While the music industry continues to shape-shift, one reality remains a constant – the UK’s fascination with the all-important Christmas number #1.
Indeed, since 1952, ample attention has surrounded which song manages to secure the top spot during the most wonderful time of the year.
With music being such an integral part of the contemporary holiday season (thanks to the likes of Mariah Carey and George Michael), no time is more apt than the present to explore a number of festive stats.
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While some may be surprised that Ariana Grande and Ava Max are battling it out for pole position with songs that have no relation to Xmas, a new tally of 66 #1’s reveal interesting facts that may surprise.
Case in point:
- Only 12 out of 66 number ones are actually about Christmas.
- It’s been 14 years since the last Christmas-themed #1 – which was Band Aid 20’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ remake in 2004.
- The 1984 original is the most successful Christmas-themed #1 to date – having sold over 3 million copies.
- Topically, even when Christmas itself wasn’t mentioned, it’s clear matters of the heart resonate all the more at this time of year. For, 22 of the 66 #1s are about Love, while Heartbreak follows with 6.
- Genre-wise, Pop rules the roost – with 30 #1s being anchored in said sound.
- It seems originality has progressively become more of an important characteristic. Because though 22 Christmas #1s have been covers, more modern efforts (from the 00s onwards) have seen all-new songs snatch the win. This include Girls Aloud‘s ‘Sound Of The Underground’ (2002).
- As for the acts at the helm of the chart-toppers, four acts earn the honour of having more than one Xmas #1. They are: the Spice Girls, The Beatles, Queen, and Cliff Richard.
- The Spice Girls have the honour of having three consecutive #1’s – all achieved between 1996 and 1998 with ‘2 Become 1,’ ‘Too Much’ and ‘Goodbye.’
For more, check out the info graphic below…