BBC Radio 2 and Official Charts Company have revealed the most-streamed UK Christmas No. 1 singles of all time.
Every year, the chart race heats up over the holidays with a handful of artists going head-to-head to secure the coveted top spot on the rundown.
Ahead of the 2022 festivities, DJ Steve Wright has revealed the Top 40 most-streamed Christmas No. 1s of all time, as compiled by the OCC.
The chart has been compiled based on the number of times each song has been streamed, all year round, since records began.
Topping the countdown is Ed Sheeran with his 2017 chart-topper Perfect, followed by Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, which was Xmas No. 1 in both 1975 and 1991, following the death of Freddie Mercury.
Also featured in the Top 10 are holiday classics from Shakin’ Stevens (Merry Christmas Everyone, 1985), Band Aid (Do They Know It’s Christmas?, 1984), and Slade (Merry Xmas Everybody, 1973).
“Who would have thought we’d be crowning Ed Sheeran’s Perfect as the most-streamed Christmas No. 1 of all time,” says Steve. “It’s a brilliant song, but I was sure Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody would take the title.
“I would never have guessed that Perfect has been streamed almost twice as many times as Freddie and the boys’ classic 1975 hit!”
He adds: “And I didn’t expect Shakin’ Stevens would be ahead of Band Aid either. It just goes to show how fascinating it is to delve into a list like this.”
The full show is available now on BBC Sounds and will air Christmas Day on BBC Radio 2 from 4-7 pm GMT.
The Top 10 most-streamed UK Christmas No. 1 Singles are as follows:
- Ed Sheeran – Perfect (2017)
- Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody (1975/1991)
- Clean Bandit – Rockabye (2016)
- Shakin’ Stevens – Merry Christmas Everyone (1985)
- Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas? (1984)
- Slade – Merry Xmas Everybody (1973)
- The Human League – Don’t You Want Me (1981)
- Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You (1992)
- Rage Against The Machine – Killing In The Name (2009)
- Boney M – Mary’s Boy Child/Oh My Lord (1978)
