The most popular Christmas songs on the radio? This cool infographic — citing data from ASCAP — says Rocking Around the Christmas Tree, Jingle Bell Rock and Blue Christmas were tops from 2000-2009. But hey, where is Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt…. and how about Bruce Springsteen doing Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, which I’m thinking is ’90s? Also, I don’t think it’s a “Massive Project to Carefully Recreate the Christmases of Baby Boomers’ Childhoods” — I think we just like playing music… we like Christmas… and the best Christmas songs came from this era! Thanks to xkcd.com for this rockin’ graphic.
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Berit says
“Faritale of New York”
daniel says
xkcd is a comic, so this is sarcastic— not a serious infographic.
Ian says
Run DMC-Christmas in Hollis. Probably won’t find many here to agree with me on that though. Haha!!
Nathan says
I’m a longtime fan of XKCD, I totally buy the premise of the comic, and Ian proves the point. Christmas in Hollis is a very fun Christmas Song, so is Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses and lots of other more recent songs. But none of them can touch the older songs (which I also like) for widespread radio play, because they aren’t relevant to the Boomer demographic. There are just so many Boomers that they skew everything to their tastes.
Ima Pam says
Mele Kalikimaka, especially by Bing Crosby and the Andrews sisters, is one that makes me smile.
Jackie says
If it Doesn’t Snow on Christmas by Gene Autry, or really anything by Gene Autry
Chris Morgan says
Favorite Christmas Song:
“The Christmas Song” (a.k.a. Chestnuts Roasting…..) as sung by Nat King Cole.
I was born in 1970 but know quality when I hear it. When this song comes on you can just feel yourself slow down to enjoy the holidays. Thousands of years from now when they uncover the artifacts that represent the best of the 20th Century, this would have to be included!
Holland says
PS: Kay Thompson played Maggie Prescott in “Funny Face”
Holland says
Absolutely the swingingest Xmas tune is The Holiday Season by Kay Thompson (under-appreciated talent powerhouse who played Maggie Prescott and also created the Eloise books — more at Wikipedia for those of you so inclined.)
Here is Andy Williams performing it in a mash-up with Irving Berlin’s Happy Holiday: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2pQbphEipc
Lyrics to The Holiday Season (Happy Holiday) :
Happy Holiday
Happy Holiday
While the merry bells keep ringing
May your every wish come true
Happy Holiday
Happy Holiday
May the calendar keep bringing
Happy Holidays to you
It’s the holiday season
And Santa Claus is coming back
The Christmas snow is white on the ground
When old Santa gets into town
He’ll be coming down the chimney, down
Coming down the chimney, down
It’s the holiday season
And Santa Claus has got a toy
For every good girl and good little boy
He’s a great big bundle of joy
He’ll be coming down the chimney, down
Coming down the chimney, down
He’ll have a big fat pack upon his back
And lots of goodies for you and me
So leave a peppermint stick for old St. Nick
Hanging on the Christmas tree
It’s the holiday season
With the whoop-de-do and hickory dock
And don’t forget to hang up your sock
“Cause just exactly at 12 o’clock
He’ll be coming down the chimney
Coming down the chimney
Coming down the chimney, down!
Happy Holiday
Happy Holiday
While the merry bells keep ringing
Happy Holidays to you
Happy Holiday
Happy Holiday
May the calendar keep bringing
Happy Holidays to you
To you
Happy Holiday
Vicki says
My kids’ favorite is Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey.
chris says
I like all the old ones from the 40s, 50s and 60s…. Perry Como, Andy Williams — love them!
I will now use this forum to vent…. Is there anyone else who absolutely HATES all the “new” versions of songs, where everyone feels obligated to take one note and turn it into 14? I believe they call this doing “runs.” Makes me have the runs. (Sorry, that was gross, and uncalled for.) But it seriously makes me NUTS!
Instead of “Siiiiii -lent Night,” it’s “Si-ih-ih–ih- ayyyyyyyy-uh- lent Ni-iy-iy–iy-iy-iy – t.”
I have to change the station when they play one of those.
OK — now I feel better! 🙂
Dave bramblette says
Those are called runs ? I think ruins is more appropriate ! I am with you Chris, I can’t change the station fast enough.
Tracey Cole says
Most favorite: I Want A Hippopatumus For Christmas!
Christmas as a kid was a time for dreams and hopes and this takes me back to that state of mind. Very peaceful and dreamy:)