Whether you're a fan of Wham!'s 'Last Christmas', Mariah Carey's festive anthem, or the cheeky charm of East 17, the holiday season is soundtracked by a surprisingly lucrative musical genre. These perennial favourites do more than just fill shopping centres; they deliver a substantial annual royalties boost to the bank accounts of the world's biggest music stars.
The Multi-Million Pound Festive Payday
As families across the UK settle down for their turkey dinners or to watch a Christmas special, a select group of artists enjoys a predictable and welcome financial windfall. Their classic Christmas tracks are replayed year after year, generating significant income long after their initial release. This phenomenon is so powerful that the race for the Christmas number one has become a coveted spot in the UK's musical calendar, with many artists vying for a permanent place in festive history.
Record-Breakers and Cult Classics
It is perhaps no surprise that the highest-grossing Christmas song of all time remains a timeless classic. Bing Crosby's 'White Christmas' holds the Guinness World Record for the best-selling single globally, a testament to its enduring, multi-generational appeal. Interestingly, some of the most iconic festive songs never actually reached the top of the charts. Despite this, they have achieved cult status and continue to earn substantial royalties, proving that chart position isn't everything when it comes to long-term festive success.
Test Your Festive Music Knowledge
The world of Christmas music is rich with history, from Slade's merry shouting to the humanitarian effort of Band Aid. But how well do you really know your festive hits? Can you tell your Pogues from your Pretenders? Put your music know-how to the test with our special Christmas music quiz and discover if you're a true festive fanatic.
