Like a star shining bright atop a Christmas tree, Mariah Carey's [1] 1994 carol "All I Want for Christmas Is You" tops Billboard's list of the 100 most popular seasonal songs.
The special holiday recap is based on a formula blending sales and airplay data for the period of Oct. 5, 2009, through Jan. 3, 2010, as measured by Nielsen SoundScan and Nielsen BDS, respectively.
Brenda Lee [3]'s 1958 chestnut "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" ranks second on the survey, followed by "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24," Trans-Siberian Orchestra [4]'s 1995 rock instrumental medley of "Carol of the Bells" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," at No. 3.
Bobby Helms [5]' "Jingle Bell Rock" and Jose Feliciano [6]'s "Feliz Navidad" round out the festive top five at Nos. 4 and 5, respectively.
Burl Ives [7]' "A Holly Jolly Christmas" places at No. 6, Nat King Cole [8]'s "The Christmas Song" ranks at No. 7 and Bing Crosby [9]'s "White Christmas" holds the chart's No. 8 spot.
13 Hot Pop Holiday Gifts [10] | Video: Stars' Holiday Wishes [11]
Wham! [12]'s 1984 holiday single "Last Christmas" (No. 9), the second-youngest song in the top 10 after Carey's chart-topping title, and Andy Williams [13]' "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" (No. 10) complete the top tier.
While decades-old standards populate the majority of the list, several relatively newer songs show, including Taylor Swift [14] and the "Glee [15]" cast's covers of "Last Christmas" (Nos. 15 and 20, respectively), Lady Gaga [16]'s "Christmas Tree" (No. 23) and Josh Groban [17]'s "Believe" (No. 34).
Holiday Albums Chart [18] | Holiday Songs Chart [19]
Not all the entries on the holiday chart are specific to Christmas. Adam Sandler [20]'s "The Chanukah Song" lights up the list at No. 42, while Dan Fogelberg [21]'s "Same Old Lang Syne," with lyrics recounting a bittersweet New Year's Eve reunion with a former love, ranks at No. 44.
Bing Crosby leads all artists with four songs on the survey. Following "White Christmas" at No. 8 are "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" (No. 49), "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy," with David Bowie [22] (No. 79), and "Hawaiian Christmas Song (Mele Kalikimaka)," with the Andrews Sisters [23] (No. 94).
"Sleigh Ride" is the recap's most popular title, with interpretations by Leroy Anderson [24] (No. 28), the Ronettes [25] (No. 60), the Carpenters [26] (No. 95) and Air Supply [27] (No. 100).
The most popular Christmas character, according to the chart? Santa Claus (of course), who's mentioned in nine titles, including his "Little Saint Nick"-name, courtesy of the Beach Boys [28], at No. 27.
- News [29]
