Over the last five years, the Eurythmics version of “Winter Wonderland” was the most-performed ASCAP holiday song based on radio airplay monitoring done for the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
This marks the second time “Winter Wonderland” has topped the list. The song was written by which was written by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith in 1934; it was a hit for legendary bandleader Guy Lombardo And His Royal Canadians who took it to the #2 spot on the Billboard charts that year.
Later recordings by the Andrews Sisters and Perry Como established the song as a Yuletide favorite.
Marilyn Bergman, ASCAP president and chairman, said: “More than anything else, music sets the mood for the holidays, evoking the magic of the season and memories of holidays past. These timeless classics have been recorded by artists in every genre, yet each song retains the original stamp of its creators.”
Rounding out the top 5 ASCAP Christmas songs are: “Christmas Song
(Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),” which was written by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells, as performed by Nat “King” Cole; “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” written by Ralph Blane and Hugh Martin as performed by the Pretenders; “Sleigh Ride,” written by Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish as performed by the Ronettes; and “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” written by Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie, as performed by Frank Sinatra.
For a complete list and to hear the songs go to the ASCAP Network’s Playback radio channel.
