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Biggest Hits About The Festive Season

These are, in our view, the biggest-selling singles about Christmas and the festive season.

Detailed sales figures have long since ceased to exist (if they ever did) for many of the older titles in this chart. Where unavailable, we have estimated figures. We are indebted to Simon Walters for his detailed record-keeping and input into this chart. The top 7 are million-sellers. The Top 14 sold half a million+. By the time we get to no. 30 sales figures are around the 200,000 mark and tracks in the region of no. 40 have sales of approx 100,000. You should be aware that titles at the lower end of this Top 50 are probably almost 'too close to call.'

It is tough to decide which tracks should be included. Some are obvious. Others are borderline. Being a 'Christmassy' single isn't enough; there has to be an explicit reference to a clear aspect of Christmas / New Year etc in the title or lyric. The line lies somewhere between "Walking In The Air" (included) and Frankie Goes To Hollywood's "Power Of Love" (not included). A good indicator is whether or not the track would sound inappropriate when played outside the festive season.

back to the Christmas index

All-Time Biggest Hits about Christmas and The Festive Season
   1Band AidDo They Know It's Christmas?1984/1985/2007
   2Boney MMary's Boy Child1978
   3Wham!Last Christmas1984/1985/2007/2008/2009/2010
   4Harry BelafonteMary's Boy Child1957
   5Band Aid 20Do They Know It's Christmas?2004
   6SladeMerry Xmas Everybody1973/1981/1983/1998/2006/2007/2008/2010
   7Bing CrosbyWhite Christmas1942/1977/1998
   8East 17Stay Another Day1994
   9Cliff RichardThe Millennium Prayer1999
   10Johnny MathisWhen A Child Is Born1976
   11John Lennon / Yoko OnoHappy Christmas (War Is Over)1972/1980/1981/2003/2007
   12Jona LewieStop The Cavalry1980
   13Cliff RichardMistletoe And Wine1988
   14MudLonely This Christmas1974
   15Pogues featuring Kirsty MacCollFairytale of New York1987/1991/2005/2006/2007/2008/2009/2010
   16Mariah CareyAll I Want For Christmas Is You1994/2007/2008/2009/2010
   17Paul McCartneyPipes Of Peace1983
   18Shakin; StevensMerry Christmas Everyone1985/2007/2008
   19WizzardI Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day1973/2007/2008
   20Band Aid IIDo They Know It's Christmas?1989
   21Greg LakeI Believe In Father Christmas1975
   22WomblesWombling Merry Christmas1974
   23Shakin' StevensBlue Christmas (Shakin' Stevens EP)1982
   24David Bowie & Bing CrosbyPeace On Earth / Little Drummer Boy1982
   25The DarknessChristmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End)2003
   26Jive BunnyLet's Party1989
   27Cliff RichardSaviour's Day1990
   28Paul McCartneyWonderful Christmas Time1979
   29David EssexA Winter's Tale1982
   30Aled JonesWalking In The Air1985
   31Jason DonovanWhen You Come Back To Me1989
   32Roy OrbisonPretty Paper1964
   33Dickie ValentineChristmas Alphabet1955
   34BrosSilent Night1988
   35Kim Wilde & Mel SmithRockin' Around The Christmas Tree1987
   36Dina CarrollThe Perfect Year1993
   37Bo SelectaProper Crimbo2003
   38ChildlinersThe Gift Of Christmas1995
   39DanaIt's Gonna Be A Cold Cold Christmas1975
   40Mr HankeyMr Hankey The Christmas Poo1999
   41Bruce SpringsteenSanta Claus Is Comin' To Town1985
   42The GoodiesFather Christmas Do Not Touch Me1974
   43Gary GlitterAnother Rock And Roll Christmas1984
   44QueenA Winter's Tale1974
   45Bon JoviPlease Come Home For Christmas1994
   46Paul NicholasGrandma's Party1975
   47Mike OldfieldIn Dulce Jubilo1975
   48WizzardRock 'N' Roll Winter1974
   49The Pretenders2000 Miles1974
   50Nina & FrederickLittle Donkey1960
Other Christmas sings estimated to have sold over 100,000 copies are:

Adam Faith - Lonely Pup (In A Christmas Shop) (1960)
Brenda Lee - Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree (1962)
Cascada - Last Christmas (2007)
Cliff Richard - Little Town (1982)
David Whitfield - Santo Natale (Merry Christmas) (1954)
Elvis Presley - Santa (Bring My Baby Back To Me) (1957)
Engelbert Humperdinck - Winter World Of Love (1969)
Geraldine - Once Upon A Christmas Song (2008)
Jimmy Boyd – I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (1953)
Showaddywaddy - Hey Mr Christmas (1974)
The Idols - Happy Xmas (War Is Over) (2003)
The Tweenies - I Believe In Christmas (2001).

back to the Christmas index


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