Christmas is almost upon us, and the festive tunes will be soon heard all over the country. Whether you are out doing the last bits of Christmas shopping or enjoying a glass of mulled wine in your local pub, the festive feeling really is enjoyed more with the sounds of festive music.
PRS for Music has analysed its unique performance data to create Britain’s Top 20 Christmas songs that have been used most across the UK over the past 12 months.
Topping the chart is festive favourite Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town made famous by the Jackson 5 in 1970, but has also been covered by a range of artists including Andrea Bocelli, Faith Hill and Dolly Parton. Coming up a close second, is Wizzard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday, debuting in 1973 and has remained a Christmas classic ever since. Finally, Slade’s Merry Christmas Everyone comes in third.
1 Santa Claus is Comin’ to town - Jackson 5, 1970, written by: Haven Gillespie
2 I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard, 1973, written by: Roy Wood
3 Merry Xmas Everyone - Slade, 1973 , written by: Neville Holder, James Lea
4 Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt, 1953, written by: Joan Javits, Tony Springer, Philip Springer
5 Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms, 1957, written by: James Boothe, Joseph Beal
6 Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Dean Martin, 1966, written by: Sammy Cahn
7 Winter Wonderland - Perry Como, 1946, written by: Dick Smith
8 Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Frank Sinatra, 1957, written by: Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
9 Step Into Christmas - Elton John, 1973, written by: Bernie Taupin
10 Walking In The Air - Aled Jones, 1985, written by: Howard Blake
11 Baby It’s Cold Outside - Ella Fitzgerald and Lois Jordan, 1949, written by: Frank Loesser
12 It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams, 1963, written by: George Wyle, Edward Pola
13 Mistletoe and Wine - Cliff Richard, 1988, written by: Leslie Stewart, Jeremy Paul, Keith Strachan
14 Sleigh Ride - Bing Crosby, 1954, written by: Mitchell Parish
15 Do They Know It’s Christmas? - Band Aid, 1984, written by: Midge Ure, Bob Geldof
16 Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry, 1984, written by: John Marks
17 Frosty The Snowman - Gene Autry, 1950, written by: Jack Rollins, Steve Nelson
18 White Christmas - Bing Crosby, 1942, written by: Irving Berlin
19 Last Christmas - Wham, 1984, written by: George Michael
20 The Little Drummer Boy - Harry Simeone Chorale, 1958, written by: Harry Simeone, Henry Onorati, Katherine Davis
Data from shops, radio airplay, television, international performance and live music over the past year was analysed to establish which songs have been performed the most.
Guy Fletcher, PRS for Music Chairman said; 'Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without the music we all know and love. Certain songs have become strongly associated with the festive time of year and it brings with it an essence of nostalgia. All of the songs in the PRS for Music chart have stood the test of time with covers by various artists illustrating how powerful melodies can touch different generations’ years after an original release.'
PRS for Music has analysed its unique performance data to create Britain’s Top 20 Christmas songs that have been used most across the UK over the past 12 months.
Topping the chart is festive favourite Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town made famous by the Jackson 5 in 1970, but has also been covered by a range of artists including Andrea Bocelli, Faith Hill and Dolly Parton. Coming up a close second, is Wizzard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday, debuting in 1973 and has remained a Christmas classic ever since. Finally, Slade’s Merry Christmas Everyone comes in third.
1 Santa Claus is Comin’ to town - Jackson 5, 1970, written by: Haven Gillespie
2 I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard, 1973, written by: Roy Wood
3 Merry Xmas Everyone - Slade, 1973 , written by: Neville Holder, James Lea
4 Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt, 1953, written by: Joan Javits, Tony Springer, Philip Springer
5 Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms, 1957, written by: James Boothe, Joseph Beal
6 Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow - Dean Martin, 1966, written by: Sammy Cahn
7 Winter Wonderland - Perry Como, 1946, written by: Dick Smith
8 Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Frank Sinatra, 1957, written by: Hugh Martin, Ralph Blane
9 Step Into Christmas - Elton John, 1973, written by: Bernie Taupin
10 Walking In The Air - Aled Jones, 1985, written by: Howard Blake
11 Baby It’s Cold Outside - Ella Fitzgerald and Lois Jordan, 1949, written by: Frank Loesser
12 It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams, 1963, written by: George Wyle, Edward Pola
13 Mistletoe and Wine - Cliff Richard, 1988, written by: Leslie Stewart, Jeremy Paul, Keith Strachan
14 Sleigh Ride - Bing Crosby, 1954, written by: Mitchell Parish
15 Do They Know It’s Christmas? - Band Aid, 1984, written by: Midge Ure, Bob Geldof
16 Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry, 1984, written by: John Marks
17 Frosty The Snowman - Gene Autry, 1950, written by: Jack Rollins, Steve Nelson
18 White Christmas - Bing Crosby, 1942, written by: Irving Berlin
19 Last Christmas - Wham, 1984, written by: George Michael
20 The Little Drummer Boy - Harry Simeone Chorale, 1958, written by: Harry Simeone, Henry Onorati, Katherine Davis
Data from shops, radio airplay, television, international performance and live music over the past year was analysed to establish which songs have been performed the most.
Guy Fletcher, PRS for Music Chairman said; 'Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without the music we all know and love. Certain songs have become strongly associated with the festive time of year and it brings with it an essence of nostalgia. All of the songs in the PRS for Music chart have stood the test of time with covers by various artists illustrating how powerful melodies can touch different generations’ years after an original release.'
