We all have certain Christmas songs that make us feel even more festive when we hear them. They might not be to everyone’s taste, but they’re certainly a favourite. But just because you love a festive tune doesn’t mean it was overly successful. The following tracks were huge commercial successes and went on the become the best-selling Christmas songs of all time.
Christmas songs can only be played for a few select weeks each year. Whether you’re someone who loves them or gets sick of them within the first couple of days, it’s hard to avoid them from November to late December. That being said, some become instant hits and become Christmas classics as the years go on. Not only are the following classics, but they’re the best-selling ones too.
The Best-Selling Christmas Songs Of All Time
See if you’re surprised by any of this list! Keep in mind that the top spot is actually the best-selling single of all time — let alone Christmas! Top 5 has the following as its top ten.
10. Mary’s Boy Child – Harry Belafonte
Possibly more popular nowadays from the Boney M cover that came out over 20 years later, Mary’s Boy Child is at number 10. The Christmas song was the first to be number 1 twice after its cover was released, with Belafonte’s version hitting the charts in the 1950s.
9. Last Christmas – Wham!
Anybody playing Whamageddon has been running full pelt away from any radio playing this Christmas banger over the last few years. Don’t worry, reading about the song doesn’t count! It’s hard not to love this festive classic, but it didn’t actually reach number 1 when it was first released! Last Christmas lost out to Band Aid in 1984. It became the best-selling song in second place as a result.
8. The Christmas Song – Nat King Cole
You probably know this song better as Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire, a Christmas song that has been covered ever since it was released. That being said, Nat King Cole’s version is still the most successful to date and was certified platinum six times over in 2009.
7. The Little Drummer Boy – The Harry Simeone Choral
This is another classic you will hear on all the Christmas song collation albums. David Bowie and Bing Crosby’s version is also very popular, combining the song with Peace on Earth in 1977.
6. Mistletoe – Justin Bieber
A very recent hit compared to all the others, but it’s not surprising that with a fanbase like the Beliebers that this was very successful. This song was from a Christmas album released by Justin Bieber in 2011 called Under The Mistletoe. The fact it is now over 10 years old is actually quite alarming.
5. Silent Night – Bing Crosby
Having had his name already appear on this list, it definitely won’t be the last time either. Of course, the Christmas carol wasn’t originated by Bing Crosby or anybody in the White Christmas film, but their version is the most popular to date.
Written in 1818, the song is now in the public domain meaning that anybody can use it or record their own version. Bing Crosby wasn’t the first, and he definitely wasn’t the last with several talented vocalists putting their stamp on the carol.
4. Do They Know It’s Christmas? – Band Aid
Ah, the song that beat Last Christmas! However, it was for a good cause, and George Michael features on it anyway so it was a win-win for him. The song was in aid of those suffering in the famine in Ethiopia and was quite a spur-of-the-moment project.
The song was a huge success and, even though it was made to raise money in 1984, will still be played multiple times every Christmas season.
3. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer – Gene Autry
If you didn’t sing this every year at school then you definitely missed out. A real classic that is another one to be covered endlessly. The song actually stems from a promotional giveaway in 1939 for a department store. The company wanted a song to go alongside it and here we are today!
The song sold 25 million copies and has taught every child that bullying, particularly cute reindeer, just isn’t festive.
2. All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey
This was always going to be on the best-selling Christmas songs list, wasn’t it? Yes, Mariah Carey comes in second place reaching notes that we could only dream of. It’s an absolute timeless classic and always breaks streaming records once November hits. Even Mariah knows that All I Want For Christmas Is You is what she is known for now.
It’s quite surprising that it didn’t make number 1 in the UK, but it still manages to chart every year when Christmas comes around.
1. White Christmas – Bing Crosby
We said he would be back! Bing Crosby is the King of Christmas songs with the best-selling Christmas song of all time. The 1947 version is beloved by all and it wouldn’t be Christmas without it. But not only is it the best Christmas song, but it’s also actually the Guinness Book Of World Records‘ biggest-selling song of all time!
If only we could make those dreams of a white Christmas more of a reality…