Ariana Grande achieved considerable success in 2024 after she released her solo album starred in Wicked plus collecting Grammy nominations among many other achievements. Grande’s holiday song “Santa Tell Me” surprisingly hit the top 10 of Billboard’s Hot 100 for the first time a decade after release. The song which was released in 2014 saw massive success alongside newer songs for “Wicked” from the popular artist. This unexpected success further solidified the artists position in mainstream media in present day and her past.
Unexpected Rise of "Santa Tell Me": Ariana Grande’s Holiday Track Enters the Hot 100 Top 10
Ariana Grande’s "Santa Tell Me" moved from position number 14 to number 9 on the Hot 100 entering the top 10 for the first time in its long standing presence. The single took approximately 28 weeks across several years to gain momentum for its entry to the list but was initially released a decade ago. “Santa Tell Me” released in 2014 became a major hit on the Billboard charts. The song served initially as a stand-alone song however found further prominence on her holiday compilations which includes “Christmas Kisses” and “Christmas & Chill”. Billboard’s Hot 100 is the place where the most competitive popular music charts from around the world.
"Santa Tell Me" Climbs Streaming Charts: Digital Platforms Drive Grande's Song to New Heights
As "Santa Tell Me" reaches the peak of Billboard's Hot 100 the single reached number 6 on the Streaming Songs chart an even better position than what was achieved in prior chart releases. Streamed media on platforms including Spotify Apple Music plus Pandora factor greatly into a songs ranking on the Billboard charts. Ariana Grande currently is seeing success from many streams and airplay contributing greatly to overall ranking of her older title on the Hot 100 chart which may contribute to overall success. “Santa Tell Me” continues its high climb on charts demonstrating continued growth of popularity.
Ariana Grande Dominates Charts with "Santa Tell Me" and "Wicked" Tracks Reaching New Peaks
Ariana Grande has maintained top placement on several Billboard charts along with her hit "Santa Tell Me". Several tracks recorded from her recent movie “Wicked” continue their steady climb. Specifically the tracks "Popular" along with "Defying Gravity" featuring Cynthia Erivo have climbed into new heights on various radio pop music charts further emphasizing Arianna Grandes creative capacity across multiple mediums. Cynthia Erivo has also enjoyed this recent resurgence as well along with the rising pop popularity from various Wicked soundtracks.
Holiday Hits Dominate Billboard Top 10: "Santa Tell Me" Joins Elite Ranks
The Billboard Hot 100's top 10 during the holiday season included 16 holiday songs showing strong public preference for the festive music selection in current day music charts. "The Chipmunk Song" sung by the Chipmunks alongside David Seville was first Yuletide track topping Hot 100 in 1958 remaining at number one for four weeks of popularity. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” sung by Mariah Carey remained on top for 18 weeks beginning in 2019. Also “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” sung by Brenda Lee was also another holiday classic spending 3 weeks on top charts during 2023. "Santa Tell Me" along with Kelly Clarkson's “Underneath the Tree” both achieved entry to Top 10 during December 28 2024.
Historical Context: Kenny G to Nat King Cole in Hot 100's Holiday Lineup
Kenny G's "Auld Lang Syne" released at the close of 1999 achieved number seven at the beginning of 2000 demonstrating how long his holiday title stood strong on the charts in the new millennium. Nat King Cole's classic “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)" has remained a mainstay on music charts. Nat King Cole first released "The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)" in 1946 with the album reaching number nine of all song releases. Most holiday music that has reached the Top 10 arrived during the 2020's showing the significant influence of modern streaming platforms plus popularity. Prior to streaming popularity on Billboard holiday charts were often ranked separately showing massive shift in pop music habits among new music consumers.
The Full List of Holiday Hits: Tracking Top 10 Hot 100 Songs from Old to New Releases
Many recent holiday hits show "Santa Tell Me" at number 5 for January 4th 2025 with “Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson coming in at 9 also during that same date showing strong interest in these holiday titles by fans. Kenny Gs 1999 title “Auld Lang Syne” achieved number 7 in early January 2000. Mariah Carey's 1994 hit “All I Want for Christmas Is You” was at number 1 beginning in December of 2019. “This One’s for the Children” a 1989 release by New Kids on the Block landed in position 7 by the end of 1990. Wham!'s "Last Christmas" a 1984 release was positioned at 3 on the charts this year and "Feliz Navidad” a 1970 release by Jose Feliciano got number six in 2021 on pop charts.
"A Holly Jolly Christmas" which is a 1964 release by Burl Ives rose to 4 during early 2020 while the Andy Williams’s “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” a 1963 release landed at number five in 2021. The Ronettes 1963 "Sleigh Ride" hit number 8 on Dec 23 2023. Dean Martin’s 1959 release “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” rose to number 7 at beginning of 2024. The Chipmunks with David Seville their classic song from 1958 "The Chipmunk Song" held the number 1 position during end of 1958. Brenda Lee's “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” a classic from 1958 rose to top chart placement in 2023. Chuck Berry's 1958 release “Run Rudolph Run” landed on chart position 10 at the beginning of 2021. Bobby Helms "Jingle Bell Rock" another track from 1957 reached number 3 back in early 2020 while lastly the title by Nat King Cole “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You)” reached position 9 in early January 2023 as another holiday chart topping favorite among listeners of modern times.
"Die with a Smile" by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars Unique Non-Christmas Track in Top 10
A specific single “Die with a Smile” sung by Lady Gaga alongside Bruno Mars maintained placement in the Top 10 chart making it a unique track within the all holiday themed musical list. That single reached number six indicating the influence of both mainstream music talents in the holiday focused market place which is dominated by popular Christmas themed releases at year's end. "Die with a Smile" shows the strength of both performers in their current output among all competing Christmas themed titles during this most recent charting period. The majority of songs that also held Top Ten positions were also all recorded before the start of the current century highlighting a classic trend in current day market place.
Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande Join Classic Holiday Lineup in Top 10 Positions of Billboard Charts
Kelly Clarkson's "Underneath the Tree" held a number 10 position on the charts alongside "Santa Tell Me" reaching position number 9 demonstrating strong listener preference. Dean Martin held position number 8 with his title "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" while Andy Williams was directly behind him at number 7 with his hit "It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" which demonstrated the long-lasting staying power of classic pop music during the current market. Many fans have stated a preference for more classical takes for various reasons but primarily due to familiarity across various generations.
Burl Ives hit "Holly, Jolly Christmas" rose to number 5 spot with Bobby Helms right behind him at number 4 holding placement for his track "Jingle Bell Rock" in present day musical listings while also illustrating the enduring appeal of music created throughout all time periods. "Last Christmas" by the group Wham! is at the number 3 position on present Billboard charts showing lasting impact across various pop culture generations as they are being enjoyed once again in modern media. Brenda Lee also landed her title "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" into number 2 placement in the holiday listings. Mariah Carey remains at the very top position with her song "All I Want For Christmas is You" completing all of the Top 10 positions in latest Billboard listing confirming holiday song popularity in music world even after several decades for various older recordings.