Billboard Holiday Digital Song Sales: Number One Hits (2020-2023)
Every year, the music industry tracks which seasonal tracks capture the public's imagination through the Billboard Holiday Digital Song Sales chart. Unlike general streaming charts, this specific ranking focuses on the top-downloaded holiday songs, utilizing sales data compiled by Nielsen SoundScan, a service that tracks point-of-sale data for music and other media.
Between 2020 and 2023, the chart has seen a fascinating mix of contemporary releases and timeless classics that return to the top spot every December.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Key Facts
- Mariah Carey is a dominant force, with "All I Want For Christmas Is You" reaching number one across multiple years.
- Pentatonix secured multiple top spots in 2020 with tracks like "Hallelujah" and "Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)".
- The oldest song to hit number one during this period is Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," originally released in 1958.
- The chart includes a variety of genres, from the pop collaborations of Cher and Ariana Grande to the novelty hits of LadBaby.
Analysis of Chart Trends (2020-2023)
The data reveals a recurring pattern where new releases often dominate the early part of the holiday season (October and November), while established classics take over as December peaks.
The Power of the Classics
Certain songs possess a perennial appeal that transcends decades. Brenda Lee's 1958 hit "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and Mariah Carey's 1994 masterpiece "All I Want For Christmas Is You" have both proven their longevity by returning to the number one spot years after their initial release.
Modern Holiday Hits
Recent years have also seen the rise of new holiday staples. In 2020, artists like Carrie Underwood, John Legend, and Meghan Trainor found success with new digital sales. More recently, in 2023, the Kelce brothers made an impact with "Fairytale of Philadelphia," and Cher topped the charts with "DJ Play a Christmas Song."
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Summary of Number One Holiday Hits
| Issue Date | Song Title | Artist | Release Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 10, 2020 | Hallelujah | Carrie Underwood & John Legend | 2020 |
| October 17, 2020 | Hallelujah | Pentatonix | 2016 |
| December 5, 2020 | Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree | Brenda Lee | 1958 |
| December 26, 2020 | All I Want For Christmas Is You | Mariah Carey | 1994 |
| January 1, 2022 | Sausage Rolls For Everyone | LadBaby ft. Ed Sheeran & Elton John | 2021 |
| January 8, 2022 | Christmas Tree | V | 2021 |
| December 2, 2023 | Fairytale of Philadelphia | Jason Kelce & Travis Kelce | 2023 |
| December 23, 2023 | All I Want For Christmas Is You | Mariah Carey | 1994 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Billboard Holiday Digital Song Sales chart track?
This chart tracks the top-downloaded holiday songs based on sales data provided by Nielsen SoundScan.
Which artist had the most frequent number one hits in this period?
Mariah Carey appeared most frequently, particularly with her hit "All I Want For Christmas Is You," which reached number one in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
What is the oldest song to reach number one between 2020 and 2023?
The oldest song is "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee, which was released in 1958.
Did any non-traditional artists reach number one?
Yes, LadBaby (featuring Ed Sheeran and Elton John) reached number one on January 1, 2022, with "Sausage Rolls For Everyone," and Jason and Travis Kelce topped the chart in December 2023.
Who provided the data for these rankings?
The sales data used to compile these rankings was provided by Nielsen SoundScan.