As Christmas playlists light up Spotify worldwide, these timeless anthems don’t just warm hearts, they fill pockets. From Mariah’s eternal plea to Bublé’s crooner charm, discover the top streamed Christmas songs, their festive meanings, and jaw-dropping revenues fueling holiday royalties.
Spotify data crowns holiday anthems as cash cows. Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You leads with $9.1M (£7.1M) from 1.8B streams. Michael Bublé tops artists at £11.8M Christmas earnings from £26M total.
Top Christmas songs list (Spotify revenue/streams):
- Mariah Carey – All I Want for Christmas Is You: $9.1M / 1.8B streams
- Michael Bublé – Various songs (e.g., It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas): £11.8M artist total
- Ariana Grande – Santa Tell Me: £5.8M
- Wham! – Last Christmas: £4.5M
- Justin Bieber – Mistletoe etc.: £3.6M
- Brenda Lee – Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree: £3.5M
- Kelly Clarkson – Underneath the Tree: £3.5M
- Andy Williams – It’s the Most Wonderful Time: £3.5M
- John Lennon – Happy Xmas (War Is Over): £1.6M
- Elton John – Step Into Christmas: £1.5M
Mariah Carey – All I Want for Christmas Is You ($9.1M)
This 1994 instant classic captures pure holiday romance: Mariah dreams of love over gifts amid jingling bells and snow. Its upbeat pop perfection and universal longing make it inescapable; Spotify’s most-streamed holiday track ever at 1.8B plays, fueling annual $2.5-3M royalties. Nostalgia plus TikTok revivals keep “Queen of Christmas” reigning.
Michael Bublé – It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas (£11.8M total)
Bublé’s velvet croon transforms 1951 Meredith Willson tune into modern nostalgia bomb, evoking twinkling lights and festive buzz. His swing-era vibe appeals across generations; playlist staple status and Christmas album dominance drive his £11.8M holiday haul from multiple tracks.
Ariana Grande – Santa Tell Me (£5.8M)
Ariana’s sassy 2014 plea to Santa for holiday romance sans heartbreak blends pop hooks with relatable dating woes. High-energy beats and her powerhouse vocals make it Gen-Z playlist fodder, boosting streams despite slim Christmas catalog share.
Wham! – Last Christmas (£4.5M)
George Michael’s 1984 heartbreak anthem – gifting his heart to a lover who crushes it – pairs synth-pop with bittersweet yearning. Post-Michael tributes and rom-com ubiquity ensure annual December surge; pure ’80s nostalgia sells.
Brenda Lee – Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree (£3.5M)
1958 rockabilly gem urges tree-trimming dance parties with infectious energy. Lee’s youthful twang evokes innocent holiday fun; TikTok dances and family gatherings propel 81-year-old classic’s enduring stream dominance.
These evergreen hits prove Christmas music defies time, blending nostalgia, romance, and joy into billion-stream juggernauts. Whether topping charts or bank accounts, they remain holiday essentials, proving the best gifts keep giving, year after year.
Also read: 10 Days of Christmas Spirit: Day 1
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