Mariah Carey’s hit 1994 song “All I Want for Christmas is You” has dominated the holiday’s music scene since it came out 30 years ago, and Virginians still rank it No. 1 on the 2024 Christmas song list.
According to BetVirginia.com, which looked at Google trends from Dec. 18, 2004, to Dec. 18, 2024, the song has maintained its position at the top for many years.
Statistically, “All I Want for Christmas is You” has maintained No. 1 on the Billboard Holiday 100 for 63 of the 71 weeks since the chart has been published over the years.
Virginia’s second favorite is “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” by songstress Brenda Lee, who first recorded the tune in 1958 when she was 12 years old. Lee turned 80 earlier this month.
The other top Virginia Christmas songs are “Jingle Bell Rock,” sung by Bobby Helms and introduced in 1957, the classic favorite “Silent Night” and Eartha Kitt’s sultry “Santa Baby,” which she first sung in 1953.
Billboard’s Hot 50 for this week have old holiday songs leading the pack. Carey is at No. 1; Lee No. 2; Helms No. 3; Burl Ives’ “A Holly Jolly Christmas” at No. 5; Andy Williams’ “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” at No. 11; Dean Martin’s “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let it Snow!” at No. 12; Nat “King” Cole’s “The Christmas Song” at No. 16; and Jose Feliciano’s “Feliz Navidad” at No. 22.
Newer holiday masters are “Last Christmas” by Wham! at No. 4, Ariana Grande’s “Santa Tell Me” at No. 14 and Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree” at No. 15.
Just for fun, BetVirginia.com also calculates Virginia residents’ favorite Christmas movies. Topping the list is “Home Alone,” which premiered in 1990 and starred Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern. Tied for second is “A Christmas Story,” a 1983 family film starring Peter Billingsley and 2000’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” starring Jim Carrey.
Other favorites are “Elf” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”
Wilford Kale, [email protected]
