The Top 100 Christmas Songs of All Time

Christmas Songs: Top 100

These are the top 100 Christmas songs according to Dave’s Music Database. 40 lists focused on Christmas songs were aggregated together and then the highest-ranking songs were reordered based on their overall status in Dave’s Music Database, which compiles multiple lists as well as chart performances, sales figures, and awards for songs. Songs are listed first by songwriters and then the song in quotation marks. The year the song was published is listed in parentheses after the song title. If a specific performer is associated with the song, then that performer and the year of its release are listed in parentheses. Click here to see other genre-specific song lists. Spotify Podcast: Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast The Top 25 Christmas Songs (premiere: December 24, 2023) based on this list. 1. “White Christmas” (written by Irving Berlin, performed by Bing Crosby, 1942) 2. “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” (written by Mel Tormé & Robert Wells, performed by Nat “King” Cole, 1946) 3. “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (written by Johnny Marks, performed by Gene Autry, 1949) 4. “Silent Night” (words: Joseph Mohr, music: Franz Gruber, English translation: John Freeman Young; performed by Bing Crosby, 1935) 5. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (written by Mariah Carey & Walter Afanasieff, performed by Carey, 1994) 6. “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (music: Jule Styne, words: Sammy Cahn, performed by Vaughn Monroe, 1945) 7. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” (written by J. Fred Coots & Haven Gillespie, 1934; highest-ranked version: Bing Crosby & the Andrews Sisters, 1944) 8. “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” (written by Bob Geldof & Midge Ure, performed by Band Aid, 1984) 9. “Winter Wonderland” (music: Felix Bernard, words: Richard B. Smith, performed by Guy Lombardo, 1934) 10. “Jingle Bells” (written by James S. Pierpont, 1857; highest-ranked DMDB version: Bing Crosby & the Andrews Sisters, 1943) 11. “The Little Drummer Boy” (written by Harry Simeone, Katherine K. Davis, & Henry V. Onorati; performed by the Harry Simeone Chorale; 1958) 12. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (written by Johnny Marks, performed by Brenda Lee, 1958) 13. “O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)” (songwriters unknown, 1751; highest-ranked version: John McCormack, 1915) 14. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” (written by Tommie Connor, performed by Jimmy Boyd & Norman Luboff’s Orchestra, 1952) 15. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (music: Felix Mendelssohn, words: Charles Wesley, 1855; highest-ranked version: Trinity Choir, 1912) 16. “O Holy Night (Minuit, Chrétiens)” (written by Adolphe Adams & John Sullivan Dwight, 1847; highest-ranked version: Andy Williams, 1963) 17. “Joy to the World” (music: George Frideric Handel, words: Isaac Watts, arranged by Lowell Mason, 1719; highest-ranked version: Mormon Tabernacle Choir, 1970) 18. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (music by Walter Kent, words by Kim Gannon & Buck Ram; performed by Bing Crosby, 1943) 19. “Last Christmas” (written by George Michael, performed by Wham!, 1984) 20. “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” (written and performed by John Lennon & Yoko Ono, 1971) 21. “The First Noel” (written by Davies Gilbert, 1823; highest-ranked version: Nelson Eddy, 1961) 22. “Away in a Manger” (music: James Ramsey Murray, words: Charles H. Gabriel, 1882) 23. “Baby It’s Cold Outside” (written by Frank Loesser, performed by Johnny Mercer with Margaret Whiting, 1949) 24. