Gracie Abrams leads an already very festive Top 40

2024 has seen the rise of new pop stars, such as Chappel Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Noah Kahan. It is not often that so many new artists earn their first chart-topper all of the sudden. Joining that line-up, Gracie Abrams earns a second consecutive week at Number 1 with the guitar-driven “That’s So True”. She has soared to pop stardom seemingly overnight, though she is the daughter of famous director JJ Abrams, which is an obvious help. Under Interscope Records she has already released numerous EPs and performed as an opening act for Taylor Swift on her Eras Tour. Her breakout “I Love You, I’m Sorry” still holds in my Top 10, while the previous single “Close to You” soars up the chart. Gracie is up against tough competition though, as Sam Fender bids for a potential fifth Number 1-hit with the energetic “People Watching”, which moves into second place.

Last year saw the rise of Afrobeats on this personal chart, as Libianca’s “People”, Ayra Starr’s “Rush” and Rema his “Calm Down” all soared up into my Top 10. None did it so successfully as Tyla though. The South-African star went viral with “Water” in late 2023, soaring up to #2, becoming the highest-charting Afrobeats single of all time. Determined to quickly shed the one-hit-wonder status, her debut EP quickly spawned the follow-up hit “Jump” featuring Gunna. That EP has recently received a bonus deluxe edition and was preceded by “Push 2 Start”, which moves up to #8 this week. It becomes Tyla her third Top 10-hit to date. Further down, her success continues as the new laid-back single “Tears” debuts at #27. It is the highest new entry this week. With its softer production and angelic vocals, Tyla is set to have a hit during the upcoming holiday period.

With December fast approaching, the Christmas classics begin to flood my personal chart. Perrie leads the pack with her new single “Christmas Magic” at #19, closely followed by Mariah Carey at #25. The previous Christmas Number 1-song “It’s Beginning to Look…” by Michael Bublé leads the re-entries at #29. Ariana Grande, Mimi Webb, Kelly Clarkson and Band Aid all follow closely behind with their respective annual classics. These festive songs are all expected to take over this chart completely soon, as the race for the Christmas Number 1 of 2024 commences. Last year, Michael Bublé took home the prestigious honour; the first time a holiday single topped the Christmas chart. Current frontrunners are Gracie Abrams, Sabrina Carpenter her festive EP and the prementioned singles. Mariah Carey claims the most successful holiday song of all time with “All I Want For Christmas”, which is certified four-times platinum.

As the race for the Christmas Number 1 of 2024 officially kicks off, I’ve decided to rank the highest-scoring Christmas Number 1s of all time. Cheryl takes the crown with her solo debut “Fight For This Love”, which took home the gold in 2009. It has achieved diamond status with over 190,000 points on the board. It was the longest-running Number 1-hit of all time until Dua Lipa overtook the record with “New Rules”. In second place ranks 2022’s “Stiekem” by Maan and Goldband, which is also certified diamond and ranks as the best-scoring Dutch song of all time. Dua Lipa ranks third with her infectious “Don’t Start Now” which held strong during the Christmas period in 2019. Adele, Maan and the Spice Girls have each scored three Christmas Number 1s, with the Spice Girls going as far as to score them all back-to-back between 1996 and 1998. Funnily enough, the lowest-scoring Christmas Number 1 of all time is the sole holiday chart-topper It’s Beginning to Look…” by Michael Bublé, which can only chart during the holidays.

Meanwhile, Olivia Dean manages to sneak in one new entry with the soft “Touching Toes”. Following her acclaimed set at Down The Rabbit Hole Festival this summer, her song “The Hardest Part” made it onto my list and became a sleeper hit, peaking at #13. The new “Touching Toes” is a softer and more laid-back release, in stark contrast to her previous song “Time”. Perhaps it will precede the upcoming sophomore studio album for the Brit. On this chart, “Touching Toes” earns Olivia Dean her deserved third Top 40-entry to date. It is yet to be seen if it can remain standing amidst the holiday chaos.

Newly certified

“I Love You, I’m Sorry” – Gracie Abrams GOLD

“Birds of a Feather” – Billie Eilish 2 X PLATINUM

Best-scoring Christmas Number 1s of all time

1. “Fight For This Love” – Cheryl (2009)

2. “Stiekem” – Maan & Goldband (2022)

3. “Don’t Start Now” – Dua Lipa (2019)

4. “Hij Is Van Mij” – Kris Kross Amsterdam, Maan, Tabitha & Bizzey (2018)

5. “Rolling in the Deep” – Adele (2010)

6. “Hello” – Adele (2015)

7. “Troublemaker” – Olly Murs & Flo Rida (2012)

8. “Story of My Life” – One Direction (2013)

9. “My Love” – Westlife (2000)

10. “Dilemma” – Nelly & Kelly Rowland (2002)

11. “Ademnood” – Linda, Roos & Jessica (1995)

12. “Valerie” – Mark Ronson & Amy Winehouse (2007)

13. “Touch” – Little Mix (2016)

14. “Goodbye” – Spice Girls (1998)

15. “She’s the One” – Robbie Williams (1999)