- Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne
- Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - Johnny Marks
- Jingle Bell Rock - Joseph Carleton Beal, James Ross Boothe
- I'll Be Home For Christmas - Walter Kent, Kim Gannon, Buck Ram
- Little Drummer Boy - Katherine K. Davis, Henry V. Onorati,
Harry Simeone- Sleigh Ride - Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish
- It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year - Edward Pola, George Wyle
- Silver Bells - Jay Livingston, Ray Evans
- Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Johnny Marks
- Feliz Navidad - José Feliciano
- Blue Christmas - Billy Hayes, Jay W. Johnson
- Frosty The Snowman - Steve Nelson, Walter E. Rollins
- A Holly Jolly Christmas - Johnny Marks
- I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Tommie Connor (PRS)
- Here Comes Santa Claus ( Right Down Santa Claus Lane) - Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman
- It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - Meredith Willson
- (There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays - Bob Allen, Al Stillman
- Carol Of The Bells - Peter J. Wilhousky, Mykola Leontovich
- Santa Baby - Joan Ellen Javits, Philip Springer, Tony Springer
- Wonderful Christmastime – Paul McCartney (PRS)
Oldest songs:
"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "Winter Wonderland" (both 1934)
Newest Song:
Wonderful Christmastime (1979)
Songs introduced in motion pictures:
"White Christmas" in Holiday Inn (1942)
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" in Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
"Silver Bells" in The Lemon Drop Kid (1950)
Writer with most Top Holiday Songs:
Johnny Marks with three - "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," and “A Holly Jolly Christmas”
Most recorded Holiday Song:
"White Christmas" with well over 500 versions in dozens of languages.
"Sleigh Ride" is the only Holiday song written originally as an instrumental piece for a symphony orchestra. The Boston Pops Orchestra gave the first performance in a concert conducted by Arthur Fiedler at Symphony Hall in Boston, May 4, 1948. Mills Music published it that same year. The Boston Pops Orchestra recorded it in June of 1949. Mitchell Parish added lyrics in 1949.
About ASCAP
Established in 1914, ASCAP is the first and leading U.S. Performing Rights Organization representing the world's largest repertory totaling over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works of every style and genre from more than 300,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members. ASCAP has representation arrangements with over 90 music rights organizations such that the ASCAP repertory is represented in nearly every country around the world. ASCAP protects the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. ASCAP is the only American Performing Rights Organization owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. www.ascap.com
Related Links
CD: Christmas Music in America
"New Bethlehem" - Christmas Music in New England
Christmas Music in New England
Joy of Angels: Shaker Spirituals for Christmas and The New Year
"Joy To The World" - Early New England Christmas Carol
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Three Christmas Hit Songs
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