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (words: Ralph Blane, music: Hugh Martin, performed by Judy Garland, 1944) 25. “Jingle Bell Rock” (written by Joe Beal & Jim Boothe, performed by Bobby Helms, 1957) 26. “We Three Kings of Orient Are” (written by John Henry Hopkins Jr., 1857) 27. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (music: Lewis Redner, words: Phillips Brooks, 1868) 28. “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” (words: Rev. Edmund Hamilton Sears, music: Richard Storrs Willis, 1850) 29. “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” (written by Ross Badasarian, performed by David Seville & the Chipmunks, 1958) 30. “Wonderful Christmas Time” (written and performed by Paul McCartney, 1979) 31. “What Child Is This?” (words: William Chatterton Dix, music: “Greensleeves,” 1865) 32. “Blue Christmas” (written by Billy Hayes & Jay W. Johnson, performed by Elvis Presley, 1957) 33. “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (words: John Mason Neale, music: traditional, 1851) 34. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” (traditional, 1760) 35. “Good King Wencelas” (written by John Mason Neale, 1860) 36. “Frosty the Snowman” (written by Steve Nelson & Walter E. Rollins, performed by Gene Autry, 1950) 37. “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” (written by Donald Yetter Gardner, performed by Spike Jones, 1948) 38. “Fairytale of New York” (written by Jem Finer & Shane MacGowan, performed by the Pogues with Kirsty MacColl, 1987) 39. “Sleigh Ride” (written by Leroy Anderson & Mitchell Parish, performed by Anderson, 1949) 40. “Go Tell It on the Mountain” (written by John Wesley Work Jr., 1865) 41. “The Twelve Days of Christmas” (words: Frederic Austin, music: traditional, 1780) 42. “Merry Xmas Everybody” (written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, performed by Slade, 1973) 43. “Peace on Earth/The Little Drummer Boy” (written by Ian Fraser, Larry Grossman, Alan Kohan, Harry Simeone, Katherine K. Davis, & Henry V. Onorati ; performed by Bing Crosby & David Bowie, 1977) 44. “Deck the Halls” (words: Thomas Oliphant, music: “Nos Galan,” 1862) 45. “Angels We Have Heard on High” (paraphrased by James Chadwick, arranged by Edward Shippen Barnes, music: “Gloria,” 1862) 46. “I Saw Three Ships” (unknown, 1833) 47. “O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum)” (words: Ernst Anschütz, music: “Ach Tannenbaum,” 1824) 48. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich & Phil Spector; performed by Darlene Love; 1963) 49. “Silver Bells” (written by Jay Livingston & Ray Evans, performed by Bing Crosby, 1952) 50. “Santa Baby” (written by Joan Javits, Philip Springer, & Tony Springer; performed by Eartha Kitt; 1953) 51. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” (written by Edward Pola & George Wyle, 1963) 52. “Run Rudolph Run” (written by Johnny Marks & Marvin Brodie, performed by Chuck Berry, 1958) 53. “River” (written and performed by Joni Mitchell, 1971) 54. “Here Comes Santa Claus” (written by Gene Autry & Oakley Haldeman, performed by Autry, 1947) 55. “Mary’s Boy Child” (written by Jester Hairston, performed by Harry Belafonte, 1956) 56. “Please Come Home for Christmas” (written by Charles Brown & Gene Redd, performed by the Eagles, 1978) 57. “Feliz Navidad” (written and performed by José Feliciano, 1970) 58. “In Dulci Jubilo” (writer unknown, 1328) 59. “Christmas Wrapping” (written by Chris Butler, performed by the Waitresses, 1981) 60. “A Holly Jolly Christmas” (written by Johnny Marks, performed by Burl Ives, 1964) 61. “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays” (written by Robert Allen, performed by Perry Como, 1954) 62. “2000 Miles” (written by Chrissie Hynde, performed by the Pretenders, 1983) 63. “Pretty Paper” (written by Willie Nelson, performed by Roy Orbison, 1963) 64. “Christmas Time Is Here” (music: Vince Guaraldi, words: Lee Mendelson, performed by Guaraldi, 