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List of Christmas hit singles in the United Kingdom facts for kids

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Christmas is a special time of year, and what makes it even more magical? The music! For many years, certain songs have become super popular during the holiday season, especially in the United Kingdom. These songs often talk about Christmas, winter, or the story of the Nativity. Some are even old hymns or carols that everyone knows.

This list shows some of the most famous Christmas songs that have made it big on the official UK music charts. The year next to each song is when it was first released by that artist. Sometimes, a song might become popular and chart again many years later!

Famous Christmas Chart Hits

Here are some of the Christmas songs that have made a splash on the UK charts:

  • "All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey (1994)
    • This super popular song was written by Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff.
    • It first reached No. 2 on the UK charts in 1994.
    • It kept coming back to the charts almost every December!
    • In 2013, it sold over one million copies in the UK.
    • Finally, in 2020, it hit No. 1 on the Official Singles Chart!
  • "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Tom Jones & Cerys Matthews (1999)
    • This song reached No. 17 in December 1999.
    • It was written way back in 1944 and was in a movie called Neptune's Daughter.
    • Even though it doesn't mention Christmas directly, it's often played during the holiday season because of its winter theme.
  • "Blue Christmas" by Elvis Presley (1964)
    • The King of Rock and Roll's version reached No. 11 in the 1964 Christmas Chart.
    • Shakin' Stevens also had a No. 2 hit with it in 1982.
  • "Christmas Alphabet" by Dickie Valentine (1955)
    • This song was a Christmas No. 1 hit in 1955!
  • "Christmas Is All Around" by Billy Mack (2003)
    • This fun song was recorded for the movie Love Actually.
    • It reached No. 23 on the charts.
  • "Christmas Lights" by Coldplay (2010)
    • This digital download song reached No. 13 in December 2010.
  • "The Christmas Song" by Nat King Cole (1946)
    • A classic! This song reached No. 51 in December 2019, showing how timeless it is.
  • "Christmas Time (Don't Let the Bells End)" by The Darkness (2003)
    • This rock song reached No. 2 on the charts.
  • "Christmas Tree Farm" by Taylor Swift (2019)
    • A more recent hit, this song reached No. 71 in December 2019.
  • "Cozy Little Christmas" by Katy Perry (2018)
    • This song peaked at No. 22 in December 2019.
  • "Do They Know It's Christmas?" by Band Aid (1984)
    • This was a huge charity song to help people in Ethiopia.
    • It was organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure.
    • It was a Christmas No. 1 hit in 1984 and has been re-recorded three more times (in 1989, 2004, and 2014) with different artists.
  • "Driving Home for Christmas" by Chris Rea (1988)
    • This popular song first reached No. 53 in 1988.
    • It has charted many times since, reaching a new high of No. 10 in January 2022!
  • "Fairytale of New York" by The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl (1987)
    • This unique song reached No. 2 in December 1987.
    • It's also the most popular Christmas song in Ireland!
  • "Feliz Navidad" by Jose Feliciano (1970)
    • This Spanish and English song reached No. 54 in December 2019.
  • "Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" by John and Yoko and The Plastic Ono Band with the Harlem Community Choir (1971)
    • This peace-themed song first charted at No. 4 in 1972.
    • It reached No. 2 in December 1980 after John Lennon passed away.
  • "I Believe in Father Christmas" by Greg Lake (1975)
    • This song reached No. 2 in December 1975, just behind Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody"!
  • "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" by Jimmy Boyd (1952)
    • This fun song reached No. 6 in December 1953.
  • "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" by Wizzard (1973)
    • This lively song reached No. 4 on the charts.
    • It's so popular that the writer, Roy Wood, had to re-record it several times because the original tapes were lost!
  • "In Dulci Jubilo" by Mike Oldfield (1975)
    • This instrumental song reached No. 4 in early 1976. It's also known as "Good Christian Men, Rejoice."
  • "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" by Perry Como (1951)
    • This classic song first charted in the UK in 2007 and reached No. 47 in 2008.
  • "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" by Andy Williams (1963)
    • This joyful song reached No. 21 on the 2007 Christmas charts.
  • "Jingle Bell Rock" by Max Bygraves (1959)
    • This version reached No. 7 in 1959. The Bobby Helms version is also very well known and reached No. 30 in 2019.
  • "Last Christmas" by Wham! (1984)
    • Written by George Michael, this song reached No. 2 in December 1984.
    • It's been covered by many artists and is a true Christmas favorite!
  • "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow" by Dean Martin (1959)
    • This cozy song reached No. 39 in 2019. It was originally on his 1959 album A Winter Romance.
