It’s finally here! No, not Christmas, but another installment of our Hot 10 recap. Let’s get going so we can get back to the egg nog.
Leading off at 10, down two notches is Kendrick Lamar with Squabble Up. The song showcases his innovative fusion of genres by sampling Debbie Deb’s 1984 freestyle hit “When I Hear Music” and blending G-funk, hyphy, and mariachi influences.
Down a notch from 8 to 9 is Shaboozey’s A Bar Song (Tipsy). As we approach our year-end review of the songs of 2024, I guarantee this will be in the top 10 for sure!
TV off lands at 8 this week for Kendrick. The song’s recurring phrase, “turn this TV off,” is a metaphor for disconnecting from superficial distractions, but Kendrick revealed in an interview that it was inspired by his grandmother, who used to shout it at him during family gatherings to encourage real conversations. It’s a reminder to focus on genuine connections in an age of constant noise.
Number 7 belongs also to Kendrick with luther. The song pays homage to the legendary R&B singer Luther Vandross, incorporating a sample from his 1982 duet with Cheryl Lynn, “If This World Were Mine.”
Coming up from 9 last week is Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ Die With a Smile, landing at number 6. The collaboration was a surprise release, marking the first new music from both artists in over two years. They co-wrote the song alongside notable contributors, and the production features a blend of their signature styles, reminiscent of Mars’ Silk Sonic work.
Here come all the holiday songs! Starting with Burl Ives up 5 notches to number 5 with A Holly Jolly Christmas. The song was recorded the same time he starred as the snowman narrator of the cartoon “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” Glad it’s still a hit nearly 60 years later.
Jumping ahead 20 years to a song that peaked last week at three. It’s ‘Wham!’ with their 1984 classic Last Christmas at number 4. Despite being one of the most beloved holiday songs, it never actually reached #1 on the UK charts! It was famously kept off the top spot in 1984 by Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Ironically, George Michael sang on both tracks, making him a true Christmas icon that year.
Number three belongs to Bobby Helms and the Jingle Bell Rock. When the song was released in 1957, its rock-and-roll vibe was considered quite edgy for a Christmas tune. Despite this, it quickly became a holiday classic and has been featured in countless movies, including Home Alone 2 and Mean Girls.
The other queen of Christmas, Brenda Lee stays at two with Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree. I know we play the 2023 re-record, but when she originally performed the song, she was only 13 years old! That really made her a star for her age.
Finally at number one, you guessed it, Mariah Carey with All I Want for Christmas Is You. Despite its quick creation (15 minutes in fact,) it has become one of the best-selling holiday songs of all time, earning Mariah the unofficial title of “Queen of Christmas.” Fun fact: The song didn’t hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 until 2019, 25 years after its release!
How long does she last at #1 this year? Find out next week on the Hot 10. Monday morning at 9a on Hot Hits 95.3
One more time: After next Monday, the Hot 10 moves to Fridays at 8p with encores Saturday at 7p and Monday at 9a.