Top 10 Celebrity Holiday Singles

Legendary holiday hits - what are they? Today, the arrival of new music every holiday season is a matter of course. In the UK, "Christmas numbers" have traditionally been very important. However, to an outside observer, the fight for the top spot may seem like an arms race... From new releases to singles, reality TV appearances and charity releases, the cult of Christmas numbers doesn't seem to be fading away.

But songs with an insistent Christmas nature weren't always like that... So, the Beatles broke into the holiday charts not one, but four times with their pop hits of the 60s "I Want To Hold Your Hand", "I Feel Fine", "Day Tripper" and "Hello, Goodbye". At the same time - without mentioning the sleigh or snow ...

It wasn't until 1973 that the stakes were raised in this annual battle for the Christmas charts. In an era of civil and economic unrest, competition swept the country as glam rock bands Slade and Wizzard released their holiday anthems.

Long before the battle for Britpop, the two bands took on Slade's "Merry Xmas Everybody" against Wizzard's "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday", pitting fans against each other to decide who would win the crown. In the end, Slade came out on top, but the contest has become a much-needed diversion at a busy time... Today we look back at the 10 most memorable Christmas numbers that have captured the hearts of millions...

Band Aid: "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (1984)

There is a widespread opinion that allegedly charitable songs do not age well ... And this is true! Release of the single "Do They Know It's Christmas?" became a legendary event in Band Aid's discography... In total, more than 3.8 million copies have been sold! A perfect example of well-intentioned 80s maximalism…

Benny Hill: "Ernie (The Fastest Milkman In The West)" (1971)

Just like classic or charity songs make it to the holiday charts, new releases are also a holiday favorite! Many of these tracks make it to the top of the chart tree, but none of them compare to this brash single from comedian Benny Hill. The former milkman-turned-television icon originally wrote the tune for his famous sketch show, and in 1971 it became Christmas number one, with Hill extolling the virtues of "hot rolls every morning and crumpets every night"...

Queen: "Bohemian Rhapsody" (1975/1991)

Released just before the holidays, the terrific lead single "Bohemian Rhapsody" hit the charts and never faltered... Not only did the song join the Christmas Number Ones in 1975, it accomplished the same feat 16 years later, after the death of the band's frontman. Queen, Freddie Mercury. The song became the UK's best-selling single of all time, and in December 2018 it became the most streamed track of the 20th century... This is the clearest proof that a real hit never gets old!

Wings: Mull of Kintyre (1977)

This legendary composition was written by Paul McCartney and his Wings bandmate, Danny Lane. The wistful tune is hardly a holiday anthem, but it was Wings' biggest hit in the UK and the first UK single to sell over two million copies! Today it is strongly associated with the spirit of celebration ...

Boney M: "Mary's Boy Child" / 'Oh My Lord' (1978)

This seasonal hit from disco band Boney M is best seen with a full visual as the band is dressed in furs and dancing to the rhythm of the calypso. Boney M had already released a million-selling single "Rivers Of Babylon" / "Brown Girl In The Ring" in 1978, and their new holiday single was a double, combining the '50s anthem "Mary's Boy Child" with an additional arrangement of "Oh my Lord" produced by Frank Farian...

The Human League: "Don't You Want Me" (1981)

The holidays can be an emotionally stressful time for all of us, so it's no wonder so many people associate them with the romanticized lyrics and incredibly catchy chorus of The Human League's synth-pop anthem. Backed by a beautiful music video, "Don't You Want Me" became a shining entry in the Christmas charts, topping the UK chart for five weeks...

East 17: "Stay Another Day" (1994)

Many consider this ballad a seasonal classic, but others are not at all sure that it can be called a real holiday song ... East 17 member Tony Mortimer actually wrote dark lyrics about the death of his brother ... However, this misunderstood pop anthem became the third Christmas bestseller of 1994.

Girls Aloud: "Sound Of The Underground" (2002)

Since the rise of singing competitions in the early 2000s, reality TV stars have dominated the Christmas charts. Girls Aloud became one of these. It happened in 2002. The composition "Sound Of The Underground" literally enchanted the audience, breaking into the holiday hit parades later ...

Rage Against the Machine: "Killing In The Name" (2009)

The song made RATM the first group to win the Christmas Number Ones with a download-only single.

The Justice Collective: "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" (2012)

Taking a micro-approach to raising money for charity, this 2012 hit didn't solve world hunger, but it did raise funds for charities... The supergroup playing this track includes everyone from Paul Heaton and former Spice Girl Melanie C to Robbie Williams, as well as the two original members of The Hollies - Bobby Elliott and Tony Hicks, who first glorified "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother" ...