1965) 65. “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” (written by Meredith Wilson, performed by Perry Como, 1945) 66. “Little Saint Nick” (written by Brian Wilson & Mike Love, performed by the Beach Boys, 1963) 67. “Mistletoe” (written by Nasri Atweh, Adam Messinger, & Justin Bieber; performed by Bieber; 2011) 68. “Step into Christmas” (written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin, performed by John, 1973) 69. “Father Christmas” (written by Ray Davies, performed by the Kinks, 1977) 70. “Christmas in Hollis” (written by Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, & Jason Mizell; performed by Run-D.M.C., 1987) 71. “Do You Hear What I Hear?” (written by Harry Simeone, performed by Bing Crosby, 1963) 72. “I Believe in Father X-Mas” (written by Greg Lake & Peter Sinfield, performed by Lake, 1975) 73. “Carol of the Bells” (written by Peter J. Wilhousky & M. Leontovich, 1919) 74. “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (written by Randy Brooks, performed by Elmo & Patsy, 1979) 75. “Merry Christmas Baby” (written by Lou Baxter & Johnny Moore, performed by Chuck Berry, 1958) 76. “Coventry Carol” (writer unknown, 1534) 77. “Thank God It’s Christmas” (written by Brian May & Roger Taylor, performed by Queen, 1984) 78. “Santa Tell Me” (written by Ariana Grande, Savan Kotecha, & Ilya; performed by Grande; 2013) 79. “Underneath the Tree” (written by Kelly Clarkson & Greg Kurstin, performed by Clarkson, 2013) 80. “Up on the Housetop” (written by Benjamin Hanby, 1864) 81. “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” (written by John Rox, performed by Gayla Reevey, 1953) 82. “This Christmas” (written by Donny Hathaway as Donny Pitts with Nadine Theresa McKinnor, performed by Hathaway, 1970) 83. “Christmas Is the Time to Say 'I Love You'” (written and performed by Billy Squier, 1981) 84. “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” (words: Theodor Geisel, music: Albert Hague, performed by Thurl Ravenscroft, 1966) 85. “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday” (written by Roy Wood, performed by Wizzard, 1973) 86. “Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight)” (written by Joey Ramone, performed by the Ramones, 1989) 87. “Christmas Island” (written by Lyle Moraine, performed by the Andrews Sisters, 1946) 88. “Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian Christmas Song)” (written by Robert Alex Anderson, performed by Bing Crosby & the Andrews Sisters, 1949) 89. “Christmas All Over Again” (written by Tom Petty, performed by Petty with the Heartbreakers, 1992) 90. “Merry Christmas Darling” (written by Frank Pooler & Richard Carpenter, performed by the Carpenters, 1970) 91. “We Need a Little Christmas” (written by Jerry Herman, performed by Percy Faith, 1966) 92. “Nuttin’ for Christmas” (written by Sid Tepper & Roy C. Bennett, performed by Barry Gordon, 1955) 93. “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” (arranged by Arthur Warrell, performed by Marian Anderson, 1968) 94. “Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)” (performed by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, 1996) 95. “Hard Candy Christmas” (written by Carol Hall, performed by Dolly Parton, 1982) 96. “Someday at Christmas” (written by Ron Miller & Bryan Wells, performed by Stevie Wonder, 1967) 97. “What Christmas Means to Me” (performed by Stevie Wonder, 1967) 98. “Christmas Song” (written by Dave Matthews, performed by Dave Matthews Band, 1993) 99. “Merry Christmas” (written and performed by Ed Sheeran & Elton John, 2021) 100. “Christmas Time Is Here Again” (written by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, & Richard Starkey; performed by the Beatles; 1967) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: “Other Genre/Category Song Lists” First posted 12/25/2011; last updated 12/24/2023.

