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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Hugh says
‘Christmas in Killarney’
Annie B. says
Better late than never, but one of my all-time favorites is Tex Logan’s “Christmas Time’s a-Comin'”, especially Sammy Kershaw’s rendition from the late ’90’s.
Kristy says
ok, I’m late to the party (blame a faulty modem that had me offline) but I was amused and amazed to see that xkcd and RetroRenovation had collided =) Two of my favorite web presences!! As for me, I adore “winter wonderland”
Jason says
I wish they would play Jingle Bells by the Singing Dogs and Christmas Don’t Be Late by Alvin and the Chipmunks!!!!!!!! “……….I want a plane that loops the loop, Me, I want a Hula Hoop….We can hardly stand the wait, please Christmas Don;t be Late….”
Heidi says
I love Santa Baby by the amazing Eartha Kitt. I also love my James Brown Funky Christmas CD!!!!!
I actually love them all. They take this baby boomer back to those magical holiday seasons as a child. I wouldn’t traded them for anything.
Brian says
Also, the chart isn’treally saying that “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is number one. It’s the highest because it happens to be at the top of the column for the decade with the highest number of songs. Note that all the red and green boxes are exactly the same size, which indicates that they’re not quantifying anything. Also there’s no vertical axis on the chart.
Brian says
“How about Bruce Springsteen doing Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town, which I’m thinking is ’90s?”
But “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” IS included. In fact, it’s the first song shown. The chart shows songs ordered by the decade when they were written; it isn’t showing specific renditions.
Jan says
I just about love them all – most bring back specific memories, like singing along with my grandmother to “The Chipmunk Song.” But if I had to choose one, it’d have to be “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” particularly the Bing Crosby version. No matter when, no matter where, this song always brings a tear to my eye (even when I was a kid) because there’s always someone who is either hundreds of miles away or no longer with us at Christmas, and this song always, always reminds me of them.
vintage_vantage says
Anything on vinyl. I have made an attempt this year to get all the record players in our house up and running. There is nothing like hearing Bing pumping out of an old tube console.
MCM is Grand says
Doris Day singing “toyland”….