The biggest-selling Christmas song is NOT Mariah Carey
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, so you can start playing the holiday tunes!
As Paul McCartney sang, "The mood is right, the spirit's up", and we're only a few days away from simply having a wonderful Christmastime.
VOTE: What was the best Drive moment in 2024?
When you think about the festive season, music plays a big role in getting into the mood and creating the perfect holiday atmosphere.
The list of Christmas songs seems never-ending with many classics, covers of classics and carols that'll keep you dancing and singing along for hours.
READ: TIME’s Person of the Year 2024 Shortlist
While there are so many versions and songs to choose from, one song will always be on top of the charts when the festive season comes rolling around.
Mariah Carey seemingly created an infinite money loop when she released her hit, "All I Want For Christmas Is You".
The singer and this song have become the musical face of Christmas.
READ: Top Google searches in SA for 2024
Towards the end of the year, you will see many Christmas songs or carols re-enter the Billboard charts because they are being played more often and it only seems right.
It's finally their time to shine!
While it might seem obvious to guess that Carey's Christmas song is the biggest-selling Christmas song of all time, Guinness World Records will prove otherwise.
Here is a full list of the top 20 biggest-selling Christmas songs of all time:
20. New Kids on the Block - 'This One's for the Children'/'Funky, Funky Xmas'
The double A-side from the NKOTB's Christmas album was certified gold by RIAA in 1990 which results in over 500,00 copies sold.
READ: Man blocks family after Secret Santa gifts lead to fight
19. Mariah Carey - 'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)'
While this isn't her most popular Christmas hit, her cover of the Darlene Love song was certified gold in October 2019.
18. Chris Brown - 'This Christmas'
His cover of Donny Hathaway's song was certified gold in 2017.
17. Wham! - 'Last Christmas'
According to Billboard, this classic has sold 751,00 units.
VIDEO: Viewers confused by Christmas tree cleaning video
16. Bobby Helms - 'Jingle Bell Rock'
Billboard also states that this hit has sold 780,000 units.
15. Jose Feliciano - 'Feliz Navidad'
This single has received a total of 808,000 sales.
14. The Chipmunks - 'The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)'
Believe it or not, The Chipmunks not only won three Grammys for this song, but they also sold 867,000 copies.
13. Trans-Siberian Orchestra - 'Christmas Canon'
This song, which combines Pachelbel's 'Canon in D Major' and the wonderful sounds of a children's choir, has sold 918,000 copies.
12. Faith Hill - 'Where Are You Christmas'
This hit from the 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' soundtrack was co-written by Mariah Carey but recorded by Faith Hill after a legal dispute. It has sold 977,000 copies.
11. Vince Guaraldi Trio - 'Christmas Time is Here'
This song was featured in the beloved TV special 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' and has been certified platinum by the RIAA as it has sold at least 1-million units.
10. Elvis Presley - 'Blue Christmas/Santa Claus is Back in Town'
Even the King of Rock 'n Roll released some Christmas tunes. 'Blue Christmas' was the first Christmas song to reach platinum status on physical sales alone.
9. Brenda Lee - 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree'
Some reports indicate that this classic has sold as many as 25-million copies, and Billboard has confirmed that the 1958 hit was downloaded at least 1-million times.
8. Pentatonix - 'Mary, Did You Know'
The group's cover of the Michael English Christian song was certified platinum in February 2018.
7. Trans-Siberian Orchestra - 'Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)'
The mash-up of 'God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen' and 'Shchedryk' (A.K.A. 'The Carol of the Bells') has been downloaded 1,3-million times as of 2016.
6. Kristen Bell - 'Do You Want To Build a Snowman'
It's no surprise that a song from one of the most popular movies of all time, 'Frozen', has received more than 1,6-million downloads.
6. Justin Bieber - 'Mistletoe'
As one of the biggest pop stars of the 21st century, Bieber easily sold at least two million copies of this song.
5. Band Aid - 'Do They Know It's Christmas?'
Inspired by the U.S.A. for Africa's 'We Are The World,' the best British musical talent came together to record this song, which sold 2,5-million copies.
4. Gene Autry - 'Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer'
In 1998, it was reported that this song had sold 12,5-million copies.
3. Mariah Carey - 'All I Want For Christmas Is You'
This one needs no explanation, as the song has sold over 16-million copies worldwide.
2. Bing Crosby - 'Silent Night'
Mariah Carey might be the queen of Christmas, but Crosby is king! According to some sources, his version of 'Silent Night' had already sold 30-million copies by 1978.
1. Bing Crosby - 'White Christmas'
This Crosby classic has been awarded the biggest-selling Christmas single of all time and holds the record for general single sales.
It has 100-million record copies sold and over 50-million singles sales.
Tune in to 'The Drive with Rob & Roz', on weekdays from 16:00 – 19:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.
Listen to Jacaranda FM:
- 94.2
- Jacaranda FM App
- http://jacarandafm.com
- DStv 858/ OpenView 6092
Follow us on social media:
Main image courtesy of Mariah Carey/ YouTube (Mariah Carey)