Michael Bublé secures the Christmas Number 1 of 2023, achieving numerous records in the process

In one of the closest races for Number 1 of all time, Michael Bublé comes out on top and earns the big Christmas Number 1 of 2023 with his rendition of “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”. The holiday classic manages to outperform major competition from Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande and others. It now becomes the first ever Christmas song to become the Christmas Number 1 and the highest-peaking holiday song of all time. It also marks Michael Bublé his first ever Number 1-hit on my personal chart. It is supported by his holiday album Christmas, which was by far my most-streamed album this week. “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” now also becomes the Number 1-hit with the longest climb to the top since its release. It was originally released in 2011, over twelve years ago. The record was previously held by Goldband their “Noodgeval”, which needed more than a year to reach its peak. Additionally, Michael Bublé is the first male solo artist to earn the Christmas Number 1 in over twenty-four years – the last being Robbie Williams with “She’s the One” in 1999.

While she has not released any solo material since Positions, Ariana Grande scores one of the biggest Christmas hits of the year with “Santa Tell Me”, which re-peaks at #3 this year. It is boosted by the new Naughty Version, which went viral on TikTok and helped reinvent the modern classic. The single was originally released in 2014, in between her highly successful My Everything-era. “Santa Tell Me” now becomes Ariana Grande her highest peaking solo single in over three years, her last being the Top 5-hit “34+35” from 2020. It shows just how eager her fans are for new material.

The Christmas songs all peak on this week’s chart. Mimi Webb ranks at #5 with her new single “Back Home For Christmas”, her third Top 5-song to date, while Mariah Carey slips to #7 and Kelly Clarkson remains at #8 with their respective classics. Band Aid re-enter the Top 10 at #9 with their charity classic “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, while Ellie Goulding bags her second Top 10-entry of the year as her rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “River” finishes at #10. Further down, Justin Bieber re-enters the Top 20 this year with “Mistletoe”, its best performance since the song was originally released in 2011.

Wham!, Kylie Minogue and Jorja Smith all make a new Christmas debut with their respective singles. Wham! debut with their classic “Last Christmas” at #15, boosted by a viral TikTok trend. Kylie, who’s had an incredible year with hits such as “Padam, Padam”, debuts at #18 with her rendition of Eartha Kitt her classic “Santa Baby”. Jorja Smith debuts with her cover of “Stay Another Day”, the original being by East 17 which peaked at #6 in January 1995. Dutch Eurovision representative Joost debuts amidst the Christmas chaos at #38 with  “Friesenjung”, featuring German pop icon Ski Aggu.

Below this chart, I have listed every Christmas Number 1-song since charting began in 1995, including the newest addition by Michael Bublé. The very first Christmas Number 1 is the Dutch “Ademnood” by soap actresses-turned-girl group Linda, Roos & Jessica. Over the next three years, the Spice Girls earned back-to-back Christmas Number 1s with “2 Become 1”, “Too Much” and “Goodbye”. Two other artists also managed to earn three Christmas Number 1s, although not consecutively: Adele topped the holiday chart in 2008, 2010 and 2015, and Dutch singer Maan took home the special chart-topper in 2017, 2018 and 2022. The biggest Christmas Number 1 of all time is Cheryl Cole her debut solo record “Fight For This Love” from 2009. Cheryl also scored the Christmas Number 1 of 2003 as a member of Girls Aloud with “Jump”. The most successful holiday song of all time is Mariah Carey’s “All I Want For Christmas” which is currently certified triple-platinum.

Newly certified

“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” – Michael Bublé GOLD

“Monster” – Zoë Tauran GOLD

“Santa Tell Me” – Ariana Grande GOLD

“River” – Ellie Goulding GOLD

List of Christmas Number 1s

• 2023: “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” – Michael Bublé
• 2022: “Stiekem” – Maan & Goldband
• 2021: “Dat Heb Jij Gedaan” – MEAU
• 2020: “Nu Wij Niet Meer Praten” – Jaap Reesema & Pommelien Thijs
• 2019: “Don’t Start Now” – Dua Lipa
• 2018: “Hij Is Van Mij” – Kris Kross Amsterdam, Maan, Tabitha & Bizzey
• 2017: “Blijf Bij Mij” – Ronnie Flex & Maan
• 2016: “Touch” – Little Mix
• 2015: “Hello” – Adele
• 2014: “Blank Space” – Taylor Swift
• 2013: “Story of My Life” – One Direction
• 2012: “Troublemaker” – Olly Murs, Flo Rida
• 2011: “People Help the People” – Birdy
• 2010: “Rolling in the Deep” – Adele
• 2009: “Fight For This Love” – Cheryl Cole
• 2008: “Make You Feel My Love” – Adele
• 2007: “Valerie” – Mark Ronson & Amy Winehouse
• 2006: “Patience” – Take That
• 2005: “Ugly” – Sugababes
• 2004: “1001 Arabian Nights” – Ch!pz
• 2003: “Jump” – Girls Aloud
• 2002: “Dilemma” – Nelly & Kelly Rowland
• 2001: “Something Stupid” – Robbie Williams & Nicole Kidman
• 2000: “My Love” – Westlife
• 1999: “She’s the One” – Robbie Williams
• 1998: “Goodbye” – Spice Girls
• 1997: “Too Much” – Spice Girls
• 1996: “2 Become 1” – Spice Girls
• 1995: “Ademnood” – Linda, Roos & Jessica