The race for the coveted UK Christmas number one is a yearly tradition filled with surprises, chart battles, and unforgettable moments. From X Factor champions to viral fan campaigns, these festive hits have defined the holiday season. But which ones have truly stood the test of time?
Following news of the 40th-anniversary remake of Band Aid's ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?' the experts at GIGAcalculator analysed data to reveal the most successful UK Christmas number 1s of the past two decades, based on streaming numbers and estimated Spotify royalties.
Top 5 Most Successful UK Christmas Number 1s
1. “Perfect” – Ed Sheeran (2017)
- Streams: 3 billion
- Estimated Royalties: £10.9 million
- The crown for the most successful Christmas number 1 goes to Ed Sheeran’s ‘Perfect.' Despite not being a traditional festive song, it dominated the charts in 2017, staying at number one for six weeks. Its timeless appeal has made it a streaming juggernaut, with over 3 billion Spotify plays to date.
2. “Rockabye” – Clean Bandit ft. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie (2016)
- Streams: 1.6 billion
- Estimated Royalties: £5.5 million
- Clean Bandit’s ‘Rockabye' is a standout Christmas number one, staying at the top of the charts for a remarkable nine weeks. With its catchy melody and emotional lyrics, it has become one of the most-streamed Christmas chart-toppers of the modern era.
3. “Last Christmas” – Wham! (2023)
- Streams: 1.5 billion
- Estimated Royalties: £5.4 million
- After 39 long years, Wham!’s iconic ‘Last Christmas' finally claimed the number one spot in 2023, marking the longest journey to Christmas chart glory in history. The beloved classic continues to resonate with fans worldwide, securing its place as a festive favourite.
4. “Killing in the Name” – Rage Against the Machine (2009)
- Streams: 982 million
- Estimated Royalties: £3.3 million
- In one of the most memorable chart battles ever, Rage Against the Machine’s ‘Killing in the Name' triumphed over X Factor winner Joe McElderry in 2009, thanks to a viral fan campaign. The rebellious anthem remains an iconic moment in Christmas chart history.
5. “Hallelujah” – Alexandra Burke (2008)
- Streams: 938 million
- Estimated Royalties: £3.1 million
- Alexandra Burke’s emotional rendition of ‘Hallelujah' captured the nation’s hearts in 2008. As one of the most successful X Factor Christmas releases, the track still resonates with fans today.
Top 10 most successful UK Christmas number 1s
| Year | Artist | Song | Weeks at Number 1 | Streams | £ Spotify Royalties | |
| 1 | 2017 | Ed Sheeran | Perfect | 6 | 3,183,071,295 | £10,949,765 |
| 2 | 2016 | Clean Bandit | Rockabye ft. Sean Paul and Anne-Marie | 9 | 1,613,572,181 | £5,550,688 |
| 3 | 2023 | Wham! | Last Christmas | 6 | 1,590,462,705 | £5,471,192 |
| 4 | 2009 | Rage Against the Machine | Killing in the Name | 1 | 982,153,798 | £3,378,609 |
| 5 | 2008 | Alexandra Burke | Hallelujah | 3 | 108,933,714 | £374,732 |
| 6 | 2006 | Leona Lewis | A Moment Like This | 4 | 46,667,866 | £160,537 |
| 7 | 2014 | Ben Haenow | Something I Need | 1 | 32,607,748 | £112,171 |
| 8 | 2005 | Shayne Ward | That's My Goal | 4 | 16,007,143 | £55,064 |
| 9 | 2004 | Band Aid 20 | Do They Know It's Christmas? | 4 | 12,993,665 | £44,698 |
| 10 | 2010 | Matt Cardle | When We Collide | 3 | 12,875,058 | £44,290 |
Mariah Carey: The Ultimate Festive Queen
Although not a Christmas number one, Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You' deserves a mention. With 1.8 billion streams and £6.5 million in royalties, it remains the undisputed champion of holiday music and a staple of every festive playlist.
The Christmas Chart Tradition Lives On
The UK’s Christmas number 1 race continues to be a beloved tradition, bringing together music fans and creating moments that live on for decades. Whether it’s a heartwarming ballad, an unconventional anthem, or a festive classic, these chart-toppers have secured their place in holiday history.
Which song will claim the 2024 Christmas crown? Only time will tell!
