Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” matches a record-tying 19th week at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Live Nation Las/Getty Images North America
Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Live Nation Las/Getty Images North America
Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has once again reached No. 1, achieving a record-tying 19th week at the pinnacle of the Billboard Hot 100. Its continued dominance in the holiday season appears as predictable as ever.
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In 2019, “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X, featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, set a remarkable record by staying at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 19 weeks. Last year, Shaboozey equaled this with “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” another country/hip-hop blend.
While “Old Town Road” and “A Bar Song” may not be the greatest hits ever, they benefited from a streaming environment that repeatedly promotes familiar songs, leading to extended chart success.
This week, Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” joins these ranks, reaching No. 1 for its 19th week. Released in 1994, it first entered the top 10 in 2017 and has dominated the chart for the past seven holiday seasons. It’s the only song besides Chubby Checker’s “The Twist” to achieve multiple No. 1 chart runs.
Occasionally, other Christmas songs challenge Carey’s reign. Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” once pushed it to No. 2. However, surpassing such an iconic holiday anthem remains difficult.
Currently, Wham!’s “Last Christmas,” released in 1984, is gaining traction, reaching a new peak at No. 2.
Holiday chart trends evolve slowly, but Michael Bublé is emerging as a significant contender, threatening the dominance of some traditional holiday classics.
Among the 37 holiday songs in this week’s top 50, only two are duplicates. Perry Como’s “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” (1951) and Burl Ives’ “A Holly Jolly Christmas” (1964) are now competing with Michael Bublé’s newer versions.
Burl Ives’ version, previously in the top five, has dropped to No. 16, highlighting the impact of Bublé’s rise. The competition is particularly challenging for Ives, indicating a significant shift in holiday music preferences.
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As the holiday season ends, Mariah Carey, Wham!, and Michael Bublé will retreat, making way for chart-toppers like HUNTR/X’s “Golden,” Taylor Swift’s “The Fate of Ophelia,” and Alex Warren’s “Ordinary.”
These songs remain in the top 10, with “Golden” gaining momentum, possibly leading to awards recognition.
Country artist Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” drops from No. 11 to No. 27 due to holiday music but would likely be in the top 10 under normal circumstances.
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Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl returns to No. 1 on the Billboard 200, followed by Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem and the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack.
Holiday albums by Michael Bublé, Bing Crosby, and Vince Guaraldi join the top 10, while other artists wait just outside.
This period is generally slower for album releases, but Jeff Buckley’s Grace re-enters the chart at No. 144, boosted by a new documentary.
Aerosmith and YUNGBLUD’s EP One More Time debuted at No. 9 last week but has since fallen off the chart, highlighting the varying measures of success in the music industry.
