It's really remarkable that The Pogues have resisted losing even more ground than they have given the enormous disadvantage they are at from Spotify's playlist decisions. I wouldn't be surprised if it does gradually start fading more and falling behind a few more of the mid-upper tier Christmas songs in the next few years, but I feel like if it got the same level of playlist support that those next few songs get it'd likely still be on the same level as Mariah and Wham!

 

'Last Christmas' seems to have jumped up noticeably in popularity since George Michael's death. It's easy to forget how close it is to Mariah considering they never seem to be able to quite overtake her.

It's really remarkable that The Pogues have resisted losing even more ground than they have given the enormous disadvantage they are at from Spotify's playlist decisions. I wouldn't be surprised if it does gradually start fading more and falling behind a few more of the mid-upper tier Christmas songs in the next few years, but I feel like if it got the same level of playlist support that those next few songs get it'd likely still be on the same level as Mariah and Wham!

 

'Last Christmas' seems to have jumped up noticeably in popularity since George Michael's death. It's easy to forget how close it is to Mariah considering they never seem to be able to quite overtake her.

 

I agree about the Pogues, it’s different to all the other Xmas songs which helps. I mean it’s still easily top 10 this week beside all it’s disadvantages

I used to Mel Smith & Kim Wilde's version of Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree regularly in the early 2000s but don't seem to hear it now.

 

I listened to this version recently, I don't think it has aged well. I am surprise to see that it is still the highest charting version of the song, but I expect Justin to pass it this year.

 

Just listened to Gary Glitter's song...I didn't realise this was by him. It's a great Christmas song. I wonder if anyone has covered it...

Justin’s version will only be ahead this year and will hopefully disappear to the hell it popped out of after that. Like John Legends version of War Is Over from last year. Brenda Lee will forever be the best version!

Darlene Love - All Alone At Christmas the theme tune to Home Alone 2 seems to be more popular than ever despite not charting well.

It is a great shame how Slade and Wizzard have dropped in popularity. I remember as a kid them being the Christmas songs, singing them at Christmas school plays and generally just being the songs that people flocked to and represented the spirit of Christmas. The only explanation I can think of is they’re seen as dated, like the singing style and the quality of recording, which becomes more apparent when placed among streaming playlists. I reckon they’re still popular with those who remember when they were the biggest Christmas songs, but that’s just not enough to compete with the streaming generation.

Darlene Love - All Alone At Christmas the theme tune to Home Alone 2 seems to be more popular than ever despite not charting well.

One of my favourites!

Just listened to Gary Glitter's song...I didn't realise this was by him. It's a great Christmas song. I wonder if anyone has covered it...

 

 

From Wiki: The song was covered by former heavy metal band Iron Maiden vocalist Paul Di'Anno for the album Rockin' Good Xmas.

Edited December 9, 20204 yr by CHRIS-TMAS

'Last Christmas' seems to have jumped up noticeably in popularity since George Michael's death. It's easy to forget how close it is to Mariah considering they never seem to be able to quite overtake her.

 

 

It's rumoured on Twitter that if Mariah does it this year there may be a campaign to get Wham to No.1 next year with vinyl and CD singles and lots of promotion too.

Edited December 9, 20204 yr by CHRIS-TMAS

I don’t hate Matt Terry’s winners single “when Christmas comes around”

Streaming playlists is 100% behind what is "popular" in the charts. Feliz Navidad had not a single radio play in the UK in my entire life until Xmas streaming playlists came along. If you want a truer reflection of what is popular the sales charts are a better indicator and they don't vary much year on year - what's more incredible is that people are still buying them! Surely anyone that wants them already has them, but no! Every year they still sell downloads and compilation albums.

 

Leona Lewis is one that sells consistently well but is less-streamed. That can't be due to lack of popularity amongst younger streamers (it's obviously going to be more popular as it's more recent), so it must be down to Playlist choices. Elton John's surge in popularity goes against the Xmas 1973 classics slow decline - at no point was it ever regarded as anything more than a decent sub-standard Elton John hit. It got radio plays each christmas but it was never anything but an also-ran.

 

Look on itunes, and the majority of tracks selling feature on Now 100 Xmas Classics. That seems to have become the definitive statement on Xmas songs popularity in the UK?

Speaking of itunes always baffles me how bubles album gets so high every year, i thought you could only buy an album once, so are thousands a year still only just discovering it/ seeing it on itunes

It is a great shame how Slade and Wizzard have dropped in popularity. I remember as a kid them being the[/] Christmas songs, singing them at Christmas school plays and generally just being the songs that people flocked to and represented the spirit of Christmas. The only explanation I can think of is they’re seen as dated, like the singing style and the quality of recording, which becomes more apparent when placed among streaming playlists. I reckon they’re still popular with those who remember when they were the biggest Christmas songs, but that’s just not enough to compete with the streaming generation.

Oops. Forgot to add my comment

 

I think this is a very good point. Being from '73, the recordings do sound particularly rough ('Step Into Christmas' - released the same year - sounds much slicker, to my ears) and will likely feel out of place in a playlist!

 

By the late 80s, in particular, recording quality had increased immensely... By the time 'All I Want for Christmas' was released, we really weren't far off what we have now...

Edited December 9, 20204 yr by Juranamo

I used to Mel Smith & Kim Wilde's version of Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree regularly in the early 2000s but don't seem to hear it now.

 

The Rolf Harris reference doesn’t help the case with this song nowadays unfortunately. Shame as I do think it’s the best version of RATCT

I know it was meant as a joke when it was released because it was taking piss out of Christmas songs in general but

 

Geraldine McQueen- once upon a Christmas song ,

 

Suprised it's done nothing since release year

 

That also appears to have been taken off streaming sites this year, I was certainly playing it as recently as last Christmas on Spotify.

That also appears to have been taken off streaming sites this year, I was certainly playing it as recently as last Christmas on Spotify.

Good job I downloaded 'Once Upon A Christmas Time' years ago then, at least I can still get to play it this Christmas... take that, streaming!

A lot of those older xmas songs like Merry Xmas Everybody are showing their age now without the nostalgia factor to anchor them. A band in period costumes with a choir of poorly miming children is a bit less charming and more awkward in 2020 than in 1990 when it was a recent throwback.

I'm sure it's more of the playlist positioning making a difference than the sound: Jingle Bell Rock, Sleigh Ride etc sound just as dated

 

(Not that that's a bad thing :lol:)

'Jingle Bell Rock' sounds quite clear to my ears, plus it's definitely gained relevancy with younger audiences thanks to the enduring popularity of Home Alone and Mean Girls, as well as that parody.

I don’t hate Matt Terry’s winners single “when Christmas comes around”

Me neither! It's a lovely little Winter ballad.