I love statistics.
Especially interesting statistics.
Interesting statistics about interesting stuff.... FANTASTIC!
So, I came across a very interesting list of the 20 most-played holiday tunes during Christmas Week 2012 (as determined by Billboard based on airplay, streaming, and sales):
5. A Holly Jolly Christmas- Burl Ives
4. Feliz Navidad- Jose Felciano
3. The Christmas Song- Nat King Cole
2. Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree- Brenda Lee
1. All I Want For Christmas Is You- Mariah Carey
(see the full list here: http://wgna.com/the-most-popular-christmas-songs-of-2012/)
4 true classics, then a dopey Mariah tune at the top. Yeesh.
Neat to see Burl Ives in the top 5. His "Sam the Snowman" character from the Rudolph Christmas special is one of my favorites.
Then, I came across yet another list.
This one is the top 10 best-selling Christmas singles of all time, as determined by The Official Charts Company in 2012.
10. When a Child is Born- Johnny Mathis
9. The Millenium Prayer- Cliff Richard
8. Fairytale of New York- The Pogues
7. White Christmas- Bing Crosby
6. Do They Know It's Christmas- Band Aid 20
5. Mary's Boy Child- Harry Belafonte
4. Merry Christmas Everybody- Slade
3. Last Christmas- Wham
2. Mary's Boy Child- Boney M.
1. Do They Know It's Christmas- Band Aid
(see commentary on these 10 songs at http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-top-10-biggest-selling-christmas-songs-of-all-time-1775/)
Interesting huh?
2 songs appear twice. (BTW, it is my opinion that one of the 2 is the most annoying Christmas song EVER; hint: it's not Harry's)
Only 1 true classic made the top 10. Go Bing!
I'm sure that I have heard all these songs, but honestly I have no idea even how to hum numbers 2, 4, 5, 8, 9 or 10.
The Pogues ?
Band Aid?
WHAM??
These aren't Christmas artists.
Where's Burl?
Where's Andy Williams??
Or, Trans-siberian Orchestra, Gene Autry, Elvis???
Best-selling clearly does not mean "best".
Kinda like Mariah!
Out for now....
Matt