By now, everyone is well into their Christmas songs playlists. We’ve all gone deep into the wide range of seasonal songs that get played at this time of year. There is a whole backstory, too, in the way the focus on being number one for the festive period was seriously ramped up in the UK. And largely ignored in the US.
Over recent years, the playlist of songs streamed at Christmas has taken on much significance. That whole shift to streaming and making all the old favorites much more accessible has changed the charts. It has also impacted an old imbalance between how Christmas songs were marketed and received in the UK and in the US.
It’s an area where the UK has taken a strong lead over the US. If you look at all the singles that were number one at Christmas in the 1970s and 1980s, in particular, there is a marked contrast. In the UK, there was a strong drive to reach the number one spot at Christmas.
To have the top-selling single was a real prize and honour. It was a chase to the top that carried lots of media hype and much public interest. Even huge bands like Pink Floyd joined in, despite not having a Christmas-themed song.
The UK sets the scene on Christmas No. 1s
Those two decades saw many great festive songs released, alongside a flurry of other novelty tunes. Among the many top hits are songs that are absolute standards for frequent airtime. “Merry Xmas Everybody" from Slade, “Lonely This Christmas” by Mud, “When A Child Is Born” by Johnny Mathis, and “Mary’s Boy Child” by Boney M all hit that number one spot in the 1970s, adding seasonal charm along the way.
In the 1980s, we saw the advent of charity singles with Band Aid’s world-changing “Do They Know It’s Christmas”. Shaking Stevens crowned 1985 with “Merry Christmas Everyone,” and a few years later in 1988 Cliff Richard chased down Christmas hits with “Mistletoe And Wine,” following that in 1990 with ”Saviours Day.”
Alongside all of those were many other classics in the charts that didn't hit the top spot, but remain strong party songs even now, and are also top earners. Roy Wood and Wizzard are a great example. “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day” is a great song. It was recently revealed that it makes up 97% of the band's streaming revenues.
More classic UK Christmas hits
Let’s also not forget Wham and “Last Christmas”, the biggest-selling single never to reach the number one spot in the UK. Well, until it did get there in 2021, some 36 years after its initial release. The power of film, media, and streaming, combined with a super tune all working its magic.
The sad news this week of Chris Rea’s death also highlighted the value of his "Driving Home For Christmas” song. Despite never climbing higher than number 10 in the charts, it’s a popular listen. Estimates reckon it has earned Rea over £7m in royalties and racks up around £200k each year. The UK Christmas single market was, and still is, highly lucrative.
It was quite different at Christmas in America
Over in the US, though, it was quite different. No one was ignoring Christmas, but unlike the UK, there wasn't such a big focus on the Christmas singles chart. The focus was far more on albums than on singles.
While in the UK artists specifically targeted December to release songs, the month was avoided in the US, as singles just didn't really sell well then. There wasn't anywhere near the glitz, glamour, fun, or media frenzy about the top spot at Christmas. While it really caught on in the UK, there just wasn't the same drive, purpose, or interest in the US.
With that in mind, it’s no wonder that there was just one Christmas-related song at number one on the US Billboard 100 between 1958 and 2018. Step up “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late).” It’s fun, but it doesn't really do it in the same way as the UK and the many festive sounds there. That's not to say there weren't any Christmas songs released in the US. There are plenty around, but they weren’t heavily targeting the top of the charts.
Since then the streamers have taken over. Christmas songs on both sides of the Atlantic hit new peaks year after year and dominate the charts. We all saw, and heard, Mariah Carey storm the US charts with “All I Want For Christmas” and notch up a recurring number one hit.
So the balance is restored somewhat, and the chase for the top slot in the UK has diminished. The good news, though, is that whatever side of the Atlantic you are listening from, there are plenty of those festive tunes of all types and genres available. Crank up the volume to 11 and party on.