Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has officially made history. The beloved holiday classic just became the song with the most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, claiming a remarkable 20 weeks. This achievement reflects the growing trend of holiday songs dominating charts, especially in the streaming era.
Last week, Mariah tied for the longest-running No. 1 spot with hits like Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” and Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” each boasting 19 weeks. Now, with her 20th week, it seems her record might stand unmatched for years to come.
Carey first released “All I Want for Christmas Is You” back in 1994, but it didn’t break into the top ten until 2017, likely due to the shift in how we consume music today. Streaming services have brought classics back into the spotlight, allowing them to become seasonal staples. The song first topped the charts in 2019 and has done so every holiday season since.
Interestingly, Mariah also held the prior record for the longest stint at No. 1 with her 1995 hit “One Sweet Day,” which spent 16 weeks at the top, demonstrating her enduring impact on pop music. Now, she’s at the forefront of Billboard history, having accumulated 99 weeks at No. 1, the highest ever for any artist. Rihanna follows behind with 60 weeks, and The Beatles have 59.
This surge in holiday hits is not just a trend; it’s a shift in how music is approached during the festive season. According to Billboard, around 41 holiday songs currently fill the Hot 100, making it quite competitive for newer songs to make their mark. Some experts suggest that as streaming continues to rise, older songs may continue to dominate the charts for longer periods, blending nostalgia with modern listening habits.
On another note, Ariana Grande saw significant success this week as well. Her song “Santa Tell Me” reached No. 5 on the Hot 100, and she has multiple albums charting, proving that she’s also a major player during this holiday season.
Moreover, She & Him—a duo consisting of Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward—earned its first-ever Hot 100 entry with “I Thought I Saw Your Face Today,” thanks to a viral TikTok trend. This reflects how social media is reshaping music habits and encouraging listeners to rediscover older tracks. The song originally appeared on their 2008 album but only gained traction due to its recent popularity on TikTok.
As the music landscape shifts, it’s clear that holiday songs will continue to play a robust role on charts. With Carey setting new standards and artists adapting to this change, the future of seasonal music looks particularly bright.
