As the festive season approaches, the dominance of traditional Christmas songs in the music charts is evident, yet a new analysis reveals a shift in listener preferences. According to Playlist Name AI, Mariah Carey's iconic track 'All I Want for Christmas is You' has emerged as the most streamed Christmas song on Spotify, accumulating an impressive 1.826 billion streams.
This 1994 classic has not only topped the charts but has also generated significant revenue for Carey, with estimates suggesting she has earned approximately $7.305 million from Spotify royalties alone. The analysis highlights how this song has become a staple of the holiday season, earning Carey the title of the 'Queen of Christmas.'
Following Carey, Wham!'s 'Last Christmas' from 1984 ranks second, with 1.539 billion streams and an estimated revenue of $6.119 million. The analysis also notes the rise of newer holiday hits, such as Ariana Grande's 'Santa Tell Me,' which has resonated particularly well with younger audiences, amassing over 1 billion streams since its release in 2014 and generating more than $4.2 million in revenue.
While the top three songs represent a blend of modern and classic holiday music, the remaining songs in the top 10 list reflect a more traditional repertoire, often reinterpreted by contemporary artists like Michael Bublé.