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PPL reveals most-played Christmas songs of 2015
By Andy Malt | Published on Monday 5 December 2016
A highlight of last Christmas for me was when Rage Against The Machine’s ‘Killing In The Name’ tore through post-lunch nap-time, thanks to the playlist of festive number one singles I was playing. But was it one of last year’s most-played Christmas songs on TV and radio? No, it was not. I’ll tell you that now. But I can tell you what the top 20 were.
The UK record industry’s collecting society PPL has compiled a list of the most-played Christmas songs (not actually being one of those probably discounts ‘Killing In The Name’ too, before any plays were even counted) during the festive period a year ago. And right up top is ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ by Mariah Carey, back where it belongs having only been at number three in 2014.
“Music is ubiquitous with Christmas, traditionally going hand-in-hand with the festive season”, says PPL CEO Peter Leathem. “At this time of the year, classic tracks and sing-a-long hits nurture nostalgia and entertain radio and TV audiences across the UK. PPL’s chart shows how Christmas-themed music can transcend genres with pop, new wave, rock n roll and gospel music featuring. Christmas airplay is well underway this year and we’ll be keeping an eye on it to see what proves popular in 2016”.
Here’s the full list:
1. Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You
2. Wham! – Last Christmas
3. The Pogues – Fairytale Of New York (feat Kirsty MacColl)
4. Shakin Stevens – Merry Christmas Everyone
5. East 17 – Stay Another Day
6. Slade – Merry Xmas Everybody
7. Wizzard – I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day
8. Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas
9. Chris Rea – Driving Home For Christmas
10. Paul McCartney – Wonderful Christmastime
11. Elton John – Step Into Christmas
12. Michael Bublé – Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
13. Greg Lake – I Believe In Father Christmas
14. The Darkness – Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End)
15. Jona Lewie – Stop The Cavalry
16. John & Yoko – Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
17. The Waitresses – Christmas Wrapping
18. Queen – Thank God It’s Christmas
19. Leona Lewis – One More Sleep
20. Darlene Love – Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