Michael Bublé’s Christmas hit #1

Christmas Michael Bublé

Released: October 21, 2011 Peak: 15 US, 16 UK, 114 CN, 115 AU Sales (in millions): 6.2 US, 3.3 UK, 16.0 world (includes US and UK), 18.19 EAS Genre: jazz/Christmas

Tracks: Song Title (date of single release, chart peaks) Click for codes to charts. It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas (11/26/11, 19 BB, 2 AC, 6 UK, 4 CN, 3 AU) Santa Claus Is Coming to Town (12/10/11, 22 BB, 8 AC, 77 UK, 67 AU) Jingle Bells (12/10/11, 22 AC) White Christmas (with Shania Twain) (12/3/11, 10 AC) All I Want for Christmas Is You (11/16/11, 99 BB, 1 AC, 76 AU) A Holly Jolly Christmas (12/3/11, 3 AC, 23 UK) Santa Baby Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (12/17/11, 47 BB, 99 UK, 9 AU) Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) (12/24/11, 47 UK) Silent Night Blue Christmas Cold December Night I’ll Be Home for Christmas Ave Maria Mis Deseos/Feliz Navidad (with Thalia) Michael’s Christmas Greeting (hidden track) Total Running Time: 51:44

Rating: 4.436 out of 5.00 (average of 10 ratings) Quotable: -- “Few artists are more perfectly suited to making a Christmas album than Michael Bublé” – Amber Books, Best-Selling Albums Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About Michael Bublé: Traditional pop singer/songwriter Michael Bublé was born in British Columbia, Canada. He told Oprah Winfrey he’d dreamed of being a singer since he was two years old. At five years old, he became interested in jazz after hearing Bing Crosby’s White Christmas album. He grew up listening to his grandfather’s jazz collection. The family noticed his singing talent when he was 13. He landed his first gigs at nightclubs when he was 16. W-B Bublé got his big break when performing at a business party attended by Michael McSweeney, an aid to former prime minister Brian Mulroney. Mulroney invited Bublé to sing at his daughter’s wedding where Bublé was introduced to producer and record executive David Foster. Foster signed him to a record deal and Bublé’s self-titled debut album was released in 2003. The Christmas Album After four platinum albums, two of which topped the Billboard album chart, Bublé decided to make a Christmas album. It became not only the biggest seller of his career but one of the best-selling Christmas albums of all time. It became the first holiday album to win the Juno Award for Album of the Year. WK “Few artists are more perfectly suited to making a Christmas album than Michael Bublé. With his smooth vocals and easy-going charm” AB he sits comfortably alongside “Elvis, Nat ‘King’ Cole, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and the golden era of crooners.” AB The result is a “reliable soundtrack to millions of family gatherings.” AB “The suave Canadian could have taken the easy road and merely performed a dozen straight festive favorites, accompanied by lush strings and the occasional angelic choir, but there is a surprising amount of risky experimentation.” AB “Taking on Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You, he slows down the Motown tempo and fools around with auto-tune.” AM “White Christmas is given a doo-wop twist and some added country glitter from Shania Twain.” AB “Jingle Bells casts the Puppini Sisters as latter-day successors to the Andrews Sisters.” AB Notes: A deluxe edition of the album included “Winter Wonderland,” “Frosty the Snowman” (with the Puppini Sisters, and “Silver Bells” (with Naturally 7). A 2012 deluxe edition added “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.” In 2021, a 10th anniversary edition added “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow,” “The Christmas Sweater,” and “The More You Give the More You’ll Have.”

Resources: AB Michael Spilling (editor) (2015). Best-Selling Albums: From Vinyl Records to Digital Downloads. Amber Books Ltd.: London, United Kingdom. Page 248. W-B Wikipedia page on Christmas WK Wikipedia page on Michael Bublé Related DMDB Links: First posted 12/7/2024.

'Tis the Season to Be Listing

‘Tis the season for mistletoe, gawdy blow-up decorations in people’s yards, and earworm-inducing ad infinitum spins of “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” This also means it’s time for scrawling those wish lists and checking them twice. Santa’s dropping down that chimney in just a few weeks and stuffing those stockings with CDs by Justin Bieber or Arcade Fire, depending on whether we’ve been naughty or nice. With an 8-year-old and 5-year-old, list-making in my household means children taking notes during television commercials.

Ah, but in the music world, this is the time of year for another kind of list-making as well. While Santa’s loading up his sleigh with goodies, editors of every music mag known to man (a phrase that begs the question, “are there ‘zines devoted to the auditory pleasures of, say, the platypus kingdom?”) are packing their year-end magazine issues with plenty of treats. Those often come in the form of best-of-the-year snapshots. Considering my inclination in that area, my Christmas wish list is generally comprised of which year-end issues rank highest as must-haves.

As a side note, my obsession with year-end lists has overwhelmed even my fictional writing. Last week, in my efforts toward penning that great music-themed novel everyone so desperately needs from me (yeah, right), I scribed an entire chapter devoted to two characters debating the best college rock tunes of 1983. I know. I have a problem and need to seek help.

In the spirit of the season of list-making, Rolling Stone has offered a unique spin with its playlist issue (Dec. 9, 2010; issue #1119). While their year-end wrap-up should be just around the corner, this time out the focus is squarely on artists making lists of other artists. I doubt the world has been on pins and needles awaiting the revelation that Maroon 5’s Adam Levine ranks “Man in a Suitcase” as his eighth favorite Police song, but they might care about what roots and reggae songs make Keith Richards’ top ten. I must admit that after perusing a couple lists even I was thinking what an exercise in tedium this seemed to be – and this is coming from a list devotee so obsessed that he’s created a website and Facebook page devoted to the crap.

