Billboard charts normally showcase mostly contemporary music however the holiday season brings an influx of popular songs across decades old recording from beloved artists. The Billboard Hot 100 lists mostly songs released by artists who are within their 20s and 30s but with some older classics found only through radio tv and commercials that are also actively streaming however with Holiday songs a different rule appears. Old songs regularly rise in the charts each November showcasing a unique love and tradition of familiar tunes.
Decades-Old Songs and Their Remarkable Chart Performance Alongside Newer Holiday Tracks During November and December
The top five songs on the Hot 100 chart demonstrate how holiday music shifts in popularity with the age of those songs averaging around fifty two years of age. Mariah Carey’s song "All I Want for Christmas is You" has already reached thirty years and Bobby Helms “Jingle Bell Rock” that is now sixty-seven years old are present alongside songs from 2010’s showing strong pull for long established music over a newer song release . These long standing classics get the benefit of recurrent yearly revenue showcasing the unique value and tradition in yearly listens that create higher revenues and popularity for those artists who hold the recording rights .
Enduring Popularity of Christmas Classics Amidst the Emergence of New Holiday Song Contenders
Many holiday recordings wish for the same long-term appreciation that comes with songs like “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee or “Last Christmas” by Wham as artists aim to create hits that also give strong and long lasting seasonal revenue. Countless songs come and go but just a few get enough streams and recognition from fans as to be called yearly traditions making success rather elusive for up and coming artists. Billboard published the top 25 new holiday songs from the past 25 years. The list is ranked according to streaming counts and sales till December 12th which help paint picture of current most liked Christmas songs based on official sales.
Top Ranked Holiday Tracks From The Past 25 Years: Ariana Grande and Kelly Clarkson Top The Charts
Ariana Grande’s 2014 song “Santa Tell Me” is among the top with the number 8 rank and consistently sits close to more established classics with co-writers that include Savan Kotecha plus ILYA. The song sits within the top ten alongside just one other more recent song and was also listed on Billboard’s 100 greatest songs of Christmas placing it in popular mainstream songs as a tradition with growing sales each season. Kelly Clarkson's 2010 song “Underneath the Tree” ranks ninth overall that she wrote with producer Greg Kurstin also sitting amongst classics highlighting her impact as an artist. This was included in her 2010 album titled Wrapped in Red.
Michael Bublé and Other Contemporary Artists Maintain Holiday Presence Across Multiple Decades
Michael Bublé’s cover version from 2011 “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” a song by Meredith Wilson from 1951 previously done by both Perry Como and Bing Crosby showcases a strong position at number 12 which shows that covers of classics also can be strong earners as a more contemporary interpretation of older music. Jonas Brothers with “Like It’s Christmas” in 2019, that had producers like Gian Stone and Mike Elizondo is ranked at 25. Ed Sheeran and Elton John song “Merry Christmas” that was released in 2021 performed admirably ranking 29th due to strong fan followings and promotion. Justin Bieber's "Mistletoe" from his album Under the Mistletoe in 2011 holds number 33 showing longevity across his fans. Sia's “Snowman” from 2017 received a boost after a 2020 TikTok challenge and has attained the number 34th place . Gwen Stefani's 2017 “You Make It Feel Like Christmas” initially not charting later becoming very popular over time is sitting in 35th spot for most listened song. Michael Bublé’s 2011 release “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” also has surpassed the original Judy Garland version ranking at 38. Michael Bublé continues adding songs his 2011 song "Holly Jolly Christmas" to his tally ranked at 39 in most played list.
Pentatonix and Their Influence: Unique Renditions of “Hallelujah” And Other Classics with New Interpretations
Pentatonix's version of “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen ranks number 45 and while previous versions are more well known. John Cale inspired Jeff Buckley who had the most popular prior version which this version continues as a top listen in the past 25 years for a newer rendition. Laufey's "Christmas Magic" in 2024 holds the spot of highest-ranking song at number 46 while also being featured in Amazon movie “Red One” and the artist first song to break into Hot 100. Kelly Clarkson along with Ariana Grande also released “Santa, Can You Hear Me?” in 2021 featured on Clarkson's 2021 album along with tv performance and placed at the spot 51 for most listens.
John Legend Katy Perry and Continued Chart Success with other Rising Artists and Classics
John Legend's version of “What Christmas Means to Me” featured Stevie Wonder from his 2018 album sits at spot 54 with Katy Perry’s “Cozy Little Christmas” released 2018 follows at 55 among the most listed new classics showing various artist impact on chart positions. Pentatonix recording of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” takes 56 besting earlier versions such as the Bing Crosby’s rendition and the band “Mary Did You Know?” released in 2014 which made spot 58 in charts becoming most listened of countless versions available. Meghan Trainor’s “Jingle Bells” from 2023 achieved place 60 in contrast to the earlier 1954 Frank Sinatra version.
Taylor Swift, Laufey, and Sabrina Carpenter Add New Holiday Flavor With Unique Musical Styles
Taylor Swift released “Christmas Tree Farm” in 2019 and reached chart position 66 while also holding spot on best Christmas songs of the 21st century list by Billboard highlighting her mark on holiday music while also being known as pop music royalty. Laufey's “Winter Wonderland” that released in 2023 is now on her very own A Very Laufey Holiday EP at the rank of number 71 bringing back the more softer jazz classic to new audiences . Sabrina Carpenter’s “Santa Doesn’t Know You Like I Do” from her 2023 EP also makes the most listed Christmas songs at the place 77 blending more somber notes in familiar yuletide . Michael Bublé’s song “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” ranks at 82 topping versions by Darlene Love and Mariah Carey. Michael Bublé is among those who appear numerous times showing his strong connection with his audience. Bublé's version of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” also charts at spot 83 besting newer artists interpretations. Idina Menzel's “Baby It’s Cold Outside” that also features Michael Bublé which sits at 85 on Billboard only bested by a Dean Martin version in popularity currently. For King & Country's “Do You Hear What I Hear?” sits at number 90 currently where Bing Crosby's version only out performs that particular recording version of long time standard .
This yearly return of classics while also having an impact with new tracks showcase a consistent appreciation among diverse generations. These holiday tracks continue shaping annual holiday tradition within United States and the globe showing the strong role of music plays during the winter and Christmas season.