As is the case every year, just before Christmas, the Hot 100 is inundated by holiday songs. Americans love the sounds of the season, and they show that devotion as they buy and stream their favorite yuletide cuts, and many radio stations throughout the United States switch to an all-holiday format at the same time.
The combination of a huge increase in consumption of Christmas tunes, paired with massive improvements in airplay, helps some of the most famous tracks attached to the jolliest day of the year become smashes once more.
The Hot 100 – Billboard’s ranking of the most consumed songs in the country – is packed with Christmas singles. Nine of the 10 biggest cuts in the nation can be easily tied to the holiday, but one recent win keeps the highest tier on the tally from being completely overrun by the music of the season.
Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia” Stands Out
The only song present inside the top 10 on the Hot 100 at the moment that isn’t surging thanks to the holiday is “The Fate of Ophelia.” Taylor Swift’s single barely manages to hold on inside the loftiest arena on the list, as it falls from No. 7 to No. 10.
The Hot 100’s Top 10
Here’s a look at the top 10 songs on the Hot 100 this week:
— No. 1 - Mariah Carey - “All I Want for Christmas Is You”
— No. 2 - Bobby Helms - “Jingle Bell Rock”
— No. 3 - Brenda Lee - “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”
— No. 4 - Wham! - “Last Christmas”
— No. 5 - Ariana Grande - “Santa Tell Me”
— No. 6 - Nat “King” Cole - “The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You)”
— No. 7 - Kelly Clarkson - “Underneath the Tree”
— No. 8 - Dean Martin - “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”
— No. 9 - Andy Williams - “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”
— No. 10 - Taylor Swift - “The Fate of Ophelia”
