What makes a Christmas Hit?
Every year we hear the same old songs at Christmas time. Some of them we like, and some of them seem to be the most annoying thing we have ever heard! Whether you like it or not these Christmas songs are here to stay.
There’s no doubt that it takes as certain something to make a song an instant Christmas classic. No one has quite put their finger on the secret ingredient yet, but there are ac few things that most Christmas songs have in common: Christmas is invariably mentioned, Sleigh bells are almost always used, and the video for the song involves a snowball fight! Basically, if there is joy and bon homie, then there’s a good chance that it’s going to shoot to the top of the charts and remain in our consciousness for years to come! Below you’ll find ten songs that we hear every year without fail!
Do they know it’s Christmas?
Band Aid 1984
This massive Charity hit writtenr By Bob Geldof and Midge Ure sold an incredible 3.5 million records and was the spark for the famous Live Aid concert
Mistletoe and Wine – Sir Cliff Richard November 1988
This song made famous by Cliff Richard somehow went on to sell three quarters of a million copies in a six week periods following its release!
All I want for Christmas – Mariah Carey 1994
Penned this undeniably catchy and up best Christmas song back in 1994. It only reached no. 23 in the British Charts, but with huge worldwide sales this wouldn’t have troubled her. Amazingly, this song is the first to break two million units in sales as a ring tone!
Last Christmas – Wham 1984
This incredibly popular song has sold millions, has been released by six different artists, and has been a top ten hit in over ten countries!
Merry Christmas Everybody – Slade 1973
This famous ‘73 effort by Slade went in at number one and sold over 1 million copies
Stop the Cavalry – Jona Lewie 1980
This political Christmas song still rests on the many crutches stipulated for Christmas song success, but perhaps had a slightly deeper and more important meaning than most others. Overall sales figures are chard to come by, but the song went in at number three in the charts, only held back form the number one spot by two John Lennon tracks that had been re-released due to his death that December.
Don’t let the bells end – The Darkness 2003
This cheeky little number by the few hit wonder hair metal band The Darkness was remarkably popular. It missed out on top spot by about 5000 sales, and went on to achieve almost 400,000 sales in total.
Walking in the air – Aled Jones 1985
Perhaps surprisingly, this young child’s favourite never really hit the heights, with a top 5 position the highest it climbed. That was enough to launch a life long career for Aled Jones though.
Wonderful Christmas Time – Paul McCartney 1979
This well known and well loved Christmas song by the famous Beatle has not been as successful as you might imagine, with only a number six spot to show of itself. That being said, over the years sales are in seven figures.
White Christmas – Bing Crosby 1942
This really is the mother of all Christmas songs. Recorded back in 1942, it is believed that this song has been bought in excess of 50 million times! Writer Irving Berlin is supposed to have said to his secretary at the time, “Grab your pen and take down this song. I just wrote the best song I’ve ever written – heck, I just wrote the best song that any body’s every written!”
He may just have been right
Jeff typically writes for touring holidays websites when not enjoying the festive season