The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, the performing rights organization, has tallied its latest list of the 25 most popular holiday songs in the last five years. The ASCAP list of the most performed songs on the radio airwaves includes songs that, for the most part, don’t relate much to the religious aspect of Christmas. Just as was the case last year, there’s an exception to that rule: “Little Drummer Boy,” which ranked ninth this time around. The list is below, but ASCAP’s news release on the list can be found here.
1. Winter Wonderland
Written by: Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith
Performed by: Eurythmics
2. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
Written by: Mel Torme, Robert Wells
Performed by: Nat “King” Cole
3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Written by: Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin
Performed by: The Pretenders
4. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Written by: Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie
Performed by: Bruce Springsteen
5. White Christmas
Written by: Irving Berlin
Performed by: Bing Crosby
6. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Written by: Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne
Performed by: Aaron Neville
7. Jingle Bell Rock
Written by: Joseph Carleton Beal, James Ross Boothe
Performed by: Bobby Helms
8. Sleigh Ride
Written by: Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish
Performed by: The Ronettes
9. Little Drummer Boy
Written by: Katherine K. Davis, Henry V. Onorati, Harry Simeone
Performed by: The Harry Simeone Chorale & Orchestra
10. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
Written by: Johnny Marks
Performed by: Gene Autry
11. It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Written by: Edward Pola, George Wyle
Performed by: Andy Williams
12. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
Written by: Walter Kent, Kim Gannon, Buck Ram
Performed by: Amy Grant
13. Silver Bells
Written by: Jay Livingston, Ray Evans
Performed by: Kenny G
14. Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree
Written by: Johnny Marks
Performed by: Brenda Lee
15. Feliz Navidad
Written by: Jose Feliciano
Performed by: Jose Feliciano
16. Frosty The Snowman
Written by: Steve Nelson, Walter E. Rollins
Performed by: The Ronettes
17. A Holly Jolly Christmas
Written by: Johnny Marks
Performed by: Burl Ives
18. Blue Christmas
Written by: Billy Hayes, Jay W. Johnson
Performed by: Elvis Presley
19. It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
Written by: Meredith Willson
Performed by: Johnny Mathis
20. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Written by: Tommie Connor
Performed by: John Mellencamp
21. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)
Written by: Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman
Performed by: Elvis Presley
22. (There’s No Place Like) Home For The Holidays
Written by: Bob Allen, Al Stillman
Performed by: Perry Como
23. Carol Of The Bells
Written by: Peter J. Wilhousky, Mykola Leontovich
Performed by: David Foster (instrumental version)
24. Do They Know It’s Christmas? (Feed the World)
Written by: Midge Ure, Bob Geldof
Performed by: Band Aid
25. Wonderful Christmastime
Written by: Paul McCartney
Performed by: Paul McCartney
