Happy New Year! We begin 2025 with an all-Christmas review on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, so let’s get going.
Moving up from 14 to 10 is the late Nat King Cole’s The Christmas Song. It was originally written in the sweltering heat of summer 1945 by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells as a way to “stay cool by thinking cool.” Nat King Cole’s 1946 recording of the song was so beloved that he re-recorded it in 1953 and again in 1961 with a full orchestra, creating the definitive version that’s now a holiday staple. It’s one of the coziest Christmas songs ever!
From 10 to 9 comes Kelly Clarkson’s Underneath the Tree. The track became an instant Christmas classic, praised for its jubilant energy and Clarkson’s powerhouse vocals, and is now a staple on holiday playlists worldwide!
Staying at 8 is the legendary Dean Martin with Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Interestingly, the song itself, written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne in 1945, makes no mention of Christmas—it’s simply about enjoying cozy winter vibes, making it a perfect tune for snowy days!
Another legend stays in the 10 this week, Andy Williams with It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, at number 7. Fun fact: The lyrics, which celebrate holiday traditions like “caroling out in the snow,” were co-written by George Wyle, who also wrote the theme song for the 1960s sitcom Gilligan’s Island!
Burl Ives swaps 5 for 6 this week with A Holly Jolly Christmas. The success of that song may be due to his portrayal of Sam the Snowman in the 1964 animated television special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” which further cemented his association with Christmas music.
Up 4 notches to 5 is the star of the new “Wicked” movie, Ariana Grande with Santa Tell Me. The song’s playful lyrics about love during the holidays and its infectious melody have made it a modern Christmas classic, joining the ranks of Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
Bobby Helms stays at 4 with Jingle Bell Rock. In November 2024, Argentine singer María Becerra released a new version of “Jingle Bell Rock,” featuring Helms’s original vocals. This rendition blends Becerra’s contemporary style with Helms’s classic sound, introducing the timeless hit to a new generation. It’s still going strong too!
Wham! stays at number three with Last Christmas. Despite its upbeat melody, the song’s bittersweet lyrics about unrequited love struck a chord, making it a holiday staple.
Brenda keeps the two spot with Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree. Throughout her career, Lee has achieved numerous accolades, including inductions into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, making her one of the few artists to receive such dual honors. I bet you didn’t know that!
Finally, for the 18th week at number one, it’s Mariah with All I Want for Christmas is You. Mariah co-wrote the song in just 15 minutes with Walter Afanasieff. It has since become one of the best-selling holiday songs of all time, earning her the title “Queen of Christmas.”
The question is, does next week bring the end of the post-christmas momentum we’ve seen this week? You’ll have to tune in Friday night at 8p on Hot Hits 95.3 to find out! You can also catch encores on Saturday at 7p and Mondays at 9a.