  • "Little Donkey" by Beverley Sisters (1959)
    • This sweet song reached No. 14. Gracie Fields and Nina & Frederik also had charting versions.
  • "Lonely This Christmas" by Mud (1974)
    • This song was a Christmas No. 1 hit in 1974!
  • "Mary's Boy Child" by Harry Belafonte (1957)
    • This song spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the charts in late 1957!
  • "Mary's Boy Child – Oh My Lord" by Boney M. (1978)
    • This disco version was the UK Christmas No. 1 in 1978.
  • "Merry Christmas Darling" by The Carpenters (1970)
    • This lovely song reached No. 45 in 1972 and No. 25 when re-released in 1990.
  • "Merry Christmas Everyone" by Shakin' Stevens (1985)
    • This upbeat song was a Christmas No. 1 hit in 1985!
  • "Merry Xmas Everybody" by Slade (1973)
    • Written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, this rock anthem was a Christmas No. 1 in 1973. It's still super popular today!
  • "Mistletoe" by Justin Bieber (2011)
    • This modern Christmas song reached No. 21 in 2011.
  • "Mistletoe and Wine" by Cliff Richard (1988)
    • This song was a Christmas No. 1 hit in 1988.
  • "Once Upon a Long Ago" by Paul McCartney (1987)
    • This song, with a Christmas-themed video, reached No. 10 in the 1987 Christmas chart.
  • "One More Sleep" by Leona Lewis (2013)
    • This song reached No. 3 in December 2013.
  • "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy" by David Bowie and Bing Crosby (1982)
    • This unique duet reached No. 3 in December 1982. It was recorded for a TV special in 1977.
  • "Pipes of Peace" by Paul McCartney (1983)
    • This song was a Christmas No. 1 in January 1984. Its video showed the famous Christmas Day truce during World War I.
  • "Please Come Home For Christmas" by Bon Jovi (1994)
    • This rock version reached No. 7 in December 1994. The Eagles also had a version that charted earlier.
  • "The Power of Love" by Frankie Goes to Hollywood (1984)
    • This song reached No. 1 in December 1984. It had a nativity-themed video and is often played at Christmas.
  • "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee (1958)
    • This classic reached No. 3 in 1965. Mel Smith and Kim Wilde also had a hit cover version.
  • "Santa Baby" by Kylie Minogue (2007)
    • Kylie's version reached No. 76 in 2007 and became her 50th UK Top 40 hit in 2017!
  • "Santa Tell Me" by Ariana Grande (2014)
    • This song has become a big hit, reaching No. 13 in 2018 and becoming one of the most streamed Christmas songs worldwide.
  • "Saviour's Day" by Cliff Richard (1990)
    • This song was a Christmas No. 1 hit in 1990.
  • "Silent Night" by Bing Crosby (1952)
    • This traditional carol reached No. 8 in the very first UK Christmas chart in 1952.
  • "Sleigh Ride" by The Ronettes (1963)
    • This festive song reached No. 34 in December 2019.
  • "A Spaceman Came Travelling" by Chris de Burgh (1975)
    • This song became a Top 40 hit in December 1986.
  • "Stay Another Day" by East 17 (1994)
    • This song was a Christmas No. 1 in 1994, famously beating Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You"! It doesn't have Christmas lyrics but had a Christmas-themed video.
  • "Step Into Christmas" by Elton John (1973)
    • This song first reached No. 24 in 1973 but has become a top 10 hit in recent years, reaching No. 8 in 2019!
  • "Stop the Cavalry" by Jona Lewie (1980)
    • This unique song reached No. 3 in December 1980.
  • "Thank God It's Christmas" by Queen (1984)
    • This song by the legendary band reached No. 21 in December 1984.
  • "This Christmas" by Jess Glynne (2020)
    • A cover of the Donny Hathaway original, this version reached No. 13 in December 2020.
  • "2000 Miles" by Pretenders (1983)
    • This song reached No. 15 in December 1983.
  • "Underneath the Tree" by Kelly Clarkson (2013)
    • This modern Christmas song reached No. 21 in December 2019.
  • "Walking in the Air" by Peter Auty and the Sinfonia of London (1982)
    • From the famous film The Snowman, this song reached No. 37 in 1987. Aled Jones also had a No. 5 hit with it.
  • "What If" by Kate Winslet (2001)
    • This song, based on the film Christmas Carol: The Movie, reached No. 6 in December 2001.
  • "When a Child Is Born" by Johnny Mathis (1976)
    • This beautiful song was a Christmas No. 1 hit in 1976.
  • "White Christmas" by Mantovani (1952)
    • This classic reached No. 6 in the first ever UK Christmas chart. Bing Crosby's version, though released earlier, became the most successful, reaching No. 5.
  • "A Winter's Tale" by David Essex (1982)
    • This song reached No. 2 in January 1983.
  • "A Winter's Tale" by Queen (1995)
    • Queen's version reached No. 6 in December 1995.
  • "Winter Wonderland" by Johnny Mathis (1958)
    • This popular song reached No. 17 and has been recorded by over 200 different artists!
  • "Wombling Merry Christmas" by The Wombles (1974)
    • This fun song reached No. 2 in December 1974.
  • "Wonderful Christmastime" by Paul McCartney (1979)
    • This song reached No. 6 in December 1979.

See also

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List of Christmas hit singles in the United Kingdom Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.