As the nation eagerly awaits the announcement of the official Christmas Number One for 2025, the annual debate over the greatest festive chart-topper of all time is in full swing. This year sees strong contenders in Kylie Minogue's 'XMAS' and the perennial favourite, Wham!'s 'Last Christmas'. However, one iconic girl group's debut stands above the rest as the ultimate Christmas release.
The Reigning Champion: Girls Aloud's Historic Debut
In a bold claim that will spark debate in households across the UK, Girls Aloud's 2002 debut 'Sound of the Underground' is championed as the finest Christmas Number One ever released. The track, unleashed on December 16, 2002, marked a seismic shift in pop music, redefining the future of girl bands.
Emerging victorious from ITV's Popstars: The Rivals, the quintet faced stiff competition from established acts. Yet, with the instant kick of its electric guitar and distinctive vocals—from Sarah Harding's northern edge to Cheryl's Geordie rasp—the song carved its own path. It was an unconventional festive winner that spent four weeks at the summit and sold over 213,000 copies in its year of release.
Escaping the LadBaby Era & Celebrating Timeless Classics
The recent charts have seen a welcome return to musical seriousness after several years dominated by LadBaby's charity parody singles. While the fundraising efforts were commendable, their 'dad-joke' covers, like 2021's 'Sausage Rolls', overshadowed genuine musical achievements. The end of their five-year reign in 2023 allowed timeless classics to reclaim their rightful place.
Topping that list is Wham!'s 'Last Christmas'. Originally released in December 1984, George Michael's bittersweet anthem only finally returned to the Number One spot in 2023. Written in under an hour, the track has become a cultural touchstone, embodying the festive spirit of friendship and nostalgia. It stands as the UK's third biggest single of all time, with over five million chart units.
The X Factor Legacy & Charity Powerhouses
The Christmas chart has long been shaped by talent show winners, with several producing unforgettable Number Ones. Matt Cardle's 2010 winner's single 'When We Collide'—a cover of Biffy Clyro's 'Many of Horror'—showcased his raspy voice and introduced the song to a new generation, proving itself more than a typical reality show release.
Similarly, Shayne Ward's 2005 original song 'That's My Goal' broke records, selling 313,000 copies in its first two days and going double platinum. It set a high bar as the first X Factor winner to release an original track.
No festive chart discussion is complete without acknowledging the philanthropic power of Band Aid 20's 2004 release. Featuring a supergroup including Robbie Williams, Chris Martin, and Sir Paul McCartney, it raised funds for the Darfur crisis. Backed by then-Prime Minister Tony Blair, it sold 72,000 copies in 24 hours and over a million physical copies in the UK, becoming the year's biggest seller.
While Mariah Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' often dominates playlists, it's argued to be overplayed and overdue for a rest in the archives. As for 2025, the smart money may be on Kylie Minogue, but the crown for the most impactful and defining Christmas Number One belongs firmly to Girls Aloud's groundbreaking 'Sound of the Underground'.