However, when I read Patti Smith’s comments about how moved she was by “Sad-Eyed Lady of the Lowlands,” it matters not one whit whether that or “One Too Many Mornings” ranks higher on her list of favorite Bob Dylan love songs. (For the record, she ranked “Mornings” #1 and “Lowlands” #4). The importance comes not in the rankings, but the feelings evoked by the creation of the list. More importantly, for us readers it allows a glimpse into Smith’s world as she reverentially describes singing “Dark Eyes” with Dylan nightly while they toured together in 1995. Her comments about striving, and failing, to pen a song of gratitude to Dylan was revelatory; even the greats like Smith, no slouch in the lyrical writing department herself, have musical gods to whom they bow.

When Elton John calls Kanye West’s “Say You Will” the “2008 equivalent of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Let’s Get It On,’” my browser is already heading toward my favorite quasi-legal Russian download site.

While the presence of Kanye West on Elton John’s iPod might be eyebrow raising, it is no shock that Gerard Way, frontman for emo-rock group My Chemical Romance, would offer up his snapshot of the glam rock world. It is hardly groundbreaking to see David Bowie’s “Ziggy Stardust” and Mott the Hoople’s “All the Young Dudes” make the cut, but Way defines glam in a broader context to include Roxy Music, Brian Eno, Alice Cooper, and the New York Dolls. We’d all do well to similarly expand the boundaries we’ve placed on genre classification.

This is why I love music lists. Ultimately, it isn’t about what ranks at #1 and what comes in at #68. It is more about being on the list at all. A list is a celebration of what shows up and a surefire argument starter over what doesn’t. Either way, the end benefit is the discussion spurred by a list. Heated debates over what should and shouldn’t make the grade really are mini-musical history lessons. Why should an artist be lauded with “best ever” status? How has so-and-so’s album left its mark? What has “song X” done to change the musical landscape?

Of course, there never really can be such a thing as a “definitive” list – although I cheekily attach the tag to many of the posts on my Dave’s Music Database Facebook page. Any list is subject to debate or change – just ask my kids. If they watch any TV tonight, they’re bound to scratch something off their Christmas wish lists and add a couple new things.

Oh, and by the way, if you’re stumped over what to get me, I’d be fine with the $750 thirty-disc box set of Elvis’ studio recordings. You know, just in case you’ve got nearly a grand burning a hole in your pocket that you desperately feel a yearning to throw my way. Merry Christmas all. Here’s hoping you get at least something on your list.

Today in Music (1958): Harry Simeone Chorale “The Little Drummer Boy” charted for the first time

The Little Drummer Boy Harry Simeone Chorale

Writer(s): Harry Simeone, Katherine K. Davis, Henry V. Onorati (see lyrics here) First Charted: December 19, 1958 Peak: 13 US, 10 CB, 2 GR, 14 HR, 6 AC, 13 UK, 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, -- UK, 25.0 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 28.03 video, 24.59 streaming

Peace on Earth/The Little Drummer Boy Bing Crosby & David Bowie

Writer(s): Ian Fraser, Larry Grossman, Alan Kohan, Harry Simeone, Katherine K. Davis, Henry V. Onorati (see lyrics here) Recorded: September 11, 1977 First Charted: November 27, 1982 Peak: 3 UK, 2 CN, 1 DF (Click for codes to charts.) Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.45 UK Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 1.51 video, -- streaming

Awards (Simeone): Click on award for more details. Awards (Crosby/Bowie):

