One by-product of Billboard including streaming in its chart calculations, in addition to sales and radio play, is the proliferation of Christmas songs in the top ten each December.
Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want is Christmas is You‘ is perhaps the most notable example, as the song reclaims the #1 spot eery year, and this year became the song with the most weeks at #1 in history (20).
Brenda Lee’s ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree‘ reached #1 in 2023, making her the oldest artist to ever score a chart-topping hit. It sits behind Carey’s classic on the latest Billboard chart.
At #3 this season is Wham!’s wonderful ‘Last Christmas,’ the duo’s most popular song thanks to its annual resurgence in popularity. This is an unlikely Christmas staple in that it’s about a romantic break-up, but the buoyant music and George Michael’s great vocals combine to make it irresistible.
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away (You gave it away)
This year, to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special (Special)
[Verse 1]
Once bitten and twice shy
I keep my distance, but you still catch my eye
Tell me, baby, do you recognise me?
Well, it’s been a year, it doesn’t surprise me
(Happy Christmas) I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying, “I love you”, I meant it
Now I know what a fool I’ve been
But if you kissed me now, I know you’d fool me again
[Chorus]
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away (You gave it away)
This year, to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special (Special)
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special (Special)
[Post-Chorus]
Oh
Oh, my baby
Ooh
[Verse 2]
A crowded room, friends with tired eyes
I’m hiding from you and your soul of ice
My God, I thought you were someone to rely on
Me? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on
A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
A man undercover, but you tore him apart (Tore me apart)
Ooh-ooh
Now I’ve found a real love, you’ll never fool me again
[Chorus]
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away (You gave it away)
This year, to save me from tears
I’ll give it to someone special (Special)
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, you gave it away (You gave me away)
This year, to save me from tears (Oh)
I’ll give it to someone special (Special)
[Verse 3]
Face on a lover with a fire in his heart (I gave you my heart)
A man undercover, but you tore him apart
Maybe next year
I’ll give it to someone, I’ll give it to someone special
[Outro]
Special
Someone
Someone
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