ASCAP Announces Top 25 Holiday Songs

One of my favorites is not on the list: Ave Maria:(
I am also a little disappointed that Santa Baby is only the No. 24. For me, no other songer can be more sultry than this one by Cynthia "c." Basinet. Madonna's version can be thrown into the trash can.

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers has announced its Top 25 most-performed Holiday songs for the first five years of the 21st Century based on their most recent performance data.

The most performed ASCAP Holiday Song of the 21st Century is "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” written by Robert Wells and Mel Tormé, and made famous by singer Nat “King” Cole, who recorded his version in 1946. Cole's version remains the most popular on radio today. Other popular recordings include versions by Celine Dion, Luther Vandross and Natalie Cole.

"Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” written by J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie, was a close second. Originally written in 1934, it was recorded the same year by orchestra leader George Hall, and is frequently heard today in versions by Bruce Springsteen, and the Crystals.

"Santa Baby," written by Joan Javits, Philip Springer and Tony Springer and Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime" have established themselves as seasonal favorites. Originally a hit for Eartha Kitt in 1953, "Santa Baby" was given new interest thanks to a version by Madonna.

Marilyn Bergman, ASCAP president and chairman of the board said, “More than anything else, music sets the mood for the holidays, evoking the magic of the season and memories of holidays past. These timeless classics have been recorded by artists in every genre, yet each song retains the original stamp of its creators.”

Here’s the list:

1. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) - Mel Tormé, Robert Wells
2. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie
3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin
4. Winter Wonderland - Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith
5. White Christmas - Irving Berlin
6. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne
7. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer - Johnny Marks
8. Jingle Bell Rock - Joseph Carleton Beal, James Ross Boothe
9. I'll Be Home For Christmas - Walter Kent, Kim Gannon, Buck Ram
10. Little Drummer Boy - Katherine K. Davis, Henry V. Onorati, Harry Simeone
11. Sleigh Ride - Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish
12. It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year - Edward Pola, George Wyle
13. Silver Bells - Jay Livingston, Ray Evans
14. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Johnny Marks
15. Feliz Navidad - José Feliciano
16. Blue Christmas - Billy Hayes, Jay W. Johnson
17. Frosty The Snowman - Steve Nelson, Walter E. Rollins
18. A Holly Jolly Christmas - Johnny Marks
19. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Tommie Connor (PRS)
20. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) - Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman
21. It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - Meredith Willson
22. (There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays - Bob Allen, Al Stillman
23. Carol Of The Bells - Peter J. Wilhousky, Mykola Leontovich
24. Santa Baby - Joan Ellen Javits, Philip Springer, Tony Springer
25. Wonderful Christmastime –Paul McCartney (PRS)

Some facts about the Top 25 ASCAP Holiday Songs:

Oldest songs:
"Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "Winter Wonderland" (both 1934)

Newest Song:
Wonderful Christmastime (1979)

Songs introduced in motion pictures:

"White Christmas" in Holiday Inn (1942)
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" in Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
"Silver Bells" in The Lemon Drop Kid (1950)

Writer with most Top Holiday Songs:

Johnny Marks with three - "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," and “A Holly Jolly Christmas”

Most recorded Holiday Song:

"White Christmas" with well over 500 versions in dozens of languages.