About the Song: In 1941, Katherine Kennicott Davis translated an obscure Czech carol called “Carol of the Drum” into English. SF The song tells a story of a little drummer boy summoned to honor the newborn baby Jesus. Because he can’t afford a gift, he offers his talents on the drum instead. There isn’t actually any Biblical reference to any “such percussion prodigy.” SF A decade later the Austrian Trapp Family Singers (of The Sound of Music fame) covered the song. SFIn 1957, Jack Hollaran arranged the song and recorded it on his 1957 album, Christmas Is A-Comin’. SF Producer Henry Onorati brought the arrangement to Harry Simeone, who was asked by Twentieth-Century Fox Records in 1958 to make a Christmas album. Simeone was a conductor and arranger from Newark, New Jersey, who had worked on Bing Crosby movies and served as conductor for The Firestone Hour from 1952 to 1959. SF Onorati was credited on the song, as was Simeone, despite having nothing to do with its writing or composition. WK He recorded it for the album Sing We Now of Christmas. It was released as a single in 1958 and reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song went on to chart inside the top-40 each Christmas season for the next four years. The song has been covered many times, perhaps most notably by Bing Crosby. In preparation for his 1977 Merrie Olde Christmas special, he was in London to record a duet of the song with David Bowie who, at 30, was 43 years younger. When Bowie got to the London studio, he said he hated the song and it didn’t suit his voice. The writers came up with a new arrangement within an hour with Bowie singing the words “peace on earth” and other lyrics as a counterpoint to Crosby. SF When Bowie died before the special aired, it kicked interest in the performance into high gear. The song was popularized by MTV in 1981 and released as a single in 1982, reaching #3 in the UK. SF Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Harry Simeone Chorale DMDB encyclopedia entry for David Bowie DMDB encyclopedia entry for Bing Crosby SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 8/13/2022; last updated 12/28/2022.

50 years ago: Gene Autry charted with “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Gene Autry with the Pinafores

Writer(s): Johnny Marks (see lyrics here) First Charted: December 3, 1949 Peak: 11 US, 6 GA, 12 HP, 43 HR, 24 AC, 11 CW, 16 UK, 1 DF (Click for codes to singles charts.) Sales (in millions): 10.0 US, -- UK, 18.0 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 19.69 video, -- streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: The inescapable Christmas classic about Rudolph and his once-mocked red nose saving the day started life as a story Robert L. May conceived to help his daughter cope with her mother’s terminal cancer. The character took the form of a reindeer after May visited the Lincoln Park Zoo and saw how cute the animal was. He had been tasked by Sewill Avery, the owner of the Montgomery Wards in Chicago, to develop a marketing idea to attract customers. May wrote up the story and company artist Denver Gillen illustrated it. At Christmas, children received a booklet at the store when they visited Santa. More than 2.5 million were given away in 1939. In 1946, 3.5 million copies were printed. LW In 1949, May’s brother-in-law, Johnny Marks (who’d previously written songs like the Ink Spots’ “Address Unknown”), turned the story into a song. It was repeatedly rejected until Gene Autry agreed to record it because his wife liked it. LW He’d launched his career in the 1920s as a cowboy in Hollywood westerns, but had also became well known as “The Singing Cowboy” for his country hits in the 1930s and ‘40s with songs like “That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine.” The song was launched with a “vigorous multi-media promotion” SS which included a Max Fleischer animated short. By the end of the holiday season, the song had sold 1.3 million copies in the U.S. plus another 400,000 of the plastic “kid-disc” version. SS In the pre-rock era, the song is second only to Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” in terms of sales. PM With no official sales tallies, the song has been reported to have sold as many as 60 million copies by 1970, AMP a figure which would actually eclipse “White Christmas.” It may be that the number reflects all versions of the song. Certainly it has been recorded multiple times – Bing Crosby and Spike Jones both had hits with it in 1950. PM The Chipmunks had a #21 hit with it in 1960 and the Melodeers, Paul Anka, and The Temptations have also charted with the song. HT Resources: DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Gene Autry DMDB Encyclopedia entry for Johnny Marks AMP AmericanMusicPreservation.com (2009). Pine Tree Productions. “Top Christmas Hit Songs” LW Alan Lewens (2001). Popular Song – Soundtrack of the Century. Billboard Books: New York, NY. Page 92. SS Steve Sullivan (2013). Encyclopedia of Great Popular Song Recordings (Volumes I & II). Scarecrow Press: Lanham, Maryland. Page 762. PM Joel Whitburn (1986). Pop Memories 1890-1954. Menomonee Falls, WI; Record Research, Inc. Pages 40 and 631. HT Joel Whitburn (2009). Top Pop Singles 1955-2008 (12th edition). Menomonee Falls, WI; Record Research, Inc. Page 1232. Last updated 11/23/2022.